Australia booted from Lord’s days out from WTC Final by all-powerful India

Despite bombing out of the World Test Championship at the start of the year, India has flexed its power to disrupt Australia’s preparations for the decider.

India bombed out of the World Test Championship Final back in January, but it hasn’t stopped them kicking Australia off Lord’s just days out from Wednesday’s Final.

In baffling scenes illustrating the power India holds in world cricket, Australian stars Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green were forced into a three-hour round trip to Beckenham, south-east of London to train on Saturday in the understanding that Lord’s – venue for the WTC decider against South Africa – was unavailable.

But as Australia discovered upon arriving at Lord’s for the first time on Sunday, India had in fact had access to the hallowed ground at their expense for a session the previous day.

India aren’t due to face England in their upcoming series at Lord’s until July 10.

Josh Hazlewood was forced to wait for the chance to train at Lord's. Picture: Paul Harding/Getty Images

As was Marnus Labuschagne. Picture: Paul Harding/Getty Images

Australia were comfortable with their quality centre-wicket facilities down in Kent’s training base in Beckenham, but nothing beats acclimatising with conditions at the Test match venue, especially when it’s an event as big as fighting to become the first team to ever defend the World crown.

“I’ll get as much as I can in. I think even slip-catching here (at Lord’s with its infamous slope), one end to the other is going to be a lot different as well, so getting as much time on the ground as I can,” Australian all-rounder Beau Webster said as a first-time Lord’s visitor

A World Cricket Connects forum bringing together the most influential voices and administrators from across cricket gathered at Lord’s on Saturday for a forum to debate the biggest issues in the sport – and attendees only needed to look out the windows to be given the answer to a lot of questions.

That is, the game revolves around the superpower that is India, even in a circumstance where their Test team isn’t even involved in the showpiece event.

The Australians got on with business in any case on Sunday, with Hazlewood pushing himself through a marathon session where he bowled two long spells in a bid to prove his fitness for Wednesday’s final against the Proteas.

Having finally arrived at Lord’s, Tasmanian Webster said it was worth the wait as he eyes an opportunity he never would have envisaged seven months ago when toiling away in the Sheffield Shield.

“Yeah, it’s pretty special. I’ve been here a couple of times to watch a few games here and there throughout the years, but to be out in the middle, it’s extra special. If I get the nod, I’m looking forward to Wednesday,” Webster said.

“(Getting to the ground) it definitely feels like it’s approaching. The last few weeks, I’ve been in Birmingham, and then we had a little trip to Scotland and then training at Beckenham.

“Rolling in today feels like it’s go time. We’re training here for the next three days before Wednesday. It does feel real. It feels like I can’t wait to see this place packed out.

“With the atmosphere it provides and everything that goes along with playing at Lord’s, I’m really looking forward to the week.”

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Hazlewood bowled about 12 overs on Sunday in his first stint charging in at the likes of Labuschagne, Cameron Green and Sam Konstas, only to return again later in the session to bowl another five or so overs at Usman Khawaja who batted through the whole period.

It’s expected that Hazlewood will get the nod in the Australian attack ahead of Scott Boland and for Marnus Labuschagne to edge out Sam Konstas at the top of the order, but selectors are yet to lock in any final decisions.

Webster said he feels he can play an important role as the fifth bowling option.

“Obviously when you go into a game and you’ve got three front-line quicks and a spinner, it’s always nice to have a guy, I suppose, who can chop out and potentially get you a wicket or two here and there and keep the big boys fresh for another spell or the second innings,” Webster said.

“That’s my role in the team and if they decide to go that way, I’ll give my best and if not, I’m sure there’ll be good reasons why.”

Originally published as Australia booted from Lord’s days out from WTC Final by all-powerful India