Head, Smith sink sorry India on Day 1 of WTC Final

Australia piled on the runs on day one of the 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final on Wednesday, adding 327 for the loss of just three wickets in a dominant display at the Oval. Travis Head and Steve Smith rescued Australia from 76 for 3 and punished a wayward Indian bowling attack, adding 251 for the fourth wicket to put Pat Cummins’ side in the driving seat in the grand showdown.

Head dazzled his way to a 106-ball century and finished on an unbeaten 146, while Smith added a patient 95* to put India to the sword.

While the Men in Blue left the field after a deflating 61 overs without taking a wicket, the day began with some optimism for Indian fans as Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first on an overcast London morning.

Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami bowled a testing spell to the Australian openers and drew first blood as Usman Khawaja perished for a duck, edging behind to KS Bharat in the fourth over. However, India failed to capitalise on the early movement, allowing David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne to see off the new ball and cut loose against the backup pace bowling duo of Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur.

Neither Warner nor Labuschagne could capitalize on their starts, departing either side of Lunch to leave Australia in a spot of bother at 76 for 3, but Travis Head and Steven Smith ensured that day belonged to the team from down under.

Head launched an immediate counter-attack to put the pressure back on India, while Smith dug in at the other end. The left-hander found the gaps with ease through the second session, getting to his half-century in just 60 deliveries. The pair took Australia to 170 for 3 at Tea before hammering in the advantage in a 157-run wicketless third session.

Umesh Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja leaked easy boundaries, while India’s short-ball ploy to Travis Head brought little success as the number five brought up the first century in a WTC final and his first in whites away from home. Head continued to attack after passing three figures, while Smith cashed in on the weary Indian attack as the day closed. The second new ball failed to bring any fortune as 47 runs came off the final ten overs of the day, with Smith just five runs short of a century and Australia in complete control at 327 for 3.