Australia Finds Festive Cheer with a Sturdy Begin on Boxing Day

Tags: India tour of Australia 2024-25,
Australia vs India, 4th Take a look at at Melbourne, Dec 26-30, 2024,
Australia,
India

Revealed on: Dec 26, 2024

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Australia’s top-order batting discovered its rhythm on Boxing Day, guaranteeing the hosts claimed early honors within the fourth Take a look at of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the Melbourne Cricket Floor (MCG). On a day when the Australian batsmen capitalized on a strong pitch and their first toss win of the sequence, the hosts posted a formidable 311/6. Contributions from Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith laid the muse, although India’s bowlers stored them within the sport with well timed breakthroughs.

A Glowing Debut by Sam Konstas

Australia’s determination to debut 19-year-old Sam Konstas was a masterstroke. Tasked with countering Jasprit Bumrah, Konstas displayed audacious strokeplay, disrupting the Indian bowling plans. The debutant began tentatively, overwhelmed a number of occasions by Bumrah, however his fearless strategy quickly paid dividends. Konstas unleashed a sequence of reverse scoops, scoring boundaries and even a six off Bumrah—his first in Assessments since 2021.

Konstas introduced up a scintillating half-century in simply 52 balls, turning into Australia’s second-youngest Take a look at half-centurion. His attacking knock of 60 set the tone for the innings earlier than Ravindra Jadeja trapped him LBW to interrupt an 89-run opening stand.

Center-Order Grit

With Konstas setting the stage, Khawaja and Labuschagne constructed on the platform with regular contributions. Khawaja, underneath strain after a quiet sequence, scored his first half-century, whereas Labuschagne continued his prolific run with a well-compiled 72. The duo weathered a disciplined spell from Akash Deep and Bumrah, who stored the scoring fee in examine throughout a subdued second session.

India’s persistence bore fruit when Bumrah dismissed Khawaja for 56, inducing a mistimed pull to midwicket. The dismissal introduced Steve Smith to the crease, and he, alongside Labuschagne, took benefit of an growing old ball to rebuild the innings.

Bumrah’s Late Burst

India clawed again into the sport within the remaining session. Washington Sundar accounted for Labuschagne with a pointy catch to Virat Kohli, and Bumrah adopted up with a double strike. He bowled Travis Head for a duck and dismissed Mitchell Marsh cheaply to go away Australia teetering at 246/5.

Smith’s resilience, nevertheless, proved essential. The seasoned batter showcased his mastery with managed aggression, particularly in opposition to Jadeja. Smith discovered an ready accomplice in Alex Carey, and their 53-run partnership steadied the ship earlier than Carey fell to Akash Deep underneath lights. Smith remained unbeaten on 68, guiding Australia to stumps alongside captain Pat Cummins.

India’s Bowlers Battle

Regardless of conceding 311 runs, India’s bowlers put up a spirited show. Bumrah was the standout performer with figures of 3-75, together with essential late wickets. Akash Deep, although wicketless for a lot of the day, bowled tirelessly and deserved his eventual scalp of Carey.

The day ended with Australia barely forward, however with the pitch providing some help to the bowlers and India’s batting depth, the Take a look at stays finely balanced.

Transient Scores:
Australia: 311/6 (Marnus Labuschagne 72, Steve Smith 68*; Jasprit Bumrah 3-75) vs India

This enthralling contest guarantees extra twists and turns as each groups vie for supremacy on this pivotal Take a look at.