Australia’s middle order batters Steve Smith and Travis Head made Rohit Sharma-led India toil hard at Kennington Oval, London on Day 1 of World Test Championship (WTC) final. Rohit’s decision to not include no.1 ranked ICC Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin backfired as India’s four seamers could not break the fourth wicket partnership despite few close calls.
Rohit ignoring greats’ advice
On a pitch that had a lot of grass on it, Rohit decided to go with just one spinner in the form of Ravindra Jadeja. He ignored the advice of legendary Sachin Tendulkar who had predicted that as the game progresses spinners will come in to play. Even former Australian captain Ricky Ponting felt that Rohit fell into the trap as the grass would wear off and the surface will not assist fast bowlers if the conditions remain sunny.
Siraj strikes early
In the first session, Mohammed Siraj was sensational with the new ball. Opener Usman Khawaja was troubled by Siraj’s variations and finally edged one to wicketkeeper KS Bharat. Khawaja got out for a 10-ball duck.
Warner misses fifty
After a wicket in the fourth over of the innings, veteran opener David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne put up a fight in bowler-friendly conditions. Labuschagne copped a nasty blow to his left thumb whereas Warner looked to score boundaries. The southpaw looked all set for a big score but then got out to a nothing delivery from Shardul Thakur. Warner pulled but could only manage an edge to Srikar Bharat who dived to his right to take the catch. He scored 43 runs from 60 deliveries including eight fours.
Shami bests Labuschagne
Early in the second session, Labuschagne was beaten by a fuller delivery angled into the stumps. He played down the wrong line and got bowled. The no.1 ranked ICC Test batter scored 26 runs from 62 balls.
Head’s counterattack
After Labuschagne’s wicket, Indian bowlers had their tails up but Head walked out with intent and launched a counter-attack. At one point, Head batted with a T20-like strike rate as he put up a Bazball-like show ahead of the Ashes. India missed the services of Ashwin who has been potent against left-handed batters and has bested Smith on few occasions as well. While Smith played second fiddle, Head scored freely and got to his half-century from 60 balls.
Head-Smith pile on runs
In the third session, Head continued to attack whereas Smith frustrated Indian bowlers with his unorthodox defense. He reached his 38th Test fifty from 144 balls. Head even took on Shami and hit him for a six. He reached his century from 106 balls. As Indian bowlers looked clueless in the latter part of third session, Head and Smith hit boundaries. At Day 1, Stumps, Smith was just five runs away from his century. He hit 14 fours in little over two sessions. Head remained unbeaten for 146 from 156 balls including 22 fours and one six. The unbeaten 251-run partnership helped Australia post 327/3.
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