ICC World Test Championship final: How Australia has slim chance to qualify courtesy India

 ICC World Test Championship is quickly approaching its final that is slated to be played at 'Mecca of Cricket' Lord's from June 18 to 22 with June 23 acting as a reserve day. New Zealand recently became first team to qualify for WTC final and w it remains to be seen who among India, Australia and England join Kiwis in maiden final of championship. While India and England's fates remain in ir own hands, Australia will have to be dependent on result of India vs England series after ir tour to South Africa was postponed due to COVID-19 situation in country.

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How can Australia qualify for WTC final at Lord's?

Cricket Australia on Tuesday released a statement mentioning that travelling from Australia to South Africa in current situation was an unacceptable level of health and safety risk to ir players, support staff, and community. South Africa has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases, including a second wave and emergence of a new strain of virus. 

statement also ackwledged significant amount of work by CSA in planning for tour and revealed that Cricket Australia were prepared to take on ditional cost and effort to make series happen. release also mentioned that board was extremely disappointed to have arrived at decision, especially given importance of continuing international cricket at this time, our valued relationship with Cricket South Africa (CSA).

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So, question is how can Australia qualify for  ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's? While Tim Paine and co. seem to barely have a chance of qualifying, y can still have a slight hope if India mans to beat England in 4-match series 1-0. However, Australia could also have to support England since y can be through if ir Ashes rival man to beat India or even draw series by a 1-1 or 2-2 scoreline.

On or hand, England have a rar improbable task at hand as y need to beat India 3-0, 3-1 or 4-0 to qualify for WTC final and a drawn series or even a 2-1 result would t suffice. As far as India are concerned, Virat Kohli-led side will have to win at least two Tests against England without losing or two matches. 

Meanwhile, India vs England Test series is set to commence on Friday, February 5 in Chennai. second match will be played at same venue from February 13-17. final two Tests will be played at newly constructed Sardar Patel Stium ( biggest cricket stium in world) from February 24-28 and March 4-8. According to  India vs England schedule, all five T20Is will be played in Ahmedab on March 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. On or hand, three ODIs will be played in Pune on March 23, 26 and 28.

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India squ for England Tests 2021: Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (Vice-captain), Rishabh Pant (Wicket-keeper), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Hardik, Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur

England squ for India Tests 2021 (first 2 Tests): Joe Root (Captain), Ben Stokes (Vice-captain), Jos Buttler (Wicket-keeper), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, James Anderson, Dom Bess, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Stuart Bro, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Dom Sibley, Jack Leach

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SOURCE: CRICKET.COM.AU