Australia recently won the T20 World Cup. It was one trophy that they had not won. Now, in the five-day format, another challenge awaits them. They will be up against Team India in the World Test Championship finals. Australia is not new to playing crunch games. For the important fixture, they will have some players, who were part of an important final eight years ago. On that note, here, we take a look at four Australian players who played in the 2015 World Cup finals and might play in the 2023 WTC Finals.
1) David Warner
David Warner’s recent form has been poor. However, this was the case before the 2021 T20 World Cup, too. Cut to the end of the tournament, Warner ended as the Player of the Tournament. He helped Australia win the event. The management will hope for a similar return for the veteran.
At least for the finals, he is likely to claim a spot in the playing XI if fit. His experience adds a lot of value to the team. Also, he will play against India, the opposition that he has seen a lot of. Hence, Warner features on this list.
2) Steve Smith
Steve Smith is one of the Australian players who played in the 2015 World Cup finals and might play in the 2023 WTC Finals. In the 2015 World Cup, Smith played at No.3 for Australia. It will be at No.4 that his services would be needed for the Aussies at the WTC main event.
Smith will be key for Australia in this game. India did not allow Steve Smith to be at his best in the recent BGT. However, in England, Smith will be in favourable conditions, compared to the Indian bowlers. Hence, he will look to make amends in the finals.
3) Mitchell Starc
The veteran pacer recently hit form in the ODI series against India. Now that the men in blue have already tasted the wrath of in-form Starc, there could be another episode in June in the WTC Finals.
Interestingly, it is usually in the World Cup years that Starc peaks. He did that in 2015 and helped his side win the trophy. There is also a World Cup scheduled this year. The finals of the World Test Championship are equally important and if Starc can find his groove, half the job would be done for his team.
4) Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood is one of the Australian players who played in the 2015 World Cup finals and might play in the 2023 WTC Finals. At the moment, there is not much hype being given to the player. However, it won’t be a surprise if he ends up becoming a major factor in the finals.
Hazlewood has had fitness issues and has not played for a while. However, in IPL 2023, he will make a return to the field. He is one player who goes about his job without much noise. If he does well in the game, then, India could be in big trouble. If he is not fit, Australia could use Scott Boland.
