Travis Head and Steve Smith have put an almost match-winning partnership for Australia. India and Australia are playing in WTC Final to achieve Test Mace and win the World Test Championship Title. India is playing their second final after first one in 2021. Travis Head with his attacking century has put India on a back foot on first day. He attacked Indian bowlers from the word go and nullified any kind of advantage pitch can give to them. Travis Head and Steve Smith have put on 251-run partnership for undefeated 4th wicket.
Australia after being asked to bat first, looked in trouble at 76/3. David Warner looked in form with 43 runs from 60 balls. He got out in a freaky way down legside to a wayward Shardul Thakur ball. Usman Khawaja(0) and Marnus Labuschagne(26) got out to good balls of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami, respectively. Travis Head started counter-attacking while Steve Smith looked solid in defense. Travis Head scored his hundred in just 106 balls.
Steve Smith controlled aggression of Indian bowlers by respecting occasional good balls. Travis Head on the other hand used lose balls bowled by Umesh Yadav in the beginning. Later, he smacked every bowler all around the park. Australia have been able to convert their 2/1 start to 327/3 by the end of the day 1. Steve Smith is on 95, closing in on yet another Test century. Travis Head is on 146 not out from 156 balls. If these two continue to bat for another session, Australia would be looking at declaration towards the end of the day 2.
Nandamuri Balakrishna NBK108 titled as Bhagavanth Kesari