Australia need England to tie the series 2-2 at Ahmedabad to qualify to play New Zealand
England will have unusual support in their last test against India with Australia, perhaps with gritted teeth, hoping their big rivals can take the win to give them a place in the final of the World test championship.
Australia have needed England’s favors throughout the series since their South Africa tour was postponed due to Covid-19, which deprived them of the possibility of qualifying to play News -Zeeland at the end of June.
There were a variety of playoff results that would have put Australia through, but the only one left is for England to tie the game at 2-2 at Ahmedabad. England’s two-day defeat in the Third Test put England out of the race for the final.
“[There’s a] of little interest to us. We hope they can do the job there, ”said Andrew McDonald, Australia’s assistant coach, responsible for the New Zealand team.
“It’s going to be tough for them, no doubt some of the surfaces have been suitable for spin bowling and probably India forces in their ability to spin too. We wish them good luck. See what happens, it’s out of our hands but we’ll watch with interest.
“I think most people watched this series with great interest in terms of the conditions and the short nature of the tests made it very interesting to watch from afar.”
However, David Warner will not be able to bring himself to support England although he will gladly take his place in the final. “I will not do barracks for England,” he said. “From a cricket point of view, we would like to see a draw [in the series]. It would be ideal for us to make the final of the World Test Championship and if that happens it is a great result for us. “
If it hadn’t been for points moored for a slow over-rate against India in Melbourne, Australia would have qualified for the final once their tour of South Africa was called off. If they don’t squeeze in with England’s help, that will mean their next cricket test won’t take place until the end of the year with the Ashes or possibly a one-off game against Afghanistan.
For his part, Joe Root, the England captain, said he would not see beating India as a serve to Australia.
“I would see it as we end the series as a comic book series and we are doing something special here in India,” Root said. “Unfortunately we can’t qualify for this final but it would be a fantastic achievement for us to have drawn this series and as England captain that’s about all I can say. “
New Zealand, meanwhile, can watch everything unfold after reserving their place in recent weeks, and they have not indicated a preference for their opponent. “It’s out of my hands,” said coach Gary Stead. “I know it will be either India or Australia, we’ve put England aside, but that doesn’t really worry me.”
Andrew McGlashan is associate editor of ESPNcricinfo