Australian skipper Pat Cummins stated they were in control for the major part of the World Test Championship final against India after their huge win of 209 runs at the Oval on Sunday. After being put into bat, Australia posted a par score of 469 runs to put themselves in front.
Travis Head scored a mammoth knock of 163 runs whereas Steve Smith smashed his 31st Test century. This was Head’s first overseas century as he took the game away from the opposition with his blistering batting.
Smith, on the other hand, scored 121 runs as he played a second fiddle role. From there on, Australia dictated the game and India was always chasing the shadows. India was reduced to 151-5 at the end of the second day’s play and it further pushed them on the back foot.
In fact, India made some sort of a comeback after Ajinkya Rahane (89) and Shardul Thakur (51) made decent contributions. However, the Rohit Sharma-led team gave a huge first-innings lead of 173 and then Australia strengthened their grip by declaring at 270-8 in the second essay. Ergo, they gave a huge target of 444 runs to the Indian team.
Australia then skittled India out for 234 runs in the second dig and won their overall ninth ICC title, becoming the first team to win all the major ICC titles.
Pat Cummins showered praise on the duo of Travis Head and Steve Smith. Cummins said in the post-match presentation, “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. He just puts the pressure right back on the bowlers and suddenly you are thinking about how to contain runs rather than taking wickets. For the most part, we were in control.”
Cummins also heaped praise on Scott Boland, who was the pick of the bowler for Australia. Boland was right on the money with his line and length and took a total of five wickets in the game. Ergo, he played a big role in the team’s huge win.
Cummins said, “Boland – he’s my favorite player. He just continues to be my favorite. Everyone did their role really well.”
Australia will now take on England in the Ashes series.
