SYDNEY, Jan 6:
Wayward Indian bowlers continued to gift runs in plenty to Australia which notched up a formidable 348 for two at the end of the first day’s play in the fourth and final cricket Test here today.
Electing to bat on a hot and sunny day, the hosts rode on a 200-run opening stand between David Warner (101), who recorded his third ton in the series, and Chris Rogers (95) to once again expose the toothless Indian attack.
After a strong opening show, Shane Watson (61 batting) and captain Steven Smith (82 batting) ensured that Australia stay on the saddle by stitching a 144-run unbeaten third wicket partnership on what turned out to be a frustrating day for the Indians at the SCG.
The Indian bowlers have conceded over 500 totals three times in the series. They have so far given away a whopping 2674 runs,including today’s first day total, and have managed to take 49 Australian wickets in the series so far. The strike rate has been a disappointing 54.57 runs per wicket till now.
Rogers though got an early reprieve after Lokesh Rahul dropped the left-handed batsman at second slip off Mohammed Shami (1-58). The opener was on 19 and made full use of the ‘life’.
Warner, who was one of the players to witness the freak accident on November 25 at this venue, was in control from the very start and slammed his 12th Test century after lunch.
Rogers scored his fifth fifty of the series.
India though struck back after the first session by sending back the openers in quick succession but Smith and Watson had other ideas.
Smith notched up his 10th Test half-century while Watson recorded his 24th fifty in the longest format to deny India any more celebration in the day.
Ravichandran Ashwin (1-88) got Warner back in the pavilion after inducing a leading edge to gully where Murali Vijay made no mistake.
Shami finally got a wicket after Rogers followed his partner in the over after, inside edging a lenght ball on to his stumps.
India though got another chance of getting a wicket but Ashwin let Watson’s edge fly past him at first slip off Umesh Yadav (0-97) on the penultimate ball of the day. (PTI)
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