Australia emerged as the champions of the World Test Championship 2023 after a commanding performance against India at the Oval in London. India’s second innings came to a close with a total of 234 runs in 63.3 overs. India’s top order faltered again with the bat and it was Mohammad Shami who was the last batsman standing. He was unbeaten on 13 runs off 8 deliveries.
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The turning point of the World Test Championship 2023 final took place in a single over when Australia’s key bowler Scott Boland turned the tide. He dismissed both well-set batsmen, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. Boland capitalised on Kohli’s weakness against the cover drive, enticing him to play the shot. Kohli couldn’t resist playing at the ball and ended up edging the ball to slip, where Steve Smith took an exceptional diving catch. Kohli fell just one run short of his 29th half-century, scoring 49 runs off 78 balls.
On the final ball of the over, Boland struck again, this time trapping Jadeja with a precise in-swinging delivery. Jadeja had no choice but to play a shot, resulting in an edge comfortably caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
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Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur attempted to rebuild India’s innings with a partnership, but their counterattack came to a halt when Rahane lost his wicket to Mitchell Starc. Rahane’s dismissal mirrored Kohli’s, as he played an unnecessary shot that carried comfortably to the wicketkeeper. Rahane departed after scoring 46 runs off 108 balls, concluding his impressive return to the Indian Test team.
In the next over, Thakur was dismissed without scoring a run, falling victim to Nathan Lyon. Umesh Yadav and KS Bharat managed to survive for a few overs, but Yadav struggled against Starc’s pace and was dismissed after adding just 1 run to the scoreboard.
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Despite the looming defeat, Mohammad Shami entertained the crowd with two consecutive boundaries. However, Mohammed Siraj attempted a reverse sweep shot but unfortunately found Boland in the field.
This marked the end of India’s second innings in the World Test Championship 2023 final. They managed to score only 234 runs in 63.3 overs. India leaked 150 runs too many during Australia’s first innings on a tough batting wicket.
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Steve Smith achieves milestone
Australia’s Steve Smith achieved a significant milestone during the World Test Championship 2023 final against India at the Oval on Sunday. He took a remarkable catch to dismiss India’s key batsman, Virat Kohli. As he dove low to complete the catch, Smith reached a total of 157 catches in Test matches for Australia.
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The record for the most catches in Test cricket by an Australian belongs to former captain Ricky Ponting, with 196 catches. Mark Waugh is second with 181 catches, while Steve Smith and Mark Taylor are tied third with 157 catches each. Completing the top four is Allan Border with 156 catches to his name in Test matches.