(Cricket news) India and Australia are all set to go head to head in the World Test Championship final. The match will be played at the Oval stadium in London, England. The conditions will play a very important role in the match as it could dictate terms for both teams. Australia are without Josh Hazelwood who is injured while India have a long list of injuries with Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul all out of contention. A Test match in England is almost guaranteed to be stopped by rain at some point. Keeping that in mind ICC have a reserve day to make up for lost time if needed.

The pitch at the Oval is usually flat at least compared to the other venues in England. The pitch does generate some turn later on in the match. In England the overhead conditions matter as much as the pitch if not more. Weather forecast suggest that the first two days will be nice and sunny while there will be a cloud cover on day three. Rain is expected on the last two days and the potential reserve day. Australia will almost definitely play with 4 seamers and a spinner. India on the other hand will play one of Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin depending on the conditions.

Neither team has a good record at the Oval. India have won only 2 of the 14 matches played at the Venue while Australia have won 7 of 34. India’s last match at the Oval was a famous win where the Indian bowlers took 10 wickets on the final day. Shardul Thakur was excellent in that game so that should work in his favor to get him into the line-up. Steve Smith averages 97.75 at the Oval as he has 2 centuries and a half century in 5 innings. That is a big advantage for Australia which makes Steve Smith’s wicket even more crucial. 

Also read: Australia’s ideal playing XI for the World Test Championship final