Second Test: Labuschagne and Head Achieve Fifties as Australia Gains Advantage Over India
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Adelaide, Dec 7 (NationPress) Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head both made significant contributions with fifties as Australia took a narrow lead of 11 runs over India, reaching 191/4 in 59 overs by dinner on day two of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The session showcased two contrasting halves; initially, India appeared dominant with Jasprit Bumrah claiming two quick wickets. However, an impressive Labuschagne bounced back from a poor streak, scoring 64 and forming a 67-run partnership with the aggressive Head, who remains unbeaten at 53 on his home ground.
With Head and Mitchell Marsh, who stands at two not out, Australia aims to expand their lead significantly against an Indian bowling attack that struggled, particularly with their change bowlers, before the arrival of the second new ball and the twilight session.
The first session featured Nathan McSweeney, who added just one run to his overnight score of 38 before Bumrah delivered a beautiful delivery that swung slightly, taking the outside edge to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps. The fast bowler struck again when he dismissed Steve Smith, who managed just two runs.
From that point, Labuschagne found his rhythm, capitalizing on straighter deliveries from the Indian bowlers. He deftly glanced Harshit Rana for two boundaries and drove Siraj through extra cover for another four, while surviving an lbw appeal.
Meanwhile, Head quickly got into the scoring groove, driving Bumrah for a boundary and then sending a half-volley from Ravichandran Ashwin over mid-off for six. After Labuschagne secured his 21st Test half-century off 114 balls, he and Head took advantage of a wayward Rana, scoring 17 runs in the 51st over.
Following Head's boundary through backward point, Labuschagne showcased his skill by gliding, dabbing, and pulling Rana to earn three rapid boundaries. However, Labuschagne's innings ended at 64 after he edged a short and wide delivery from Nitish Kumar Reddy to gully.
Head, undeterred, continued to shine, sweeping Ashwin for six and flicking Siraj for four, reaching his 18th Test fifty off just 63 balls with a well-placed shot through cover, concluding a session that further solidified Australia's position in the match.
Brief scores: India 180 in 44.1 overs trail Australia 191/4 in 59 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 64, Travis Head 53 not out; Jasprit Bumrah 3-23, Nitish Kumar Reddy 1-18) by 11 runs.
