ICC World Test Championship Final: Steve Smith And Travis Head Shatter Multiple Records After Their Gigantic 285 Runs Partnership At The Oval

Updated - 08 Jun 2023, 08:14 PM

Australia Stars Travis Head, Steve Smith
Australia Stars Travis Head, Steve Smith [PC: Getty]

India and Australia are currently squaring off with each other in the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final at The Oval, England. The Day 1 of the game was all about the master class of Steve Smith and Travis Head with the bat. 

Asked to bat first on a green lush track, Australia had no answers to the new ball bowling by Indian pacers and were tumbling at 76/3. It was at that time when Steve Smith and Travis Head joined hands and led the rescue charge. 

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The duo were amazing with the bat as they made Indian bowlers look clueless and toil hard. While Travis Head came out all guns blazing and played blistering strokes all around the ground, Steve Smith on the other hand was as patient as one can get. They both struck centuries and bailed their side out of trouble after a shaky start.

Also Read: ICC World Test Championship Final: WATCH – Axar Patel Makes Instant Impact As Substitute Fielder; Pulls Off A Stunning Direct-hit To Run Out Mitchell Starc

While Travis Head ended with the knock of 163 runs, Steve Smith scored 121 runs. The duo stitched 285 runs partnership for the 4th wicket. After their impressive partnership, they recorded the highest partnership at The Oval for the fourth wicket. Also, they surpassed England’s Wally Hammond and Stan Warthington’s 266-run stand to achieve the highest partnership against India. 

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In terms of individual record, Travis Head became the first batter to score a hundred in the final of the ICC World Test Championship Final where Steve Smith (9) now has the joint highest centuries against India. He also overtook Rahul Dravid (6) to level with Steve Waugh (7) as the batter with the second most Test tons in England, behind Bradman (11).

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ICC World Test Championship Final: India bowlers make a strong comeback in the first session of Day 2

After the hard-fought day 1, Indian bowlers made a decent comeback in the first session of Day 2 at The Oval, England. They bowled some tight lines and lengths and tested the opposition batters. Mohammed Siraj drew the first blood on the second day as he removed Travis Head. 

Before Mohammed Shami chipped in with the wicket of Cameron Green for just 6 runs. Shardul Thakur then chipped in too as he made Steve Smith play on. If this was not enough, Axar Patel, who was a substitute fielder, effected a brilliant run out to send Mitchell Starc back in the hut.

Also Read: ICC World Test Championship Final: “I Feel Tactically The Bouncers, That Could Have Been Used At The Start” – Harbhajan Singh On Travis Head’s Weakness

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ICC World Test Championship Final ICC WTC Final India National Cricket Team Steve Smith Travis Head