Australia on top against India in WTC final

Travis Head's dashing century put Australia in a strong position against India on Wednesday's opening day of the World Test Championship final at the Oval.

Head came in with Australia struggling at 76-3 after India captain Rohit Sharma had won the toss in overcast conditions and on a green-tinged pitch that favoured a four-man pace attack.
But left-hander Head put the pressure back on the bowlers from the start of his innings, with 24 of his initial 27 runs coming in boundaries.

As the sun burst through the clouds, conditions for batting eased and Head cashed in against some wayward deliveries. 

Head reached his sixth Test hundred in just 106 balls, including 13 fours and a ramped six against Mohammed Shami.

Australia were 327-3 at stumps, with Head, unbeaten on 146, having added an unbroken 251 runs for the fourth wicket with star batsman Steve Smith, happy to play second fiddle on 95 not out.