Oval to host WTC 2023 Final from June 7-11, ICC keeps a reserve day

image-ldvg7j2oICC Test mace is currently with New Zealand ( Source - ICC)

On Wednesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the dates and venue of the final of the World Test Championship 2021-23. The historic stadium in London, the Oval, will be hosting the very second final of the mega event. It will be played from June 7-11, with a reverse day kept by the ICC.

As of yet, Pat Cummins' Australia and the Rohit Sharma-led India are the firm favourites for the WTC Final, with the former leading the charts and the sub-continents giants sitting tightly on the second spot ahead of Sri Lanka and South Africa.

The contenders for the showpiece tournament have yet to be determined, as the fate of it will be decided with the results of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand and the Test matches between the Proteas and West Indies.



Rohit, Cummins on WTC Final

"Leading Team India out onto the field of play at the World Test Championship Final would be special. We have grown and developed as a team during this competition and to be in with a chance of lifting the Mace at the Oval in June," Sharma cited.

"There have been so many dramatic moments in Test cricket lately, and there are undoubtedly more to come," the Indian skipper added.

"The prospect of playing in the World Test Championship Final has been a big motivator for us over the last couple of years, more so now having missed out on over rates last time," Cummins commented.

"To play at a neutral venue like The Oval adds another element for both sides who make the Final. It’s exciting and has been a goal of ours for a while now," concluded the Aussie captain.

Before the BGT 2023, Australia is at the top of the point table with a percentage of 75.56. India are reeling behind with 58.93%. The Lankans and the Proteas have 53.33% and South Africa 48.72%, respectively. 

The runners-up from the last cycle of WTC, India, will have to the series against Australia by at least 3-1 to reverse their spot in the final. A 2-1 win could also help them progress, but their fortunes will depend on the rest of the two series.

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