Dubai 20 August : Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believes South Africa and Australia are on the right track to secure a spot in 2023’s World Test Championship (WTC) final.Watson added that based on the current performance of both sides it will be extremely difficult for any side to take them off course.On Friday on Friday, the Proteas led by Dean Elgar defeated England by 12 runs and an innings within three days in the first Test at Lord’s to further strengthen their place on highest of the WTC table.Australia is led by Pat Cummins, are a close second.
“Right now, from the way I think about it, it’s going be difficult to South Africa and Australia to not be able to make the cut,” Watson said on The ICC Review.
“They’re both playing very good cricket.Australia performed well, aside from the test they played against Sri Lanka where they got caught up in changing conditions in the final innings.” Watson added.Watson.
But Watson said he would offer the word of warning to both teams that lead the way in the upcoming series, saying that much will depend on the series between Australia and Indian in the first quarter of 2023.
He added that teams such as Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan are in waiting to take advantage of any mistake.
“Even as the top-ranked team in the tournament, South Africa cannot afford an unintentional drop in performance.When they take on England in three-match series at a distance from home, a loss would cause them to fall to an equal share of the sixth spot with the West Indies, who still have aspirations of making it to the finals.”
In addition, Pakistan enjoy home advantage in all of their remaining five matches and India hosts Australia in four of their remaining six WTC matches.
“You should never overlook India and Pakistan as they’ve had many winners of matches, outside of their own countries too,” Watson added.”Those two would be extremely surprised to see them knocking on the door prior to the final.”
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