07 June,2023 08:18 PM IST | London | mid-day online correspondent
Rohit Sharma (Pic: AFP)
Skipper Rohit Sharma will look to go an extra mile in an attempt to end the ten-year-old ICC title jinx when Team India take on rivals Australia at the World Test Championship Final (WTC) final on Wednesday at The Oval. Sharma had won the toss and chose to bowl first and it has been an even contest for much of the first two sessions so far on Day 1.
Eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot as Rohit Sharma seemed to stumble slightly while making his way down the steps en route to the ground at the Oval for the toss. Interestingly, he was passing by a fan who was holding up a poster that read, 'Virat you will always be my captain'. Watch the video below.
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Meanwhile, riding on Travis Head's quickfire 88-ball 79', Australia reached 170 for 3 at tea on the opening day of the one-off final Test match. Head and Steve Smith were batting on 60 and 33 respectively at the break as Australia added 97 runs in the second session in 28 overs for the loss of one wicket.
Australia were 73 for 2 at lunch after opener David Warner made 43 off 60 balls. Mohammed Shami took the lone wicket that fell in the post-lunch session, that of Marnus Labuschagne (26). Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur had taken one wicket each in the morning session.
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Pacer Mohammed Siraj provided a crucial breakthrough in his opening spell before seamer Shardul Thakur got rid of a well-set David Warner to reduce Australia to 73 for two at lunch. Having survived challenging conditions in the first hour at The Oval, Warner (43 off 60) and Labuschagne (26 batting off 61) were on course to see off the session until Thakur dismissed the left-handed opener with a short ball targeting his rib cage. Wicketkeeper KS Bharat took a well-judged catch down the leg-side.
Brief Scores:
Australia 1st Innings: 170 for 3 in 51 overs (David Warner 43, Travis Head 60 batting; Mohammed Siraj 1/40, Shardul Thakur 1/52, Mohammed Shami 1/30).
