Border-Gavaskar Trophy, 3rd Test: Khawaja-Labuschagne stand overpowers Jadeja’s spin, visitors’ score reads 156/4 (Day 1, Stumps)
At the end of the day's play, Aussies lead India by 47 runs. Australia resumed their innings at 71/1 after tea.
At the end of the day's play, Aussies lead India by 47 runs. Australia resumed their innings at 71/1 after tea.
Labuschagne was the star of the day with his brilliant 108. He smashed nine fours en route to his fifth triple figure score in Test cricket.
However, just when Australia looked threatening, debutant off-spinner Washington Sundar sent Australia's premier batsman Smith back to the pavilion
On what was a rain-hit day in Sydney, Australia reached 166/2 at Stumps, thanks to Puckovski's 62 and Labuschagne's unbeaten 68.
Labuschagne heaped praises on Ashwin and said that the Indian had been a "crafty" one so far. However, he hoped to come back stronger in the last two Tests.
The 25-year-old is a relative novice in T20 cricket, having played just seven matches in the format -- all with the Heat -- however there is expectation he will be able to replicate his remarkable longer-format form in the shortest format as well.
For Finch, what stood out was that India overhauled the 287-run target with ease despite opener Shikhar Dhawan not coming out to bat due to a shoulder injury.
Last century for Steve Smith in 50-overs cricket had come on January 19, 2020, against Pakistan at the WACA against Pakistan when scored an unbeaten 108.
Australia could not really get a big finish that they were looking for and ended up well within the 300 run mark.
The Aussies, who lead 1-0, will be looking to seal the series by winning the match in Rajkot.
