What Australia need to show against India to prove they can handle England’s Bazball onslaught

Ashes “warm-ups” don’t get much bigger than a World Test Championship final, with the game between Australia and India at The Oval starting on Wednesday expected to be the most-watched Test match in history.

Five things Australia need to show against India

But the bigger picture for Australia is an Ashes series against England that starts in just 10 days’ time at Edgbaston.

So, other than the confidence boost of a win, what do the Australians want to see over the next five days?

Runs for David Warner

The feisty opener, now 36, has announced plans to retire from Test cricket at the end of the next Australian summer. Pat Cummins, his captain, has reminded David Warner he needs runs between now and then to stay in the team, saying: “We’d love a fairy tale finish for Davey in Sydney but obviously he’s got to be scoring some runs.”

Given his 2019 Ashes in England, an average of 9.5 and dismissed by Stuart Broad seven times in 10 innings, runs are not guaranteed for Warner. He also averages just 28 in the past year. So, a score against India would do his Ashes prospects the world of good.

Cummins, speaking on the eve of this final, added: “I think when Davey’s at his best he’s an aggressive, scary proposition to the opposition. So that’s what we’d love to see, Dave taking the game on.”

Cameron Green looking the all-round package

Cameron Green is the all-rounder Australia have been craving for a generation – a genuine quick bowler who can bat at No 6.

Yet the 24-year-old has just come back from the Indian Premier League and has never played in England before. How he does against India will be instructive for the summer ahead.

“You’ve seen Ben Stokes, what he’s done with England over the years, having that key all-rounder who’s in your top six can make a big difference,” Cummins said. “With each game, he seems to be growing.”

Scott Boland’s first time in England

Scott Boland was a jobbing seamer for Victoria before he was parachuted into the 2021-22 Ashes series as an injury replacement and blew England away with 18 wickets at 9.55.

This is the 34-year-old’s first time in the UK but he’s the kind of bowler who should prosper with a swinging Dukes ball. In for the injured Josh Hazlewood, England will be taking a keen interest in how he does at The Oval.

“These conditions just seem to suit him,” he added. “He’s a seasoned pro. If there’s any assistance in the wicket, he just goes to that next level.”

Cummins leading from the front

Australia’s captain will be playing his 50th Test this week and his importance to his team as a bowler cannot be understated.

In the 2019 Ashes, he took 29 wickets at 19.62 and will be his team’s most important bowler this summer too. If he can stay fit for all five Tests against England, Cummins will likely lead his team close to Ashes victory.

“I feel as fresh as I have for years,” he said on Tuesday. “I’m ready to give six Test matches a crack.”

The impact of Andy Flower

Andy Flower, the last coach to lead England to an away Ashes series win in 2010-11, has joined the Australians as a consultant this summer.

The Zimbabwean led England to No 1 in the world in 2011. Now, though, he will be attempting to help the Aussies win an away Ashes for the first time since 2001.

Cummins added: “If he can give us one little bit insight about playing in England we haven’t thought about then it’s worth it.”