MELBOURNE: Marnus Labuschagne’s anchoring half-century, followed by a stubborn batting display by the tail led Australia to secure a massive lead over India on the fourth day of the fourth Test here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.
At the stumps on day four, Australia were 228/9, leading by 333 runs with last pair of Lyon and Scott Boland, unbeaten on 42 and 10, respectively.
Earlier in the penultimate day, India resumed their first innings from 358/9, still trailing by 116 runs in response to Australia’s first innings total of 474 with overnight centurion Nitish Kumar Reddy on strike.
The touring side could add 11 more runs to their total as Lyon removed Reddy in the just the fourth over.
The all-rounder top-scored for India with 114 off 189 deliveries with the help of 11 fours and a six.
Leading by 105 runs, the home side got off to a shaky start as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed debutant opener Sam Konstas (eight) in the seventh over with just 20 runs on the board.
Coming out to bat at number three, Labuschagne soon took the reins of Australia’s batting expedition and put together an important 37-run partnership with Steve Smith, who fell victim to Mohammed Siraj after scoring 13.
Smith’s dismissal sparked a middle-order collapse which resulted in Australia slipping to 91/6 in 36 overs.
But a defiant partnership for the seventh wicket between Labuschagne and skipper Pat Cummins pulled Australia out of trouble.
The duo added 57 runs to the total until Labuschagne finally fell victim to Siraj after top-scoring for the hosts with a gritty 70 off 139 deliveries, laced with three boundaries.
Cummins then put together brief partnerships with Mitchell Starc and Lyon until Ravindra Jadeja finally drew curtains on his valiant knock. The right-handed batter scored 41 off 90 deliveries with the help of four boundaries.
With the scoreboard reading 173/9, Lyon knitted an astounding 55-run partnership for the 10th wicket with Boland to pile on the misery of the visitors and strengthened Australia’s command on the crucial fixture.
For India, Bumrah bagged four wickets, followed by Siraj with three, while Jadeja made one scalp.
- Nathan Lyon
