A reserve sixth day will be added to the Test match in an effort to salvage a result.
The second iteration of the ICC World Test Championship Final will take place between June 7 and June 11, 2023, as two years of Test cricket come to an end in the Ultimate Test at The Oval in England. This was confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) today.
In its long history, the South London venue has played host to over 100 Test matches. In June, the top two Test teams in the ICC World Test Championship standings will arrive to battle for the ICC World Test Championship Mace.
The highlight of the Test season is the ICC World Test Championship Final, a weeklong celebration of the game’s longest format. The ICC World Test Championship’s two years of rigorous competition—61 Test matches across 24 series—have culminated in this Ultimate Test.
India and Australia are expected to compete in the World Cup final.
Even though the two opposing nations may not yet be known, anticipation is growing for the June matchup as a number of important games are scheduled to take place in the next weeks to determine the Finalists.
India is presently in second place, closely behind Australia in the standings, and both teams will face off against each other starting on February 9 in a four-Test series with a spot at The Oval and the coveted ICC World Test Championship Mace in the balance.
While all six teams have a chance to qualify, Sri Lanka, which is currently third in the standings, and South Africa, which is currently fourth, are among the favourites to challenge the top two. These teams will face off against the current WTC champions New Zealand and the West Indies in two two-Test series in February and March.
The ICC World Test Championship Final will definitely provide us with another riveting game as the drama ebbs and flows in the ensuing weeks. The winners will go down in the annals of this legendary game type.
The possibility of competing in the World Test Championship Final has been a major motivator for us over the last couple of years, especially after missing out on over rates the last time, according to Australia captain Pat Cummins.
“Playing at a neutral site like The Oval adds a new dimension for both teams that advance to the Final. It’s exciting and has been a long-term aim of ours.
“After a particularly successful year, we are certain we can find a location while we are here in India. For the players and staff who have worked so hard, winning the Final would be a wonderful reward.
Looking ahead to what could be a second straight WTC Final match, India’s skipper Rohit Sharma said, “Leading Team India out onto the field of play at the World Test Championship Final would be special.
We have improved as a team during this campaign, and in order to have a chance of winning the Mace at the Oval in June, we know we must first defeat a formidable Australia team.
“Test cricket has recently featured a tonne of spectacular moments, and there will definitely be more. The possibility of securing our spot in the Final and, maybe, making history later in the year excites me.
Dimuth Karunaratne, the captain of Sri Lanka, expressed his excitement for the potential to play in the World Test Championship Final by saying, “Sri Lanka still has a decent chance of making it there. We’ve done well to be among the top contenders, and if we can play well in the forthcoming tour of New Zealand, our chances of reaching the championship game will increase.
“We are aware of both the possibility and the difficulties we will have in securing this fantastic opportunity to participate in the WTC Final. This competition is excellent for red-ball cricket because it guarantees that every game is played at maximum intensity and that all teams, whether they advance to the Final or not, will play to successfully conclude the current cycle.
There is a chance that South Africa will make it to the World Test Championship Final as well. According to their Test captain Dean Elgar, “There is no better encouragement than the notion of competing for silverware in such a historic format at such a historic site.
“With the West Indies Test series right around the corner, we are focused on the challenge ahead and hungry for success in this format. We would want to add some more drama to this already thrilling competition and make it to the Final in June because there is so much on the line.
ICC World Test Championship fixtures that remain
India vs. Australia: Nagpur, India, February 9–13; Delhi, India, February 17–21; India vs. Australia: second test
First Test: South Africa vs. West Indies, Centurion, South Africa, 28 February–4 March Third Test: India vs. Australia, Dharamsala, India, 1–5 March
India vs. Australia (4th Test): Ahmedabad, India, 9-13 March South Africa vs. West Indies (2nd Test): Johannesburg, South Africa, 8-12 March New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka (1st Test): Christchurch, New Zealand, 9-13 March New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka (2nd Test): Wellington, New Zealand, 17-21 March
