Aus v Ind 4th Test Day 1: Labuschange, Australia prosper on tardy approach from India

Australia made the most of India's missed opportunities to reach 274 for five at the end of the first day's play in the fourth and final Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

At the Gabba after Australia opted to bat, India struck early blows to reduce the home team to 17 for two.

India then struggled to put brakes on Australia as some tardy fielding affected their approach. Marnus Labuschange (108: 204b, 9x4) prospered through some tardy fielding as he was put down twice.

Labuschange added 70 for the third wicket with Steven Smith (36). And then he added a further 113 for the fourth wicket with Matthew Wade (45).

India then struck back twice removing Wade and Labuschange in quick succession. Debutant T Natarajan struck twice for his first wickets in Test cricket.

Later when stumps were drawn, Australia was sitting pretty thanks to yet another dropped chance. Captain Tim Paine (38 n.o.) and Cameron Green (28 n.o.) have added 63 runs for the sixth wicket thus far.

For India, the best bowlers were Natarajan (2-63) and Shardul Thakur (1-67) and Mohammed Siraj (1-51).

India were forced to make changes to their playing XI thanks to injuries. They handed debuts to off-spinner Washington Sundar and Natarajan. There was also comeback for Thakur and Mayank Agarwal replaced injured Hanuma Vihari.

Australia made one forced change with Will Pucovski being replaced by Harris.

An unbeaten 61-run stand between skipper Tim Paine and Cameron Green takes Australia to 274/5 at stumps on day one of the Brisbane Test.#AUSvIND scorecard ? https://t.co/oDTm20rn07 pic.twitter.com/0q8FR7j9TX

— ICC (@ICC) January 15, 2021

Match Summary - Australia v India, 4th Test, Day 1, Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gabba, Brisbane

Australia 1st Innings: 274-5 (87)
Fall of wickets: 1-4 (David Warner-0.6 ov), 2-17 (Marcus Harris-8.1 ov), 3-87 (Steven Smith-34.1 ov), 4-200 (Matthew Wade-63.4 ov), 5-213 (Marnus Labuschagne-65.5 ov)

Close of Play - Australia still have five wickets in hand

Scorecard

Playing XIs

Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (captain & wicket-keeper), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, T Natarajan

Match Details

Start Time: 12:30

Toss: Australia won the toss and decided to bat

Venue: Gabba, Brisbane

Officials: Bruce Oxenford, Paul Wilson, Paul Reiffel (TV Umpire),
Claire Polosak (Reserve Umpire), David Boon (Match Referee)

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