Follow UsIn Pat Cummins’ own words, Australia left the first day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final feeling like they were on top of the game. Briefly, that sums up the WTC final in the most succinct way. But had Australia won the toss, Cummins insisted that he would have opted to bowl first, something that India did.
What went wrong, however, for India was that they never capitalized on the bowling-friendly conditions, with Travis Head and Steve Smith’s partnership changing the course of the next four days' play at Kennington Oval. In the 67 overs that they were out in the middle, Australia scored 285 runs at 4.25 RPO, which eventually changed the course of the game, finishing day one’s play on 327/3.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins at the end of the clash, insisted that the Kangaroos left the first day of play feeling like they were on top of the game.
“We made the most of it (losing the toss). We were certainly going to bowl. The way Travis and Smithy put on that partnership, gave us the comfort after a nervy morning. He (Head) has been brilliant right throughout this campaign, started with the Ashes a couple of years ago,” Cummins spoke at the post-match presentation.
On Head’s innings, Cummins spoke highly of the southpaw, insisting his 174-ball 163 helped Australia drive the game and never allowed India to return in the encounter.
“He just puts the pressure right back on the bowlers and suddenly you are thinking about how to contain runs rather than taking wickets. We left day one feeling like we were on top of the game. When it counted, we played really well. We could have really driven the game, didn't have our best day and let India closer back in,” he added.
At the expense of Josh Hazlewood, Australia got the in-form bowler Scott Boland back into the setup, and the 34-year-old ended the clash with five wickets, conceding just 108 runs. Cummins spoke highly of Boland, stating that he and the entire team were switched on, and that resulted in a massive win for Australia.
“For the most parts, we were in control. Boland - he's my favourite player. He just continues to be my favourite. Everyone did their role really well. Coming off a break, everyone switched on when it mattered. Everyone played really well and we'll savour this for a few years before we turn our attention (to the Ashes),” he added.
“This is our favourite format, we grew up watching Test cricket. It challenges you. When you win, it's the format you get most satisfaction with. We love playing,” Cummins concluded.
On the other hand, Steve Smith hailed it as a ‘great achievement’ for the group, and insisted that Head’s innings allowed him to take his time at the crease.
“It's a great achievement for this group, we played some good cricket in the last 2 years to get over here, so did India. We got into a nice position on the first day, Trav (Head) played really well, allowed me to anchor the innings, it helped us control the innings well,” Smith said at the post-match presentation.
Virat Kohli was India’s last hope heading into the fifth day of the clash, with the right-hander averaging 68.8. But Kohli’s failure in England continued with Boland drawing an edge from the right-hander who was poking it away from the body.
“We know how good Virat is, he's an exceptional player and when chasing totals, he becomes dangerous. Boland was excellent in the morning spell, hit the right areas consistently, we knew he would produce that outside edge and it did come (talking about his catch).”