Published: Jan 07, 2015, 07:02 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 07, 2015, 07:06 AM (IST)
By Nishad Pai Vaidya
Jan 7, 2015
Australia went into lunch on Day Two of the fourth Test against India at 420 for four. India were unable to stem the flow of runs when Steven Smith and Shane Watson were moving along solidly, but their wickets helped them hit back a touch. Nevertheless, Australia continue to be in a commanding position in this game.
Australia commenced the day on 348 for two and continued to pile the runs. Smith was in his 80s and worked along towards his ton without any problems. This was his eighth ton overall and fourth of the ongoing series. He became only the second man after Jacques Kallis to score a ton in each game of a four-match Test series. It was a truly remarkable achievement for the young captain.
At the other end, Watson continued to work it around and pick runs. Working his way to his 80s, he looked set for a big one, until he holed out to mid-wicket off a shortish delivery by Mohammed Shami. Smith followed soon after as Umesh Yadav had him caught behind for 117. Watson and Smith had put up a 196-run stand, extending Australia’s domination after the 200-run opening partnership between David Warner and Chris Rogers on Day One.
Joe Burns and Shaun Marsh then saw Australia through to lunch. Burns is yet to get off the mark though as he faced 17 balls. India had a chance to dismiss Marsh, but the sharp chance off Ravichandran Ashwin was grassed by Murali Vijay at second slip. Ashwin was purchasing turn on the surface and that presented some promise for him. However, there was nothing for the seamers and they did not help their cause by bowling wayward lengths. Bhuvneshwar Kumar continued to look a shadow of himself. India have a lot of introspection to do.
Brief scores:
Australia 420 for 4 (Chris Rogers 95, David Warner 101, Steven Smith 117, Shane Watson 81; Mohammed Shami 2 for 80) vs India.
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(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)
