Ahead of the high-octane ICC World Test Championship (WTC) last 2023, Australia’s star batter Steve Smith mentioned he isn’t considering a lot about ‘The Ultimate Test’ and hoped that the summit conflict will likely be a “good game of cricket.” The WTC Final is all set to be performed at The Oval from June 7-11. Australia, led by Pat Cummins, will face off in opposition to India, captained by Rohit Sharma, for the coveted Test Mace.

Smith believed that Australia can beat India and there will likely be a “good game of cricket” within the WTC last. “We believe we can do well and beat India. We have played good cricket over the years. We obviously played some good cricket in the last few years. They also played really good cricket. The two best teams playing in the final are great. Hopefully, it is going to be a good game of cricket. I am not thinking about the opposition too much. It is a big week for both India and Australia,” Smith mentioned on the pre-match press convention.

Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin loom as key gamers, particularly after the duo dominated as India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-1 collection overcome Australia earlier this 12 months. The spin twins had been separated when Jadeja was most well-liked over Ashwin for all 5 Tests – together with the fourth match at The Oval – the final time India toured England in 2021-22.

While the pair made essentially the most of pitches suited to spinners in that collection, Ashwin has additionally proven he can carry out in all situations to collect the third-most wickets within the present WTC cycle with 61 scalps in 13 Tests.

Experienced seamers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are virtually sure to share the brand new ball for Rohit Sharma’s aspect, whereas Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat are additionally in rivalry alongside recalled all-rounder Shardul Thakur.

“India have got a good mix of Seam and swing bowler and their spinners as well. They have gots good attack. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are the two main guys…..and there are spinners as well who found these conditions well. So India have a good attack and we have to play very well against them,” the Australia batter mentioned.

“Every game you play for your country is important. Every series is important. 50 over World Cup is far away but we will focus on that later but we would want to win it. Test cricket still remains. It stays in mind for some time to come,” he added.

And Josh Hazlewood‘s alternative within the Australia squad, Michael Neser, has all the abilities to come back straight into the XI and make a big effect if known as upon, in accordance with the previous Aussie captain.

“(I’ve got) so much faith, he is a quality performer. I faced him against (County side) Glamorgan a couple of weeks ago and he bowled beautifully. He has got great skills and he’s added some of the inswingers we have seen him bowl when the wicket is a bit flatter. So he has got loads of skills and is batting nicely as well, so he is a great package. If he gets an opportunity he will certainly do a very good job,” Smith mentioned at The Oval.