World Test Championship 2023

Siraj, who was India's most successful bowler with four wickets in Australia's first innings, maintained that his team bowled well despite the opposition posting a total of 469. He said: "We also bowled well (compared to the Australians), otherwise they would have scored 500-550."

When he got out for 121 after chopping on to his stumps off Shardul Thakur, Smith enhanced his excellent record at The Oval, now managing to score three Test tons at the venue. Only the great Sachin Tendulkar (11) has scored more Test hundreds in matches between India and Australia.

India would want for their bowlers to continue doing the same in the second session on a pitch, where some deliveries misbehaved as sun shined bright, with Alex Carey and captain Pat Cummins unbeaten on 22 and 2 respectively at lunch. The day began with Mohammed Siraj bowling two successive half-volleys to Smith, who flicked dazzlingly on both deliveries to reach his 31st Test hundred, also his seventh century in England.

With 474 wickets in 92 matches at a strike-rate of 51.8, including 32 five-wicket/innings hauls, keeping Ashwin, the top-ranked Test bowler, out of the marquee clash as India preferred four fast-bowlers has invited criticism from former cricketers of both nations. The Oval pitch, which looked green, assisted the seamers for the first hour or so under overcast conditions.

It is not merely his ranking, but the fact that Ashwin is an all-wicket exponent and therefore potent even on pitches favouring faster bowlers. India selected a side virtually for the first session of the match. The weather forecast was sunshine for the greater part of the game.

But Head came out all guns blazing to lead Australia's counter-attack as the sun came out and pitch became good to bat on, making an unbeaten 146 off 156 balls, laced with 22 fours and a six to score his first overseas century as well as the first-ever hundred in the short history of the marquee finale.

Australia fielded four left-hand batters in the top seven -- Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Travis Head and Alex Carey, with the first two batters out in the first session on day one of the one-off finale. Instead of Ashwin, the top-ranked Test bowler, India have taken in Shardul Thakur, who got out Warner in the first session.