Second Test: Siraj and Bumrah Claim Four Wickets Each as Australia Leads by 157
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Adelaide, Dec 7 (NationPress) Travis Head delivered an exceptional innings of 140—his eighth century in the format and third at his home ground—allowing Australia to secure a 157-run lead against India after being bowled out for 337 in 87.3 overs during the second day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Head's innings was aggressive and showcased his trademark free-flowing style, combining elegant cuts and pulls with stunning drives, as he struck 17 fours and four sixes, placing Australia in a dominant position with his third century in day-night Tests.
He received solid support from Marnus Labuschagne, who rebounded from a slump in form to score 64, and opener Nathan McSweeney, who contributed a commendable 39.
On the Indian side, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, the latter facing jeers from the crowd after a heated exchange with Head, both took four wickets. Ravichandran Ashwin and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket each, while Harshit Rana struggled, conceding 86 runs.
Siraj made a strong comeback after tea, dismissing Mitchell Starc with a catch to mid-off and subsequently bowling out Scott Boland in consecutive overs, finishing with figures of 4-98. With the floodlights illuminating the field in the final session, Australia prepared to bowl for two hours against an Indian batting lineup that managed 180 in their first innings.
Earlier, during the second session, Head and Mitchell Marsh both hit four runs off Bumrah, before Marsh attempted to defend a sliding off-break from Ashwin, resulting in a catch to Rishabh Pant—walking off even before the umpire raised his finger. Replays revealed a flat line on snicko, indicating that Marsh had not actually edged the ball.
Head continued his assault, scoring four amazing boundaries off Harshit Rana, one of which slipped between the keeper and the first slip. He reached his century in a mere 111 balls by taking a single to square leg and celebrated with a fist pump and a 'rock-the-baby' gesture, thrilling the home crowd as he achieved yet another memorable century at the venue.
Head relentlessly attacked Rana, lofting, driving, and slamming him for three boundaries before cutting another four off Siraj. Although Siraj managed to have Alex Carey caught behind for 15, Head continued his onslaught, elegantly clipping and flicking to hit three fours and a six off both Siraj and Bumrah, who required medical attention for a cramp in his left leg's adductor region.
However, Siraj responded brilliantly by bowling out Head with a remarkable in-swinging yorker and gave him a fiery send-off, prompting Head to retort before departing to a standing ovation from the fans. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins combined for four boundaries, but Bumrah's inswinger knocked out Cummins just before tea. Following that, it took India only 2.3 overs to wrap up Australia’s innings, highlighted by Head's spectacular performance.
Brief Scores: India 180 in 44.1 overs trail Australia 337 in 87.3 overs (Travis Head 140, Marnus Labuschagne 64; Jasprit Bumrah 4-61, Mohammed Siraj 4-98) by 157 runs.
