Tailenders helped Australia stretch themselves well past 500 runs mark in the first innings by putting prices on their wickets. India would have hoped for a similar show from their lower-order, but it didn’t happen as they end by 64 runs short of Australia’s first innings total.
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The dismissal of Virat Kohli, in the final over of the third day, ensured that it would be a mammoth task for India to surpass Australia’s total. And, it happened exactly like that as the hosts in no time dismissed remaining Indian batsmen in the morning session.
Speedster Mitchell Johnson dismissed remaining two batsmen in a space of just two overs in the morning session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami failed to put any resistance and got out cheaply.
The first breakthrough arrived in the second ball of the day when a faint edge from Yadav’s bat went into Brad Haddin’s gloves. Shami (12) was caught in the second slip by skipper Steve Smith while chasing Johnson outside the off-stump.
After bundling India for 465, Australia got a good start from David Warner and Chris Rogers as they stitched a 57-run opening wicket partnership. The Indian bowlers, again, looked in complete shambles and bowled wayward.
The touring party, meanwhile, managed to get the breakthrough when off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed well-set Warner (40). This was fourth time in Test cricket that Ashwin got the wicket of Warner.
All-rounder Shane Watson joined Rogers in the middle and made an unbeaten 33-run partnership for the second wicket, as Australia finished the first session at 90/1. The Smith-led side has stretched their lead to 155, with Watson (15 not out) and Rogers (33 not out).
