2nd Test
Day-2 Afternoon Session Highlights:
Travis Head has scored a century as Australia has extended their lead in the second session
At The Tea of Day-2:
India scored 180 (1st Innings), where as Australia scored 332/8 (1st Innings).
So, finally Australia lead by 152 runs.
Travis Head once again proved to be a thorn in India’s side, blasting a brilliant 140 off 141 balls that firmly tilted the game in Australia’s favor.
By the time Mohammad Siraj bowled him out with the second new ball, Head had done more than enough to shake India’s confidence.
In the second session, he accelerated against a tiring attack and an older ball.
It was the perfect time to capitalize, and Head did so with flair, powering through Harshit Rana’s over before reaching his hundred off just 111 balls—the fastest-ever in a day-night Test.
His onslaught extended Australia’s lead at a rapid pace.
Even against India’s biggest weapon, the second new ball, Head started off by driving and clipping boundaries off Bumrah and Siraj, who missed their lines.
India endured a brief injury scare when Bumrah clutched his groin, though he returned to bowl shortly after.
Finally, it was Siraj who broke the partnership, yorking Head and exchanging words with him as he walked off.
This marked the end of a frustrating spell for India, who were made to toil for every wicket.
R. Ashwin, who had been their most effective bowler despite being hit for a couple of sixes, had Mitchell Marsh caught behind, but Head remained resilient, sharing a 74-run partnership with Alex Carey (15) off just 80 balls before Carey was dismissed.
Australia’s lead had surged past 150 by the time Tea arrived, with Pat Cummins being bowled by Bumrah.
The session was a triumph for the hosts after a tough grind earlier.
Marnus Labuschagne broke his indifferent form to reach a half-century on his favorite ground, where he averages over 70.
His 65-run partnership with Head helped Australia recover from two early blows from Bumrah.
India had a strong start to the morning session when Bumrah had Nathan McSweeney caught behind with a ball that nipped away, and soon after, Steven Smith was caught down the legside, leaving Australia in a precarious position at 103/3.
Head was tested early by the round-the-wicket angle of both Bumrah and Siraj, but he weathered the storm.
Alongside Labuschagne, Head absorbed the pressure before cashing in, with Harshit Rana conceding four fours in one over as Australia surged ahead.
Against the run of play, Labuschagne was dismissed for 68, cutting a delivery from Nitish Reddy to Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully.
However, Head continued his march, reaching his fifth Test fifty against India and his second consecutive one in the series.
This ensured Australia took the lead in the first session.
India had a near miss when an LBW review against Mitchell Marsh was turned down.
The third umpire controversially ruled there was no conclusive evidence whether Ashwin’s delivery had struck the bat or the pad first.
Despite replays indicating the ball hit the pad first, India lost the review, adding to the frustrations of an already challenging morning.
Leave a Reply