By: Tarish Bhatt
It’s been a clinical batting display by Australia in the second innings. They stretched their lead close to 300, and also took complete control of the opening match on a pitch that has started to turn square now.
At stumps, Australia have built a 298-run lead over the Indians, courtesy Steve Smith’s unbeaten fifty. He played an outstanding hand and made an unbeaten 59, and build crucial partnerships in the second innings.
Read More: India Suffer Collapse on Crumbling Pitch
Australia, however, were rocked early in their second innings. Ravichandran Ashwin rocked them with two quick wickets of David Warner and Shaun Marsh. But, Smith counterattacked with Peter Handscomb (19).
The Aussie captain made crucial partnerships with Handscomb, Matt Renshaw and Mitchell Marsh. He added 38 runs with Handscomb, 52 with Renshaw and then an unbeaten 30 with Marsh, at the close of Day 2.
Read More: Australia all out for 260 in 1st Innings
Earlier, Australia bundled the Indians for a paltry 105 in the first innings. They took a massive 165-run lead in the 1st innings. Steven O’Keefe dismantled the Indian line-up with a six-for in a matter of few overs.
“Everything went to plan, well backed up in the field, especially Handscomb,” O’Keefe said. “And good finish to the day with the captain Steven Smith. I expect it to be different in the second innings.”
