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Mohammed Siraj Cleans Up The Tail as Australia Post 469, India Off To a Shaky Start

image-lin80w66Australia are in a commanding position [Source: AP]

After ensuring a dramatic turnaround in the first session, Indian bowling unit, led by Mohammed Siraj, managed to minimise the damage in the post-lunch session, bundling Australia out for 469 in their first innings. In response, India got off to a disastrous start, losing Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill early in the innings. 


Talking points

Alex Carey plays a quick-fire cameo

image-lin798a3Alex Carey in action [Source: AP]

The session began with Australia placed on 422 for 7, with Alex Carey batting alongside Pat Cummins. While skipper Cummins resisted, Carey played some delightful strokes to help his side breach the 450-run mark. Before falling prey to Ravindra Jadeja, the stylish southpaw struck seven fours and a six for a quick-fire 69-ball 48. 


Mohammed Siraj wraps up the Aussie tail

image-lin6zhgdSiraj registered a four-fer [Source: AP]

Historically, dismissing the tail-enders has been a major headache for India in overseas Tests. However, Mohammed Siraj emerged as the saviour for Rohit Sharma and company today, getting rid of Cummins and Nathan Lyon in consecutive overs to restrict Australia to 469 in their first innings. The seamer, who recorded a four-wicket haul, thus completed fifty wickets in Test cricket. 


Australian seamers hit the ideal length as Rohit, Gill depart cheaply

image-lin7urfxAustralia got two early breakthroughs [Source: AP]

Just like their Indian counterparts, the Australian seamers started off with a few back-of-the-length deliveries, sent disdainfully to the boundary by Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. 

However, the Aussies were quick to find the ideal length, as two lethal in-dippers from Cummins and Scott Boland compelled Sharma and Gill make their ways back to the hut in quick succession. 

After pushing Sharma on the back foot, Cummins pitched one up to trap the batter plumb in front of the stumps. On the other hand, Boland looked threatening right from the beginning, eventually cleaning up Gill with a wobbled-seam delivery. 


Expectations

The two seam bowlers, Cummins and Boland, have consistently hit the ideal length, making the Indian batters' survival tough on the Oval surface. So, moving on to the final session, Australia would like Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green to assist these two and help them run through the Indian middle order. 

Meanwhile, India's hopes once again rely on Virat Kohli, who has looked rock-solid with his defensive game so far. Furthermore, Australia's biggest nemesis, Cheteshwar Pujara is still out there. All in all, we expect an intriguing session of Test match, with both teams giving their best, in the final two hours of the day's play. 


Brief Scores

Australia 1st innings: 469 (121.3)
Travis Head 163 (174), Steve Smith 121 (268);
Mohammed Siraj 4/108, Shardul Thakur 2/83

India 1st innings: 37/2 (10)
Rohit Sharma 15 (26), Shubman Gill 13 (15);
Scott Boland 1/2 (3), Pat Cummins 1/20 (5) 

India trail by 432 runs.