Australia captain Pat Cummins said on Tuesday the World Test Championship final against India and the subsequent Ashes tour of England will define his side's place in cricket history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cummins' men face India in just the second WTC final at the Oval starting on Wednesday, the first of six Tests in eight weeks, including a five-match Ashes series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand beat India in the inaugural 2021 WTC final in Southampton, while it is 22 years since Australia last won an Ashes campaign in England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Whether we like it or not, these big series are where you look back at eras of cricket teams and judge their performances," Cummins told reporters at the Oval.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"That's an exciting opportunity for us.... No doubt this will be the last Ashes away tour for a lot of the guys."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 30-year-old fast bowler added: "Missing the first one (WTC final), this second one feels like it is a bit more significant. It is the only trophy that Australian cricket hasn't won."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This week's match takes place against a backdrop of fears over the future of Test cricket during the growth of global franchise Twenty20 tournaments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Cummins said he wished the final, the culmination of a two-year programme, would strengthen the place of the WTC in cricket's congested international calendar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I hope this week shows that it does work," said the skipper. "Every day is a sell-out. I just had a meeting where they said it will be the most-watched Test ever played.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"So hopefully this event is a real event that is here to stay."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The WTC final will be Australia's only match in England before next week's first Ashes Test at Edgbaston after officials ditched fixtures against county sides that have traditionally been a part of the tour programme.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cummins, however, was adamant the final was a key game in itself and not merely a warm-up for the Ashes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's absolutely an event," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It feels like it is the bookend of the past two years' campaign.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We have played great cricket over that campaign, and after this Test match it means nothing. We start again, starting with a series that doesn't get much bigger than an Ashes away series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It does feel like a final."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India have yet to name their team but Australia have confirmed that seamer Scott Boland will play.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the final with a side injury and that left Boland and Michael Neser, a late call-up to the squad after impressing for Glamorgan in England's County Championship, competing for a place.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia, however, have stuck with Boland, who enjoyed a stunning international debut during the 2021\/22 Ashes, with his return of 6-7 in Melbourne helping seal a series win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 34-year-old has now taken 28 wickets in seven Tests at a remarkably low average of 13.42.<\/p>\r\n\r\n