.The Australian cricket team came to India with a proper strategy to dictate terms but as it turned out, they were on the receiving end as they fell prey to India’s master plan in the opening Test match at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur.
The first day’s play came to a close with India dominating all the sessions with relative ease. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami got rid of Usman Khawaja and David Warner respectively.
Needless to say, Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith had other things in mind as the duo smartly scored runs when it mattered the most. The duo constructed an 82-run partnership for the third wicket before Ravindra Jadeja provided a much-needed breakthrough for the hosts.
Marnus Labuschagne was tempted to hit Jadeja’s delivery but he ended up missing the ball altogether. Meanwhile, he was also inches short of his crease and was quickly stumped out by KS Bharat. Marnus Labuschagne made his way back to the dressing room after scoring 49 runs.
Brad Hogg reacts after the selectors ignore Travis Head
Steve Smith who was also batting so well fell prey to Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling as he was clean bowled. Australia’s best batsman departed after making 37 runs. Following the departures of Marnus and Smith, Australia lacked teeth in their batting department.
The visitors ended up losing wickets at regular intervals and there was no stability either. Alex Carey chipped in with a quickfire cameo but he too departed after scoring 36 off 33 balls.
Australia were skittled out for 177 runs in the first innings as Ravindra Jadeja took his 11th fifer. Meanwhile, former Australia chinaman bowler, Brad Hogg took to Twitter and expressed that Travis Head should have been in the playing XI against India in the first Test.
The former Australian spinner took to his Twitter handle and wrote that he is still trying to get his head over one Australian omission (referring to Travis Head) in the first test. Travis Head has been in terrific form in Test cricket of late. Hogg reckons that Head’s presence could have helped Australia add more flesh to the scoreboard.
