Australia’s road to WTC final
Australia began their clash against rivals India in the highly-anticipated World Test Championship Final at the Oval, commencing on June 7. The Aussies, who missed out on the qualification last time around, were one of the most dominant sides in the 2021-23 cycle, finishing at the top of the WTC points table with 11 wins in 19 outings.
Here’s how Australia secured their passage for the summit clash:
Australia 4 – 0 England, 2021-22
It wasn’t an ideal beginning for Australia as their regular skipper Tim Paine resigned from his leadership duties in controversial circumstances. However, star pacer Pat Cummins did a commendable job in leading the side during their much-anticipated Ashes duel against arch-rivals England. Cummins-led Australia battered England by winning four of the five matches in the series, displaying their dominance in red-ball cricket.
Pakistan 0 – 1 Australia, March 2022
A historic tour of Pakistan saw the Aussies engage in several high-scoring affairs in the subcontinent. The visitors claimed the bragging rights after winning the third and final Test of the series to claim the three-match series.
Sri Lanka 1 – 1 Australia, June-July 2022
Pat Cummins’s reputation as the captain was enhanced after the Aussies dispatches Sri Lanka in the Test series opener with disdain. However, Cummins suffered his first defeat as the Test skipper after a spirited fightback from the hosts saw Sri Lanka end the series on level terms.
Australia 2 – 0 West Indies, November-December 2022
Following their visit to the subcontinent, Australia hosted the West Indies for a two-match series. The Caribbean side, who headed into the contest as massive underdogs, were swatted aside by the home side as Australia whitewashed the visitors to solidify their place at the top of the WTC points table.
Australia 2 – 0 South Africa, December 2022
Pat Cummins’ team faced their biggest test when they hosted a wounded South African side for a three-match series. The series opener turned out to be a bowling spectacle as a hostile pitch in Brisbane grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The home side ended the year on a high, claiming the series after winning the first two matches and settling for a draw in the series finale.
India 2 – 1 Australia, February-March 2022
Although Australia established itself as the run-away league leader in the WTC points table after a series of impressive outings, they needed a favourable result against India in a blockbuster Border-Gavaskar series. Australia’s hopes were hanging in the balance after the Asian outfit flexed their muscles in the opening two matches of the series on spin-friendly wickets. With the Indians retaining the BGT, Australia claimed a much-needed victory against the hosts in Indore to seal their WTC final spot. The series finale fizzled in a draw as both sides had already booked their place for the high-voltage clash at the Oval in June.
