Ahead of the much-anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final between India and Australia, all eyes are on the pitch. The WTC 2023 Final, is set to take place in England, which is known for its favourable conditions for pacers, and Australia possesses a strong seam attack.
Just two days before the WTC 2023 final clash, Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin provided some insights by sharing a video on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin took to his YouTube channel to share a video, wherein he engages in an informal conversation with a pitch expert known as “Leez,” seeking valuable insights into the characteristics of The Oval pitch.
This behind-the-scenes interaction aims to gain a deeper understanding of the playing surface that will shape the course of the India vs Australia battle.
Pitch Doctor Leez Assures Lively Bounce for Upcoming Match
In a viral video lasting about 13 minutes, the “pitch doctor” known as Leez confidently assures that the pitch for the upcoming match will offer a lively bounce.
This revelation comes after Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin mentioned that a few Indian players experienced difficulties while batting on practice pitches.
Ashwin, in a conversation posted on his YouTube channel, engages in a discussion with a presumed pitch curator at the Kennington Oval, whom he affectionately refers to as “Leez.”
Seeking insights into pitch behaviour, Ashwin inquires about what can be expected from the playing surface.
The conversation begins with Ashwin’s query, and Leez responds by stating that it will be a good oval wicket.
Ashwin then proceeds to share that some Indian players encountered significant bounce during their practice sessions. Leez expresses curiosity, asking, “Bounce? Did it bounce a lot today?”
Ashwin confirms, stating, “Yeah, it bounced a lot today. You don’t like me. You don’t get it to spin, right?”
Bouncy Pitch at The Oval Raises Stakes for Pacers
Drawing insights from this intriguing conversation, it appears that the pitch at The Oval might offer an advantageous bounce, particularly favoring the pacers.
This anticipation gains significance considering that it will be the first-ever Test match played at the Kennington Oval in June, during the peak of the English summer.
Team Australia possesses formidable pacers such as Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who can prove to be a significant threat to the Indian batsmen. Furthermore, the team also includes Scott Boland and Michael Neser, adding to the challenges that the Indian team may face in the match.
Also Read: WTC Final 2023: 3 Indian Players Whose Test Careers Might End If They Have A Bad Game