WTC 2023 Final Day 1: Australia is on the Front Foot, thanks to Travis Head & Smith

At the end of Day 1, Australia still had an advantage over India thanks to a century from Travis Head (146) and progress by Steve Smith (95) towards his century. Australia scores 327/3 to end Day 1. When Marnus Labuschagne collapsed, Travis Head entered the pitch and pounded the Indian attack to become the first player to score a century in the WTC final. In front of Head and Smith, Indian bowlers appear to have difficulty. Usman Khawaja, Warner, and Marnus Labuschagne all fell short on the first day with the bat. WTC 2023 Final Day 1 ended with Australia is on the Front Foot, thanks to Travis Head & Smith

WTC 2023 Final Day 1: Australia is on the Front Foot

Australia took the lead thanks to Travis Head’s 146 and Smith’s 95 unbeaten; Day 1 ended with Australia at 327/3

Australia maintained its lead over India at the end of Day 1, with a century from Travis Head and Steve Smith getting closer to his century. Australia finishes Day 1 with a 327/3.

World Test Championship 2023 final

Thanks to the impressive performance of Steve Smith and Travis Head, Australia took the lead against India on the first day of the World Test Championship 2023 final at the Oval London on Wednesday.

Thanks to Steve Smith and Travis Head, Australia is on the front foot against India

With scores of 146 (156) and 95 (227), respectively, Travis Head and Steve Smith helped Australia’s Baggy Greens finish Day 1 with a score of 327/3, maintaining their perfect record.
At the end of Day 1, Smith and Head were still unbeaten because they continued their assault in the final session.

Travis Head becomes the first player to hit a century in WTC Final

The first player to reach a century in the WTC final was Travis Head, who pounded the Indian attack after entering the field at Marnus Labuschagne’s collapse. With 22 fours and one six, Head completed the century in 106 balls.

Indian bowlers seem to struggle in front of Head and Smith

With each successive over, the difficulties faced by the Indian bowlers became obvious. They bowled everything they could think of at Head and Smith but failed to move them.

While Head adopted an aggressive stance and scored runs quickly, Smith played his supporting position admirably. At the beginning of his innings, the Indian bowlers didn’t bowl well to Head, which allowed him to settle in.
Because both players were on the same page, the Indian bowlers were unable to end the partnership. The two had given Australia a decisive advantage by the end of the day’s play.

Earlier in the Game

With speedster Mohammad Shami returning Marnus Labuschagne for 26(62), India started the second session similarly to how they did the first.
When in-form Travis Head joined Smith on the field, the left- and right-handed duo accelerated their scoring rate.
Usman Khawaja was out for a 10-ball duck after nicking one-off Mohammed Siraj to wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat as the pressure mounted on the Australian openers to keep the scoreboard moving.
Warner was close to scoring another fifty when all-rounder Shardul Thakur forced an edge from his willow, which stumper Bharat safely snatched up. At 43 from 60 balls, Warner’s intriguing innings ended. Steve Smith was able to negotiate the last few deliveries before lunch.
With scores of 60(75) and 33(102) respectively Steve Smith and Travis Head helped Australia reach a healthy 170/3 earlier.

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Score At The End Of Day 1: Australia at 327/3 – Travis Head 146(156)*, Steve Smith 95(227)*