WTC Final Day 1 | Australia 327/3 at stumps against India

India picked a lone spinner in all-rounder R. Jadeja, while K.S. Bharat retained his place as the wicketkeeper ahead of Ishan Kishan; R. Ashwin left out.

Australia’s David Warner walks off the pitch as India’s Shardul Thakur celebrates taking his wicket caught behind on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London, on June 7, 2023. | Photo Credit: AP

Australia reached 327 for 3 at stumps on the opening day of their World Test Championship Final against India here on Wednesday.

Travis Head and Steve Smith were batting on 146 and 95 respectively at close of play on Day 1 as Australia added 157 runs in the final session which had 34 overs without losing any wicket. The duo added 251 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket stand.

Earlier, Australia, who were invited to bat, had added 97 runs in the post-lunch session in 28 overs for the loss of one wicket. They were 73 for 2 at lunch after opener David Warner made 43 off 60 balls.

Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur took a wicket each on the day.

Brief Scores

Australia 1st Innings: 327 for 3 in 85 overs (David Warner 43, Travis Head 146 batting, Steve Smith 95 batting; Mohammed Siraj 1/67, Shardul Thakur 1/75, Mohammed Shami 1/77).

Playing XI

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.