Nasser Hussain picks spin and pace balance in combined India-Australia test XI for WTC Final

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has named his combined Test XI from India and Australia ahead of the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) Final. While spin played a significant role when the teams clashed earlier this year, Hussain opted for a balance between spin and pace in his lineup. His selection includes one specialist spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, and a formidable pace attack, headlined by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Let’s take a closer look at Hussain’s preferred combination for the upcoming clash.

Rohit Sharma, the stylish Indian opener, was an automatic choice for Hussain as the team’s captain and opener. Hussain also went with Usman Khawaja, considering his experience and ability to face the new ball in English conditions. The renowned trio of Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Virat Kohli filled the crucial positions of numbers three, four, and five, respectively, bringing their wealth of experience and 91 Test centuries to the team.

In the absence of injured wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, Hussain selected Alex Carey as the team’s wicketkeeper at number seven. Carey’s experience and potential to perform in familiar conditions make him a valuable addition to the lineup. The middle-order all-rounder position went to the talented Cameron Green, known for his impressive performances with both bat and ball.

Hussain’s decision to include only one specialist spinner led him to choose Ravichandran Ashwin, who possesses a potent bowling arsenal and contributes with the bat as well. Hussain valued Ashwin’s ability to thrive in English conditions, making him the preferred spin option. The pace attack comprised the world-class duo of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, known for their pace, skill, and ability to provide variation. Completing the lineup, Mohammed Shami was chosen as the final pace bowler, taking advantage of his exceptional seam bowling and impressive performances.