Who has the 7 highest individual innings scores in World Test Championship final history? Australia have the only 2 centurions
Australia will face India in the third World Test Championship final at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London in a repeat of the 2023 edition.
The Australian side will be looking to defend their world crown, having beaten India in the final two years ago.
For India, they have featured in every WTC final to date and has ended up on the losing side on each occasion.
They will be looking to get one back on their opponents but will be hindered by the Test cricket retirements of former captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
So, who’s been the dominant force with the bat in hand over the last two finals of the competition?
And who’s amassed the most runs for their nations – let’s find out…
7. Ajinkya Rahane – 49 (2021 vs New Zealand)
Rahane’s gritty 49 in the 2021 WTC final against New Zealand was a vital knock in difficult circumstances. India were faltering in their innings when Rahane stepped up to play a much needed anchoring role on a challenging pitch in Southampton to help his side reach 217.
His efforts came to an end when he was caught off a fired-up Neil Wagner, just short of a half century. His efforts stood out as one of the few significant contributions in a match dominated by bowlers, his resilience was vital in his side mounting a challenge.
6. Kane Williamson – 52 not (2021 vs India)
The New Zealand captain’s unbeatebn knock of 52 in the fourth innings of the 2021 WTC final was the defining knock in his nation’s chase of 139. It was calmness and composure personified as he took the match away from the innings with a steady and collected knock in the middle.
The pitch was deteriorating and clearly favouring the bowlers, and his partnership alongside Ross Taylor took the wind out of the sails of the Indian bowlers and steadied the ship to bring home victory in the inaugural WTC final – an innings more significant than just a half century.
5. Devon Conway – 54 (2021 vs India)
Devon Conway’s 54 in New Zealand’s first innings was an innings of poise, especially considering the intensity of the occasion. The pitch was doing the batters absolutely no favours as Conway became one of the few who were able to provide stability in an innings that helped define the low-scoring contest.
His knock was critical, as he formed a key partnership with Tom Latham and helped the Black Caps to a total of 249 as he top scored for his team and the match – his mature innings showed why he quickly became one of the first names on the New Zealand batting lineup.
4. Alex Carey – 66 (2023 vs India)
The influence of Alex Carey on Australia’s success has been significant, with vital performances with both the bat and wicketkeeper gloves. In the 2023 WTC final, his counterattacking 66 off 105 balls helped his nation build their score before a second innings declaration.
He forged an unlikely partnership with Mitchell Starc to take the game away from India and shun their opponents to their second defeat in as many finals. His 66 featured some signature sweeps and booming drives in a critical contribution when it mattered most.
3. Ajinkya Rahane – 89 (2023 vs Australia)
One of India’s most consistent performers, Rahane again produced the goods in a battling innings in their 2023 WTC final defeat to Australia. He again showed his temperament at the crease and solidified why he’s been such an important player in steadying the ship as the anchor in the Indian middle order.
His brilliance shone through in a difficult match for India, showing his proficiency under pressure. Although he fell short of a century, it was a knock that kept his country in the contest.
2. Steven Smith – 121 (2023 vs India)
Steve Smith showed his unrelenting class in the 2023 WTC final with an atypical display of his ability to build a dominant Test match century.
He rallied with Travis Head to help Australia set a dominant first innings score of 469, giving his country the upper hand, which they didn’t seem to lose over the match. His signature drives and pull shots frustrated the Indian bowlers at The Oval for over five hours.
1. Travis Head – 163 (2023 vs India)
Travid Head’s 163 in the 2023 WTC final was the defining innings and remains the greatest feat of scoring in a final of the event to date. It was explosive, coming off 174 balls as Australia dominated the opening day and set the tone for the rest of the final.
He ripped the Indian bowlers apart and found the boundary at will, counterattacking against pace and spin alike.
With himself at Smith likely to take the field at Lord’s in June, will we see a repeat of their 2023 heroics?
