NEWS
Follow UsAhead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, Australia start as favourites, considering the conditions on offer at The Oval. From the early images of the pitch at The Oval, it seems like an ideal condition for pacers, with a bit of grass on the top. Combine that with the Duke’s Ball, there is a strong chance that the match could be dominated by pacers.
Before the final, Australian skipper Pat Cummins spoke about the prospect of bowling at The Oval, with the weather too helping the bowling unit. Never before in history has there been a contest in the month of June at the venue, and that makes for an interesting contest between the two teams in an unprecedented contest.
“Yeah, can be. I haven't had a look at the wicket yet today, I'll go out there now. But yeah the weather's been pretty nice all this week and it looks pretty good this week so a bit of a cloudy morning today but anytime there's a bit of grass on the wicket at Duke's Ball with some overheads pretty fun for the quick bowlers So we're looking forward to a good week,” Cummins said ahead of the all-important clash.
Australia were jolted by an injury to Josh Hazlewood, but with the presence of Scott Boland, Cummins feels that they are safe. Not just that, Cummins also reckoned that with the conditions favouring the pacers, Boland could take his game to the next level, being a seasoned pro. The Victorian has picked up 28 wickets in his Test career, averaging 13.42 with the ball.
“Hopefully huge. These conditions just seem to suit him (Boland), you'd think. He hasn't played a lot over here, but a seam bowler who will be rewarded for just bowling in the good areas over and over again. That's what he brings to the team. He's been fantastic,” Cummins spoke on Boland.
“Even in India, he played the first Test match there on a pretty docile wicket and still did a fantastic job. He's a seasoned pro. If there's any assistance in the wicket as well, he just goes to that next level.”
When these two sides last played against each other, spin was the major talking point, given how the conditions in India were heavily tilted. But in these largely unknown surroundings, Cummins insisted that it is a bit like playing a ‘White-ball’ World Cup.
“Yeah that's right yeah looking at spin bowling figures in Delhi don't have a lot of relevance to you know playing out here even two months later. So yeah, it feels like there's a few more unknowns. It's a bit like playing a white ball World Cup game in a neutral venue, which is good. It's exciting. I think going out there, you've got to go a bit more on instinct and problem solve on the fly, which is enjoyable,” he added.
Can Australia win this one?
Australia were on the wrong side of things during the first edition of the World Test Championship cycle, where they missed out on the final due to a penalty after maintaining a slow over-rate against India at home.
“Potentially, yeah I think missing the first one, this second one feels like it's a bit more significant. Again I think it's the only trophy that Australian cricket hasn't won. All those things, yeah, at the time, feel special, but maybe in 10 years' time when you look back at career achievements, these are the ones that stand out,” he had to add.
One of the most important talking points ahead of the finale is Cameron Green, the all-rounder who has grown in stature for Australia. Cummins spoke highly of the all-rounder, adding that he is a ‘real luxury’ to have for any captain.
“He's fantastic Greeny. You know last test match he played he scored his first 100. He took a few test matches before that, he just keeps growing and growing. Just a real luxury to have as a captain in the side as well,” Cummins said about Green.
Interestingly enough, the Australian skipper compared him to his English counterpart Ben Stokes and insisted that having someone like Green in the top six could make a huge difference to any setup.
“A fifth bowling option to bowl as many overs as we need really, can take wickets. So yeah, you're right, you know, you've seen Ben Stokes, what he's done with England over the years, having that key all-rounder who's in your top six can make a big difference at times. So we're backing him in, he's still young but with each game he seems to be growing,” he added.
David Warner isn’t in the best of forms but like the southpaw himself mentioned earlier, he’s probably in the best shape and position ahead of the big Test. Cummins too echoed the thoughts, stating that he would love for Warner to ‘take the attack’ to the Men in Blue.
“I think when Davey's at his best he's an aggressive, scary proposition to the opposition. So that's what we'd love to see, how does Davey go out there, take the game on, put the pressure back onto the opposition. I think if he does that he's going to score runs even if it's not this game it's going to be you know the next game or the next game so - yeah I'd love Dave to just to take the game on, play his role that he has for 100 test matches”
