Cricket news for 2023, including the World Test Championship rankings and how India qualifies
Australia defeated India by nine wickets in Indore to secure its place in this year’s World Test Championship final and maintain their chances of winning the coveted mace in June.
Australia has moved closer to winning their first World Test Championship title with this week’s overwhelming victory at Holkar Cricket Stadium, the only ICC competition they have never won, but failing to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Before to the 2023 Ashes series in England, the World Test Championship final will be played at the Oval from June 7 to June 11. The current winners are New Zealand, who defeated India by eight wickets in the final at Southampton in 2021.
“To play at a neutral venue like The Oval adds another element for both sides who make the final,” Australian Test captain Pat Cummins said last month.
“It’s exciting and has been a goal of ours for a while now.
“We are confident we can secure a place while here in India after a really strong 12 months.
“The final would be a great reward for the players and staff who have done so well.”
India must win the Ahmedabad Test next week to guarantee its place in the World Test Championship final, but if Australia pulls off another surprise victory or the match is a draw, Sri Lanka has a chance to claim the open position.
If Sri Lanka wins the series 2-0 in New Zealand later this month, Australia will be their opponent in the World Test Championship final. Nonetheless, India advances automatically if the Black Caps secure a victory or a draw in either game.
ICC WTC STANDINGS 2021-23
68.52 — Australia
60.29 — India
53.33 — Sri Lanka
52.38 — South Africa
46.97 — England
38.1 — Pakistan
37.5 — West Indies
27.27 — New Zealand
11.11 — Bangladesh
“Leading Team India out onto the field of play at the World Test Championship final would be special,” Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said last month.
“We have grown and developed as a team during this competition and to be in with a chance of lifting the mace at The Oval in June, we know we first need to overcome a tough Australia side.
“There have been so many dramatic moments in Test cricket lately, and there are undoubtedly more to come.
“I am excited by the prospect of booking our place at the final and hopefully creating history later in the year.”
At Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the fourth Test match between India and Australia will begin on Thursday at 3 p.m. AEDT.
