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India, France & Australia join forces on maritime security

The three sides have expressed satisfaction at the resumption of the trilateral dialogue…reports Asian Lite News

India, France, and Australia have agreed to resume cooperation on Maritime Security and Safety in the Indo-Pacific region in addition to strengthening multilateral engagement. This was decided during the Second India-France-Australia Trilateral Focal Points Meeting held on Tuesday (June 20, 2023).

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the three sides expressed satisfaction at the resumption of the trilateral dialogue.

They agreed to resume cooperation on the established pillars of the mechanism:

Maritime Security and Safety including HADR; Marine Global Commons and Environment; Multilateral Engagement.

“They identified key projects to be initiated in the coming months and agreed to explore the possibility of holding a meeting of the Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the UNGA,” the MEA said.

The Indian side was led by Joint Secretary (Europe West) Sandeep Chakravorty and Joint Secretary (Oceania) Paramita Tripathi while the French side was led by Director (Asia and Oceania) Benoît Guidée and the Australian side was led by First Assistant Secretary (North and South Asia Division) Gary Cowan.

France, India and Australia held the first focal points meeting in their trilateral dialogue on February 24, 2021. As Indo-Pacific nations, the participants sought to examine the progress of tangible projects in the region to ensure its security, prosperity and sustainable development.

This was followed by a virtual meeting of Foreign Ministers of the three countries at the Raisina Dialogue in April 2021.

An in-person India-France-Australia Trilateral Foreign Ministers Meeting was held in September 2022. It was attended by Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

“Concluded the India-Australia-France Foreign Ministers’ trilateral. Useful in promoting cooperation in Indo-Pacific issues as well as at the global level. Thank FMs @MinColonna and @SenatorWong for their commitment,” EAM Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.

India, France, and Australia had their first set of trilateral talks at the Foreign Secretary level in September 2020. The discussions centered around economic and geostrategic challenges and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. (India News Network)

ALSO READ: India set to cross Rs 120,000 cr in mobile exports

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-Top News Australia

Australia’s business conditions slump 7 points in May

The weakest confidence was seen in the retail industry while mining, manufacturing and transport, and utilities saw modest improvements…reports Asian Lite News

Business conditions in Australia posted a sharp fall of seven points to eight points in May driven by declines in trade, employment, and profitability, according to a survey released by the National Australia Bank Ltd. (NAB) on Tuesday.

The fall in conditions appears to be accelerating but still remains above the long-run average, Xinhua news agency quoted the survey as saying.

All the three sub-components of the business conditions fell in May, of which trading dropped eight points to 14 points, employment down seven points to four points and profitability slid five points to seven points, it said.

Conditions in all the industries saw declines with the biggest pullback seen in transport and utilities, wholesales, and mining industries.

The retail industry remained solid despite a small setback seen in May. The business confidence across industries weakened in May with the index declining four points to minus four points.

The weakest confidence was seen in the retail industry while mining, manufacturing and transport, and utilities saw modest improvements.

Forward orders declined six points to minus five points.

“Confidence fell back into negative territory though has bounced around within the zero to minus four index point range in recent month,” said Alan Oster, chief economist of NAB.

“Our bigger worry is the sharp decline in forward orders in the month.”

The forward orders measure typically leads business conditions and historically has been the best measure of economic activity, said Oster.

“If orders persist at these levels we could well see ongoing sharp falls in business conditions, highlighting the risks around economic growth through the middle of this year,” he noted.

ALSO READ-Kashmiri business magnate in Australia’s top entrepreneurs list 

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Australia Business

Kashmiri business magnate in Australia’s top entrepreneurs list 

KnG Group of companies encompasses healthcare, education, tech and cyber security, and home care, representing a diverse range of industries…reports Firdous Hassan

When Maninderjit Kala of Baramulla went to Australia in 2009 to pursue a master’s degree in journalism, little did he know anything about entrepreneurship.

Come 2023, Maninderjit who is popularly known as Mannu Kala, has emerged as one of the top entrepreneurs in Australia.

Kala’s name has figured among the Top Australia Entrepreneurs of the Year. A co-owner of KnG Group, Mannu was ranked 14 among the best 100 entrepreneurs in Australia this year.

 “It is a great achievement for me to figure in the names of Australia’s top 100 entrepreneurs. My journey from journalism to entrepreneurship started in Khojabagh, Baramulla where I lived before moving to Australia to start my career in journalism. I always had that leadership qualities and entrepreneurial mindset, which got nourished in Australia,” he said.

KnG Group of companies encompasses healthcare, education, tech and cyber security, and home care, representing a diverse range of industries.

KnG was founded in 2020 by Mannu Kala and Dr. Anuj Gupta. It was aimed to create innovative solutions to address the challenges brought about by the pandemic. In 2023, Covax Australia was named KnG Healthcare, which has now become part of a conglomerate of companies, The KnG Group.

 “We work on various projects of government in healthcare, education, nursing homes cyber security, technology, and energy sector,” Kala said.

Mannu’s journey as a successful entrepreneur has not been a cakewalk since he had to work on multiple ventures before setting up Australia’s leading firm.

 “In 2011, I started a firm named dynamic pathology. It was followed by another firm Medlab Pathology in 2016, which extensively worked in the field of pathology. Being Kashmiri, we are tough and dare to face adversities. I worked very hard over the years and co-founded KnG Group to provide solutions in multiple fields to the government of Australia and other companies,” he said.

International Award Winning Entrepreneur Mannu Kala is now a prominent go-to- problem solver and leader in the health industry.

Kala’s company stands as one of Australia’s leading firms, known for its creativity, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. “I aim to work even harder so that I can contribute to my valley by spreading positivity about it,” he said.

ALSO READ-New Projects, Tourism Transform Naya Kashmir

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-Top News Australia India News

Australia lifts maiden WTC title

The defeat means India’s agonising wait to win an ICC title, which has been going on for almost ten years, continues…reports Asian Lite News

Two years after Australia missed out on reaching the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, due to being penalised two points for a slow over-rate, the Pat Cummins-led side won the marquee event with a comprehensive 209-run win over India in the 2023 finale at The Oval on Sunday.

With the resounding victory giving them their ninth ICC title, also their first-ever WTC crown, Australia has become the first team in men’s international cricket to win all major trophies. Their victory was set up on Day One of the five-day match by a 285-run partnership between ‘Player of the Match’ Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (121) after Australia were sent in to bat first by India.

India commenced the fifth day’s play from 164/3 in 40 overs, with hopes brimming of conjuring the highest-ever successful chase in fourth innings of a Test match. That hope increased when Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane looked purposeful in their fourth-wicket partnership of 86 during an improbable chase of 444.

But once Scott Boland took out Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in the space of three balls of the 47th over, it was effectively the knockout punch that Australia was waiting for. Despite some resistance from Rahane and K.S. Bharat, India were all out for 234 in 63.3 overs in the extended first session, losing their last seven wickets for 70 runs.

Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon was the pick of the Aussie bowlers with 4-41, followed by Boland (3/46), Mitchell Starc (2-77) and captain Pat Cummins (1-55) and was instrumental in Australia lifting the coveted Mace, which was the only silverware missing from their vast cupboard of trophies, coming ahead of the Ashes.

The defeat means India’s agonising wait to win an ICC title, which has been going on for almost ten years, continues. It is also their second straight loss in the WTC Finals after New Zealand defeated them by eight wickets in the inaugural edition of the one-off title clash at Southampton in 2021.

Australia began Day Five with discipline in line and length from Boland and Cummins, who seemed to hit the deck hard. Kohli and Rahane were content in rotating the strike, apart from the latter getting a four off a lucky edge. In a desperate bid to get Kohli out, Australia burnt a review for a caught-behind dismissal off Boland.

But a ball later, Boland enticed Kohli to go after a full and wide delivery, which he couldn’t resist chasing. The thick edge on the big drive from Kohli was caught by Steve Smith at second slip with both hands after diving to his right, as scores of Indian fans fell silent.

After Jadeja left his first ball off Boland, the pacer immediately bowled tighter and got some late away movement to draw the batter into defending and take the thick edge behind to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, sending him back for a two-ball duck.

Boland could have got Bharat out if the extra bounce didn’t take the shoulder edge of the bat and go over slip cordon for four. Bharat was then pinned on the helmet by a bouncer from Cummins and after he passed a concussion test, Rahane survived an lbw appeal off Boland as Australia burnt another review.

Bharat found himself being troubled by Green before driving him through point for four. Rahane produced exquisite timing in his two straight drives past mid-off against Starc and followed it up with a punch past the backward point off Lyon.

But Starc took him out with a good length delivery on sixth stump which took a thick edge off an expansive drive on the up to Carey. India continued to sink further when Lyon trapped Shardul Thakur plumb lbw for a five-ball duck, followed by Umesh Yadav gloving a brute of a bouncer to Carey, who timed his jump well to take a stunning one-handed catch off Starc.

Bharat survived a stumping chance off Lyon, and three balls later, while trying to hit the off-spinner over deep mid-wicket, skied a catch back to the bowler. Mohammed Shami tried to delay the inevitable with back-to-back boundaries off Starc, but Lyon finished off the match as Mohammed Siraj was caught at backward point on reverse-sweep, giving Australia their first-ever WTC title.

Brief scores:

Australia 469 and 270/8d beat India 296 and 234 all out in 63.3 overs (Virat Kohli 49, Ajinkya Rahane 46; Nathan Lyon 4-41, Scott Boland 3-41) by 209 runs

ALSO READ: Leaving out Ashwin draws flak

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India News Sport Sports

WTC Final: Kohli, Rahane revive Indian hopes

The duo’s efforts meant the match is set up towards an exciting finish, as India are still alive in the chase with 280 runs needed while Australia will be aiming to get seven right balls to bowl them out quickly on day five…reports Asian Lite News

Australia looked to be in a prime position to win the World Test Championship Final when they declared on 270/8, as Alex Carey top-scored with 66 not out, and set India a daunting target of 444 at The Oval on Saturday.

In their pursuit of breaking the world record of 418 for the most successful fourth innings chase in a Test match, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane put together a solid unbeaten 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket, on yet another day of gripping action, and take India to 164/3 at stumps on Day Four.

On a pitch that flattened out and was devoid of demons in terms of movement and bounce, Kohli was in fantastic touch to be 44 not out off just 60 balls, with Rahane unconquered on 20.

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The duo’s efforts meant the match is set up towards an exciting finish, as India are still alive in the chase with 280 runs needed while Australia will be aiming to get seven right balls to bowl them out quickly on day five.

India made a fast start as Rohit Sharma looked classy in pull and on-drive off Pat Cummins to pick two quick boundaries. Shubman Gill joined the party with a gentle punch through cover and getting a thick edge wide of the gully for a brace of f’urs. Rohit’s brilliant timing continued when he flicked Scott Boland for four and pulled Mitchell Starc over long leg for six.

But Gill fell when Boland extracted the outside edge off his defensive prod, and the ball flew low to Cameron Green’s left, who took out his left hand for taking a one-handed screamer, with the third umpire adjudging it as a clean catch and tea taken immediately as fans debated whether the batter was out or not.

Cheteshwar Pujara began the final session by cracking a fierce cut through point off Boland for four while surviving an inside edge off him for another boundary. Rohit continued to be in great touch, pulling and driving beautifully off Starc’to bring India’s fifty in just nine overs.

Pujara followed it up by gently clipping and driving through mid-off against Starc for boundaries, followed by flicking off Cummins to pick another four. Rohit was exquisite in cutting off Starc and pulling against Green to pick a brace of fours to raise fifty of the partnership.

But Australia bounced back by taking out the duo in quick succession. Rohit tried to sweep against Nathan Lyon from around the wicket, but the ball went under the bat to be trapped lbw. Pujara, meanwhile, tried to upper-cut against Cummins but got a thick toe-edge behind to keeper Alex Carey.

Kohli looked in zone from the time he arrived at the crease – bringing his bottom-hand and supple wrists into play to hit five boundaries off pacers in the arc from mid-on to backward square leg, apart from a glorious off-drive against Starc for another boundary.

Rahane, playing with an injured right index finger, proved to be his perfect partner, oozing pristine timing in his sweep, steer, and drive. Kohli again brought out the bright off-drive against Starc for four and ended the day by glancing Lyon through fine leg for another four.

Earlier, Carey showed fine composure and muddled his shots well to hit eight fours in his unbeaten 105-bal’ vigil to take Australia’s lead to 443 before the declaration arrived. He found an able ally in Mitchell Starc, who made a nice 41 while sharing a quick 93-run stand for the seventh wicket.

India had a bright start to the day as Umesh Yadav had Marnus Labuschagne caught at first slip. Umesh got the delivery to come in and swung away late to take the ‘utside edge on Labuschagne’s defence to first slip, with the batter adding nothing to his overnight score of 41.

Green and Carey continued to add more to Australia’s big lead, playing slowly while finding a couple of boundaries as the ball got older, with the drives of the pacers being the standout shots. Ravindra Jadeja broke the 43-run partnership as he got the ball to spin in from over the wicket and ‘ounce sharply, hitting Green’s gloves and lobbing to hit the stumps.

Carey kept the reverse sweep, which caused his downfall in the first innings, completely away when facing Jadeja and went on to cut twice off Mohammed Siraj through’the off-side to take Australia’s lead to 350.

Starc took a four off Jadeja through a late cut to swell the lead, followed by Carey driving a half-volley from the left-arm spinner for another boundary. The duo rotated strike to perfection on a weary pitch till lunch arrived.

Post lunch, Starc began by driving Jadeja through mid-off for four, followed by feasting on overpitched deliveries from Umesh to hit back-to-back boundaries. On the other hand, Carey was lucky in getting an outside edge between first and second slip for four, followed by reaching his fifty in 82 balls.

Carey was lucky in getting a four through an outside edge off Jadeja while Starc dispatched Umesh over mid-on for a boundary. After the new ball was taken, there was no respite for India as Carey survived chopping on to his stumps, with the ball going for four.

Starc pulled and sliced Shami for back-to-back fours before being caught at first slip, breaking 93-run stand. Cummins lofted Siraj over mid-on for four before holing out to point off Shami, with the declaration coming immediately from Australia, who would take th’ee Indian wickets by the time day four’s play ended.

Brief scores:

Australia 469 and 270/8 decl. in 84.3 overs (Alex Carey 66 not out, Mitchell Starc 41; Ravindra Jadeja 3-58, Mohammed Shami 2-39) lead India 296 and 164/3 in 40 overs (Virat Kohli 44 not out, Rohit Sharma 43; Nathan Lyon 1-32, Scott Boland 1-38) by 280 runs

ALSO READ: Leaving out Ashwin draws flak

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India News Sport Sports

WTC Final: Smith, Head and bowlers put Australia in pole position

WTC Final, Day 2: Smith, Head and bowlers put Australia in pole position against India (ld).

All of Australia’s five bowlers took a wicket each as India’s top four batters failed to pass the 15 run mark in front of accurate and relentless lines and lengths…reports Asian Lite News

For the second straight day, Australia maintained their pole position in the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval. On Thursday, they posted 469 in first innings, thanks to Travis Head’s 163 and Steve Smith’s 121, his 31st Test hundred along with Alex Carey’s cameo of 48.

The potent Aussie bowling unit used fuller deliveries and bounce in the pitch to good effect to leave India on 151/5 in 38 overs at stumps, with Australia still leading by 318 runs. All of Australia’s five bowlers took a wicket each as India’s top four batters failed to pass the 15 run mark in front of accurate and relentless lines and lengths.

A 71-run partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja kept India afloat till off-spinner Nathan Lyon took the latter out 15 minutes away from stumps, as Australia dominated another day of proceedings in the marquee clash, as 12 wickets fell on day two, compared to three scalps picked on day one.

In the morning, India made a spirited fightback to bowl out Australia for 469, after they started their day from 327/3. A persistent Mohammed Siraj was the pick of bowlers with 4/108, also becoming the 42nd bowler from the country to scalp 50 wickets in Tests. Pacers Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur took two wickets each while Ravindra Jadeja had a scalp to his name.

Siraj didn’t have a rosy start as Smith flicked dazzlingly on his successive half-volleys to reach his ninth Test hundred against India and also his seventh century in England. On the other hand, Head reached 150 for the fourth time in his career with his trademark cut going for four off Shami.

Head was quick to pull short balls angled into him by Shami and Siraj for two boundaries. India’s tactic to bowl short to Head gave them success finally when he tried to shuffle across to use Siraj’s pace, but gloved the pull to KS Bharat, as the massive 285-run partnership for the fourth wicket came to an end.

One brought two for India as Cameron Green fell after nicking to second slip taking a sharp catch in front of his face off Shami. Four overs later, Smith chopped on his stumps off an outswinger from Shardul Thakur.

Amidst wickets falling, Carey found boundaries thrice, one of which came off a streaky inside edge. After Australia crossed 400-mark, Mitchell Starc was run-out while going for a quick single, thanks to substitute fielder Axar Patel’s sharp one-handed direct hit from mid-off.

In the second session, Carey clipped off Shami for four, before taking three boundaries off him — twice through leg-side and one past mid-off. He went on to launch Jadeja over long-on for six, taking Australia above 450.

But Jadeja bounced back immediately as Carey missed a straighter delivery on reverse-sweep and was trapped lbw, ending his 51-run stand with captain Pat Cummins for the eighth wicket. Siraj rattled Nathan Lyon’s off-stump to pick his 50th Test wicket and had Cummins caught at extra cover to end Australia’s innings in 121.3 overs.

In response, India made a positive start with Rohit Sharma pulling a short ball and squeezing a drive off Starc to take two fours. Shubman Gill played a glorious drive off Cummins through the gap for four on his first ball and went on to play a cracking pull over mid-on for another boundary.

Cummins bounced back by getting some inward movement to beat Rohit’s attempted clip and trap him plumb lbw. In the next over, Gill horribly misjudged a nip-backer from Scott Boland and saw the top of his off-stump being rattled without offering a shot.

Pujara started the final session with a lovely on-drive off Boland for four, followed by punching Green through off-side for another boundary. But Green bounced back as Pujara misjudged the line of the nip-backer coming in from outside off and saw the top of his off-stump being rattled.

Rahane, playing his first Test since January 2022, was off the mark by cutting a short and wide delivery off Boland over slip cordon for four, followed by pulling Cummins for four. Starc struck when he hit the pitch hard and got extra bounce to take the shoulder edge of Kohli’s bat and was caught at second slip.

Jadeja got going by driving past non-striker for four off Starc while Rahane brought out a pristine square drive off Cummins. Rahane was trapped lbw on 17 but replays showed Cummins had overstepped, giving him and India a huge sigh of relief, though later he took a blow on his thumb.

Jadeja continued to be fluent, driving and flicking off Starc for two boundaries. He followed it up by driving Green through mid-off for four more and flicked Boland extravagantly for six. Rahane played a lovely cover drive off Boland for four while Jadeja leaned into a drive off him as the duo brought up half-century of the partnership.

After steering past gully and getting a thick outside edge to take two fours off Starc, Jadeja fell when he lunged forward to defend against Lyon with hard hands, but the ball turned away to take the outside edge to slip. Rahane and KS Bharat, who took blows on elbow and chest, remained not out on 29 and 5 respectively to take India past 150 at stumps, on another day of Australian domination.

Brief Scores: Australia 469 in 121.3 overs (Travis Head 163, Steve Smith 121; Mohammed Siraj 4/108, Shardul Thakur 2/83) lead India 151/5 in 38 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 48, Ajinkya Rahane 29 not out; Nathan Lyon 1/4, Cameron Green 1/22) by 318 runs

ALSO READ: WTC Final: All eyes on Rohit as India take on Australia

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-Top News Australia Politics

Australia to ban Nazi symbols

The ban includes, but is not limited to, the trade and public display of flags, armbands, t-shirts, insignia and the publication of symbols online promoting Nazi ideology….reports Asian Lite News

Australia’s Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on Thursday announced the government will introduce legislation next week to criminalise public displays of the Nazi hate symbols and ban the trade of items with the symbols imprinted.

Under Australia’s Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill, anyone caught breaching the new laws could face up to 12 months in jail, reports Xinhua news agency.

The ban includes, but is not limited to, the trade and public display of flags, armbands, t-shirts, insignia and the publication of symbols online promoting Nazi ideology.

Dreyfus said there was been a rise in the public display of these symbols and tackling far-right violent extremism is a priority for the Australian government.

ALSO READ: Australia’s economic growth loses steam

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India News Sport Sports

WTC Final: All eyes on Rohit as India take on Australia

Once again, eyes will be on India skipper Rohit Sharma, who is coming from an ordinary form in IPL 2023 and will certainly have that pressure to lead from the front with the bat….reports Asian Lite News

The Rohit Sharm-led India will be desperate to break their barren run in ICC events and win the coveted ‘mace’ when they face Pat Cummins’ formidable Australia in the much-awaited World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Kennington Oval, here on Wednesday.

Undoubtedly, India’s team has been the most consistent one over the past two WTC cycles. They have also managed to reach knockout phases of major white-ball tournaments over the last 10 years but a trophy has eluded them. On the other hand, Australia will be looking to add to their enviable collection of world titles after missing a spot in the WTC final last cycle.

As far as the competition between the two sides is concerned, India have dominated Australia in the recent past. They have won their last four Test series against Australia — two at home and two away — all by 2-1 margins.

Once again, eyes will be on India skipper Rohit Sharma, who is coming from an ordinary form in IPL 2023 and will certainly have that pressure to lead from the front with the bat.

However, a day before the start of the ‘Ultimate Test’, the 36-year-old was hit on the left thumb while batting in the nets. Rohit, who was taking throwdowns, was seen holding his left thumb following a hit in the nets but he did not appear to be in pain or a lot of discomfort.

According to reports, the Indian captain did not bat after getting hit but it was just a precautionary measure and there is nothing much to worry about. India will need a good start from Rohit, who had a successful England tour as an opener in 2021. His opening partner Shubhman Gill is in red-hot form and will look to continue the purple patch of his career. Though, his technique will also get tested in tough English conditions.

The good thing for India is that Cheteshwar Pujara has spent a decent amount of time in England this season during his County stints. Not only batting, but his advice on pitch and weather will also be valuable to the team. And once again, there will be huge expectations from Virat Kohli, who had a superb IPL 2023 season with the bat. Ajinkya Rahahne has also made his India comeback after an amazing IPL 2023 season with CSK and his experience will be valuable.

India’s top five batters are almost certain but there is a dilemma over the wicket-keeper’s slot. K.S. Bharat’s superior glovework gave him the chance over Ishan Kishan during the home series against Australia, but in English conditions where keepers spend far less time up to the stumps negotiating a sharp turn and inconsistent bounce, India could be tempted to back Kishan’s counter-attacking skills and left-handedness.

However, the biggest question the Indian team management faces, though, is whether to play four fast bowlers and just one spinner in Ravindra Jadeja or pair him with R. Ashwin. The likes of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav are likely to be India pacers for the all-important game.

On the other hand, the Pat Cummins-led Australia have already confirmed that Scott Boland will take the place of injured Josh Hazlewood. Thus the rest of the spots in their XI almost pick themselves.

In all likelihood, David Warner will open the innings with Usman Khawaja, followed by Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green and Alex Carey –which is a solid batting line-up. The mainstay of the Australian batting line-up — Labuschagne and Smith — were also part of the County cricket in England this season and it will certainly help them in countering the Indian bowling line-up.

And the likes of Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc, Cameron Green and Nathan Lyon, form a lethal bowling attack and will test the Indian batters for sure.

As far as pitch and weather are concerned, the Oval track typically tends to offer plenty of bounce, which could enthuse bowlers, both fast and slow, on either side, as well as allow batters to play their shots if there isn’t too much sideways movement. However, the ground has never previously hosted a Test match as early as June, so it will be interesting to see.

The forecast promises a clear, bright start to the Test match but there could be rain on Saturday, Sunday and Monday — the scheduled fourth, fifth and reserve days.

Notably, both Australia and India have struggled at The Oval ground, which has hosted 104 matches so far.

India have played 14 Test matches at this venue, winning two, losing three and drawing seven of them. The last time India played at The Oval, it won by 157 runs against England in 2021. On the other hand, Australia have played 34 matches at this venue, winning seven, losing 17, and drawing 14 of them. The last time it played at The Oval, it lost by 137 runs against England in 2019.

Squads:

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, KS Bharat, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadakt, Umesh Yadav.

Reserves: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav.

Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Michael Neser, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Josh Inglis, Todd Murphy, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

Reserves: Mitch Marsh, Matt Renshaw

ALSO READ: ‘India should be cautious in finalising playing XI’

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-Top News Australia Economy

Australia’s economic growth loses steam

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said that these figures “are not surprising” given the significant headwinds from higher interest rates, high inflation, and a slowing global economy….reports Asian Lite News

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday published national accounts data for the first quarter of 2023, revealing that economic growth has slowed amid headwinds from high interest rates and inflation.

The data revealed that the gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.2 per cent between January and March and by 2.3 per cent in the 12 months to the end of March, marking a slowdown from the 0.6 per cent growth in the final quarter last year and lower than the quarterly growth forecast by some economists, reports Xinhua news agency.

“This is the sixth straight rise in quarterly GDP but the slowest growth since the Covid-19 Delta lockdowns in September quarter 2021,” Katherine Keenan, ABS head of National Accounts, said in a media release.

The household saving ratio fell from 4.4 per cent in the last quarter of 2022 to 3.7 per cent, the lowest figure since 2008.

“The household saving ratio fell to its lowest level in nearly 15 years,” Keenan said.

“This was driven by higher income tax payable and interest payable on dwellings, and increased spending due to the rising cost of living pressures.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said that these figures “are not surprising” given the significant headwinds from higher interest rates, high inflation, and a slowing global economy.

He said the numbers confirm what Australians already know, that household budgets are under pressure from rising interest rates and higher cost of living.

According to ABS, household consumption grew by just 0.2 per cent in quarter, contributing just 0.1 percentage points to growth.

“We understand that inflation, higher interest rates and cost-of-living pressures are not only straining household budgets but slowing growth as well,” Chalmers said in a media release.

“We’re providing responsible cost-of-living relief without making the inflation challenge worse. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor has already made it clear that the budget is addressing inflation, not adding to it.”

The accounts were released one day after the RBA lifted the official interest rate to 4.1 per cent, the 12th rise in about 13 months as it seeks to bring inflation under control.

ALSO READ: Australia to end migrant worker exploitation

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Sport Sports

WTC: Does Australia hold slight edge over India?

Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram backed Australia as the side which were slightly ahead of India, but also believes that the toss and weather will be important factors in the game…reports Asian Lite News

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that although the conditions might be closer to Australia’s liking, it gives the Pat Cummins-led side only a slight advantage over India ahead of the World Test Championship final starting from Wednesday at The Oval.

“If you look at this venue you would think it’s a bit more like an Australian venue than it is an Indian venue. But when I thought back about that I thought well, hang on, last time India were actually in Australia they played our conditions really well, didn’t they?”

“You would think conditions-based only, this slightly favours Australia, but these are two teams that thoroughly deserve to be there. Whoever plays the best in those half an hour spells or stints through the course of every day’s play will end up walking well at the end of the week,” said Ponting at a pre-game live event organised by ICC.

Asked about his favourite to win the final, Ponting named Australia as the side which were ahead, but only marginally, while pointing out that the two sides had contrasting preparations leading upto the one-off match.

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“(Australia) are slight favourites. I mean, there wasn’t much between them through a two-year cycle, right? So that says that these two teams, through two years, have beaten more opposition than they’ve lost to, and they deserve to finish first and second. The interesting thing as far as preparation is concerned is that some of the Australians have done nothing. They haven’t been playing any cricket at all.”

“At least, all the Indian guys have been playing very competitive cricket in the IPL. So coming in fresh without any cricket, is that better or is it coming in maybe slightly jaded and slightly tired on the back of an IPL but having played a lot of cricket leading in? So there’s lots of factors that could show up through the course of this week.”

Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram backed Australia as the side which were slightly ahead of India, but also believes that the toss and weather will be important factors in the game.

“I agree with Ricky. Australia are slight favourites. It depends on the weather as well. And I think weather has been excellent, will be excellent from the seventh onwards. And toss is also crucial. And the pitch also matters. But Australia are slight favourites.”

In take on the final, former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who was at the helm when the side reached inaugural final of the 2021 WTC in Southampton and became runners-up to New Zealand, too felt Australia were ahead on paper but added that match fitness might turn out to be a decisive factor.

“I think that match fitness might come into play. It’s like Waz mentioned, Ricky mentioned, you need some cricket behind you. It’s not just the number of overs you bowl or how long you were, but just staying on the park for six hours.”

“It’s totally different from just bowling in the nets for two hours, two hours, four or five days, six days. So it depends how they’ve practised, how they’ve prepared. Australia. On paper, if you look man to man, they have the slight edge, but that match fitness might be the key.”

“Where Shami might just come in and do the damage in the first half an hour because he’s been playing so much, as opposed to someone settling in to a line length and the right areas to bowl,” he concluded.

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