The ICC World Test Championship 2023 began today.
Day one could be described as a magnificent day of test Cricket for Australia.
This red ball format of cricket Coming this soon after the recently completed white ball IPL series, and the sight of men in white and three slips and a gully, was a reminder of the glory days of test cricket.
The Oval at London usually presents the sight and historical memories of a green pitch with overcast and cloudy skies, creating extra swing and ball movement. Memories may have overly influenced India’s decision to invite the Australians to bat first.
The early successes of the Indian seamers saw Australia, uncomfortably on 76 for 3 wickets. India at this stage must have felt quite confident and happy with the decision to take the field. At close of play on day one, Steve Smith not out 96, and Travis Head 146 not out, were still at the crease with a 251-run partnership. When time was called on day one, India will have overnight to contemplate if they may have made an error to take the field first, and, perhaps, the decision to leave Ashwin on the bench may prove to be error number 2. Australia was 327/3 in command at the end of day one.
Good cricket, large energetic crowd and the question hanging in the air is this, what will day 2 bring?
