The Cricketer looks at the main talking points on day five of the World Test Championship final between Australia and India at the Kia Oval
In a match dominated by catches, what play we did see on day five was illuminated by a brilliant grab by Steve Smith to help dismiss Virat Kohli.
The ex-India captain had his country's title hopes in his hand at the start of play, with another 260 runs required for victory.
But his removal inside the first half an hour signalled the beginning of the end.
Kohli appeared to have survived the probing Scott Boland, playing and missing at one delivery which nipped away, provoking a review from Australia.
A few balls later he was undone by a wide delivery which he slashed at. Smith went down to his right and with one foot off the floor held on two-handed to remove the right-hander. There was no doubt about this one.
Two deliveries later and Ravindra Jadeja was followed and the Indian support were all but silenced.
It was not to be for Virat Kohli and India (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Just two hours of play were needed on day five, so it is worth paying attention to scenes away from the middle.
Australia's coronation capped off two years at the top of the men's Test game.
They secured top spot in the regular season courtesy of home series wins, during which they didn't lose a Test, against England, South Africa and West Indies. On the road, they won in Pakistan, drew with Sri Lanka and were beaten 2-1 by India.
This maiden final appearance came after a points deduction for a slow over rate denied them a berth in the 2021 showcase.
So the moment of the day was simply the tourists' celebrations, the satisfaction that comes with underlining a polished campaign with an elusive piece of silverware.
"I think that's one of the most satisfying bits," said captain Pat Cummins. "Obviously, the win here but to make it to the final you've got to win everywhere in the world. I think this cycle was 20 Test matches. I think we might have only lost three or four and out of the 20 the boys were fantastic the whole way through. We adapted well and that's what makes it so satisfying."
Celebration time for Australia (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
You didn't need to be a cricketing aficionado to detect the wider context at the Kia Oval. England and the Ashes loom over Australia, and efforts to win a Test series on these shores for the first time since 2001.
Ben Stokes' have been in Scotland on a pre-series golf trip, but will they have taken from this Australia performance?
Well, in short, they're ready. Some doubted what kind of preparation this Test would be, whether it was adding to a gruelling workload or providing another opportunity for injury to a key name to occur.
Instead, it was a confidence-building week in south London. Yes, they leave with the WTC mace but they can also reflect on a polished team display, with most of the batters getting time at the crease, while the bowlers have got overs in their legs. Days in the field were not overly exhausting and the squad will arrive in Birmingham in tip-top condition.
Even not being able to field Josh Hazlewood can't really be considered a negative. The fast bowler is fit for the start of the series and it gave Boland a chance to bowl with the Dukes ball in England.
So when Stokes and Brendon McCullum spend time reflecting on events this week, they'll be conscious of an Australian side who are primed to make history.
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