India still need two more wins from the remaining three Tests of the series to guarantee themselves a place in the WTC final.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon doesn't believe Australia's preparations for the World Test Championship final will be affected by the talk around the Ashes.
Hazlewood returned to Australia after reporting "minor side soreness" following his most recent IPL match for RCB
'You need all the departments to do well for you,' Rohit Sharma explained. 'And I thought our strength really has been all three departments.'
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar found senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's exclusion from India's playing XI for the World Test Championship final baffling.
Australia will be aiming to become the first-ever side to defend their ICC WTC mace as they take on Proteas in the 'Ultimate Test' from June 11 onwards at Lord's.
Australia dominated the proceedings on the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship final at the Oval.
India's 2-0 series sweep over Bangladesh in Mirpur on Sunday consolidated their position at the No 2 spot behind leaders Australia in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
South Africa are confident they can chase down a spot in next year's World Test Championship final, even if they must win four of their remaining five Tests in the current two-year cycle
India have recalled Ajinkya Rahane to reinforce their batting line-up, which will have to be at its best to negate the Australian attack.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the WTC final against Australia?
'1st look at Inaugural men's test championship wicket. Needs a shave.'
McDonald said team management were continually talking to senior players about their plans.
Rabada spent a month on the sidelines at the Indian Premier League after testing positive for a recreational drug at this year's SA20 competition.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the WTC Final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's on Wednesday
Ravi Shastri sounded sceptical about the possibility of players getting extended gap after the IPL or practice games ahead of future WTC final matches.
Former No. 1-ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja would open the innings for Australia in the WTC final against South Africa while the fit-again Cameron Green would bat at the No. 3 position.
'There's going to be a lot of logistics involved given the IPL final is only a week before the WTC final'
The surface displayed a cover of lush green grass, although it is worth noting that there are still a day remaining until the game begins.
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon termed Indian players as superstars' while hoping to revive his on-field rivalry with India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
This is India's second appearance in the WTC final after losing the inaugural game in 2021 to New Zealand.
India face Australia in the WTC final on June 7 at The Oval in London.
Australia and India control their own destiny as they edge towards the conclusion of the competition
The weather forecast for Day 6 of the World Test Championship Final looks promising
Head said the win was a culmination of the hard work put in over the last two years.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri has backed K L Rahul to seal his place as a wicketkeeper-batter for the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June.
Lyon emphasised that the World Test Championship format removes the possibility of "dead rubbers" in individual series, ensuring that every match remains important and competitive, with every point carrying weight within the two-year cycle.
Rahane's comeback after 15 months was on predictable lines
Captain Rohit Sharma believes all individuals showed a lot of character and stepped up when needed to take India to the World Test Championship final for the second consecutive time.
Temba Bavuma discusses the no-handshake policy in India-Pakistan cricket, South Africa's T20 World Cup chances, and Indian batters' struggles against spin.
Sri Lanka, who are third in the WTC rankings behind already qualified Australia and India, will need to beat New Zealand 2-0.
The truth of the matter is that India lost their second successive WTC final on day two of this encounter when they collapsed to 71/4 in response to Australia's first-innings total of 469.
Rohit Sharma blamed poor bowling in the first innings for their crushing defeat
Ahead of the start of the WTC Final, Australian players read out AI's prediction of the match, which got underway at the Oval.
Sourav Ganguly hoped that the seasoned batter makes "most" of the opportunity
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said he was pleased to confirm two iconic venues for the next two cycles.
Australia's senior batter Steve Smith has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's after suffering a compound dislocation of his right pinkie on Friday.
Cheteshwar Pujara will get a chance to sneak peek into Steve Smith's preparations ahead of the high-profile World Test Championship final, starting June 7, as the former Australian skipper gears up to play three English county games for Sussex this month.
Kohli has reached the UK along with Mohammad Siraj, and the team is training at Kent Cricket Ground ahead of the final.
Australia suffered a big setback after senior fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the World Test Championship final against India.
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