Feb. 23 (CRICKETNMORE) - Australia's Captain Steve Smith opt to bat in the first Border-Gavaskar Tophy test at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday.
Day 1:
Pacer Mitchell Starc's unbeaten half century lifted Australia to 256/9 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Thursday.
At stumps, Starc was unbeaten on 57 runs from 58 balls with fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood giving him company on one off 31 deliveries.
Tottering at 205/9, Starc's fiery strokeplay helped him raise a undefeated 51-run last wicket stand with Hazlewood to take the Australians past the 250-run mark.
Earlier, pacer Umesh Yadav scripted Australia's downfall with figures of 4/32, while the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin (2/59), Ravindra Jadeja (2/74) and Jayant Yadav (1/58) shared five wickets between themselves as the visitors lost five wickets for just 56 runs in the third session.
Brief Scores: Australia: 1st innings 356/9 (Matt Renshaw 68, Mitchell Starc 57 not out, David Warner 38, Steve Smith 27, Umesh Yadav 4/32, Ravichandran Ashwin 2/59, Ravindra Jadeja 2/74) vs India.
Day 2
Left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe's career-best six-wicket haul and skipper Steve Smith's half century helped Australia take a commanding lead of 298 runs over India at stumps on the second day of the opening cricket Test here on Friday.
Earlier, the visitors -- ending their first innings at 260 -- skittled out the hosts for a paltry 105. In their second essay, Australia were 143 for four when end of play was called.
In the Australian second innings, Smith, who was dropped thrice on 23, 29 and 37, was unbeaten on 59 with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh giving him company on 21.
Quotes
Virat Kohli: We were looking to bat first as well but I do not come to the toss expecting anything. We've made one change in the form of Jayant coming in place of Bhuvi and have two seamers in Umesh and Ishant as well who would look to exploit the reverse swing.
Steve Smith: We are going to have a bat. It looks very dry and should stay low and could spin from ball one. We've done everything right with the preparation and now it is all about getting our plans right. We are playing with two quicks, two spinners, an all-rounder and batsmen.
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India (Playing XI)
Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma
Australia (Playing XI)
David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith(c), Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade(w), Mitchell Starc, Steve O'Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Saurabh