Indian bowlers stepped up their game on Day 2 of World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. The Pat Cummins-led Australian side posted a total of 469 runs on the board after Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field first.
Siraj strikes early
Travis Head got to his 150 early in the first session. The partnership was broken by Mohammed Siraj Head could not control the pull shot and managed just an edge to wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat. Head scored 163 runs from 174 deliveries including 25 fours and one six. He shared a 285-run partnership for the fourth wicket, the fourth-highest for any wicket by an Australian pair against India.
Smith’s big wicket
Steve Smith reached his ninth Test century against India. Cameron Green who joined Smith in the middle could not last long at the crease. Green went for the drive away from body and edged it to slip fielder Shubman Gill off Mohammed Shami’s bowling. Shardul Thakur was introduced into the attack and he struck with his first ball of the day. Smith inside edged on to his stumps. He scored 121 runs from 268 balls including 19 fours. Then 12th man Axar Patel came into play and got rid of Mitchell Starc with a direct hit from mid-off.
Carey’s crucial knock
After four wickets in the first session, Alex Carey played himself in and then took the attacking route. Carey hit Shami for three fours in an over. He even stepped down to Ravindra Jadeja and hit him for a six. But Jadeja got his revenge. Carey got out lbw in an attempt to play reverse sweep. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 48 runs from 69 deliveries. He scored 48 runs from 69 deliveries including seven fours and one six.
Siraj mops up tail
Siraj came back into the attack and cleaned up Nathan Lyon. Cummins resillience ended in his next over as he was outsmarted with a slower ball. Australia got all out for 469 from 121.3 overs. They added 142 runs to their overnight score on Day 2. For India, Siraj was the pick of bowlers with a four-fer. Umesh Yadav turned out to be the only bowler who remained wicketless.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
