Boxing Day Test Day 1: Australia Bundled out for 195, Gill and Shiraz Shines for India

Melbourne, 26/12: Australia was bowled out for 195 runs on the Day 1 of the boxing day test being played at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Aussie captain Tim Paine won the toss and elected to bat first.

Australia got off to a disastrous start losing Opener Joe Burns for a duck. At lunch, Australia were struggling at 45-3. India maintained their grip throughout the match and dismissed Australia for just 195 runs.

Indian Bowling in the absence of Premier fast bowler Mohammad Shami was unaffected as Bumrah, Ashwin and debutant Mohammad Siraj didn’t let Australia built a big partnership. Bumrah picked up a 4-fer and looked threatening throughout. Ashwin bowled beautifully to purchase some turn and bounce from the pitch, he ended up with 3 wickets. The real surprise was Mohammad Siraj who bowled with pace and hit the right areas, he took two wickets including the important wicket of Marnus Labuschagne.

For Australia few batsmen got starts but nobody could capitalize on the good start. Labuschagne top-scored with 48 followed by Travis Head who scored 38 runs. The pitch had a little bit of help for the bowlers but that doesn’t justify Australia’s poor batting performance. Steve Smith’s poor run with the bat is hurting Australia a lot.

Like Australia, India also lost one of its opener Mayank Aggarwal for a duck. Aggarwal’s high backlift and inswinging delivery is creating problems for him as he is repeatedly getting out in a similar fashion. Another Debutant Shubman Gill in spite of being tested by Starc and Cummins, looked solid and remained unbeaten on 28 with 5 glorious boundaries. Dependable Pujara is at the other end battling it out at 7 not out.

Day 2 of the test match would be very crucial for both sides as India would look to take a big lead whereas the home team Australia would look to bowl out India cheaply. If India get through the first hour of the day without hurting themselves too much, then Australia may have a long day on the field.

Earlier India made four changes to their side, Siraj, Gill, Jadeja, Pant came in for Injured Mohammad Shami, Prithvi Shaw, Wriddhiman Saha, and Virat Kohli who is on paternity leave. Australians were unchanged.