ZCZC
BSP-01
CRICKET-AUS-IND
Australia take the advantage despite Indian fightback in 4th Test
BRISBANE, Australia, Jan 16, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – India took five wickets in
the second day’s first session to bowl Australia out for 369 on the stroke of
lunch in the series-deciding fourth Test in Brisbane On Saturday.
After resuming at 274 for five at the Gabba, the Australians lost five
wickets in the morning session including the overnight batsmen Tim Paine and
Cameron Green.
Paine and Green had started aggressively on a flat batting wicket and
looked to push the score beyond 400.
But shortly after reaching his half-century, Paine chased a wide ball from
Shardul Thakur (3-94) and edged to Rohit Sharma at third slip to leave
Australia 311 for six.
Green survived a sharp chance on 45 off Washington Sundar but two runs
later, the off-spinner got his revenge when he bowled the Australian number
six for 47.
Thakur, playing only his second Test, took his third wicket when he
trapped Pat Cummins leg-before for two to leave the hosts struggling at 315
for seven.
However, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc went on the attack and the score
raced to 354 before Sundar bowled Lyon around his legs after his quickfire 24
off 22 deliveries.
When T. Natarajan bowled Josh Hazlewood to end the innings, the
inexperienced Indian attack had completed an impressive comeback on a hot and
humid Brisbane morning.
Australia will be disappointed with their total considering the benign
nature of the wicket.
While many of the Australian batsmen got starts, only Marnus Labuschagne
was able to convert, his 108 on Friday the standout for the home team.
The Indian attack features two players making their debut — Natarajan (3-
78) and Sundar (3-89) — while their most experienced bowler, Mohammad Siraj,
is playing just his third Test following a raft of injures to their first-
choice bowlers.
To compound their problems, Navdeep Saini was only able to bowl 7.5 overs
on the first day before he broke down with a groin injury.
However, they bowled with discipline and were helped by some injudicious
shot selection by their opponents.
BSS/AFP/SSS/0933 hrs