Steve Smith on India’s spin threat ahead of the WTC final: “Could face some similarities at the Oval to what we had in India.”

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 Final is scheduled to begin on June 7, and both India and Australia have begun their preparations in earnest. Steve Smith, the standout batsman for Australia, anticipates batting-friendly conditions at The Oval as the anticipation for the epic match increases.

However, the 33-year-old believes that Australia may encounter conditions similar to those of India as the match progresses. With appropriate pace and bounce, the Oval wicket provides some of the best batting conditions in the United Kingdom; however, spinners may come into action later in the game. It is anticipated that R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will take advantage of the conditions.

“The Oval can occasionally spin the ball, especially as the game progresses, so we could confront a situation similar to what we encountered in India at various stages of the match. However, the Oval is a fantastic location to play cricket. The outfield is lightning-quick, and the square stretches the entire length of the ground, making it a pleasant place to bat and providing reasonable pace and bounce for an English surface.

Steve Smith told cricket.com.au that the match “should be a ripper.”

Based on their recent performances, India has had the upper hand over Australia. In India’s recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the visiting team lost the series 1-2. Meanwhile, the upcoming final promises to be a nail-biter, with last year’s runner-up, India, seeking to secure the title and end their championship drought, and Australia seeking to win their first championship.

In addition, the 33-year-old stated that he anticipates a lively ambiance and a large number of spectators at the final match. “The WTC is an excellent endeavor. It lends each game a great deal of importance, and the fact that we qualified first and will face India in the final is incredibly exciting. India and we will compete at the Oval. It is likely that there will be more Indian fans than Australian fans, but I’m confident it will be a lot of fun and the guys are looking forward to it,” he said.