The Rohit Sharma-led India are going through Pat Cummins‘ Australia within the ultimate of World Take a look at Championship (WTC) 2023. The one-off Take a look at kicked off on Wednesday (June 7) on the Oval. On the primary day of the summit conflict, the Dishevelled Inexperienced bounced again strongly after dropping their high three batters early within the innings to succeed in the commanding place.

Australia, the desk toppers of the WTC 2021-2023 cycle have been 327/3 in 85 overs on the shut of play on Day 1. The center order duo of Travis Head (146*) and Steve Smith (95*) added a worthwhile 251 for the fourth wicket after being decreased to 76/3 at one stage.

Head, who has been in nice contact because the 2021-2022 Ashes, continued his marvellous type of piling runs every time his crew calls for. He batted with an aggressive mindset all through his innings. The left-handed batter performed a counter-attacking knock and helped his aspect to maintain India at bay. On an action-packed day at The Oval, Head delivered his first Take a look at century in England and the fifth within the longest format.

Head turned the primary batter to attain 100 within the WTC ultimate. The southpaw has confronted 156 balls in his inning up to now, wherein he hammered 22 fours and a solitary six.

After the left-hander moved the momentum of the ICC WTC Ultimate in the direction of his aspect with a powerful century on the opening day in London, Australian nice Ricky Ponting couldn’t cease himself from evaluating Head to the impeccable wicketkeeper-batter of his time, Adam Gilchrist.

“He most likely is (just like Gilchrist). The truth is he’s most likely scoring faster now than Gilly most likely ever did. His strike charge via this (World Take a look at Championship) qualification interval is 81, which is larger than anybody else on the earth to have scored greater than 500 runs,” Ponting instructed the ICC.

“His confidence is rising by the sport, his strike charge retains going up, he hits boundaries early on in his innings which places strain again on the bowlers which is what you need out of your center order gamers, and his final two years have been fairly outstanding,” Ponting added.

Earlier, India gained the toss and invited Australia to bat first.  India began the day strongly as speedster Mohammed Siraj dismissed Usman Khawaja for a duck within the first session. Opener David Warner and top-ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne held the fort, including 69 runs for the second wicket earlier than the Aussie southpaw fell for 43 (60). Mohammed Shami removed Labuschagne (26) early within the second session; nonetheless, Smith and Head ensured that Australia remained within the driving seat on the closure of the day’s play.