Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey, in the company of speedster Mitchell Starc, drove Australia's lead in the opening session of Day 4 of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Oval, after the early dismissals of set batters Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green.
Despite a comeback by Indian pacers, Australia strengthened their position in ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final as they dismissed both Indian openers in the second session of the second day of Thursday after scoring 469 runs
Fellow keeper Adam Gilchrist presented Carey with his Baggy Green when he made his Test debut against England in Brisbane during the most recent Ashes series in 2021
Queensland's Jimmy Peirson gets one step closer to donning a Baggy Green as Australia named him in the Ashes squad as a cover for the backup wicket-keeper Josh Inglis.
The powerful Aussies qualified for next month's World Test Championship final in first place on the back of a strong home record and will look to take that momentum into the meeting with India, and the five-match series against England that follows.
The 21-run win takes Australia marginally ahead of India at the top, with the visitors racking up 113.286 rating points compared to the Men in Blue's 112.638. Before the start of the final ODI, India was on top with 114 rating points to Australia's 112.
The second Test between India and Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy will take place in Delhi from February 17 onwards. Travis Head, an in-form batter for Australia, was dropped for the first Test and replaced by right-handed batter Peter Handscomb, who had last played Test cricket in