Clarke predicts India-Australia final at Champions Trophy

05/14/2017

The former Australian skipper Michael Clarke predicted a clash between India and Australia in the finals of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2017 scheduled to commence on June 1 on Saturday. He also went as far as to predict that Australia would defeat India by a narrow margin of a single run.

“I am backing India and Australia to play the final and hope Australia win by one run,” Clarke quoted as reported by PTI.

The 2015 world cup-winning skipper further added that Australia's formidable pace bowling lineup will help them immensely in English conditions. The pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood have the ability to generate over 140kmph on a consistent basis on the swinging and seaming pitches of England.

“The actual conditions in the UK are going to play a big part. So I think about the Australian team, for example, if there is swing and seam in the pitch I think the Australian fast bowlers are going to be really tough to face.The actual conditions in the UK are going to play a big part. So I think about the Australian team for example, if there is swing and seam in the pitch I think the Australian fast bowlers are going to be really tough to face. That will hold Australia in good stead. (Mitchell) Starc, (James) Pattinson, (Josh) Hazlewood, (Pat) Cummins... those four fast bowlers bowl 140-150kmh so if there is any swing or seam they will be tough to face.As will the likes of South Africa who have got good fast bowlers,” the 36-year-old said.

R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja spearheaded India's bowling attack in a very successful Test season at home this year and are expected to recreate the same form in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Jadeja was the highest wicket taker in 2013 Champions Trophy Tournament when India emerged as the champions and nothing less is expected of him. The hot summers in England could actually favour the spin duo of Ashwin and Jadeja as experts believe that the prevailing weather conditions could induce the ball to turn on the English pitches.

“If it’s hot and the pitch spins, you think of no better exponents of that than Ashwin and Jadeja. So I think that will play into India’s favour. He (Jadeja) is as good a spinner as anybody in the world. India have got two very, very good frontline spinners and if conditions turn in the UK those two spinners can do a lot of damage to all the teams,” Clarke added.

Indian batsmen's form has become a subject of concern due to their lacklustre performance in the ongoing IPL. Skipper Virat Kohli has failed to make any kind of impact in IPL this season and is going through a lean patch of runs since India's series against Australia. Moreover, Ajinkya Rahane, Yuvraj Singh, and MS Dhoni also have also failed to fire in the tournament but Clarke believes that the Indian batting lineup has the potential to make it big in the tournament.

"It’s a different format, one day cricket to T20. There are similarities but with regards to batting, you got to give yourself a chance to get into your innings. I don’t think the Indian batsmen will be too concerned whether they have performed during the IPL or not.They will have enough time to be ready for the tournament. They will be confident. They won the Champions Trophy last time and have had success in the shorter format in the UK. So they will be confident they can give their best,” he said.

“They have got a good mix of youth and experience. I think that’s really important in major tournaments.”, he concluded.