However, there is a cautionary note that suggests this triumph could fade from memory swiftly unless they are successful in the upcoming Ashes series.
Displaying their dominance, Pat Cummins‘ team convincingly defeated India by 209 runs in the final at The Oval.Australia will now face arch-rivals England in the much-anticipated Ashes series, which commences this Friday.
The Sydney Daily Telegraph said Australia “deserve praise” for routing Rohit Sharma<\/a>‘s team, but warned: “Deep down they know that the main prize is still to be won.<\/p>\n
1<\/span>\/12<\/p>\n Show Captions<\/p>\n <p>India’s poor show in ICC events continued as Australia grabbed their maiden World Test Championship title with a crushing 209-run victory. <br \/><\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <p>Chasing a record 444 on the final day, India resumed at 164\/3 on Day 5 but were bowled out for 234 in the first session. <br \/><\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <p>This is now India’s second defeat in successive WTC finals after losing to New Zealand in 2021 in the inaugural edition.<br \/><\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <p>Pacer Scott Boland sparked a dramatic collapse as India lost the remaining seven wickets for 70 runs inside 24 overs before lunch.<br \/><\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <p>Scott Boland did the initial damage with 2 wickets in an over, including the prize scalp of Virat Kohli (49). <br \/><\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <p>In the seventh over of the day, Kohli edged fast bowler Boland to a great catch at second slip by Steve Smith. Boland then got Ravindra Jadeja (0) a couple of balls later.<br \/><\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <p>The highest wicket-taker for Australia in the second innings, Nathan Lyon (4\/41) then mopped up the tail in a jiffy. <br \/><\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <p>Australia were in charge of the Final from Day 1 with both player-of-the-match Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (121) firing tons in the total of 469.<\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <p>India were then bowled out for 296 in their first essay, giving away huge 173-run lead to Pat Cummins and co. <br \/><\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <p>Australia then declared their second innings at 270 for 8 on Day 4, setting a mammoth 444 target for India. <br \/><\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <p>With the win, Australia are now the first team to win all the ICC men’s titles while India’s 10-year wait for an ICC trophy continues.<br \/><\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “Because the brutal truth is this fine accomplishment from Pat Cummins’ men will soon be forgotten if Australia doesn’t win the Ashes,” said the tabloid. After Boland’s second-innings exploits at The Oval, including the prize scalp of Virat Kohli on Sunday on his way to figures of 3-46 in 16 overs, local media agreed it would be almost impossible to drop him. “Not every decision has been right, not every situation perfectly handled, but as Cummins wrestled that (WTC) mace in front of a team that is now unequivocally his, it’s hard to argue against them,” it said. (With inputs from AFP) <\/span><\/div>\nAustralia claim maiden World Test Championship title<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
“The good news is, performing in the pressure of a Test Championship final seems a pretty good way to warm up for England.”
Australian selectors now face a major decision on whether to stick with seamer Scott Boland for the first Test at Edgbaston or bring back pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood, who is returning from injury.<\/p>\n
Australia’s victory was the culmination of a two-year programme of Tests that saw them win 12 out of 20 matches, with five draws and three defeats.
Local media said there had been “turbulence and reinvention” after former skipper Tim Paine stepped down over a sexting scandal in late 2021 and Justin Langer quit as coach in acrimonious circumstances months later.
With the more reserved Andrew McDonald now in charge and Cummins growing into his role as skipper, national broadcaster ABC said Australia had morphed into “a more balanced, rounded and complete side”.<\/p>\n
“Now comes the chance to prove it, once and for all, in the biggest Test series of a generation.”
The Sydney Morning Herald praised Cummins and McDonald for “creating an environment in which individuals could find their best paths to culminate in team success.
“Preparation and planning has been very much tailored to each player, with some formidable results,” it said.<\/p>\n![\"Cricket-AI-1305\"](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/imgsize-23456,msid-100929196,width-600,resizemode-4\/100929196.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n