Australia secured their place as the Test world champions after a dominant 209-run victory over India at the Oval. With just five days to go before the highly anticipated Ashes series against England, Australia put on a clinical display to dismiss India for 234 on the final morning of the ICC’s second World Test Championship final.
Scott Boland was the unlikely hero, providing the key breakthrough by removing star batter Virat Kohli in the seventh over of the day and making it a double strike by dismissing Ravindra Jadeja two balls later. Boland, who was originally not expected to play until injury ruled out Josh Hazlewood, must now be considered a strong candidate to take on Ben Stokes’ side in Friday’s first Test.
On the fifth day of the red-ball showpiece, India needed 280 runs with seven wickets remaining. Despite Kohli’s presence as a master chaser, Boland landed the crucial wicket, drawing a lavish drive from Kohli who sprayed a rapid chance between second and third slip. Steve Smith took a brilliant catch, and with Kohli gone for 49, India’s hopes were all but over.
Boland wasted no time in hammering home the point, celebrating again two balls later as Jadeja was caught behind for a duck. While Srikar Bharat saw a thick edge squirt off the toe of the bat, narrowly beating a leaping David Warner at first slip, Ajinkya Rahane’s efforts to reinvigorate the battle were not enough. He departed for 46, struck clean in front of the stumps attempting a sweep.
Mitchell Starc added the wicket of Umesh Yadav, but Nathan Lyon finished things up in efficient style, taking four for 41 and mopping up the rest of the tail. Australia’s celebrations began in earnest as they formed a circle in the middle of the pitch, while India were once again runners-up, having lost the inaugural final to New Zealand two years ago.
Australia’s victory was a testament to their strength as a team, with every player contributing to their success. While the Ashes series against England will present a new challenge, Australia will undoubtedly carry their momentum and confidence into the first Test at Edgbaston.
