India took four wickets in the morning session

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London . After taking only three wickets on the first day of the World Test Championship final at The Oval, India came back strongly on the second day with four wickets in the first session of Thursday’s game, including the wickets of centurion Travis Head and Steve Smith. Australia’s score at lunch reached 422/7 in 109 overs.

Although Australia were still ahead in the final as they scored 95 runs in the morning session, they could not completely dominate due to their plan of bowling in the good areas of the Indian bowling line-up. At lunch, Alex Carey and skipper Pat Cummins were unbeaten on 22 and 2 respectively.

The day began with Mohammed Siraj bowling two consecutive half-volleys to Smith, who hit both balls for fours to reach his 31st Test century. It was also his seventh century in England.

Head, on the other hand, reached his fourth 150-plus score in Tests with his trademark cut on the backfoot for four off Mohammed Shami. When Siraj and Shami bowled short balls towards him, Head took two fours with ease.

India’s strategy of bowling short to Head finally paid off in the 92nd over, when he tried to use Siraj’s pace to pull but was caught by wicketkeeper KS Bharath. With this, the huge partnership of 285 runs for the fourth wicket came to an end. The left-handed batsman got out after scoring 163. He hit 25 fours and a six in his innings of 174 balls.

Along with one came the second wicket for India. Shubman Gill caught Cameron Green in front of his face on Shami’s ball. Green scored six runs. Four overs later, India got a big breakthrough as Smith played an outswinger from Shardul Thakur onto the stumps. Smith scored 121 runs in 268 balls with the help of 19 fours.

Amidst all this, Alex Carey hit three boundaries, one of which came off a streaky inside edge. Mitchell Starc was caught twice by Siraj after Australia crossed the 400 mark. He was run out while trying to steal a quick single from substitute fielder Akshar Patel thanks to a one-handed straight throw from mid-off.

–IANS

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