Twitter Reacts As Australia Dominate India On A Rain-Curtailed Day 01

By Yash Mittal

Updated - 07 Jan 2021, 02:40 PM

Ravi Ashwin, Steve Smith
Ravi Ashwin, Steve Smith. (Photo: Twitter)

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Australia have asserted themselves into a position of strength against India on what has turned out to be a pretty flat track at the SCG, finishing the day at 2/165.

Batting first, Australia got off to a disastrous start as they lost experienced opener, David Warner, for an eight ball-5 while chasing a wide delivery from Mohammed Siraj.

India, Australia, David Warner, Mitchell Starc
David Warner was dismissed by Mohammed Siraj [Photo-Twitter]
Warner showed intent from the very first ball he played, scampering for quick singles regularly. However, the southpaw did not look 100% fit while running those quick singles, giving a clear indication that he may not have recovered completely from his groin injury, he suffered earlier in the summer.

Just 7.1 overs were possible in the morning session as intermittent showers washed out the remainder of the first two hours. Debutant Will Pucovski enjoyed a charmed life when play did get underway in the afternoon session.

Will Pucovski, Navdeep Saini
Will Pucovski scored a 50 before getting dismissed by Navdeep Saini [Photo-ICC]
The right-hander was dropped by Rishabh Pant twice. twice. The first instance came off the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin, who set-up the youngster brilliantly, drawing him forward to induce a thickish outside edge, only for Pant to drop it.

Moments later, Pant shelled another opportunity, this time a rather tough chance off the bowling of Mohammed Siraj, who had induced a top-edge off Will Pucovski’s bat thanks to a well-directed bumper. Pucovski made full use of the twin opportunities and went on to stroke his maiden Test fifty on debut.

Will Pucovski, Navdeep Saini
Navdeep Saini traps Will Pucovski LBW [Photo-Twitter]
However, his luck finally ran out as India:s ploy of attacking his stumps finally paid dividends after debutant Navdeep Saini trapped him a plumb leg-before wicket.

On what was a pretty flat SCG track, both Marnus Labuschagne and especially Steve Smith came out with positive intent. Labuschagne looked pretty solid right from the outset as did Smith, who came out with attacking intent as he smashed five boundaries in his first 25 deliveries.

Labuschagne was imperious in the manner in which he drove the cricket ball. He got to his half-century with another brilliant drive off Mohammed Siraj in the 42nd over as the duo took control of the proceedings by adding 42 runs in a mere 53 deliveries.

India, Australia
Steve Smith-Marnus Labuschagne [Photo-Twitter]
The duo completed a fine 50-run-stand and ensured that Australia did not lose any more wickets, finishing the day in a strong position.

 

 

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

 

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