Australian pacer Mitchell Starc said on Sunday that though the pitch has not shown the "tricks and demons" that his side thought it could, the final day of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title clash against India, adding that there are some cracks on the surface and expects it to brea
An eventful day of cricket came to an end with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane holding down India's fort at the end of Day-4 of the ongoing World Test Championship Final 2023 between India and Australia on Saturday.
Before the second session came to an end, Indian batter Shubman Gill was declared out following a catch from Cameron Green at slip. There was a lack of evidence about whether Green took the catch cleanly or not. The matter went straight to the Third Umpire and he declared the catch was clean
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.
Rahane was hit on his right hand's index finger by an extra bounce delivery from Australia skipper Pat Cummins in the 22nd over of India's batting on Day 2 of the WTC Final.
Even as Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur managed to reignite India's hope of making a comeback in the WTC final, Australian bowlers once again showcased their prowess, with skipper Pat Cummins dismissing Rahane at the beginning of the second session.
India skipper Rohit Sharma's decision of bowling first initially seemed to have paid off. However, Head and Smith's unbeaten partnership of 251 runs put the Australians in the driver's seat at the close of play on Day 1.
At Lunch, Australia were 73/2 (23) with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith holding fort for the Baggy Greens at their individual scores of 26(61)* and 2(7)* respectively.
Australia ended at the top of the WTC table with 11 wins, three losses, five draws in 19 matches whereas India ended in second position with 10 wins, five losses and three draws.
The Indian Test team is set to face Australia in one of the games that could define their legacy and the prowess they have gained in the recent time as they made their way into the World Test Championship 2023 final by defying the odds.
"We're big on kind of everyone bowling slightly differently, Scott is a seam bowler on a good length, but he just offers something slightly different to Joshy Hazlewood, and Starcy being a left hander is bit different. So I don't think there's ever a pecking order. You think about the thr