The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is the premier championship for Test cricket which is in line with ICC's target of having one ultimate tournament for each of the three formats of international cricket.
The finalists of the WTC are decided over a period of two years in a league format where the top nine teams play home and away series. The top two teams are decided via win percentage and they clash against each other in a mega six-day test match for the ultimate prize.
The inaugural World Test Championship Final was played between India and New Zealand from 18 to 23 June 2021 at Rose Bowl, Southampton, England. It was a low-scoring affair and the highest individual score was that of Devon Conway, 54, in the first innings.
In the end, the Kiwis won the test match in the final session of the sixth day by eight wickets to lift the mace.
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Whereas in the second edition, India and Australia locked horns against each other at The Oval from June 7, 2023. After Indian bowlers dominated the first session with the new ball, Travis Head and Steve Smith took control.
Both batsmen hit centuries, becoming the first players to score centuries in the WTC final.
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How many batsmen have scored a century in the WTC Final?
Travis Head became the first to score a century at a WTC final on Wednesday, June 7. He toyed with the Indian bowling after the conditions eased out under the summer sun. Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, & Mohammad Siraj were toothless without the aid of seam movement and uneven bounce and the batsman cruised to 146* at the end of the day's play from 156 balls at a strike rate of 93.59.
The first centurion in World Test Championship Final history 🥇
— ICC (@ICC) June 7, 2023
Take a bow, Travis Head 👏
Follow the #WTC23 Final 👉 https://t.co/wJHUyVnX0r pic.twitter.com/PFyd7UzcZX
Steve Smith also hit a hundred, bringing up his milestone on Day 2.
Year | Batsman | Opponent | Runs | Venue |
2023 | Travis Head (Australia) | India | 146* | The Oval |
2023 | Steve Smith (Australia) | India | 103* | The Oval |
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