Travis Head scripts history, becomes first player to hit century in WTC final as Aussies end day at 170/3

LONDON: Australian southpaw Travis Head became the first player to score a century in a World Test Championship (WTC) final, after striking a counter-attacking ton against India at the Oval in London on Wednesday.

From the very first ball, Travis Head looked reading the surface well, judging the movement of the Duke ball as well as picking up the bowlers’ lines and lengths. Not taking time to settle in, he went after the Indian attack from the get-go, turning the strike and finding boundaries at will.

He brought up his century of only 106 balls in the 65th over of the innings, choosing the marquee clash for the WTC title to score his maiden overseas ton.

India began the second session in a similar way as they did the first, with speedster Mohammad Shami sending back Marnus Labuschagne for 26(62). Shami struck off his very first ball after lunch with a delivery that was pitched right up, inducing Labuschagne into a drive. However, he missed the ball completely as it sneaked through his defence and clipped the bails.

In-form Travis Head then joined Smith at the crease and the left and right-handed pair then picked up the pace of scoring. Both batters looked to find the fence every over, signalling their intent to push the scoring along. In the first 10 overs of the second session, both batters struck a total of seven boundaries.

For the next four overs, however, Australia struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking over. However, they picked up the momentum again in the 38th over, with Shardul Thakur delivering two no-balls and conceding three boundaries.

As India managed to put a leash on the Aussie scoring rate, Travis Head brought up his 50 off 60 balls, with a four. At the end of 44 overs, Australia were 160/3. In the next seven overs, Australia managed to score just 10 runs, ending the second session at 170/3. (ANI)