The anticipation for the ultimate showdown of the World Test Championship 2023 has reached its pinnacle, with less than 24 hours remaining for the summit clash. India and Australia are fully prepared for the mega contest, set to take place from June 7 at the iconic Oval in London. Adding his perspective to this high-intensity encounter, former England spinner Graeme Swann expressed his inclination towards the Indian team as the potential winners.
Swann highlighted the significance of the pitch conditions at this time of the year, stating that they should greatly assist the seamers due to their flat nature, quickness, and the presence of some grass covering. This would make it challenging for the batsmen, especially early on in their innings. When asked about his favored team for the final, the former spinner playfully expressed his support for India in a light-hearted manner.
During a preview show on Jio Cinema, the 44-year-old shared his prediction, stating, “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.”
Swann also emphasized the significant role spinners will play at the Oval, particularly as the cracks start to open up throughout the game. Given that both teams possess quality spinners in their squads, the team combinations will be intriguing to observe.
Responding to queries about the spinners’ role on this ground, Swann emphasized the bounce as a standout feature of bowling at the Oval. The pitch’s renowned bounce poses a challenge for batsmen when facing spinners.
“The best thing about bowling at The Oval is the bounce. It’s almost like the red-soil pitches at the Wankhede. Later on in the game, it can really bounce, brings in your silly point and short-leg fielders. So the spinners, if they stay in the game, you have to have a lot of runs to defend in the last innings. It’s a great place to bowl spin,” Swann concluded, shedding light on the intricacies of bowling spin at the prestigious venue.
