Review – Stumps Day 2: Australia v India

Stumps Day 2: Australia v India

Head held high as Aussie’s survive a shaky batting display on day two.

Australia held the advantage after day one of the first test between Australia and India with the visiting team finishing the opening day on 9/250. The Indian’s were unable to add to their overnight score with Mohammed Shami dismissed off the first ball of day two with an edge down leg side caught by keeper Tim Paine. 

The Aussie’s raced back to the change rooms to prepare for their batting innings with openers Aaron Finch and debutant Marcus Harris quickly returning to the crease.

Disaster struck for Australia when Finch was dismissed on the third ball of the first over when he slashed at a ball outside of off-stump which nipped back resulting in both the middle and off stump flying through the air, Australia were 1/0. A very fit Usman Khawaja entered the stadium and steadied the ship with Harris as they put on 45 runs together before the dismissal of Harris for 26. Shaun Marsh’s stint at the crease was short lived departing for only 2 and the third wicket for Ravi Ashwin on the day came when the Indian’s reviewed successfully after the ball flicked Khawaja’s glove on the way through to keeper Rishabh Pant for 28.

The afternoon session was a grind as Peter Handscomb and Travis Head toiled away for 18 overs to help the Aussie’s go into the tea break only four wickets down. It wasn’t long after the resumption of play that Handscomb departed following a caught behind dismissal for Jasprit Bumrah and Pant adding 34 on to the score. 

The Aussie skipper Paine came in at seven and looked unconvincing at the crease, he contributed only 5 with the Aussie’s on the ropes at 6/127. 

It was an all too familiar scene with the tail once again required to compensate for a flakey Australian top order. The partnership of Head and Pat Cummins battled away admirably for a 50 run partnership with the quick departing for 10. Mitchell Starc joined Head at the crease and remained there until stumps. 

The match is evenly poised with both teams very much in winning positions, it will most likely depend on how the first session on day three plays out. If Australia can pull back the 59 run deficit and support Head who is 61 not out, they will trust their bowlers to get the job done for them. Head, playing his first test in Australia on his home ground will be determined to make a century in front of his family and friends and knows the pitch very well. 

Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers with an uninterrupted 22 over spell, resulting in figures of 3/38 with an economy of only 1.51 runs an over. Interestingly he dismissed three left handed batsmen. Ashwin’s dipped, drifted and turned the ball and it was simply delightful to watch. 

Stumps – Day 2: Australia 7/191 (Head 61*, Handscomb 34, Ashwin 3-50) trail India 250 (Pujara 123, Hazlewood 3-52) by 59 runs