Perth Test: Australia 132/4 at stumps, lead by 175 runs

Perth: Australia were 132/4 at stumps when umpires decided to call it a day on the third day of second Test being played here at the Optus Stadium here on Sunday.

Indian pacers took four wickets in the final session but Australia managed to stretch their lead to 175 at stumps on Day three of the second test.

Skipper Tim Paine with 8 runs and Khawaja with 41 runs are at the crease.

Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch put on 33 runs for the opening stand, before Finch got retired hurt as his finger got injured. Finch immediately called for the physio after a short delivery from Mohammed Shami struck the right hander on the right index finger. Finch retired hurt on a score of 25 runs off 30 balls, with five boundaries

Australia’s newlook opening partnership of Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch added 112 runs in the first innings of the second Test.

The hosts lost its first wicket in the form of Harris for 20. He was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah, while Shaun Marsh was caught by Risabh Pant over Mohammed Shami for 5 runs.

P Handscomb was dismissed by Ishant Sharma for 13 runs, while Shami took Head’s wicket reducing Australia for 120/4.

Earlier in the day, India bowled out for 283 runs in their first innings giving Australia a lead of 43 runs.

After bowling Australia out for 326 runs on day two, Virat Kohli led from the front and helped India to score 326 runs. He (123 off 257) hit his 25th Test ton.

Nathan Lyon produced figures of five for 67 as India were bowled out for 283 in the first innings. Skipper Virat Kohli (123) scored a terrific century but the lower middle order disappointed once again as the visitors crumbled in the post-lunch session.

India lost their last four wickets for just 31 runs. Apart from Kohli, Hanuma Vihari (20) and Rishabh Pant (36) contributed with the bat on the third day but India still felt 43 runs short off Australia’s first innings total. (UNI)