At stumps on Day 1, Head was 146* and Smith 95* as Australia posted 327/3.
Rohit Sharma started off well, winning the toss, choosing to field first keeping the overcast conditions in mind.
Mohammed Siraj gave them a good start by dismissing Usman Khawaja for a duck and then Shardul Thakur accounted for David Warner for 43 runs. Though Marnus Labuschagne looked good for his 26, Mohammad Shami had the better of him as he rattled his timber shortly after lunch, leaving Australia 76/3.
But then Travis Head (146*) and Steve Smith (95*) added 251 runs for the fourth wicket and hammered the Indian bowlers to all parts of the Oval ground. Shami and Siraj didn’t get much backup from Shardul Thakur, while Umesh Yadav was particularly unimpressive.
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However, Shami looked dangerous in his later spells and in the second session, delivered a brilliant ball to Smith. The Australian vice-captain judged the delivery to perfection and left the ball safely, but he was visibly impressed by Shami's brilliance.
He made quite an impressive face and even nodded his head in appreciation for Shami, while signalling that the ball came in to him.
Here is the video:
The Australian team ended day one on 327/3.