WTC Final: Day 1 Talking Points – Head, Smith give a head start to Australia
India and Australia finally kicked off the much-awaited World Test Championship final at The Oval on June 7, Tuesday. The day witnessed India dominating the first session as the bowlers started off the proceedings brilliantly. The second session witnessed both Australia and India on level terms, but the Australians completely dominated the third session, thereby finishing Day 1 at 327/3
Winning the toss, India skipper Rohit Sharma elected to bowl first as India took a tough call of resting Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur got a nod ahead of the ace spin-bowling all-rounder. India started off the first session well as opening batters Usman Khawaja and David Warner were sent back to the pavilion early, courtesy of Mohammed Siraj and Thakur.
Post Lunch, Mohammed Shami broke the third-wicket partnership by dismissing the dangerous Marnus Labuschagne. But what followed next was sheer domination by Australia. Steve Smith and Travis Head led the charge, with the latter scoring a majority of runs in their 200+ runs partnership for the fourth wicket. A century by Travis, and Smith’s composed game helped Australia finish on a high note on the first day.
Talking Points from Day 1
Travis Head’s magnificent century
Middle-order batter Travis Head achieved a historic feat. He became the first player to score a century in the World Test Championship across the marquee event’s two editions. He approached the game brilliantly and remained unbeaten till the end of the day’s play, thereby finishing at 146*(156). Notably, this was also Travis’ maiden Test century away from home.
Steve Smith’s masterclass
Steve Smith proved, yet again, why he is the best in business. He let Travis lead the charge but assisted him really well by regularly rotating the strike. Though he wasn’t as quick in getting as Travis, the senior pro managed to get close to his century. Smith will look to continue from where he left off, on Day 2, at 95*(227), and get to the three-digit mark.
Indian bowlers’ fiery start
India had a terrific start to the first session of the first innings. The seamers troubled the Aussie batters early on and made the most of the bouncy pitch. Mohammed Siraj drew the first blood when he dismissed Usman Khawaja for a ten-ball duck. Just when Warner picked up the pace, Thakur struck and sent him packing. The duo of Shardul & Siraj kept India in the driver’s seat early on.
Ravi Ashwin’s absence
The entire cricketing fraternity was left bamboozled after Rohit Sharma announced that they had rested World No. 1 Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin so as to have the fourth bowling option in Shardul Thakur. It is too early to say if that decision worked out well for India or not, but Ashwin’s absence is surely felt in the main XI.
