Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath disagreed with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s wish for a three-match series for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final. He thinks it’s a good idea, but he’s happy with a one-time test because playing three games will be hard to schedule.
The second edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) concluded and Australia was crowned the winner. They beat India by the huge margin of 209 runs at The Oval, England and took their first Test title.
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While many have liked the ICC’s move to introduce Championship in Tests, decent observers of the game, as well as players, have expressed a desire to play at least a three-match series to determine the winner, but the ICC still has not considered it. They feel that a game to decide the winner of the Test Championship is not justified as the teams worked hard for two years to reach the final.
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After the ICC WTC 2023 final, Indian captain Rohit Sharma was also in favor of having three-match series to determine the winners. He said a best-of-three final would be fairer for the winner of a tournament played over two years.
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Glenn McGrath was asked about Rohit Sharma’s statement, but he disagreed with the Indian pattern. The great Australian said it depends on the schedule, but a one-time test is something he is happy with.
He explained: “Yes, it’s interesting. It depends on the schedule and if you say that whoever is at the top of the table has a home game. But then again, it depends on the season and what you have, so I’m happy with just one because I think to play three Tests, you’ll find it difficult to fit him into this schedule.
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“It is a unique test match. I wouldn’t worry too much” – Glenn McGrath on India losing 7 wickets in one session during the ICC WTC final
India lost the ICC WTC final by 209 runs and suffered their eighth consecutive loss in the ICC tournament. The team led by Rohit Sharma after winning the toss and bowling first conceded 469 runs and when it was their turn to bat first they were bowled out for just 296 runs giving the opposition the lead of 173 runs.
Australia then batted decently in the second innings and set India the target of 444 runs to chase. They started the chase on a high and there was some hope until the start of Day 5 as they needed 280 runs to win with 7 wickets in the game. But they lost all wickets in the morning session and were bowled out for just 234 runs to lose the game by the huge margin of 209 runs.
Glenn McGrath was asked about India’s poor batting in the second innings. He said that he is not worrying as it can happen in single games and noted that Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane played bad shots.
He said: “Both teams haven’t played much Test cricket of late, but that’s the way it is. You get a bit of a roll going into that final day, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane needed to form a great partnership. You lose a wicket early, that can happen. It is a unique test match. I wouldn’t be too worried.
The India team will be seen in action when they travel to the West Indies for the full tour. They will play 2 Tests, 3ODIs and 5T20Is in the Caribbean. The Tour will start from July 12.
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