First Test: India bowled out for 444 in first innings

Adelaide, Dec 12:

Australia reached 32 without loss in their second innings to take a 105-run lead against India till lunch on the fourth day of the first of the four-match Test series at the Adelaide Oval here Friday.

India managed to add only 75 runs to their overnight score of 369 for five and were bowled out for 444, conceding a 73-run run first innings lead.

Australian openers David Warner (batting 19) and Chris Rogers (13) were at the crease till the first session of play.

Earlier, Nathon Lyon removed the overnight batsmen Rohit Sharma (43) and Wriddhiman Saha (25) before taking the wicket of Ishant Sharma to complete his sixth five-wicket haul.

Indian batsmen Rohit and Wriddhiman made a sedate start as the hosts utilised the early morning conditions perfectly and tested the Indians with a probing line and length, mixing it up with the occasional bouncers.

They scored only eight runs in first seven overs Friday before Saha picked up two boundaries off left-arm pacer Johnson. The Australians did not give any width for the batsmen to go for big shots and the Indians werebusy picking ones and twos instead.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke brought in Lyon and the latter dismissed Rohit in his second over of the day. Rohit had charged down the track to hit him over his head for a four before the Indian repeated his act in the next ball but only managed to nudge it straight back into the bowlers hand when the team’s total was 399.

Up next, debutant Karn Sharma (4) had his stumps dismantled by pace bowler Peter Siddle.

Lyon got good purchase from the fourth day pitch, which offered variable pace and bounce, making it difficult for the batsmen.

He removed Saha with another loopy delivery, which beat the batsman’s inside edge and kissed his thigh before landing in the safe hands of Shane Watson at slip. Two deliveries later, Ishant failed to defend a ball, which bounced sharply after hitting the rough areas of the pitch and kissed his gloves and went straight into the hands of Smith at short leg.

Mohammed Shami entertained the crowd with a quickfire 34 of 24 before he guided a Siddle delivery to Watson at gully as India fell short of 73 runs to Australia’s first innings score of 517/7. (IANS)