Some strong performances from Australian debutant Will Pucovski and middle-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne have put Australia in a commanding position on Day 1 of the ongoing third Test against India at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
♔Stumps! A solid start to the crucial third Test for the Aussies.
Earlier start of 10am AEDT tomorrow:
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
Despite, rain stopping play early on, Pucovski showed good signs and smashed a half-century on his maiden Test. The hosts did lose explosive opener David Warner (5) early in𝕴 the innings, but a 100-run partnership between Pucovski and Labuschagne guided them to ♛make a strong comeback in the game.
💯 partnership up between Will Pucovski and Marnus Labuschagne, Australia's first of the series
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket)
Pucovski was eventually removed by another debutant in the match Navdeep Saini for a well-made 62 runs from 110 balls. After Pucovski’s dismissal, former Aussie skipper Steve Smith formed an unbeaten 60-run stand with Labuschagne to put the hosts on top at the end of day’s play.
Is there a bit of Ponting in this Pucovski pull?
The shot that brought up 50 for the Victorian!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
The hosts wrapped up at 166/2 at stumps in 55 overs with L♐abuschagne (67 not out), and Smith (31 not out🔯) are at the crease.
50 up for Labuschagne, off 108 balls
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
For the visitors, Mohammed Siraj provided the first breakthrough after he dismဣissed Warner in the fourth over of the match. Siraj conceded 46 runs in 14 overs with a wicket and three maidens.
🤫🤫🤫
Welcome back to Test cricket, David Warner…
He chases one from💛 Mohammed Siraj and goes early doors.
He even got a bit of a send-off 👀
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt)
Apart from the Hyဣderabad bowler, Saini also shined with the ball after sending back Pucovski in the 35th over. Saini bowled seven overs and conceded 32 runs.
That mome💖nt when you get your maiden Test wicket.
— BCCI (@BCCI)
Smith, who scored five boundaries in his unbeaten 64-ball 31 run knock, admitted that he came up with a different approach in SCG. Smith said🌳 he was trying to hold the grip of his bat a 📖bit tighter. The New South Wales batsman heaped praises on Labuschagne for showing positive intent with the willow against a quality Indian attack.
50 partnership up between Labuschagne and 💮Smith 🤝
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket)
“I’m good, nice to spend a bit of time out there, nice to stitch in a partnership with Marnus. I wanted to put him (Ashwin) under a little bit of pressure which I haven’t done this series. Was just trying to hold the grip a bit tighter, I’ve been struggling, so I was getting into good positions today. Was good to get a couple of boundaries early. Marnus played well; hopefully, we go along well tomorrow,” said Smith at the post-inning interview.
