Australia has levelled their series with India 1-1 after another enthralling Test match at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
The match contained plenty of highlights from bat and ball whilst providing many moments of spice, highlighted by a developing rivalry between captain’s Tim Paine and Virat Kohli.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat on a green top wicket that was expected to provide plenty for seam bowlers.
Openers Finch and Harris attacked from the get-go and put on a strong opening partnership of 112 runs. The pitch always threatened to produce a delivery that could dismiss any batsmen at any time.
Harris was Australia’s top scorer with 70 runs. He was well backed up by Finch (50) and Head (58).
Australia were all out for 326.
Ishant Sharma was dangerous, hitting cracks that were already widening under the harsh Perth sun. He claimed figures of 4-41.
India’s innings was headlined by a knock of pure class by Kohli (123).
He was controversially dismissed by a catch claimed at gully by Peter Handscomb. The original decision from the on-field umpire was out and video replays showed insufficient evidence of the ball hitting the ground or Handscomb’s fingers being under the ball. The Indian captain had to go.
India were dismissed for 283. Nathan Lyon starred for the Australian’s taking 5-67. India trailed Australia by 43.
By the commencement of the second innings the wicket was beginning to show many demons for both pace and spin bowling. Australia’s lead was much greater than it read on paper.
No Australian batsmen comfortably got going in the second innings. Usman Khawaja bravely scrapped his way to 72 off 213 deliveries.
A war of witty words between the two captain’s began during Paine’s innings. Kohli told Paine “One mistake and you cost your team the match”.
Paine replied, “You’ve got to bat yet, big head”.
Kohli had the last laugh for the short term. Catching a sharp bouncer Paine could only manage to fend away before giving his counterpart a send off.
Australia were dismissed for 243. Setting India 286 for victory.
Mohammed Shami starred with he ball, taking 6-56.
The Indian’s hope of winning desperately seemed to hinge on their
The feud between Kohli and Paine continued as Kohli stated “I am the best player in the world and you are a stand in captain”.
He would soon be forced to choke on these words as he edged a brilliant delivery from Lyon straight the first slip.
From here the Indian run chase never seemed a hope. No batsmen managed to get past 30 as all 4 Australian bowlers equally contributed to the demise.
Australia would go on to win by 146 runs and set up an exciting Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
