The WTC Victory By Australia What Does It Imply For The Ashes?

June 12, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News

As they clear the cobwebs in style, Boland’s metronomic precision and Smith’s menacing form bode well for the side.

Australia’s triumph in the World Test Championship [WTC] final was a historical event in and of itself. It marked the end of an amazing two years and secured the sole championship that had not yet been added to their collection of trophies. But this trip has only just begun; it wasn’t a one-off game.

The men’s Ashes start on Friday at Edgbaston, so let’s look at what Australia’s performance at The Oval may signify versus England while the players enjoy a day or two off.

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Even two at The Oval wouldn’t have prevented Warner from playing in Edgbaston, but it would have increased the pressure considerably. Instead, he enters the Ashes having performed admirably in the first innings, persevering through a challenging opening hour before thriving by regaining the initiative against India’s attack.

Even if a feathery pull down the leg side this time didn’t really advance the story, the around-the-wicket line managed to get him this time. He struck Mohammed Siraj with a drive while unbalanced in the second inning for one. By the time the Ashes reach the conclusion of the Lord’s Test, we may have a better understanding of Warner’s prospects of saying goodbye to Sydney.

Falling into the deep guard designated by Warner was Smith’s biggest issue. He set the bar high by scoring a fine hundred in the first innings as he aimed to come close to matching his outstanding performance from 2019, when he scored 774 runs in only four Tests while missing one due to a concussion.

Such is Smith’s brilliance that after his first two county matches for Sussex, he decided the more severe back-and-forth movement he employed in 2019 was worth returning to, which may reinforce the opinions of those who believed he shouldn’t have been signed. Actually, Smith would have resolved the issue on his own. Most likely, this is his last Ashes tour.

One of the prominent figures in this WTC victory has been Travis Head. He kicked it off with a scorching hundred against England at the Gabba and set up the game-winning triumph at The Oval with a scorching 163. However, India missed a trick, as admitted by bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.

They did not launch an early continuous short-pitched approach. On the second day, Head ultimately gloved down the leg side, but he didn’t appear fully at ease throughout the second inning. Expect England to put him to the test right away, especially if Mark Wood is joining the assault.

However, they must do it correctly. Head will get involved in anything that is out of line, either by cutting over the point or carving towards the deep third. If England posts deep fielders to serve as catchers for those shots, don’t be shocked.

Although they didn’t end up being expensive in this game, Australia’s DRS performance wasn’t its finest. Soon after Cummins had a wicket washed off by a no-ball, India reviewed for an edge against Shardul Thakur in their first innings.

Then they reviewed an LBW against Ajinkya Rahane that never looked out after Marnus Labuschagne persuaded them to go upstairs for a non-edge against Virat Kohli (despite the fact that he nicked Boland to slip two balls later). It doesn’t take much to be reminded of how 2019 came back to bite them.

The WTC Victory By Australia What Does It Imply For The Ashes?

READ MORE: India And Pakistan Agree To Play Their World Cup Encounter In Ahmedabad

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