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Australian cricket team are all set to lock horns against India in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC 2021-23) final at The Oval On 7th June. There has been a lot of buzz around Scott Boland‘s inclusion into the playing 11 at the expense of Josh Hazlewood. The peculiarity of Scott Boland is that he bowls impeccable line & length.
Australia have got a brilliant bowling attack and we should not forget that the star pacers of Mitchell Starc & Pat Cummins would be refreshed as the duo opted out of the grueling IPL 2023.
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The billion people would be hoping that this time the Rohit Sharma-led side play smart cricket and most importantly don’t make the mistake of playing 2 spinners as The Oval track doesn’t offer a massive turn.
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Josh Hazlewood had some injury concerns- Jason Gillespie
Jason Gillespie stated indirectly that Scott Boland should play in place of the seasoned campaigner Josh Hazlewood. Josh Hazlewood has had some back issues whereas Scott Boland has shown good control in his 7 matches and can be the surprise package for the mighty Men in Blue.
“Hazelwood had some injury concerns over the last couple of years really and hasn’t played a lot for Australia. Most recently in the IPL for Bangalore, he’s had a side issue,” said Jason Gillespie.
“What’s in the selectors minds is that when Scott Boland has come in to play for Australia, he’s actually done a wonderful job. He certainly hasn’t let anyone down,” he stated.
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“He has done the job, but I think Josh Hazlewood is the incumbent. If he’s fit, firing and ready to go, he probably gets picked ahead of Scott Boland,” he added.
“However, I think with five (Ashes) Test matches against England coming up in pretty quick time, I just wonder if the Australian selectors will be a little bit conservative and decide to play Scott Boland ahead of Josh Hazlewood. That’s what I think will more likely happen,” he concluded.
Mitchell Starc should be taking the first over- Jason Gillespie
Jason Gillespie wanted the lethal speedster Mitchell Starc to open the bowling. Gillespie pointed out that Starc can frustrate the batter with his angle and said that Starc needs to bowl a spell of 3 overs at least which would give the side a strong chance to break the partnerships.
“If you put me on the spot, I’d probably be leaning towards Mitchell Starc taking that first over. He bowls left-arm and swings the ball. Even if it is for a short three-over burst at the start, you want your fast bowler, a left-arm quick, who can potentially swing the ball early and bowls very full,” said Jason Gillespie.
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“You want him to have first crack at the opening batters, even if he bowls three overs and then comes back on. Like, have a 30-minute break and then come back on when the lacquer is off the duke ball a bit more — that might be a really good strategy,” he stated.
“I still think with Mitchell Starc’s pace and aggression, you want to unleash him straightaway, even if it is just for a little three over burst,” he added.
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Australia have probably more in their favor- Jason Gillespie
Jason Gillespie was quite excited about the WTC final and said that the conditions would be quite difficult for India as compared to when they won BGT by 2-1 on spinner friendly track.
“We’re all pretty excited about this World Test Championship final between two very, very good cricket teams who have played recently against each other, in very different conditions compared to the UK,” said Jason Gillespie.
“But I think that certainly won’t detract from what I think will be a fantastic game of cricket. I don’t know who would be seen as favorite. Possibly, Australia only because the conditions have probably more in their favour,” he added.
India shown that they are a better travelling side- Jason Gillespie
Jason Gillespie stated that India are a better-traveling side in the last decade and have shown some good results. Jason Gillespie, however, couldn’t name a team that would be crowned ICC World Test Champions.
“However, I think what India have done over the last decade or so, is they’ve shown that they’re a better travelling side. India has always been incredibly strong at home, but had a bit of criticism that they’re not as good away from home as they could be,” said Jason Gillespie.
“But I think they’re certainly a lot better, particularly in the last decade or so. They’re a much better team on the road now than what they used to be. So that’s why I suggest it’s going to be a pretty tight tussle in terms of the match,” he stated.
“I’m really excited by it and I know the Australians are, from having two South Australians in Travis Head and Alex Carey, in the team. I know how excited they are about the game and it should be a very good spectacle to watch,” he added.
