WTC 2023 Final, Day 1: Australia in driver's seat courtesy of Head and Smith's stellar batting display

Travis Head struck like a tornado with a counter-attacking hundred that left an out-of-sorts Indian attack bereft of ideas as Australia made hey under bright sunshine by reaching 327 for 3 on opening day of World Test Championship final. ploy of leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin backfired once re was bright sunshine as neir Umesh Yadav r Shardul Thakur looked under-cooked as India were completely outplayed in second and third session with Rohit Sharma's captaincy leaving a lot to be desired.

India picked an extra fast bowler at expense of Ravichandran Ashwin but that did t help ir cause as Head (146 batting) and Smith (95 batting) amassed an unbeaten 251 run partnership off 370 balls for fourth wicket, lifting Australia from a uncomfortable 73 for three. third wicket of Marnus Labuschagne (26) came in 25th over before overcast skies made way for bright sunshine as Smith and Head made most of batting friendly conditions through afteron and evening sessions. In all re were 44 boundaries hit along with a maximum, depicting plight of Indian pace attack.

It was Head's first century away from home and sixth overall. Mohammed Siraj was pick of bowlers for India, who have a lot of work to do going into day two. India's pacers tried short ball tactic to upset rhythm of both Smith and Head but were unsuccessful. However short-ball tactic to unsettle Head came once he was settled down.

Siraj bowled his heart out but likes of Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thalur lacked consistency. Ashwin's n-selection will be debated for remainder of game but at least on opening day, re was t much turn on offer for Ravindra Jadeja who bowled 14 overs without a wicket.

"Ravichandran Ashwin's absence is baffling," Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports and his assessment couldn't have been more apt.

Head, who has built a reputation of playing impactful innings in 36 Test old career, single-handedly change course of game with his aggressive approach. fuller deliveries didn't trouble him even one bit. When Indian pacers targeted his pads, southpaw used his quick wrists to flick m away and anything short and wide on off side was also duly dispatched. Head brought up his fifty with a crisp back-foot punch off Shardul Thakur. He got more audacious in second half of his innings and entered into 90s with a six over third man off Shami.

READ MORE: Former India Cricketer Tears Into ICC Over 'uncomfortable' World Test Championship Format

Smith, on or hand, was happy to bide his time while Head went about his business. India tried leg slip tactic against him before testing him around off-stump. Both to avail. Smith, who avers close to 100 at Oval, is on course to enhance his enviable record at venue. Australia's batting mainstay played some gorgeous straight drives off pacers before using his feet against left-arm spin of Jadeja. India took new ball after 80th over but Shami and Siraj were unable to provide breakthrough. Indian fans who thronged to venue in huge numbers went back disappointed.

Only morning session went India's way as Siraj bread fire in his opening spell before Thakur got rid of a well-set David Warner (43 off 60) to reduce Australia to 73 for two at lunch. Having survived challenging conditions in first hour at Oval, Warner and Labuschagne were on course to see off session until Thakur dismissed left-handed opener with a short ball targeting his rib c. Wicketkeeper KS Bharat took a well-judged catch down leg-side. Both Siraj and Shami kept Australia in check in first hour, sharing six overs six each and conceding only 29 runs.

Siraj got more out of surface than Shami by bowling with a scrambled seam. Usman Khawaja (0 off 10), who has an ordinary record in England, began tour on a disappointing te as he got a faint edge off a ball that pitched outside off stump and seamed away. re was minimal feet movement and he paid price for playing away from body and nick was taken easily by Bharat behind stumps.

READ MORE: Harbhajan Singh Gives His Verdict On India Leaving Out R Ashwin From WTC Final Playing XI

Warner, who has a point to prove in this game and cement his spot in playing XI for upcoming Ashes, battled with grit and took his chances every time he was offered width. After an engrossing opening hour, India took foot off pedal with Umesh Yadav offering plenty of scoring opportunities to Warner, who collected four boundaries off pacer in 15th over.

going was much tougher for Labuschagne, who copped a nasty blow on his left thumb from a sharp delivery by Siraj. Later in session, he was able to survive two close DRS lbw calls off Thakur's bowling. As it often happens in England, sun came out in second hour and made batting easier. Australia were looking to close session strongly until Warner went for a pull off a delivery angled into him by Thakur who went wide off crease while coming round wicket and batter, cramped for room, couldn't keep pull down. Bharat justified his selection over Ishan Kishan with a sharp diving catch.