India vs Australia 3rd Test Day 1: Talking points as Australian batsmen shone bright

After a pitiable defeat in the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne, Aussies came stronger in the third Test after polishing their batting lineup. Australian batsmen, who were bundled for a maximum of 200 in the last two matches, showed intent in batting on Day 1 of the third Test Match in Sydney. Winning the toss, Aussies decided to bat first.

The rain came in but didn’t dampen the Australian batting spirit. In the 55 overs bowled today, Australia have managed to put 166 on the board with the loss of two wickets. They would have reached comfortably around 300 had there been no drizzle.

^{A picture from Day 1 of third Test in Sydney.}

Let’s talk about the talking points from Day 1 of the third Test in Sydney.

David Warner slumped

The senior player who didn’t feature in the initial two Test matches because of the groin injury failed to give Australia the opening start that they were vying for. He was caught in the slips by Cheteshwar Pujara on a ball bowled by Mohammed Siraj outside the off stump. He had to depart with just five runs.

Pucovski prowess

Will Pucovski made the headlines right in his debut Test as he scored a maiden fifty. He partnered well with Marnus Labuschagne and gave Australia the much-needed momentum. He departed on 62 facing a leg before wicket on Navdeep Saini’s ball.

Labuschagne-Smith stand

Steve Smith had regained his form and was seen in a good flow along with Marnus Labuschagne. Together they made a 50-run partnership between them. Besides, Labuschagne even scored his individual 50.

Buttery fingers

Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper-batsman for India dropped two catches of the debutant Will Pucovski in the span of just 15 minutes. The first catch was dropped on Mohammed Siraj’s bowling while the second was missed during Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling.

Indian bowlers

The debutant Navdeep Saini took his maiden wicket to dismiss Will Pucovski, who looked in fine touch. Pacer Mohammed Siraj scalped Warner’s wicket while speedster Bumrah was economical. Ashwin did some intelligent bowling and the allrounder Ravindra Jadeja overpowered the Australian bowlers in the last.

After the stumps on Day 1, the score is: 166-2 (55 Ov)

Also read: India vs Australia: See India’s debutant Navdeep Saini maiden wicket to dismiss Australia’s debutant Will Pucovski