It was a very entertaining day during the opening day of the second Test of the four-match Test series between the hosts Australia and the visitors India at the Optus Stadium (Perth). While the Australian batsmen led the side, the Indian bowlers also fought well and the day finished on 277/6 for the hosts.
After winning the toss, the hosts’ captain Tim Paine decided to bat first. The Aussie openers Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch provided a good start as they had a century partnership. After the first session was finished on 66/0, both the opening batsmen completed their half-centuries in the second session.
The worst thing about India playing all quicks is that it means Rishabh Pant won't be keeping up to the stumps mic. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 14, 2018
While Harris managed to complete his maiden international half-century in 90 balls, Finch completed it in 103 balls. However, just after completing his half-century, Finch (50 off 105 balls) was trapped for lbw by the Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and their opening partnership was ended on 112 runs.
Around 10 overs later, Usman Khawaja was dismissed for 5 runs while Harris fell soon on 70 off 141 balls (10 fours) after a sharp bounce by the off-spinner Hanuma Vihari surprised him and forced him to get caught at slip.
Hanuma Vihari, the man with the golden arm🔥🔥! His habit to remove the well-set-batters continues, he got both the centurion in England and now he departs Marcus Harris after a well made 70👏👏. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ovyxjVEKIi
— Arsalan Shahid (@iamarsalan18) December 14, 2018
Soon after the tea break, Australia lost Peter Handscomb (7) after the Indian skipper Virat Kohli grabbed a brilliant catch at the second slip. As a result of these quick wickets, the hosts were struggling on 148/4 while a few times ago they were 112/0.
UNBELIEVABLE….. A stunning one-handed Catch from Virat Kohli
to remove Peter #Handscom shortly after the tea break!#PerthTest#INDvAUS#INDvsAUS#ViratKohli#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/2ApVUXyZ2z— newsblunt (@newsbluntmedia) December 14, 2018
Since then, Shaun Marsh and Travis Head took the crucial responsibilities to recover the hosts’ innings. They had an important 84-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Vihari broke that partnership after dismissing Marsh for 45 runs.
On the other hand, Head completed his third Test half-century in 70 balls. However, soon after the second new ball was taken, Head was caught out at third man after scoring 58 off 80 balls (6 fours).
Wicketkeeper-batsman and the skipper Tim Paine (16*) and Pat Cummins (11*) finished the day with an unbroken 26-run partnership for the seventh wicket as Australia was battling on 277/6.
Stumps Day 1
India have fought back with the wickets of Travis Head and Shaun Marsh as Australia close Day 1 on 277/6.🏏#AUSvIND
pic.twitter.com/XVlazBHUxt— Hasnain Shah (@Shahhasnain69) December 14, 2018
Among the Indian bowlers, the pacer Ishant Sharma (2/35) and the off-spinner Hanuma Vihari (2/53) both have bagged two wickets each while the pacer Jasprit Bumrah (1/41) and Umesh Yadav (1/68) have picked up one wicket each.
Looks a challenging wicket to bat , Australia have done well to get to 277/6, India will be hoping to bowl Australia out quickly tomorrow and then really bat well in the first innings. India's batting in the first innings will be very crucial in the context of this Test #AusvInd
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 14, 2018
