INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

ICC confirms Dukes ball for WTC final, India-Australia to have no say

ICC World Test Championship

The World Test Championship 2023 final between India and Australia at The Oval on June 7 is approaching. Both teams have announced their squads and will be playing with the Dukes ball, which is used in England, as per ICC rules. This is different from the balls used in their respective countries, SG for India and Kookaburra for Australia. India is looking to win its first WTC title after losing to New Zealand in the previous edition.

“For all ICC events, the ICC uses the ball of choice of our host country so in this case, the ball for the WTC Final will be Dukes which is used in England,”

an ICC official said.

Rohit Sharma: We will make arrangements to send available players to the UK asap

Rohit Sharma stated that Indian fast bowlers will practice with the Dukes ball during IPL 2023 to prepare for WTC final.

“We are sending some Duke balls to all fast bowlers and if they get some time to bowl with that but again it all depend on individuals. Guys who will be part of the final are not the guys who have not played in the UK. Only a few have played in that part of the world. I don’t think it will be a huge problem. But yeah, look I believe in preparation and preparations will be key for us come the Final,”

Rohit said.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has announced that players from teams knocked out of the IPL playoffs will be sent to England as early as possible to acclimatize themselves with the conditions. He stated that around 21st May, there will be six teams possibly out of the playoffs. And they will try to get available players to the UK early.

Meanwhile, India’s Cheteshwar Pujara is already in England. He is playing County Championship for Sussex, and has scored a century in the opening match. On the other hand, several Australian players, including Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, and David Warner, are playing in the IPL, while Josh Hazlewood is recovering from an injury.

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