Australia defeated India by 209 runs to win their first World Test Championship title at The Kia Oval. With just five days until the Ashes begin, Patrick Ardill discusses the key takeaways from Australia’s WTC Final win.
You can bet on the 2023 Ashes with our Match Centre partners, bet365.
Travis Head is one of, if not the most destructive batsman in the world
Travis Head’s first innings century displayed some of the most fluid, comfortable stroke-making by a touring batter in England. Despite being briefly trialled at the top of the order in India, Head is locked in at No.5 and represents the perfect counter-Bazball threat.
With Harry Brook lining up as Head’s opposite number in the Ashes, the neutral could be in for a real middle-order hitting treat. Head bats with impetus and confidence, and a freedom not too dissimilar to Brook – his imperious 163 from 174 balls was demonstrative of a chanceless flamboyance that’ll no doubt be cause for much head-scratching among the English bowling attack.
Steve Smith has hit form at just the right time
At the other end for much of Head’s knock was a certain Steve Smith. Nudging, nurdling and notably more cautious in approach than his middle-order counterpart.
But ultimately, doing what Steve Smith does best – not getting out, and scoring runs while doing so.
Smith has had a mixed year thus far, registering scores of 30, 3 and 89 during his brief stay on the south coast with Sussex, and before the WTC Final had averaged a shade above 30 in Tests after a poor Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier in the year.
Evidently his south coast sojourn has given Smith ample opportunity to acclimatise to English conditions, with his 121 a vintage, patient Smudger knock that frustrated the Indian attack. His return to form couldn’t be more perfectly timed, and will provide great comfort to Aussie punters.
His former coach Justin Langer on commentary was eager to point out how invaluable Smith is not only as a bat, but as a catcher – his twisting grab to remove Virat Kohli stamped his status as one of the world’s best in his position.
Scott Boland is frighteningly at home in English conditions
While the English camp is no doubt fervently proud of the experience and skill its seam attack boasts, they should be very wary of a 34-year-old with eight Test matches to his name.
Among all the eye-catching moments in the World Test Championship Final, Scott Boland quietly went about his business with the ball and killed the Indian chase within a matter of deliveries.
Boland’s USP is unrelenting accuracy –hitting nigh on the perfect length ball after ball, with slight variations in seam presentation and angle of release. He is an invaluable addition to the Australian attack and will no doubt cause the English batters the same problems Robinson and Broad will pose with the Dukes ball.
Who will fast, flat wickets favour?
The Kia Oval is one of the flattest wickets on the English circuit, and run scoring was always going to be on the agenda heading into the WTC Final.
The Aussies managed that feat – posting an impressive first innings total and scoring quickly before declaring in the second – and restricted India with the ball at the same time. Although they conceded just shy of 300 in the first innings, their balanced pace attack used the swinging ball to their advantage, and once the deck flattened out by day five, they could unleash Nathan Lyon’s trademark turn and bounce to clean up India’s middle- and lower-order.
It is unclear who these fast, flat wickets promised by Stokes will favour – but it makes for a mouth-watering prospect, no doubt the reason behind the former.
Despite their strengths, Australia are beatable
Yes, they have just won the World Test Championship. Yes, their team is well balanced. And yes, this piece has waxed lyrical on the Australian side.
But despite their strengths – Australia are beatable.
Perhaps most notable is the fact that Australia’s openers still aren’t firing. David Warner showed glimpses of his best during his first-innings 43, but fell for one in the next, while Usman Khawaja scored just 13 runs across the final.
Khawaja, who averages just 17.78 in England, will be particularly wary of England’s paceman bowling at him from over the wicket – while we needn’t say more about Warner’s fortunes against Stuart Broad.
And, although it ultimately didn’t affect the outcome of the Test match, India were able to apply pressure with the bat – particularly on the third morning and the fourth evening. Pat Cummins was laissez-faire with his reviews at times, and frustration leaked from the side’s pores – Cummins ended the first session of day three kicking the ball towards Smith.
That reaction to pressure doesn’t bode well, against a notoriously carefree English side who will capitalise.
