With less than 24 hours remaining for the much-anticipated World Test Championship 2023 title decider, the excitement surrounding the event has peaked. The Oval in London is set to host the mega contest between India and Australia, both teams fully prepared for the showdown on June 7.
Graeme Swann, the former England spinner, expressed his opinion on the high-intensity match, favoring the Indian side to emerge victorious.
Swann acknowledged the characteristics of the pitch at this time of year, emphasizing its potential to aid the seamers. He described the pitch as flat, quick, and with a layer of grass covering, which could pose difficulties for the batsmen early on in their innings.
When questioned about his thoughts on the favorites for the summit clash, Swann initially appeared puzzled but eventually revealed his choice in a lighthearted manner.
During a preview show on Jio Cinema, the 44-year-old humorously stated that as an Englishman, he would relish seeing India overcome Australia and put an end to their decade-long drought of winning any ICC Trophy.
“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,” said the former England veteran.
As the game progresses at the Oval, the role of the spinner becomes increasingly crucial, particularly when the cracks on the pitch start to open up. With both teams boasting talented spinners in their squads, the team combinations and strategies employed will be truly captivating to observe.
When questioned about the significance of spinners at this venue, Swann highlighted one of the notable aspects of bowling at the Oval—the bounce. The Oval is renowned for its favorable bounce, which poses a considerable challenge for batsmen when facing spinners.