(Photo Courtesy: FOX Sports)
After remaining wicket less despite bowling some probing lines on Day 2, Nathan Lyon came back to spin a web around the Indians and claim a 5 wicket haul. This performance saw the Aussies get a crucial 43 run lead going into the second innings.
Starting from their overnight score of 172/3, India got off to a torrid start as they lost Rahane (51) just in the fourth ball of the first over. Virat Kohli soon reached his 25th century playing a masterful stoke.
Following his century, Vihari who had till then played a solid knock off 20 was caught behind of Hazlewood. Virat himself soon lost his way and gave a catch to Handscomb in the slips. Amid conclusive evidence of a clean catch, Kohli was adjudged out and had to make the long walk back to the pavilion.
The Indian tail did not wag much as Nathan Lyon returned to close out the innings on his own. He first castled both Shami and Ishant before Rishabh Pant dug in to show some assistance. But after several overs of persistence Lyon finally removed Pant who was caught out in the deep while going in search of quick runs. 4 balls later he removed Bumrah to claim a 5 wicket haul and close out India’s innings.
Starting with 43 runs lead, the Australians looked to add to the crucial lead they had obtained. The hosts’ opening pair struggled to get going as the Indian pacers used the new ball to good effect. Harris got a life in the fifth over, when Cheteshwar Pujara dropped him at first slip off Ishant Sharma. At the stroke of Tea, Aaron Finch was batting on 25 not out when he was hit on his finger by Mohammed Shami and walked off in pain.
In the post tea session, the Indians corrected their mistakes and surged in to pick some wickets. Marcus Harris, Shaun Marsh, and Peter Handscomb departed one after the other in just within the span of seven overs to leave Australia at 85/3. Head once again fell playing a loose shot and handed Shami the unlikeliest of wickets.
Thereafter, the duo of Paine and Khawaja dug in and took their team to stumps without losing any further wickets. Thus Australia lead India by 175 runs at the end of day 3. They’ll now look to add more to this total and post India a mammoth target tomorrow.
Brief Scores: Australia 326 and 4 for 132 (Khawaja 41*, Shami 2-23) lead India (Kohli 123, Lyon 5-67) by 175 runs.
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