Australia has become the first team to win all ICC titles at least once after defeating India by 209 runs in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 at the Kennington Oval in London on Sunday. This was Australia’s maiden WTC title and a fitting reward for their consistent performance throughout the two-year cycle.
Australia finished at the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings with 11 wins, five draws and three defeats (19 matches) which earned them 152 points and a PCT of 66.67. India collected 127 points – 10 wins, three draws, five defeats (18 matches) a 58.8 PCT and second position in the team standings.
Australia started their ICC World Test Championship campaign with a resounding 4-0 Ashes win over their oldest rivals England at home. The series was played in December-January 2021-22 with the hosts dominating the visitors throughout. The convincing victory earned Australia a hefty 52 points spread over the five Tests.
Australia then travelled to South Africa for a three-Test series in March-April 2022 and won it 2-1. The series was marked by some thrilling contests and high-quality cricket from both sides. Australia gained 24 points from the series while South Africa got 12.
Australia’s next assignment was a two-Test series against Pakistan at home in November-December 2022. Australia won both Tests convincingly by an innings margin and pocketed another 24 points. Pakistan failed to score any point from the series.
Australia’s final series in the ICC World Test Championship cycle was a four-Test tour of India in February-March 2023. The series was billed as a battle of the titans as both teams were vying for a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final. India won the first Test in Chennai by seven wickets and the second Test in Mumbai by six wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
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Australia bounced back with a nine-wicket win in Indore to keep their hopes alive. However, the fourth and final Test in Delhi ended in a draw as India secured their place in the ICC World Test Championship final along with Australia. Australia secured a total of 16 points from the series while India got 20.
The ICC World Test Championship final was played at The Oval from June 7 to June 11, 2023. Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. They posted a mammoth 473/9 declared in their first innings, thanks to centuries from David Warner (123), Steve Smith (142) and Marnus Labuschagne (102). India were bowled out for 300 in their first innings, with only Virat Kohli (87) and Rishabh Pant (71) offering some resistance. Pat Cummins was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 4/68.
Australia decided not to enforce the follow-on and batted again in their second innings. They declared on 270/8, setting India a target of 444 to win. Smith scored another century (105) while Travis Head chipped in with a quickfire 62. India’s chase never got going as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Kohli top-scored with 49 but none of the other batsmen could cross 30. Cummins was again the star performer with the ball, taking 5/72 and finishing with match figures of 9/140. Australia wrapped up India’s innings for 234 and won by 209 runs.
With this win, Australia became the first team to win all ICC titles at least once. They had previously won the ODI World Cup in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015; the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 and 2009; and the T20 World Cup in 2021. India, on the other hand, suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in an ICC final since their last title win, the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Australia captain Pat Cummins said after the match: “It’s an incredible feeling to lift this trophy. It’s been a long journey for us and we have played some fantastic cricket along the way. I’m proud of every single member of this team and support staff for their contribution. We had to overcome some tough challenges and we showed great character and resilience. To beat India in their own backyard and then in the final is a huge achievement. They are a quality side and we have a lot of respect for them. I think this is the pinnacle of Test cricket and we are honoured to be the first winners of the ICC World Test Championship.”
India captain Virat Kohli said: “We are disappointed to lose the final but we have to give credit to Australia for playing better cricket than us. They outplayed us in all departments and deserved to win. We have no regrets as we gave our best effort and fought hard till the end. We have had some memorable moments in this ICC World Test Championship cycle and we are proud of reaching the final. We have a lot of positives to take from this and we will learn from our mistakes. We congratulate Australia on their victory and we hope to come back stronger in the future.”