Fourth Test: Khawaja Scores Fifty, Labuschagne Not Out on 44 as Australia Reaches 176/2
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Melbourne, Dec 26 (NationPress) Veteran left-handed opener Usman Khawaja recorded his first fifty of the current series, while Marnus Labuschagne remained not out at 44, leading Australia to a total of 176/2 in 53 overs at tea on the opening day of the fourth Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.
The session saw India perform better with their bowling, conceding only 26 runs in the first 13 overs. Their lone breakthrough occurred when Khawaja was dismissed for 57 by Jasprit Bumrah, marking the fifth time this series that the pacer has gotten the batter out.
Meanwhile, Labuschagne demonstrated his usual form, and with Steve Smith supporting him at 10 not out, Australia is expected to accumulate more runs against the older ball. The post-lunch session commenced with both Labuschagne and Khawaja playing cautiously, as the initial four overs were all maidens.
Khawaja broke the deadlock with a powerful pull shot off Akash Deep for a boundary. Similar to the previous match in Brisbane, Akash troubled both Australian batsmen but failed to secure any wickets. Despite a shaky start, Khawaja found his rhythm, driving Akash past mid-on before edging a thick outside edge to achieve his fifty.
With a leg slip positioned, Labuschagne faced some challenging deliveries from Siraj, who targeted his body and even struck him multiple times, although he managed to hit two boundaries.
India had a reason to celebrate when Bumrah’s seemingly harmless short ball caused Khawaja to toe-end a pull directly to mid-wicket, resulting in his dismissal for 57 off 121 balls. Labuschagne and Smith each hit a four off Jadeja and Washington Sundar to conclude a session in which Australia could only muster 64 runs.
Brief Scores: Australia 176/2 in 53 overs (Sam Konstas 60, Usman Khawaja 57; Ravindra Jadeja 1-33, Jasprit Bumrah 1-50) against India
