WTC Final Day 1 Highlights: AUS 327/3 at Oval after Head's ton and Smith aiming century
Travis Head and Steve Smith guided Australia to 327/3 in 85 overs on Day 1 of the summit clash at The Oval.
The eagerly anticipated World Test Championship final 2023 began on June 7 at The Oval in London, with Australia and India locking antlers. Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, won the toss and elected to bowl first on a green wicket under cloudy conditions. Mohammed Siraj made India's first breakthrough when, in the fourth over of the day, he dismissed Usman Khawaja without scoring after ten balls. Warner, his opening companion, led the charge for Australia after his dismissal.
After establishing an early goal, the southpaw opened his limbs and began to attack the Indian bowling attack. During the fifteenth over of the innings, he faced Umesh Yadav and hit four boundaries. The southpaw utilized the available breadth by repeatedly cutting the right-arm seamer for fours on the off side.
After Warner's blitzkrieg, Yadav's figures after two overs read 0/21. Shardul Thakur dismissed the opener in the 22nd over attempting to draw a delivery down the leg side, despite the fact that he appeared to be in excellent rhythm. Warner was dismissed for 43 (60) runs after hitting eight fours during his innings.
Steve Smith and Travis Head steer the ship for Australia.
Australia's score after 24.1 overs was 76/3 when Mohammed Shami removed Marnus Labuschagne early in the second session for India's second success. A monumental partnership between Steve Smith and Travis Head wreaked havoc on India's chances of winning the game just as everything appeared to be going their way.
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The tandem pushed Australia's total past 200 and sapped the Indian pace attack of its vigor. Head batted without restraint and reached his fifty off just 60 deliveries with the assistance of nine fours. Smith, on the other hand, played second instrument and regularly rotated the strike. Smith reached his fifty in the third session as the duo completed their unblemished 150-run partnership, with Australia reaching 226/3 after 62 overs and being without loss.