India vs Australia, WTC Final 2023: The Oval London Pitch Report and Weather Forecast

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Heavyweights India and Australia will battle for the biggest prize in Test cricket when they clash in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023 at the The Oval in London, scheduled to start on Wednesday (June 7).

Rohit Sharma's India sealed their second successive WTC Final berth after the 2-1 home series win over Pat Cummins' Australia, who booked their berth in the Ultimate Test for the first time, also during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 earlier this year.

Australia finished top of the rankings at the end of the 2021-23 WTC cycle following 11 wins, while India finished second in the standings after 10 wins. The Men in Blue will be keen to redeem themselves from the defeat to New Zealand in 2021 final and clinch the mace.

Ahead of India vs Australia WTC Final 2023 meeting at the The Oval, we take a look at the pitch report and weather forecast for the day as some parts of the country have received summer showers.

London weather forecast from Wednesday, June 7 to Sunday, June 11

The first two days of the Test will be pleasant and sunny, but the third day will see periods of cloud and sun followed by prediction for showers in the final few two days of the WTC Final. So, there may be some stoppage during the India vs Australia WTC Final 2023.

The match starts at 10:30 AM Local Time (BST) on Wednesday (June 7) and the next four days as well, while the day's play is set to end at 5:30 PM Local Time (BST). As per Indian Standard Time (IST), the day's play starts at 3 PM IST and ends at 10 PM IST.

Day 1, Wednesday (June 7): Mostly sunny and pleasant day with maximum temperature of 20^o C. There is no chance of rain on day one of the Test. So, weather is unlikely to play spoilsport on June 7.

Day 2, Thursday (June 8): Starts as a cloudy day that turns mostly sunny and pleasant as we head into the start of play with maximum temperature of 21^o C. There is no chance of rain on day two of the Test. So, weather is unlikely to play spoilsport on June 8.

Day 3, Friday (June 9): Sunny and pleasant day with maximum temperature of 22^o C. There is no chance of rain on day three of the Test. So, weather is unlikely to play spoilsport on June 9.

Day 4, Saturday (June 10): Warm and humid day with intervals of sun and cloud with maximum temperature of 26^o C. There is slight chance of rain during the afternoon on day four of the Test. So, weather may play spoilsport on June 10.

Day 5, Sunday (June 11): A cloudy day with maximum temperature of 25^o C. There is 14% chance of rain during the afternoon and in the evening on day five of the Test. So, weather may play spoilsport on June 11, but the Tests have often ended before day 5 at the venue.

Is there a reserve day for the WTC Final 2023?

Yes, the ICC has kept Monday, June 12 as the reserve day for the marquee clash should rain or any other extreme weather condition delay the match on the scheduled match days. The reserve day is only applicable if rain or weather conditions forces lost time.

If the match ends in a draw, who wins the WTC title?

If the ICC WTC final ends in a draw, the trophy would be shared by both India and Australia, with the two nations being joint-winners. Even if the match ends in a tie, the trophy will be shared by two teams.

The Oval Pitch Report

The wickets at The Oval have had good bounce over the years. There is assistance for the quicker bowlers and spin bowlers as well as the match progresses into day 3 and beyond. The weather conditions also assist swing bowlers.

There are pictures doing the rounds of a green top, which will definitely assist seam and swing bowlers. However, both spinners and pacers have enjoyed bowling on the wickets at the Kennington Oval.

But, the teams may look to use spin as this is the first time a Test in being played in June at the Oval. June is the start of the English summer. India will play two spinners, while Australia will play a lone spinner and load their pace attack.

India won their last outing at the venue in 2021 against England by 157 runs, while Australia lost to their Ashes rivals in 2019 by 135 runs. On both the occasions, the matches were played in September and the pacers dominated the games.

A total of 104 Tests have been hosted by the Kennington Oval and the team batting first has won 37 times, while the team batting second has won 29 times with 37 matches ending in a draw.

Teams winning toss have won 36 times, while teams lossing toss have won 30 times. So, captain winning the toss will be tempted to use the conditions to get runs on the board rather than chase in the fourth innings.