Australia 469 all out in WTC final v India
LONDON : Australia were all out for 469 in their first innings on day two of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India at The Oval on Thursday.
Steve Smith Sport News
"Leading Wicket-taker In Test Cycle Not There": Matthew Hayden Minces No Words As R Ashwin Is Left Out By India In WTC Final
Australian greats Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting have slammed India's decision to drop premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for the World Test Championship final against Australia. Ashwin, who is the No 1 bowler in Test cricket and India's leading wicket-taker in the 2021-23 WTC cycle, was dropped as the Rohit Sharma-led side bolstered the pace ammunition by playing four seamers. "I feel that Ravichandran Ashwin is such a key factor, the leading wicket taker in the Tests cycle is not there. There are a few factors worth pondering on in Team India's perspective," Hayden told ICC after the day one's proceedings.
Rohit Sharma's 'DRS Review' Gesture Leaves Fans Confused During WTC Final
The fans and experts were left confused during the World Test Championship (WTC) Final between India and Australia at The Oval as Rohit Sharma went for a DRS review but ultimately decided to opt out of it in a hilarious manner. On the final ball of the 97th over, the delivery from Mohammed Shami crashed into Alex Carey's stumps but the umpire gave it not-out. The India cricketers were not that convinced about whether the ball will hit the stumps but it looked like Rohit will go for a review. He was about to gesture but at the last moment, moved his hands to show that the ball would have missed the leg-stump.
Watch: Axar Patel Dismisses Mitchell Starc With Diving Direct Hit, Leaves Fans Thrilled
Axar Patel stunned both fans and experts alike by pulling off a brilliant run-out to dismiss Mitchell Starc on Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at The Oval on Thursday. It was an athletic effort from Axar, who was on the field as a substitute for Mohammed Shami, and it was a crucial wicket from India's perspective who will look to bundle out Australia cheaply in the first innings. Starc played the ball with soft hands towards mid-off but Axar was on it in a flash. The fielder picked up the ball with his left hand and although he lost his balance, he was able to complete the throw which crashed into the stumps. Replays show that Starc was unable to make his ground.
"Scoring Quicker Now Than Adam Gilchrist": Ricky Ponting Compares Travis Head With Australia Great
After the left-hander moved the momentum of the ICC World Test Championship Final towards his side with a magnificent century on the opening day in London, Australian great Ricky Ponting is at ease comparing Travis Head to Adam Gilchrist. On an action-packed day at The Oval when Australia dominated, Head delivered his first Test century in England and the sixth of his career with a magnificent unbeaten 146* from just 156 deliveries. A compelling 251-run unbroken partnership between Travis Head (146 not out) and Steve Smith (95 not out) was the highlight of the first day of the World Test Championship Final 2023, as Australia finished at a strong 327 for three at the end of the day's play.
Head and Smith fall as India hang on in WTC final
LONDON : India's seam-heavy attacked prised out four wickets, including those of centurions Travis Head and Steve Smith, in the second day's morning session to keep themselves in the contest in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval on Thursday.
WTC Final: Steve Smith Surpasses Viv Richards, Ricky Ponting, Garfield Sobers For Massive Feat Against India
Steve Smith needed just two balls on the second day of the World Test Championship final at the Oval against India to score his 31st ton. Smith's ton placed him third among Australians with most Test centuries, behind Ricky Ponting (41) and Steve Waugh (32). Smith now has nine Test centuries against India. It is the joint-most by any batter along side England's Joe Root. Smith has now surpassed Ricky Ponting, Viv Richards and Garfield Sobers - all of whom have eight tons each against India.
Watch: Mohammed Siraj's Throw At Steve Smith's Direction Spices Up WTC Final
The Indian cricket team bowlers have struggled to get wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia and the frustration could be sensed from a bizarre incident involving Mohammed Siraj. At the start of Day 2, Smith was batting on 95 and the veteran batter was able to reach his 31st Test century with the help of two back-to-back boundaries off Siraj. On the fourth ball of the over, Smith moved away from his stumps before the ball was delivered due to some issue with the spider cam but it did not go down well with Siraj. The fast bowler finished his run-up and just threw the ball in the stumps' direction.