IMAGES from Day 2 of the WTC Final played between Australia and India at The Oval in London on Thursday.
'I know he is on record saying that the Test match game is probably a little bit hard on his body. But for a one-off game... he's been bowling every game through this IPL and he's bowling quick.'
The 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final will be played at the iconic Lord's cricket ground from June 11 to 15 next year.
The current WTC system awards the same number of points -- 12 for a win, six for a tie and four for a draw -- which has given rise to discontent that India, England and Australia -- the Big Three in cricket -- "are disadvantaged as they play more games against each other".
Young opener Shubman Gill is looking in good rhythm and should continue to open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma in the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand, former India batsman VVS Laxman said on Tuesday.
For the Indian captain and his team, the WTC final is like their Test debuts as young players trying to come up the ranks.
Australia will have to dust off the cobwebs but are still fancied to successfully defend their World Test Championship crown against equally ring-rusty South Africa in the final at Lord's.
Asked about losing yet another toss, Gill quipped, 'I think the only toss that I'm going to win is hopefully in the WTC finals.'
India's fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar ruled out the possibility of a change in the playing XI after the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand was washed out.
Ricky Ponting believes that India will play both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the World Test Championship final against Australia, starting June 7.
For Pat Cummins's side, the addition of Flower to the coaching staff will only add more to the expectations as they strive to become the first Australian team to win an Ashes series in England since 2001.
Kevin Pietersen criticises England after their Ashes loss in Adelaide
Doull said New Zealand were definitely benefited by the two games against England ahead of the marquee clash.
India should look at Shardul Thakur over Mohammad Siraj as the fourth fast bowling option in the side for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand in case of overcast conditions in Southamptom, said former selector Sarandeep Singh.
Fast bowler Jacob Duffy and spinner Ajaz Patel routed West Indies as New Zealand won the third and final Test by 323 runs to complete a 2-0 series victory
'Rain to start in Southampton means coffee and a chat watching the covers to start the day.
'It gave the viewers that spectacle, with three possible results going into the final session. I think we saw similar characteristics on this wicket when we played against England.'
Dravid insisted his team is not feeling any pressure going into the World Test Championship final against Australia.
Throughout the Test series, Indian batters struggled against a strong South African bowling attack. Indian batters averaged just 15.23 across the two-match Test series against South Africa.
Warner has also taken aim at his Ashes nemesis England veteran pacer Stuart Broad, implying that he will not be the force that derailed the opening batter's 2019 trip this time.
'We have seen both teams not having played Test matches for a couple of months. So, it is a one-off. Anything can happen. I will sit on the fence'
The match might end in a draw if inclement weather continues to play spoilsport.
To express solidarity with those affected, Team India will wear black armbands, the BCCI said in a statement.
South Africa's head coach Shukri Conrad is backing his spin troika of Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy and Simon Harmer to match their seasoned counterparts from India and "make history of our own" in the upcoming Test series
BJ Watling will be retiring from international cricket after the tour of England.
Kohli didn't name anyone but expressed his displeasure at some of the players not showing enough intent to score runs
New Zealand vice-captain Tom Latham says losing the first day to rain will not change their approach to team selection.
'That's great for our team and in a way Ashes are bloody hard to win. It's not going to be easy but if we were to win it, that is legacy defining stuff.'
Former pacer Venkatesh Prasad feels that a high-on-resources India has got all bases covered to get past a high-on-confidence New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship final, starting in Southampton from June 18.
Rajneesh Gupta offers insights about the World Test Championship Final.
India and New Zealand will fight it out for the inaugural title at Southampton's Ageas Bowl
Ravichandran Ashwin became the first bowler to pick 50 or wickets in each of three World Test Championship cycles.
For Kohli, a trophy-less cabinet doesn't do justice to the champion performer that he has been for a decade.
Rain washed out an entire day's play for the second time in the ICC World Test Championship final in Southampton on Monday, diminishing hopes of a result in the India vs New Zealand contest.
The ICC has promised concessions to the PCB for ending its boycott of the India match, but details will be revealed only after the T20 World Cup, sources said.
fter missing the home Test series against England with injury, Jadeja will hope to get his place back in the playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand, in Southampton from June 18 to 22.
South Africa pulled off a sensational victory inside three days of the opening Test against India on Sunday and the manner of it would go a long way in silencing those who doubted their credentials as the reigning world test champions.
Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson and Mitchell Santner are among 10 New Zealand players in the different franchises of the IPL.
India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Thursday said the team planned to bowl only bouncers to Travis Head irrespective of the outcome.
'Whichever team is able to adjust and adapt to the conditions, the pitch will win the match.'
