Melbourne [Australia], December 27: A stellar batting performance by Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, coupled with two early wickets by Pat Cummins, placed Australia firmly in control against India at the end of the second session on Day 2 of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday.
At tea, India was 51/2, trailing by 423 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 23*, alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.
Australia resumed the second session at 454/7, with Smith (139*) and Mitchell Starc (15*) at the crease. Ravindra Jadeja made an early breakthrough, dismissing Starc for 15 in the first over of the session, reducing Australia to 455/8.
In the next over, Smith was dismissed in unfortunate circumstances. A ball from Akash Deep caught the inside edge of Smith’s bat and crashed into the stumps while Smith had moved too far from his crease. Smith was out for 140 from 197 balls, including 13 fours and three sixes, leaving Australia at 455/9 in the 114th over.
Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland briefly extended the innings before Lyon was dismissed for 13, bringing Australia’s total to 474 all out.
Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler for India, claiming 4/99, while Jadeja took three wickets. Akash Deep and Washington Sundar each picked up a wicket.
India’s chase began with Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, who returned to open the innings. However, his return was short-lived as a mistimed shot resulted in a catch to Scott Boland at mid-on for just three runs, leaving India at 8/1.
Jaiswal was joined by KL Rahul, who looked in good touch, playing some elegant shots through the covers. India reached 50 in 13.1 overs. However, on the last ball of the session, Cummins struck, dismissing Rahul for 24 from 42 balls, with two fours. India was 51/2 at the break.
Earlier, Australia had dominated the first session, reaching 454/7. Smith, who had started the day on 68*, played a brilliant knock, scoring his second century of the series in 167 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. This century marked his 34th Test hundred and his fifth at the MCG, continuing his strong record in the Boxing Day Test.
India’s bowlers struggled, with Siraj and Jadeja unable to contain the runs. Australia brought up 400 in 103.1 overs, with Smith looking in T20 mode after reaching his century. Cummins’ attacking knock of 49 from 63 balls, with seven fours, ended the 112-run partnership with Smith when Jadeja dismissed him.
Brief Scores:
Australia: 474 all out (Steve Smith 140, Marnus Labuschagne 72, Jasprit Bumrah 4/99)
India: 51/2 (KL Rahul 24, Yashasvi Jaiswal 23*, Pat Cummins 2/27)