SPORTS

In the inaugural season of the World Test Championship (WTC), Australia failed to reach the final after being docked of crucial points for maintaining a slow over-rate over the course of a Test match loss to India in 2020. The points ultimately cost them a place in the WTC Final in the inaugural season in 2021 as New Zealand became champions by defeating India.

In the second WTC Final, Australia became champions finally, defeating India by a massive 209 runs earlier this month. Pat Cummins-led side have backed up the WTC final win with victory in the first Ashes 2023 Test over England at Edgbaston in Birmingham by two wickets. However, the victory turned sour a day later as both sides were penalised by the ICC for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first Test.

Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green have kept five-down Australia alive in chase of 281 against England on Day 5 of the first Ashes Test. 

Australia needed 98 runs to win while going for Tea. 

On the other hand, England bowlers are eyeing some quick wickets in order to clinch a victory. Australia were making steady progress at 78 for 1 in pursuit of a victory target of 281 when Stuart Broad removed both Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith -- the world's two top-ranked Test batsmen -- 

Legendary Australia batter Ricky Ponting said he was stunned by the field that was set by Ben Stokes on Day 3 of the Ashes 1st Test that led to the dismissal of centurion Usman Khawaja. The field placement, which is being referred to as 'Brumbrella', took the cricket world by surprise as England had as many as 6 fielders in close-in positions in front of the square. 

While Test captains in the past have set aggressive fields, especially to new batters or lower-order batters, Ben Stokes's field to Usman Khawaja, the opener who was batted on 141 helped raise eyebrows. The England captain, who was constantly changing fields trying his hand at every little possibility to unsettle a rock-solid Khawaja, had 3 close-in fielders on off-side and as many on the leg-side while leaving the slip cordon empty.

Team India has ceased to be a squad pieced together with strong bonds and personal equations, and turned into a set of colleagues, believes the current no.1 Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin.

Despite being the topmost bowler in the longer format and one of the top 10 wicket-takers in Test cricket, Ashwin could not find a place in India’s World Test Championship squad. And there isn’t anyone on the team that Ashwin can look up to for support in a time like this.

Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow are solid in the crease as 5-down England are cruising against Australia on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. Root and Bairstow both are unbeaten after scoring their respective half-centuries. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon have picked two wickets apiece while Scott Boland has taken one wicket. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat at Edgbaston in Birmingham.