Review That Cost Australia A Place In The World Test Championship Final

India defeated England in the four-match test series 3-1 to confirm their place in the World Test Championship(WTC) final on Saturday. After India's win, the Australian hopes to qualify for the WTC final also perished. 

For Australia to qualify, England had to defeat India in the test series or at least hold them for a draw. This scenario came into existence because Australia had canceled its tour to South Africa due to the Covid-19 outbreak. 

However, Australia have only themselves to blame. There are not many instances when a test match gets lost in a 'spur of a moment'. Yet, a moment still haunts the whole of Australia. 

In the famous test of Ashes 2019, Australia was robbed by Ben Stokes in Headingley. Stokes' century helped England pull off an incredible win out of nowhere. 

 

However, Australia had a chance to complete the win. Stokes and Jack Leach were involved in a historic partnership when a Pat Cummins delivery struck Stokes on the pad. The whole of Australia appealed but it was pitched outside leg stump. 

Captain Tim Paine had only one review left and with the game slipping away he had to take the gamble. As expected, Australia lost the review and Ben Stokes finished the match eventually. 

I mean, I am not saying he definitely is to blame, but this Tim Paine review possibly cost Aus a WTC final berth

Throwback to Ashes 2019 when Cummins had Leach in front (or not).

Closely followed by Lyon trapping Stokes in front with Aus having 0 reviews#Ashes2019 #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/fAScxZ3UrR

— stan_healy (@zan_stan) March 7, 2021

Australia lost a crucial match in context to the World Test Championship(WTC) which they could have won.