WTC Final: Mohammed Shami castles helpless Marnus Labuschagne with a pearler

Team India got their third wicket courtesy of a terrific delivery by seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami after he drew curtains on flamboyant Aussie batter Marnus Labuschagne. The two sides have locked horns at The Oval in London in a one-off Test for the coveted mace on Wednesday, June 7.

Upon winning the toss, Rohit Sharma decided to put the Aussies to bat first in the crucial contest. Team India landed an early blow after Usman Khawaja was sent packing by Mohammed Siraj for a nought off ten balls in under five overs of the contest. What followed was a 69-run partnership by explosive southpaw David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne.

Just when Australia seemed to be in their zone with two of their top batters getting into the groove, it was Shardul Thakur who got the prized scalp of Warner for 43 off 60 balls featuring eight boundaries. The Aussies headed for Lunch with a score of 73/2 in 23 overs with Labuschagne and Steve Smith out in the middle.

Just in the second over post-lunch, Shami bowled a full-length delivery upon which Labuschagne attempted the drive. However, courtesy of a massive gap, the ball eventually crashed onto the stumps, and with this, Labuschagne headed back to the dugout for a score of 26 runs off 62 balls.

Gøwtham@Gowthiss

SHAMMMIIIIIII 🔥 What a delivery to get the wicket of Labuschagne 💥 #WTCFinal2023 | #WTCFinal | #INDvsAUS | #shami

06:00 PM · Jun 07, 2023

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With Travis Head and Steve Smith still on the crease, the pair will look to forge a formidable partnership which can keep Australia in the driver’s seat. On the other hand, team India will look to get breakthroughs at regular intervals and keep control of the contest.

Shardul Thakur, Siraj, and Shami returned with one wicket each thus far and will be raring to add a few more by the end of the day’s play. It remains to be seen if Smith and Head can steer the side towards a solid total on Day 1.