New Delhi. After waiting for two years, the date has finally come whose Test cricket lovers were waiting. This date is the World Test Championship i.e. WTC final. This match between defending champions Australia and South Africa will be played from Wednesday. Whatever history is set to live in this match. If Australia wins, he will become the first country to win this title twice. If South Africa wins, it will be its first world title in any format in cricket. This match can be seen live on Star Sports Network and Live Streaming Geiograph.
Australia is the only team that has won the four ICC Trophy (ODI World Cup, Champions Trophy, T20 World Cup and WTC). How difficult it is to defeat him in the finals of big tournaments, the answer is hidden in the figures. Australia’s team has reached the finals 13 times in ICC tournaments and has been successful in winning the title 10 times. On the other hand, South Africa has so far won only one tournament of ICC. The team won the Champions Trophy title in 1998.
Coach Mark Boucher is confident that this time his African team history will change. The current team of South Africa has a good mix of experience and young players. In such a situation, the team would like to win this match and get rid of the ‘Chokrs’. The team used the maximum 30 players in the 2023-25 cycle of WTC. Most of these players came out at the right time to score or take wickets. That is why Boucher shouts that South Africa is ready to play WTC final with a win in seven consecutive Tests.
Australia will play the second consecutive WTC final. He has the remaining 10 players except David Warner at the playing XI, which defeated India in the final two years ago. The only challenge for Australia is who will be Osman Khwaja’s opening partner. There is a race to become the second opener in 19 -year -old Sam Contas and Travis Head. It is believed that the head will be seen in this role once after the Sri Lanka tour.
In fast bowling, Josh Hazlewood has returned fit and is ready to replace Scott Bolland. Hazelwood played an important role in making Royal Challengers Bangalore an IPL champion last week, recovering from a shoulder injury. He performed strongly with 22 wickets in 12 matches in the IPL. Australia’s bowling is very spectacular and experienced. The team will take over Mitchell Starc, Captain Pat Cummins and Hazlewood Paes Attack. Nathan Lion will have a spin attack on Lion’s shoulders.
Australia’s strength has increased with the return of all -rounder Cameron Green in batting. However, the form of Marnas Labushen in the middle order is a matter of concern. Steve Smith is 36 years old. He has not played competitive cricket after March. The same is also with Contas, Usman Khwaja, Nathan Lion, Scott Bolland and wicketkeeper Alex Carrie.
The biggest challenge before Australia’s batter will be to deal with Cagiso Rabada. He has run Khwaja five times. Rabada will expect help from Marco Yansen. Yansen has taken 29 wickets in the current cycle of WTC. Lungi Angidi and Dane Patterson will be the third option of fast bowling in the team.
Edem Marrank and Ryan Ricelton will open the innings for South Africa. Captain Temba Bavuma will bat in fourth place. David Bedingham, who scored the most runs for the team in the current WTC cycle, will also be a challenge for the Australian bowlers.
Australia Potential Playing XI: Usman Khwaja, Travis Head, Marnas Labushen, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Bu Webster, Alex Carrie (wicket -keeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lion.
South Africa Potential Playing XI: Aden Markram, Ryan Ryyan Ricelton, Tony de Georgi, Temba Bavuma, Triston Stabs, Kyle Varin (wicket -keeper), Vian Mulder, Marco Yansen, Keshav Maharaj, Cagiso Rabada, Lungi Angidi.
