Steve Smith’s Century Puts Australia in Control as India Claims Four Wickets on Day Two
In a thrilling turn of events at The Oval on Thursday, India showcased their resilience by claiming four wickets during the morning session on day two of the World Test Championship final against Australia. However, Australia maintained their upper hand by reaching an impressive 422 for seven at lunch, primarily due to a stellar century by Steve Smith.
Starting the day at 327 for three, Travis Head and Steve Smith took to the pitch under the radiant sunshine, ready to dominate the Indian bowlers. Travis Head, displaying exceptional form, blazed his way to a magnificent 163 runs off just 174 balls, putting immense pressure on the Indian team.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith, who had been tantalizingly close to his century overnight, wasted no time in reaching the milestone. He capitalized on two deliveries from Mohammed Siraj, which strayed onto his pads, dispatching them for consecutive boundaries. This century marked Smith’s seventh in England and his third at The Oval, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable batsman.
India had initially missed the opportunity to employ short-ball tactics on the opening day, but Siraj quickly rectified this in the morning session on day two. With remarkable precision, Siraj unleashed a barrage of short deliveries, unsettling the batsmen. Although Smith seemed unperturbed by this strategy, Head appeared uncomfortable, struggling to find his rhythm.
In the sixth over of the day, Siraj delivered a well-directed short ball that caught Head off guard. Attempting to pull, Head’s shot ended up as an edge and was easily caught behind by wicketkeeper K S Bharat, gifting India their first wicket of the day.
Not long after, Cameron Green fell victim to Mohammed Shami’s impeccable line and length. Green’s ambitious drive resulted in an edge that found the safe hands of Shubman Gill at second slip, leading to his dismissal.
However, the highlight of the morning session arrived when Shardul Thakur, bowling his first ball of the day, managed to deceive Steve Smith. In a stunning turn of events, Smith dragged an innocuous delivery back onto his stumps, providing India with a crucial breakthrough at a crucial moment.
Just as India started gaining momentum, substitute fielder Axar Patel exhibited brilliance in the field. From mid-off, he unleashed a remarkable one-handed direct hit, catching Mitchell Starc short of his ground and securing India’s fourth wicket of the day.
Despite the sunny weather making the pitch more conducive to batting, the fast bowlers still found ample assistance. This adds a fascinating dynamic to the match, as both teams continue to strive for dominance in the World Test Championship final.
Facts and Figures:
- Steve Smith’s century is his 31st in Test cricket, solidifying his position as one of the modern greats.
- Travis Head’s remarkable knock of 163 runs off just 174 balls showcased his exceptional batting prowess.
- Mohammed Siraj’s accurate short-ball tactic proved effective, leading to the dismissals of Travis Head and Mitchell Starc.
- Shardul Thakur’s uncanny ability to provide breakthroughs was on display as he dismissed Steve Smith with his first ball of the day.
- Axar Patel’s exceptional fielding skills were demonstrated through his one-handed direct hit, resulting in a vital run-out.
