Australia’s impressive performances in the subcontinent during the previous World Test Championship (WTC) cycle played a crucial role in their ultimate success, according to coach Andrew McDonald. Speaking after Australia’s victory over India in the WTC Final, McDonald praised his team’s achievements in Test matches across Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India.
In a significant tour last year, Australia secured a historic win in the third and final Test against Pakistan after the first two Tests ended in draws. Following their triumph in Pakistan, they also managed to win a Test match in Sri Lanka before settling for a series draw of 1-1. Earlier this year, they kept their series hopes alive in India by winning the third Test, securing their place in the final.
McDonald acknowledged the challenging nature of the World Test Championship cycle, stating, “You can evaluate individual series, but it’s important to consider our journey through the subcontinent, from Pakistan to Sri Lanka, and into India. We had to navigate through that. So, our wins in the subcontinent were instrumental in getting us here. While we are strong in Australia, winning Test matches in Pakistan, securing a Test victory in Sri Lanka, and sealing the win in Indore to secure a place in the final were all vital accomplishments. We’ve successfully capitalized on these opportunities, and it’s a job well done.”
When asked about the significance of this triumph compared to Australia’s extensive trophy collection over the years, McDonald acknowledged that Australia had embraced the concept of the WTC, despite missing out on the inaugural final in 2021. He remarked, “It’s a new concept, but we’ve fully embraced it. In the past couple of years, we missed out due to over rate, which was disappointing. So, it has become a significant focus for us. Every time we enter a series, we are aware of our position on the ladder, albeit stretched over two years, which is unique to other sports. It’s high on our priority list, and we aimed to be here and win it, which is exactly what we have achieved. It ranks highly among our achievements, and the jubilant atmosphere in the dressing room reflects that.”
Despite the cause for celebration, Australia’s focus must now shift to the upcoming Ashes campaign, which begins in just five days. McDonald emphasized the need to switch gears swiftly, stating, “In the next 24 hours, our focus will shift to the Ashes and the first Test. We are eagerly looking forward to it
