‘It’s a tricky one to answer’ – Former England spinner Graeme Swann predicts WTC 2023 final winner
India dropped World No 1 Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing 11 for WTC final.
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Jun 7, 2023 8:28 pm
Graeme Swann (source: Twitter)
As the two giants of international cricket, India and Australia, face off in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, all eyes are on The Oval in London. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first, and the game is going currently progressing balanced for both teams as Australia touched the triple-digit mark by losing three wickets in the second session of Day 1.
Ahead of the Ultimate Test, former cricketers and experts picked their favourites to win the mega clash. Several legendary cricketers, including Ravi Shastri, Ricky Ponting and Wasim Akram, have predicted that Australia will win the championship as they look to be a stronger side on paper. Former England spinner Graeme Swann also believes Australia’s pace attack makes them the favourites to win the WTC, but wants India to beat the Kangaroos in the summit clash.
“It’s a tricky one to answer who are the early favourites. I think Australia’s pace attack makes them favourites if they bowl first. However, the wicket at this time of the year should be very good. It tends to be pretty flat, pretty quick, and maybe a bit of a grass covering, and their seamers might exploit that early on,” he said.
“Having said that, India have got some brilliant seam bowlers as well. So I think it’s a tricky one to answer. My prediction for the game is this – I am an Englishman, I would love to see India beat Australia, please.”
Oval is a great place to bowl spin: Graeme Swann
India dropped World No 1 Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing 11 for the WTC final. Rohit Sharma opted to go with a lone spinner in Ravindra Jadeja and included an extra seamer in the form of Shardul Thakur. When asked about the role of spinner at The Oval, Swann said:
“The best thing about bowling at The Oval is the bounce. It’s almost like the red-soil pitches at the Wankhede. Later on in the game, it can really bounce, brings in your silly point and short-leg fielders. So the spinners, if they stay in the game, you have to have a lot of runs to defend in the last innings. It’s a great place to bowl spin.”
