Australia into World Test Championship Final; SL’s chance hangs in the balance

3 March 2023 11:06 am - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Australia's convincing nine-wicket triumph over India in the third Test has helped them book a place at this year's ICC World Test Championship Final, but just who joins them in the decider remains wide open.

Australia have been the dominant side during this World Test Championship period (2021-23), with Pat Cummins' side having won 11 of the 18 Tests they have featured in.

Their latest triumph came on the back of a superb bowling performance from veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who collected 11 wickets for the match to more than make up for the unexpected absence of Cummins due to family reasons.

While batting collapses for Australia throughout the series might have made for a nervy run chase, especially after Usman Khawaja fell for a duck in the second innings, Travis Head (49*) and Marnus Labuschagne (28*) steered them to the stirring win.

That victory has helped Australia amass an impressive 68.52 of their possible WTC points and that means they will finish the current period in first place on the World Test Championship standings regardless of the result in the final Test of their ongoing series against India.

While India hold on to second place on the standings with 60.29 of their possible WTC points and are in the box seat to qualify for the one-off Test at The Oval in June, they can still be overtaken by Sri Lanka should results go against Rohit Sharma's side over the coming weeks.

A victory in the fourth Test against Australia in Ahmedabad will ensure India's spot in the WTC Final, but another victory for the visitors or a draw will leave the door open for Sri Lanka to overtake Rohit's side and snatch the last spot.

Sri Lanka have two Tests to play away from home against New Zealand this month and know they have to complete a 2-0 series sweep over the Kiwis to have any chance of snatching a spot in the WTC Final.

Remaining ICC World Test Championship Fixtures

South Africa v West Indies (Second Test) – Johannesburg, South Africa, 8-12 March
New Zealand v Sri Lanka (First Test) – Christchurch, New Zealand, 9-13 March
India v Australia (Fourth Test) – Ahmedabad, India, 9-13 March
New Zealand v Sri Lanka (Second Test) – Wellington, New Zealand, 17-21 March

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Comments - 6

Jude Friday, 03 March 2023 11:35 AM

So far India vs Aussie test series umpiring below par!! In most cases favouring India!! In case of lbw decisions umpires quickly to give out Aussie batsman and it turned out be from DRS ball just touching the wicket since umpire given out and it becomes UMPIRE'S call and the batsman is out, if the umpire didn't give out in the first place then batsman is not out!! In most cases Aussie came up short end of the stick!! And in the opening day 3rd Test Rohit Sharma was out in the first ball and in the fourth ball but on-field umpire failed to give out in Both occasions!! Pathetic display!!

Jude Friday, 03 March 2023 11:46 AM

Beating Kiwis in kiwiland twice in Tests, nothing but a Pipedream!!

Jude Friday, 03 March 2023 11:47 AM

SL team lack confidence and don't play as a team!!

Ram Friday, 03 March 2023 02:11 PM

Good luck to our boys to make a mark in the Cricketing world at a time our politicians have made an indelible mark Bankrupting our country

Man Friday, 03 March 2023 02:41 PM

Neil Wagner's bouncers must be avoided by ducking and evading to win the series. Chandimal must be very particular in falling to the bouncer trap and get not out from Dharmasena, against Australia.

cricket fan Saturday, 04 March 2023 06:25 PM

India got a taste of their own medicine when they were bowled out cheaply in both innings of the third test losing the third test by 9 wickets 75 minutes after resumption of play on the third day.By virtue of victories over England South Africa West indies and Pakistan Australia currently the number one ranked team in test cricket has already qualified to play in the test championship in England in June probably against India currently the number two ranked team in test cricket .

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Australia into World Test Championship Final; SL’s chance hangs in the balance

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