Dean Etheridge
Australia and India meet in the second-ever World Test Championship Final at the Oval this week, with the winners earning the right to call themselves the best Test-playing nation in world cricket. Australia are the favorites, and here we look at their chances of winning in our latest cricket betting picks.
- What; 2023 World Test Championship Final
- Who; Australia vs India (Only Test)
- Where; The Oval, London, England
- When; June 7th-11th, 2023
This is the second-ever World Test Championship. The final is between Australia and India. Both these two teams claimed their places in the final after finishing first (Australia) and second (India) in the World Test Championship table.
Australia confirmed their place in the final by defeating India in the 3rd Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in March. India’s place was confirmed when they drew the following (4th) Test match with Australia, along with Sri Lanka losing a dramatic Test match against New Zealand on the same day.
The results meant no other nation could prevent Australia and India finishing in the top two positions.
This will be Australia’s first appearance in a World Test Championship final, and India’s second. The first ever final was contested by New Zealand and India, with the Kiwis coming out on top and claiming an 8 wicket victory over the then favorites, India.
NEW ZEALAND ARE THE INAUGURAL ICC WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 🎉#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ | @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/HMIaYI32Az
— ICC (@ICC) June 23, 2021
The Aussies failed to qualify for the previous final in 2021. When well set to be in the top two, they canceled an away tour to South Africa. This was to prove pivotal, as the lost points finished off Australia’s chances of a place in the inaugural final.
Betting to win the 2023 World Test Championship
This time around, India are coming into the match as the underdogs. It’s debatable who has been the best Test match-playing nation over the past 18-24 months. But one thing that can’t be debated, is the fact that Australia topped the WTC table with a win percentage of 66.70, with India second at 58.8.
This, along with the perception that the Australians will handle the English conditions better, have seen the best cricket betting sites make Australia +100 to win the match. The draw is +425, with a win for India at +175.
The weather is set to be fine for the first four days. There is a possibility of some rain on the 5th day, but there is a reserve day set aside. But bear in mind, the reserve day can only be used for time lost to rain or bad weather. This makes the draw a less likely result.
In the draw no bet market, Australia is -163, with India at +130. While in the player of the match market, batters Steve Smith and Virat Kohli both lead the way at +700. The shortest-priced bowler to win the player of the match award is Mitchell Starc at +1000.
Our betting table below has more odds taken from the best online sportsbooks for betting on cricket. You can also visit our best sportsbook sign up bonuses page to find more information on their latest new customer offers.
| 2023 World Test Championship Final Betting |  |  |  |
| Australia | +100 | +100 | +100 |
| India | +175 | +175 | +175 |
| Draw | +475 | +475 | +475 |
| Draw No Bet | |||
| Australia | -163 | -163 | -163 |
| India | +130 | +130 | +130 |
Our Cricket Picks
Neither of these two teams are coming into this Test match having played any recent Test match cricket. The last time either team played a red ball match was the 4th Test between the two nations, which finished in mid-March.
Since the 4th Test, the majority of players from both teams will have been playing in the IPL. This means a complete gear change will be required for the return to longer format cricket. And it could be that the winner of this one-off Test match is the team that better adapts their game.
With there being a lack of rain in England over the past few weeks, the conditions may well favor spin later on in the match. But they won’t be anything like what we saw in the recent series in India. If anything, the dry wickets could better suit the Australian quick bowlers.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have both recently been playing red-ball county cricket in England, for Sussex and Glamorgan, respectively. The four-day county matches are longer format cricket, and far better preparation for playing Test cricket in English conditions. Could this give the Australians the edge?
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 🗣️
'We really invested in that partnership'
Marnus Labuschagne speaks after scoring 138 as part of a record fourth-wicket stand with Kiran Caslson on day three of our @CountyChamp match against @SussexCCC #OhGlammyGlammy #SUSvGLAM pic.twitter.com/CFwOQMbKbC
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) May 20, 2023
Labuschagne is a regular at Glamorgan, and as a result, is well accustomed to English conditions. He scored 138 in the 2nd innings of his county’s recent match against Sussex, of all teams. And in the same match, Steve Smith scored 89. So both players come into this match in decent form.
We believe this all gives Australia the edge, and we’re happy to make them our pick to win the World Test Championship.
Player of the Match Picks
This match looks set to be batter dominated. This could maybe lead to a bowler getting the player of the match award for being the difference between the two sides. But more than likely, it will result in someone getting a huge century, that could be the difference.
Above we’ve mentioned that Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith are both in good form, and have both been playing longer format cricket in England.
We say this makes a bet on one of both to be player of the match, a worthwhile wager. Smith is +700, Labuschagne is +900. We’re backing both men in our player of the match picks.
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