After a setback in the first test, Australian batters put up a good show to end the first day of second test at 277/6 at green top of Western Australian cricket ground in Perth. Openers Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch striked half centuries for the hosts.
Earlier in the day, Australian captain Tim Paine won the toss and elected to bat first, a decison which could backfire on the green top of Perth, offering much help to the pacers.
India opted for Hanuma Vihari in place of injured Rohit Sharma and picked 4th seamer in Umesh Yadav in place of Ravichandran Ashwin, who also suffered an injury. Australia remained unchanged for the game.
Australian openers Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch stitched a 112 run stand for the 1st wicket to shake the morale of the Indian bowlers. Gujarat pacer Jasprit Bumrah(1/41) removed Finch to strike first for India. In form Usman Khwaja could not pose much trouble for the visitors as he was dismissed by Umesh Yadav(1/68) on the score of 5.
Australia lost way in the afternoon session as Marcus Harris(70) perished to part time spinner Hanuma Vihari(2/53).
Peter Handscomb(7) looked stable but soon lost plot as he was dismissed by Ishant Sharma(2/35).
Struggling at 148/4, Shaun Marsh and Travis Head then took over and added 84 runs for the 5th wicket partnership to bring back Australia in the game. Indian pacers totally looked off-colour in the final session of the day as off-spinner Hanuma Vihari trapped Shaun Marsh who looked dangerous at 45.
India took the new ball and soon introduced pacers into the attack after giving some overs to Murali Vijay and Hanuma Vihari with the old ball. Sharma striked early with the new ball and dismissed Travis Head on 58.
Tim Paine(16*) and Pat Cummins(11*) are the two Australian presently on the crease.
Mohammed Shami was the only India bowler who remained wicket less.
Australia finished the day at 277/6 on drivers seat. Another 70 odd runs will fancy their chances of winning the test match considering India had to bat in the fourth innings and the Indian lower order failing to contribute in large numbers.
