Travis Head (146*) put the Indian attack to sword as Australia took command of proceedings by stumps on the first day of the World Test Championship final at The Oval. At close of play, Australia were for 327-3, with Steve Smith also closing in on three figures at a venue where he has two centuries from three previous Tests.
Head shared a potentially game-breaking alliance of 251 with Smith, to ensure that Australia dominated the final two sessions. But when Head had first joined Smith at the crease, they were in a spot of bother at 76 for 3. Head, in his trademark style, tried to take the aggressive route, essaying flicks, drives and cuts off Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. The pace-bowling duo didn’t help their cause either by drifting down the leg side or offering room outside off.
After the tea break, Head decided to press the accelerator pedal, on a track that had flattened, and against a tiring attack. Rohit Sharma introduced Ravindra Jadeja into the attack to keep it tight from one end. However, he couldn’t stem the run flow. Head also showcased a bit of innovation as he ramped and guided Shami over the cordon to get into the 90s. He soon completed his first overseas Test ton, and sixth overall, with a single off Shami.
At the other end, Smith, who began on a rather cautious note, also decided to up the ante after reaching his 38th Test half-century in the 62nd over. He lofted Jadeja a few times, and also essayed flicks and drives against the pace bowlers.
India promptly took the second new ball but even that didn’t make a difference, with Head playing a volley of drives. As the Indian players made their way back to the pavilion at the end of the day, their body language was downcast.
In sharp contrast to how the day’s proceedings ended, India had begun on a good note by winning the toss in conditions that seemed ideal for pace bowling. India also made the early incision when Usman Khawaja edged Siraj’s three-quarter-seam ball to KS Bharat, the wicketkeeper. It was David Warner who put some pressure back on Indian bowlers by smacking shots through backward point and third man off Umesh Yadav.
Marnus Labuschagne gave him valuable support as they took the side to a decent position. Against the run of play, Warner was then caught down the leg side off Shardul Thakur. Right after the lunch break, Shami bowled a peach of a delivery. He got one to jag back, and more importantly, the length was full as it sneaked through Labuschagne’s defence. Unfortunately for India, that turned out to be their last success for the day.
So where did India go wrong? When the ball nipped around in the morning, they perhaps didn’t get their lines and lengths right. In those conditions, India could have got four wickets in the first session. When Head and Smith were in the middle, none of the bowlers were able to keep a lid on the scoring rate. Perhaps, India could have picked R Ashwin? Although it has to be said that there was little assistance for Jadeja on day 1. Whatever be the reasons, India have a lot of soul-searching before play resumes.
Brief scores: Australia 327/3 (Travis Head 146*, Steve Smith 95*; Mohammed Siraj 1-67) v India