Stuart Broad has participated in South Africa’s training sessions leading up to the match. ©Getty
In the upcoming WTC final at Lord’s, the focus seems to be primarily on the bowlers: Rabada against Hazlewood, Jansen against Starc, and Maharaj versus Lyon.
It’s understandable, given that five of the world’s top ten bowlers are in the squads. However, four of the leading ten batters are also present, yet discussions have largely centered on the bowlers.
Steve Smith commented on this situation: “We’ve trained well recently, and our batters feel confident. We’re eager to play at Lord’s, a venue where we have had success.”
Australia’s last WTC final resulted in a decisive 209-run victory against India at the Oval in June 2023, where Smith made 121 runs. Historically, Australia has a mixed record at Lord’s, having won three and drawn or lost two of the five matches Smith has played there.
Shukri Conrad acknowledged the focus on bowlers, particularly with a player like Kagiso Rabada in the ranks. He assured that the batters are confident, despite lacking high-profile names.
Both teams are accustomed to the Kookaburra ball, but the Dukes will be used during the final, which generally provides more swing and movement. Smith noted that adjusting to the Dukes requires practice, highlighting that understanding its behavior is key for batters.
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