Prologue: The Grand Stage of Test Cricket
The World Test Championship (WTC) Final isn’t merely a match—it is a culmination of two years of struggle, strategy, and survival. The second edition of this tournament, held at The Oval in June 2023, pitted two powerhouses: India, dominant in red-ball cricket for much of the last decade, and Australia, the resilient travellers and perennial title contenders.
As clouds loomed over London and history echoed from the grandstand walls of The Oval, the world awaited a battle that would test not just skill—but character, depth, and legacy.
Day 1: Australia’s Ascendancy – The Art of Recovery
Head and Smith: Two Styles, One Purpose
In testing conditions—overcast skies, a green tinge on the pitch, and the Dukes ball talking—India struck early, reducing Australia to 76 for 3. It was the moment for control. It was also the moment for a counterattack.
Travis Head, maligned in subcontinental conditions earlier in the year, unleashed a masterclass in controlled aggression. His 146* off 156 balls was a declaration of intent, laced with 22 boundaries and one soaring six. It was also the first century in a WTC Final, and a statement innings that reshaped the match.
At the other end, Steven Smith was the monk in the storm—methodical, patient, unflinching. As Head attacked, Smith accumulated. His 95 not out at stumps (eventually 121) was a study in discipline and positioning. Together, they carved a 251-run stand that sucked the air out of India's intensity.
India's Tactical Misstep: The Absence of Ashwin
India, having beaten Australia in four consecutive Test series, arrived with confidence—but perhaps overthought the conditions. Opting for four pacers and leaving out R Ashwin, the world's No. 1 Test spinner, they sought to exploit the grass cover. But what they found instead was inconsistency from their third and fourth seamers.
Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur were erratic, conceding 129 runs for a solitary wicket. India lost control, and with it, the initiative.
Day 2: Australia's Blueprint and India's Cracks
From Resistance to Ruin
Smith crossed his century early in the morning, and Head moved to 163 before finally falling. India, aided by Siraj’s persistence (4/108), pulled Australia back just enough, bowling them out for 469.
But then came the collapse. Rohit, Gill, Pujara, and Kohli—all dismissed by relentless, precise pace bowling. Boland’s in-dipper to Gill, Green’s jagbacker to Pujara, and Cummins' late movement to Rohit showcased what India’s bowlers failed to execute: length control and relentless discipline.
At 71 for 4, India were reeling. A late surge from Rahane and Jadeja brought them to 151 for 5, but the deficit loomed large.
Day 3: The Grit of Rahane and the Guile of Boland
The Morning Pain: India's Battered Resistance
The third day was less about strokeplay and more about survival. Rahane and Thakur were hit, prodded, and tested by Cummins and Boland. The Oval pitch, now misbehaving with variable bounce, tested India’s resolve. But Thakur, with a bruised arm and undying spirit, and Rahane, with his elegance on comeback, fought hard.
Rahane’s 89 and Thakur’s 51 carried India to 296. It was still a deficit of 173—but it kept them afloat.
Australia Rebuild: Ruthless Yet Measured
Siraj and Umesh picked up early wickets in Australia’s second innings. Smith and Head fell cheaply. But Labuschagne, alongside Green and later Carey, ensured Australia’s lead crossed 440. Carey’s second impactful knock of the match (66) exemplified the depth of Australia’s lineup.
Day 4: Hope Blooms at The Oval
The Epic Chase Begins
Set a mammoth 444—never before chased successfully in Test history—India’s openers showed intent. Rohit and Gill raced to 41 before controversy erupted. Gill’s edge to Green at gully went to the third umpire, and though replays were inconclusive, the catch was given out. The Oval crowd—largely Indian—responded with chants of “Cheat! Cheat!”
Pujara fell to a poorly executed ramp. But Kohli and Rahane restored belief with poise and positivity. Their unbeaten 71-run stand lit a spark of possibility, and for the first time in two days, India dared to dream.
Day 5: The Final Reckoning
Boland Strikes: A Champion's Over
The fifth day began with India needing 280 and Australia hunting seven wickets. The pitch had flattened, and the crowd buzzed with hope. But Scott Boland had other plans.
In a defining over, he first drew Kohli into a drive—edge to slip. Then Jadeja edged behind two balls later. In six balls, the heart of India's resistance was ripped out.
The Collapse and the Crowning
Rahane fought, again. But once he fell for 46, India's innings collapsed. Starc, Lyon, and Boland cleaned up the tail, ending the innings before lunch. India were bowled out for 234. Australia had won by 209 runs, with a session and a half to spare.
Australia: Masters of All Formats
A Legacy Etched in Gold
Australia’s WTC title was more than a victory—it was a Testament to Adaptability, Planning, and Excellence across continents. They had conquered Asia, endured English conditions, and dominated at home.
Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, David Warner, and Mitchell Starc became the first men’s players to win all major ICC trophies:
ODI World Cup
Champions Trophy
T20 World Cup
Test Championship
This title completed their circle. The white-ball legends were now undisputed kings of red-ball cricket too.
India: Glorious in Spirit, Defeated in Execution
India’s dream ended not for lack of fight, but because they gave away too much too early. The decision to drop Ashwin, the lack of early bowling discipline, and top-order fragility under pressure haunted them throughout.
Rahane's return, Thakur’s resilience, and Kohli's poise offered glimpses of brilliance. But brilliance without consistency cannot conquer finals.
Epilogue: Beyond the Scoreline
The WTC final was not just a championship—it was a celebration of the longest format's endurance and emotion. From Head’s storming century to Boland’s surgical spell, from Kohli's elegance to the crowd's chants, this match had everything: controversy, defiance, domination, and finally, glory.
As Pat Cummins said:
“You only get a few of these moments in your career… this is one we will savour.”
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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