Australia Piles Runs This Time, But…

Australia showed some patience in the batting order to play safe. Also, fortunately Australia won the Test 2’s crucial toss and chose to bat, straight away. Usman Khawaja and David Warner battled hard as Australia piles runs on the board. 

Particularly, earlier in the Test match 2 of the series of 4, without picking any wicket, Mohammed Siraj looked dangerous. But it’s again Mohammed Shami, who brought the breakthrough for India although Siraj bowled well too. Shami was expensive a bit more than other India bowlers. However, he picked David Warner to draw the first blood and break a good opening partnership. 

Marnus Labuschagne walked in and Australia since then looked comfortable to score some quick runs in the very testing Test match 2. Usman Khawaja scored his first fifty of the BGT (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) in the second Test’s first innings. Looking still strong, Australia piles runs to put India on back-foot. 

Rohit Sharma looking for couple of wickets more to put pressure back on Australia, brings in Ravindra Jadeja too. Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin bowled alongside Siraj and Shami, but didn’t looked that much threatening. The ball was turning a lot on this track as Australia piles runs cautiously and with calculative aggression. 

At the end of 22 overs, Australia were 90/1. Ashwin bowled a beauty and umpire was unmoved. Review taken as the on-field decision was given as not-out. Three reds were seen before Steve Smith was readying to walk in, and Ashwin picks his first wicket. Australia at this moment were 91/2. 

The game is on as Smith also was caught behind by Bharat and Ashwin picks his second big wicket. Wickets start to tumble as it looked, but still Australia still in a strong position to end the first day’s lunch on a high.

Again, this time Usman Khawaja was given out by on-field umpire. Review taken, but the decision was reversed as the ball was pitching just a bit on the legside. However, Australia — 92/3 off the 24 very good overs lashed upon the top order. 

At lunch Australia were 94/3 off 25 overs and Usman Khawaja still on the crease, fighting hard. 

Image Credit: Star Sports HD1