Australia vs. India, First Test: Robert Craddock’s moments that mattered most on day two in Perth

Day two in Perth was a polar opposite to the first when wickets fell like ninepins. ROBERT CRADDOCK has summed up the moments that stood out on a day with a bit of niggle between Australia and India.

Robert Craddock details the moments that mattered most on day two of the First Test of Australia and India’s five-match series which ended with India finishing day two on 0/172 leading by 218 runs and Yashasvi Jaiswal leading the way with 90 not out.

1 STRIKE ONE

The brilliant Jasprit Bumrah, who slam-dunked Australia with four wickets on day one, twisted the knife the very first ball he bowled on day two.

Jasprit Bumrah takes fifth with his first ball of day two

Once again he was a man with a plan, as he came from around the wicket to entice a half-committed nibble from Alex Carey which produced an edge behind as Australia’s hopes of a revival vaporised.

2 THE SLEDGE I

When you have had the rugged life of Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal you are entitled to fear no-one or nothing.

Jaiswal, who left home as a 12-year-old to travel to Mumbai to chase his cricket dream, upped the ante against Australian danger man Mitchell Starc when he said “it’s coming too slow.’’

Jaiswal's 'too slow' Mitchell Starc jab

Starc turned and smiled as he walked back to the top of his mark, possibly thinking that Perth is the place where fast bowlers normally do the sledging.

3 THE SLEDGE II

Mitchell Starc had his own moment of strategic lip when he playfully baited his Kolkata Knight Riders teammate Harshit Rana who peppered him with short balls

“I bowl faster than you Harshit,” Starc quipped. “I bowl faster than you. I’ve got a long memory.”

Mitchell Starc's cheeky chirp at IPL teammate Harshit Rana

4 THE SHOT

Jaiswal has several gears but he is a dasher at heart and every now and then he snaps the leash.

Such as occasion was a delightfully audacious slog sweep off Starc when he went back in the crease and, with honey sweet timing, hoisted his rival to the deep backward square boundary which was a highlight of his ninth Test 50.

Jaiswal's extraordinary stroke play

It was a glimpse into the mindset of a remarkable player whose Test average hovers in the mid-50s at a David Warner tempo of 70 runs per 100 balls.

5 THE OVATION

INDIA’s players have been encouraged to get out and enjoy Australia and, to their surprise, have been heartened by the feedback.

New boys Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana walked into the Balti restaurant in Perth’s Georges Terrace after day one of the Test and received a generous ovation from the diners.

A peach for Harshit Rana's first Test wicket

6 THE LAST STAND

At first glance Starc’s 25-run partnership with Josh Hazlewood for the last wicket was a mini-gift for Australia but it may have done even more for India.

During their time together the last duo took the chaos out of the game and allowed it to breathe properly as the frantic flow of wickets ended.

By the end of their partnership pundits were noting the tigerish track of day one was turning into a lamb. It surely must have helped the Indian openers who then batted superbly.

Mitchell Starc struck in the helmet

7 CATCH OR NO CATCH

Fox Cricket’s Mark Waugh did not hold back at first slip Usman Khawaja after he failed to snaffle a last-session edge off Jaiswal.

The ball seemed to hit Khawaja’s fingers at the same time as it hit the ground and super-slipper Waugh craved more urgency.

Usman Khawaja's missed opportunity in the slips

“That is catchable – you get a good look at it, you’ve got to move forward,” he said.

“I’m putting that down as a catch by anyone’s standards. He had time, it went slowly.‘’

Originally published as Australia vs. India, First Test: Robert Craddock’s moments that mattered most on day two in Perth