IND vs AUS 2nd Test, Day 1 Lunch: Aussie openers' solid show leaves Indian pacers wicketless
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 1: Among the Indian pacers, Ishant Sharma has delivered 4 maiden overs so far while Umesh and Bumrah bowled 2 maiden overs apiece.
A lot was talked about the green top at Perth’s Optus Stadium ahead of India vs Australia 2nd Test. But the visitors had no support from it despite fielding 4 regular pacers in the playing XI. Unlike the previous match, the Aussie opening duo looked very confident against a full-fledged Indian pace attack as they managed to add 66 runs on the scoreboard without any loss. By the end of the first session, Australia have added Finch remained unbeaten on 28 while Harris was batting on 36.
Earlier this morning, Tim Paine his first coin toss as Aussie Test skipper and put his unchanged playing to bat first. The green top might have tempted the Indian skipper to take the field with all his guns (the 4 pacers) ablaze but soon, the things began shifting towards Australia’s favour.
Ishant Sharma began with a delivery down leg as the first Test ball to be bowled at this ground. It didn't change much for this first spell of four overs as he sprayed the ball all over. At the other end, Jasprit Bumrah was bowling short of a length, even if he bowled quicker than Ishant. This new ball pairing proved expensive and wasteful as Umesh Yadav came on as first change in the ninth over.
Finch and Harris might have had failed to deliver in Adelaide but they left no stone unturned to prove his skipper decision of fielding the same team wrong. Especially, Finch who overcame his underfire performance and showcased some class batting for the first time at home. They were cruising at this stage with 45 runs coming in the first 11 overs and the hosts went to drinks at 47-0 in the first hour of play.
Aaron Finch and the Aussies are off the mark on the first morning!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2018
Live coverage here: https://t.co/mzWOwmJytC #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/UMv8B2jUh8
Meanwhile, he survived a direct hit from Kohli in the beginnings and then a couple of close calls in the Shami’s first over. He was lucky enough that the DRS taken by India turned in his favour giving him another chance.
Aaron Finch survives a couple of close calls to start Shami's spell! #CloseMatters#AUSvIND | @GilletteAU pic.twitter.com/1ROpS4VRiY
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2018
A total of 26 overs were bowled and the Aussie opening duo has stitched 66 runs for the first wicket so far, making the Indian bowlers toil hard for a wicket.
India bowled better in the second hour of play and conceded only 19 runs in 13 overs. All pacers bowled a second spell, as Ishant and Bumrah in particular improved on their initial spells.
But the damage had already been done as the duo was set and the new ball had been wasted on a fresh pitch.
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