Perth: Australia suffered a stunning batting collapse as they managed 67 for 7 at stumps in reply to India’s 150 in the first innings on Day 1 of the first Test here on Friday.
India, who were all out for 150 from 49.4 overs at the stroke of tea, grabbed seven Australian wickets in 27 overs in the final session of the day.
Skipper Jasprit Bumrah made amends for his debatable toss call to bat first with a mesmerizing opening spell that left Australia scurrying for cover at 67 for 7 and helped India make an emphatic comeback after a flop show with the bat on the opening day of the first Test here.
The match, which was billed as a battle between two out-of-form batting units, lived up to the prediction at least on the first day that witnessed the fall of as many as 17 wickets.
The stand-in India skipper, much to everyone’s surprise, opted to bat on a track with a liberal grass cover which generated appreciable seam movement and midriff high bounce. But neither the youngsters nor the seasoned ones in the Indian line-up were up to the task.
Alex Carey (19 batting) and Mitchell Starc (6 batting) were at the crease at stumps, as Australia trail by 83 runs. Seventeen wickets fell on the day on a lively pitch at the Perth Stadium.
Australia, who are replying to India’s first innings total of 150, thus find themselves in a spot of bother as they trail by 83 runs with just three wickets in hand.
Alex Carey (19*) and Mitchell Starc (6*) were Australia’s unbeaten batters at stumps. Jasprit Bumrah took four wickets, whereas Mohammed Siraj and debutant Harshit Rana took two wickets and one wicket respectively.
