India Vs Australia, First Test: Talking Points On Day One
Feb 23, 2017 at 6:02 PM
At stumps on Day One of the first Test in Pune, Australia scored 256 for nine in 94 overs with Mitchell Starc showing some resilience with the bat to put on crucial 51 runs for the 10th wicket alongside Josh Hazlewood.
Here’re the talking points of the Day One in Pune:
Starc Stars With The Bat:
Mitchell Starc has walloped five sixes and pierced the gaps thrice to register three boundaries in his 57-run unbeaten cameo off 58 balls.
At the strike-rate of 98.28, super Starc’s impressive show with the bat gave Australia an edge to ease past 250-run mark after the visitors were reeling at 205 for nine.
Umesh Yadav Shone on the 22 Yard with the Perfect Four:
The fast bowler Umesh Yadav draws the first blood before settling with four wickets on day one as the ball reversed a bit.
The turf assisted spinners, but in his first spell, Yadav bowled David Warner (38 off 77 balls) when inside edge dislodged the bails. Visitors were 82 in 27.2 overs.
Warner’s innings included six fours at the strike-rate of 49.35 after the solid start from Australia as the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium which has a vicious turn on an offer.
In the 76th over, keeping the things simple, Umesh Yadav picked the wicket of wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade when he was given out before Wade asked for a review of the LBW decision.
However, the replays suggested the ball brushed the leg-stump to stay with the umpire’s call which was originally out.
Yadav picked Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon on successive deliveries.
In 12 overs, Yadav bagged four wickets after giving away 32 runs.
The Hosts’ Spinners Had A Big Role:
The Pune turf has shown some early signs of deterioration when balls spun sharply and odds balls kicked-off from the turf to test the well-prepared Australians. Quicker through the air, the host’s slow bowlers had a major chunk of success on the first day.
The preparations didn’t seem enough for the visitors as the spinners ripped apart the top-order batting line-up of world’s second-ranked Test team.
The top-class spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja shared two wickets each and off-spinner Jayant Yadav chipped in with one each.
The hosts’ spin bowlers sent down 71 overs on the day one.
Renshaw’s Resistance:
The left-handed batsman Matt Renshaw stood tall against spin bowling and the bounce by coming well behind the ball to play it according to the merit.
The remarkable perseverance from Matt Renshaw has guarded the one end of Australian side after wickets tumble on the other side.
With the upset stomach, Renshaw scored 68 runs off 156 balls in 170 minutes which include 10 fours and a six before summing up the first innings of rookie Renshaw.
The Flying Saha:
Wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha has plucked a blinder in the 82nd over while diving full-length in the air towards his right on the bowling of Umesh Yadav.
We have seen enough of these, but this was something special from spectacular Saha.
The acrobatic stuff from Saha has impressed Kohli and Co. for his brilliant effort behind the stumps to send Steve O’Keefe back to the pavilion.
The Double Bouncer From Jadeja:
When Australia was 144 for two, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja bowled a double bouncer (bumper) when Peter Handscomb was batting before both bursts into laughter alongside standing umpire from England Nigel Llong.
Kohli also laughed as Jadeja has his moment to smile on the unusual delivery.
Australia Dominated First Session But Derailed In The Last Two:
After winning the toss, skipper Steven Smith decided to bat first which was equally obliged by the visitors’ openers after rookie Matt Renshaw was preferred over Usman Khawaja to put on solid 82 for the first wicket in 27.2 overs.
David Warner and Matt Renshaw played some aggressive shots against the spinners who had been a major threat for the visitors’ in the recent past.
Midway through the first session, off-spinner Jayant Yadav bowled Warner round the stumps which only turned to be a massive no-ball
Post lunch saw India bowling 30 overs in which they conceded 69 runs to take three crucial wickets.
In the second session, Australia lost Shaun Marsh (16), Steven Smith (27 off 95 balls) and Peter Handscomb (22 off 45 balls) when the Australian scoreboard was stalled at 153 for four.
Matt Renshaw Retired Hurt Or Ill – An Event That Confused Many
There was a sudden drama just before the 15 minutes of lunch break when the rookie Matt Renshaw followed David Warner towards the pavilion as he was batting on 36 at the strike-rate of 40.15.
Following the promising start in India, the left-handed batsman Renshaw looked calm and composed against India’s spin trio in the morning session.
Renshaw faced 89 balls before striking four boundaries and a solitary six before trudging off the field after suffering from the stomach bug.
Earlier, it was termed as a major setback for Australia after losing David Warner of an inside edge which crashed into his stumps.
However, Cricbuzz has termed him as ‘retired hurt’ and the Star Sports scoreboard had shown it as retired ill.
Renshaw returned to the crease after Peter Handscomb was sent back to pavilion on 22 off 45 balls on the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.
Shaun Marsh Merry-Run In Asia To Be Tested:
The middle-order batsman was the man to rely on for Australia, but he couldn’t deliver the punch in the first innings on a pitch which seemed more like a raging turner.
After having the staggering average of over 78 in three Tests in Asia, Marsh scored 16 off 55 balls before being caught by Indian skipper Virat Kohli on the bowling of Jayant Yadav.
However, Marsh’s record against off-spinners has been terrific while having the staggering average of over 121 in 17 Test innings, except the ongoing one.