Aaron Finch Picks 'Difference Maker' For Australia In WTC Final. It's Not India's Batting Failure

12.06.2023 - 06:43 sports.ndtv.com

Former Australia white-ball skipper Aaron Finch believes the 285-run first innings partnership between Steve Smith and Travis Head made the difference in the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval.

India finished runners-up for the second consecutive time in the WTC final as Australia clinched the mace with a massive 209-run win on Sunday.

India had lost the inaugural edition of WTC final to New Zealand. "What an achievement to be crowned World Test Champions. I think Travis Head and Steve Smith's partnership was the difference in the game, but that's just something Steve Smith does," Finch told 'SEN Radio'. "When he (Smith) turns up to England he seems to walk out and get 100s at will.

It was a brilliant performance and I'm very happy for the team," he added. Following the bitter loss, India captain Rohit Sharma has called for a three-Test WTC final, while also questioning the lack of preparation time for the marquee clash as it was scheduled just after the IPL.

cricket Australia Cricket Team Scott Boland Steve Smith Travis Head Josh Hazlewood Aaron Finch Rohit Sharma Steven Smith Australia New Zealand India county Smith

Skipper Rohit Sharma spoke about his team's mindset and strategy after India got thrashed by Australia by 209 runs on Sunday in the World Test Championship final at The Oval. India were chasing a whopping total of 444 and were bundled out for 234 on Day 5, with Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland scalping four and three wickets respectively. This loss deprived Team India of winning another ICC trophy and their decade-long wait continues. India won their last ICC trophy under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, when they lifted the Champions Trophy in 2013.

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Cameron Green's catch to dismiss Shubman Gill during India's second innings of the World Test Championship final has sparked huge controversy. In their chase of 444 runs against Australia in the summit clash, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma took India off to a solid start. However, a Scott Boland delivery took the outside edge of Gill's willow and Green pulled off a blinder at gully. The catch was referred to the third umpire, who eventually ruled it in favour of the Australians.

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Marnus Labuschagne became the subject of several jokes and memes after a hilarious incident involving the Australia batter during Day 3 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against India at The Oval on Friday. Labuschagne was resting on a chair inside the Australia dressing room at the start of their second innings and the camera showed that he fell asleep after some time. However, his sleep was disturbed by David Warner's dismissal and because he was the next batter, he quickly got ready and rushed to the field. The incident went viral on social media and resulted in a number of hilarious memes with many social media users coming up with some interesting comments.

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India vs Australia, WTC Final 2023, Day 2: Top-order Failure Leaves India With Mountain To Climb

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