The grand event of Test cricket, the ICC World Test Championship 2023 final, is finally HERE! Australia and India, who dominate the current Test rankings and have a storied rivalry like none other, are headed for a collision course that ultimately rewards the winner with the only silverware in the longest format.

India, on the one hand, will eye redemption in the WTC final. In the summit clash of the inaugural edition (2019-21), New Zealand handed our boys an eight-wicket defeat. Given their form this year - two wins, one draw, one loss, expect Rohit Sharma and Co. to go all guns blazing at the Oval.

But hold on! The opponent is Australia, so expect a lot of speed-breakers. They have won 11 of the 19 Tests they played in the WTC 2021-23 cycle and finished atop the points table. Given their dominance in the ICC tournament finals (ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup) - six wins in nine - the Aussies know how to step things up at the big stage.

All your questions, all your doubts, all your stats, we’ve got them covered for you.

So where’s the final?

The iconic, the hallowed Oval in London will play host. This is the ground that played host to the first-ever recorded Test on English soil in 1880. Since then, 104 Tests have been played on this ground.

And so what’s interesting this time around?

In these 143 years and 104 Tests, NOT A SINGLE GAME HAS BEEN PLAYED IN JUNE. Yep, the earliest a Test was played at The Oval was in the first week of July. This is going to be new for everyone!

How’s India’s Test record at The Oval?

14 Tests played, two wins, five losses and seven draws.

The last time we played at this venue, India ended a 40-year wait. Rohit Sharma’s 127 - his maiden overseas Test ton - pivoted India to a 157-run victory over hosts England in 2021.

And how’s Australia’s Test record at The Oval?

38 Tests played, seven wins, 17 losses and 14 draws.

The WTC final 2023 will mark 142 years and nine months since Australia first played on this ground. Then captained by Billy Murdoch, the Aussies suffered a five-wicket loss to England. As far as the last visit is concerned, Australia last took the field at The Oval for the fifth Test against England in 2019. The result? A 135-run defeat.

What about the pitch then? How does it usually play here?

It usually is a sporting wicket with something in it for everyone. Traditionally, the bounce here is good, the spinners like it, the batters tend to feast. But again, given that this is scheduled right at the start of the English season, there’s some uncertainty. Still, expect something that lasts the distance.

And the conditions?

Challenging, as Virat Kohli mentioned in a recent interview. There is a green tinge, which will force both AUS and IND batters to play with caution. It’s going to be tricky for the management to choose between playing a second spinner or a fourth seamer.

How’s the weather this time around?

As some of our weather birds tell us, it will be sunny for the first two days of the WTC 2023 Final. The third day, however, could see clouds make a guest appearance. The last two days could see rain make an unpredictable late cameo. But overall, 2023 is set to be a lot better than what 2021 was.

Don’t tell me we're going to need a reserve day here as well?

Yep, we are. After two days of washouts in the 2021 final and now the recent IPL final postponement, nothing in life can work without reserve days. Also, given the unpredictability of the weather in England at any point, a reserve day has been kept for Monday, June 12.

The time lost to rain or bad light on the first five days can be made up on the sixth.

If, and only if, there is a draw or a tie, what happens to the WTC trophy

Don’t worry, there are no Super Overs. A draw is a perfectly normal result in a Test, and if India and Australia manage to play one out, the trophy will be shared.