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The Kennington Oval pitch for World Test Championship (WTC) final did not turn out to be a bowler’s paradise. With sunny conditions, it turned out to be a batting paradise as Australia piled on runs and set a 444-run target for Rohit Sharma-led India in the ultimate Test.
Weather favours Australia
The weather did not help the seamers but that may change on Day 5 of WTC final. According to accuweather, “Although only 1.4 mm of rain is predicted for the fifth day, the weather will stay “mostly cloudy and warm” with some rain in the afternoon. There’s a 65 per cent probability of precipitation and 85 per cent cloud cover.”
As per weather forecast, the rain will not disrupt the proceedings to an extent that the WTC final will enter the reserve day. However, it may play spoilsport on the final day of the Test and also make batting difficult for batters as Australian seamers will get more swing in overcast conditions.
Gill’s fiery start cut short
India need to pull off the highest successful run chase in the history of Test cricket if they are to win the WTC 2023 final. India got off to a good start as they scored at nearly at six runs per over in the second session on Day 3. But Shubman Gill became victim to a controversial dismissal. Gill edged one to the slip fielder Cameron Green who took the catch with his fingers. It seemed that the ball was touching the grass but the third umpire did not give Gill the benefit of the doubt. India had 41 runs on the board after 7.1 overs at the end of second session.
Earlier Alex Carey's unbeaten 66 and Mitchell Starc's 46-run knock helped Australia post 270/8. Skipper Pat Cummins came out to bat and declared the innings after he got dismissed by Mohammed Shami.
India chasing history
It is to be noted that the highest successful run chase at the venue belongs to England. In 1902, Gilbert Jessop’s century and George Hirst’s half-century helped England chase down 263 against Australia at Kennington Oval.
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