World Test Championship final: Australia v India, day one – live

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You know, I’ve never thought of it that way. Now I can’t think about anything else!

19th over: Australia 60-1 (Warner 39, Labuschagne 20) Another maiden from Yadav who has brushed off the rust from his first over. He’s got Warner playing and missing at one and almost brings another back onto the off stump after Warner shouldered arms. Tidy set.

18th over: Australia 60-1 (Warner 39, Labuschagne 20) Australia gaining the upper hand now. Labuschagne moves into the 20s with a tasty steer off the front foot that motors past point. Too much width. In fact, both the change bowlers have been guilty of straying too far away from the stumps. The sun is coming out too. Ominous for the Indians.

Marnus survives a second time! My goodness, this man has more lives than a bag of cats! He’s so far out of his crease that what looked like it might be close was actually comfortably safe. That one was missing by a distance.

Another review. Could be tight again.

17th over: Australia 55-1 (Warner 38, Labuschagne 16) Better from Yadav. He gets one to climb and crunches Marnus’ finger. He’s OK. That’s what can happen when you hit a probing length. Warner gets a single earlier in the piece with another sweetly struck shot off the back foot to a short and wide one, but this time there’s cover out there.

16th over: Australia 54-1 (Warner 37, Labuschagne 16) A maiden from Thakur which is exactly what Sharma would have wanted after the carnage in the previous set. Better lines and, more importantly, lengths from Thakur. Almost had his man.

Oooooh! Umpire’s call! The review suggests it was clipping the top of leg stump. Labuschagne getting out of his crease saves him. Good nut from Thakur.

India review! Looks close. I think Thakur might have pinned Labuschagne here. Only question is height.

Here’s a good ‘un from Liam Stanley:

“For all of contemporary cricket’s faults, it is genuinely amazing that a World Test Championship is currently being played in London. Who would have thought 20 years ago that India and Australia would be playing a Test match at the Oval (for positive reasons). The neutrality of the venue is an unexpected intrigue to the whole thing. With that in mind, I’d love to see England vs Australia played in India. Imagine how cool that would be. I’d be interested to know what you or other readers would consider interesting neutral-venue Test match fixtures.”

Since you’re asking, Liam, I think it’s a shame that the second WTC final is being played in England after the first was staged in Southampton.

It’s a global event. It’s been billed as the pinnacle of the format and I’m not a fan of it staying in the same country for two consecutive cycles. Why isn’t this game being played in South Africa, Sri Lanka or New Zealand?

The answers are obvious, and grim, and comes down to cold, hard economics. Still, we can lament the inequities in our game and enjoy what is evidently a brilliant spectacle.

15th over: Australia 54-1 (Warner 37, Labuschagne 16) That’s the David Warner we know and love. First, a belligerent punch off the back foot that sends it screaming to the cover-point fence. Then a cracked cut shot backward of square. Then a flashing scythe that catches the top edge but flies away to deep third. Then a cute dab that brings up the fourth boundary of the over. 16 runs from it. Too short and wide from Yadav.

14th over: Australia 38-1 (Warner 21, Labuschagne 16) Another bowling change. Shardul Thakur enters the scene. Australia will be delighted to have the change bowlers on (though to be fair them, they’re pretty good change bowlers).

Labuschagne drives down the ground with aplomb! Aplomb, I say. Barely a follow through as he bunts to the long on boundary. A peach of a delivery in there as well that beats the outside edge with an away swinger. Captivating stuff.

“Hi Dan. Do you think Australia will come in better prepared for the Ashes having played India vs. England, who almost bowled Ireland out before they reached England’s 1st innings score and only really managed to get 4 batters out into the middle, plus Harry Brook who only faced 7 balls in the 1st innings. Sorry if that’s harsh to Ireland! I do want them to succeed in Test Cricket but I can’t help but think a more challenging warm-up game would’ve benefited England before facing the likes of Cummins, Starc, Lyon, Labuschagne & Smith. Thoughts?”

I know we should focus on this WTC final, but I’ll take the Ashes bait, Leonard D’Crus. I think it’s obvious, isn’t it? No question Australia will have had the better prep.

We’ve also got some news from James Walsh who says, “Morning Dan! Bright sunshine here in Brighton, expect that overhead cloud to burn off in south London within the hour.”

India won’t be happy to hear that. Need another wicket stat!

13th over: Australia 34-1 (Warner 21, Labuschagne 12) Yadav starts well by finding the edge of Labuschagne’s bat but it squirts away for a single. He then over pitches and gets spanked through the covers by Warner. Wasn’t textbook from the Aussie but it cannoned off the middle. Yadav eventually finds his range and produces a beauty that almost kisses Warner’s outside edge from over the wicket. Five off that hodgepodge set.

After a refreshing cuppa, we have a bowling change. Umesh Yadav revving up. Averages 23.5 in England btw.

So, after an hour’s play, which camp will be happier? I suppose the early wicket means India are leading on points but this has been a handy fight back from the Aussie batters who have started to play some shots.

12th over: Australia 29-1 (Warner 17, Labuschagne 11) That’s a sweet clip off the pads from Labuschagne. Reminded me the Brian Lara Cricket game on PlayStation. Know what I mean? Picture the quintessential flick through the on side in front of square and you’ve got it. That brings him three and that’ll be drinks.

Richard O’Hagan has steered me straight on the question around the Wednesday start:

“I assumed that the Wednesday start was because this Test has a reserve day, which means that Monday has to be kept clear for that. If the game went into Tuesday instead Australia would only have two clear days before the first Ashes test, one of which would be spent travelling up to Birmingham.”

Thanks Rich!

11th over: Australia 26-1 (Warner 17, Labuschagne 8) BANG! Best shot of the day. Shami drops one short to Warner and he jumps all over it, pulling it in front of square off the middle of his bat.

David Warner enjoying his battle with Mohammed Shami. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

10th over: Australia 22-1 (Warner 13, Labuschagne 8) Outstanding from Siraj. He’s found his area here. Back of a length to Labuschagne with a hint of away seam. Labuschagne is dangling his bat out. He obviously wants to feel the ball, and he does on occasion, but that seems like a risk to me. He’s then pushing it full and beating the half-forward press to thud the pads with a wobble seam that ducks in off the pitch. A maiden of the highest order.

“Hi Dan - writing from a slow day at work here in Delhi. Don’t know why they have scheduled this fixture from Wed to Sun, considering tests (especially those involving India) rarely go the full length - Thu to Mon was the better option. What do you and other OBOers think?”

Thanks for that, Mittu Choudhary. More than happy to distract you from your work.

It’s a good question. My guess is that it’s already such a packed summer with The Hundred squeezing the Ashes. So, if they wanted to get this one in, they had to start it on a Wednesday.

9th over: Australia 22-1 (Warner 13, Labuschagne 8) I started by writing that Shami is like a metronome and then had to quickly edit my thoughts as he follows five perfect balls around a fourth stump line with a splayed delivery onto Labuschagne’s pads. The Aussie batter flicks with a flourish but there’s a man down in the deep so it’s worth just a single.

“Hi Dan. Sorry if I’ve missed this but can you clarify whether a Dukes or Kookaburra ball being used for this test? Unsure of the rules for the WTC final being played in England?”

No need to apologise, Martin Fisher, it’s a good question.

It’s a Dukes. Which is great news in my opinion. I know they had their problems last year but I’d love to see all cricket everywhere in the world played with the pronounced seam of the English ball.

8th over: Australia 21-1 (Warner 13, Labuschagne 7) Labuschagne is such a captivating batter to watch. He was smashed on his finger and then edged the very next ball to third slip. He was playing with soft hands so no danger but it was a sign that Siraj was winning the battle. But as soon as the bowler misdirects Marnus pounces and clips a three through the on side.

“Good Morning Daniel, Good Morning All,”

It’s gloomy, Em, if that’s what you mean.

Marnus is cracked on the glove! Wow that exploded off a tricky length and he immediately hurled his glove off his hand. Thumb on his bottom hand by the looks of it. The physio is out taking a look.

7th over: Australia 18-1 (Warner 13, Labuschagne 4) Shami must be such a nightmare for left handers. Because he’s able to get an angle ball to hold its line he can beat you on either edge. One that goes on with the arm catches Warner’s inside edge and flies down to fine leg for a single. Labuschagne also has his work cut out for him. Shami brings one back from a distance which bamboozles Marnus who shoulders arms before admonishing himself. He’ll need to switch back on as he’s facing the next over thanks to a quickly taken single in the covers.

6th over: Australia 16-1 (Warner 12, Labuschagne 3) Siraj is a touch too straight so Marnus can nudge a scampered single off his hips. Warner then slashes at a bit of width and it flies down to the deep third fence. Strange one, that. Not sure Siraj will mind too much as it seemed too close to play with a horizontal bat. The very next ball is marginally straighter but Warner is still chopping down on it with an angled blade and that almost takes the edge. Warner bags another three with a biff through mid-on. Lively over.

5th over: Australia 8-1 (Warner 5, Labuschagne 2) The first real shot of authority comes from Warner who gets a good stride in and punches down the ground. He doesn’t get all of it but will come back for a third. Earlier in the piece he was thwacked on his pad and Shami went up with confidence. Too high though. There’s a bye in the mix as well which means Labuschagne will face up to Siraj next over.

“Hello Daniel. A halfway decent County attack would have the Aussies all out by now!”

I’m with you, Matthew Doherty, Chris Rushworth would be tearing things up!

4th over: Australia 4-1 (Warner 2, Labuschagne 2) Marnus is off the mark with a flick down to fine leg that brings him a couple. But other than that stray onto the pads it’s a brilliant set from Siraj who gets the breakthrough with a gem that left Khawaja poking at the ball from his crease.

WICKET! Khawaja c Bharat b Siraj 0 (Australia 2-1)

Beauty! Angled across Khawaja, the opener has to play at it and feathers a catch behind. It was the length that did him there. He couldn’t get all the way forward and was left prodding from his crease with little footwork. Sometimes you’ve just got to take your hat off to the bowler.

Joy for Siraj as he celebrated the early wicket of Khawaja. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

3rd over: Australia 2-0 (Warner 2, Khawaja 0) Very good from Shami. When he gets it right it’s almost unplayable. His fourth ball is a jaffa that explodes off a length and leaves Warner jabbing like a punch drunk boxer. One delivery is too straight though and the Aussie can deftly nudge the first runs of the morning through a vacant midwicket.

2nd over: Australia 0-0 (Warner 0, Khawaja 0) It’s Mohammad Siraj from the other end. He’s getting some lift from over the wicket to Khawaja who is standing fractionally out of his crease. A firm(ish) nudge off the pads is well fielded at square leg. Khawaja has a little poke at one that angled across him but otherwise looks comfortable enough.

Usman Khawaja plays a shot off the bowling of Mohammed Siraj. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

1st over: Australia 0-0 (Warner 0, Khawaja 0) Shami from round the wicket into the left handed Warner is on the money straight away. He’s found a great length and is troubling the Aussie. His third ball jags back a long way and isn’t far away from Warner’s off stump.

The pitch is greeeeeeeeen! This will be a spicy opening session. Shami with the new rock in his hand. Warner will face up first.

“Morning Dan”

Morning Krishna Moorthy. Good to hear from you.

“Test cricket is the only version worth talking about (for purists at least). ODIs (earlier) and T20s (now) have destroyed the game. It is only Bham Bham Bham now. Hoping it is a cracker

“I have a hunch that it will be a wake up call to the much-hyped Indian team.”

We’re blessed to have multiple formats and I hope they all thrive. Enjoy it pal.

The players are wearing black armbands and are currently observing a minute’s silence for those who lost their lives in a horrific train crash in India this past weekend.

It means everything. And nothing. Everywhere and nowhere. It’s a conundrum, isn’t it?

Silliness aside, it just shows how brutal cricket is. Any other team sport would simply place their maverick on the bench and bring him on later. Of course that’s not possible here and I think India were spooked by their decision to not play the extra seamer two years ago against New Zealand. That ultimately cost them. Sharma wasn’t going to make the same mistake against the Aussies.

While we wait for the openers to pad up, why don’t you get stuck in to Geoff’s delicious preview:

I did say it was a good toss to lose.

“Hi Dan,”

Hi Ben Morris. Thanks for being my first correspondent for the day. What’s on your mind?

“You will likely be a better informed observer than myself, so I bow to your opinion, but is it really right to say that Australia and India have been the best teams over the last 2 years? Considering England’s form?”

If we’re talking just the last 12 months then yes, I’d have England right up there. But most league tables don’t lie and I don’t think this one does.

India pick four seamers on seaming deck

It has to be a pretty strong side to leave out the best Test bowler in the world and that’s what India have unfurled here.

India: Sharma (c), Gill, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane, Bharat (wk), Jadeja, Thakur, Yadav, Shami, Siraj.

Australia banking on Warner to come good

Matthew Hayden says the Aussie opener is “on thin ice” coming into this one. A strong start here will be vital.

Australia: Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey (wk), Starc, Cummins (c), Lyon, Boland.

India win the toss, bowl first

Rohit Sharma has the coin flip go his way and cites “conditions” as the reason for his decision.

Ravi Aswhin, the No.1 ranked Test bowler in the world, is left out. They go for four seamers instead.

Pat Cummins says he would have bowled first too but doesn’t think it will make much a difference. No Josh Hazlewood remember. Still a handy bowling line-up.

No doubt you’ve seen the news, but just in case, MOEEN ALI WILL PLAY IN THE ASHES!

It’s kind of a big deal. Before we turn our full attention to the WTC final, have a go on this:

It’s gloomy in south London. If the captains have their heads in the clouds they’ll want to have a bowl. But conventional wisdom in these parts tell you that batting first is the right option. England, though, have been going well at home bowling first regardless of the weather.

A good toss to lose I reckon.

Preamble

On the surface, this promises to be a cracking game of cricket. They’re unquestionably the two best red ball teams over the last two years with superstar batters up and down the line and bowlers to match them. Chuck them all together on a lively pitch in south London and you’ve got all the ingredients of a contest for the ages.

Take a step back, though, and a far more complex narrative forms into view.

This is not simply a Test match. In many ways the future of cricket’s most antiquated but beloved iteration is at stake here. The game is struggling on its frontiers. Young players are turning their backs on it for more glitzy and lucrative codes. A dud over the next five days could be catastrophic.

Perhaps I’m being hyperbolic but this is fuelled by hyperbole. It matters because enough of us believe that it matters and history shows us that success for India in an ICC event can galvanise a format.

Their 50-over triumph in 1983 catapulted Test cricket’s rival into a new stratosphere and their victory in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup set the wheels in motion for the Indian Premier League. Perhaps success over the next five days could do something similar?

Well, not if Pat Cummins and his Aussies have anything to say about it. The men in baggy green will start as favourites. But only just. This really could go either way as we undulate over spells and sessions and days.

Test cricket. Don’t you just love it?

My name is Daniel, but feel free to call me Dan. Drop an email or send a tweet. I promise I check them all.

Play starts at 10:30 BST, 3pm IST & 7:30pm AEST. Toss and team news to follow.