Australia 327 for 3 (Head 146*, Smith 95*) vs India

Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj had been good as typical with the brand new ball after India put Australia in. The 12 overs within the first hour conceded simply 29 runs, produced the wicket of Usman Khawaja for a duck, and the 21 false responses created prompt there may have been one or two extra across the nook.

However, the change-up bowlers, Umesh and Thakur, offered comparatively straightforward runs at numerous factors after that opening spell of play. Umesh offered David Warner a half-volley second ball into the assault, and was then hit for 4 boundaries sq. or behind sq. on the off facet in his second over.

Warner would have thought that was the reward he deserved after roughing it out within the first hour, however India loved some success as Thakur had him caught down the leg facet off a brief ball simply earlier than lunch.

India went to Siraj and Shami, the likeliest bowlers to provide a wicket, submit lunch. Shami's first ball was a peach, seaming in to uproot Marnus Labuschagne's off stump. India nonetheless had an opportunity there if they might get it proper for lengthy sufficient durations.

Head, who misplaced his No. 5 place in a horses-four-courses coverage in India, had different concepts. Shami had a left-hand batter in sight, he was recent into a brand new spell, the ball was nonetheless seaming, he beat Head early on, however Head quickly imposed his intent on India.

The fifth ball that Head confronted was solely barely broad and barely shot, and he crashed it away for 4. His attacking sport by means of the off facet quickly had India fumbling for concepts. They moved a slip out to place a sweeper again on the off facet, however then Head was fast to money in on something too straight. Siraj conceded two such boundaries.

In a small byplay on the different finish, Smith discovered it troublesome to regulate to the uneven bounce and the sideways motion. His response was completely different to Head's. He continued to battle it out whereas Head did not thoughts attacking. On the floor Head regarded higher however he provided false responses extra usually than Smith: Smith's management share was 90 to Head's 69. Those, once more, are their roles. Smith builds, Head counterattacks.

Things grew to become simpler for Smith when Thakur went looking as soon as too usually. Thakur is an bold bowler who bowls full and straight extra usually than the others. It in all probability works when you find yourself bowling off the strain created by three world-class quicks. Playing because the third seamer virtually, he in all probability went full as soon as too usually. Smith cashed in, and a 16-run over resulted.

South London provided the right climate for cricket on the opening day of the ultimate•PA Photos/Getty Images

Australia went into tea at 170 for 3 with Head on 60 off 75 and Smith 33 off 102. India started the ultimate session with Umesh and Jadeja, the least probably bowlers to take a wicket at that time. That advised you all in regards to the state India discovered themselves in.

Soon Shami got here again, and India started to check Head with the brief stuff, in all probability too late within the piece. Head took it on, going onerous at it. He bottom-edged two hooks from nicely outdoors off, however then started ramping the ball. He was certainly not at house towards the brief ball, however the runs saved flowing. Umesh started to leak to Smith from the opposite finish.

Woefully behind the over fee, the two-and-a-half hour ultimate session started to look even longer for India. Head took 32 off the primary 18 balls he confronted within the session. Siraj and Shami then positioned a superb deep third to dam the ramp, had males catching on the hook, and saved bending their backs. Shami bowled a seven-over spell, Siraj saved drawing uneven bounce, Head went by means of the 90s trying unsure however driving his luck. He was hit on the pinnacle twice, however saved hooking.

By the time Head introduced up his hundred, India had been compelled to make bowling modifications, and batting appeared simpler once more. India took the brand new ball 20 minutes to stumps, which led to extra performs and misses from Head but additionally three extra boundaries for him. Smith ended the day with an ominous cover-drive for 4 off the final ball.

Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo