BGT Day 4 Lunch: Australia 104/5 in Perth as Siraj Stars, Head Resists

On the fourth day of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth, Mohammed Siraj's two wickets and Travis Head's aggressive 63 off 72 deliveries were the highlights of the opening session. Australia is 104/5 after Day 4 Lunch. 

Siraj, thoroughly pumped up, took the first wicket of the day, knocking Usman Khawaja for four, leaving Australia on 17/4. Australia's difficulties continued as they reached 50 after 17.3 overs. 

Steven Smith and Travis Head then solidified the innings with a strong partnership. They added 62 runs, but Siraj struck again, knocking Smith for 17, leaving Australia on 79/5.

Travis Head, famed for his tenacity against India, finished undefeated on 63 from 72 deliveries, including seven boundaries. His fight and desire were clear as he continued to fight. 

Siraj emerged as the best bowler, with statistics of 3/34.

 

Australia still needs 430 runs to win, with plenty of time remaining in the match. However, India is only five wickets away from taking a 1-0 lead in the series. 

Earlier in the match, India won the toss and decided to bat first. India was bowled out for 150 runs, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rishabh Pant contributing critical runs and forging an important 48-run sixth wicket stand. 

Josh Hazlewood was Australia's best bowler, with captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and Mitchell Starc all taking two wickets. Australia's response was even worse, reducing them to 79/9 at one stage. However, Mitchell Starc and Alex Carey led Australia to 104 runs, giving India a 46-run lead. 

Jasprit Bumrah was India's top bowler, with 5/30 in 18 overs. Harshit Rana also excelled on debut, bowling 3/48. 

India's second innings lead grew significantly. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal combined for a 201-run opening stand. Jaiswal also had a solid 74-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal. Later, he fell to Mitchell Marsh for 161 in 297 balls, with 15 fours and three sixes. Virat and Washington Sundar put on an 89-run stand, while Virat and Nitish Kumar Reddy added 77 runs to take India to 487/6. India leads by 533 runs, giving Australia a massive 534 runs to win. 

Nathan Lyon was Australia's best bowler. Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood each claimed a wicket.

 

At the end of the third day, Australia was 12/3, with Bumrah scoring twice and Mohammed Siraj scoring once.