A Mitchell Johnson-inspired Australia took a 2-0 lead in their Test series against India on Sunday, with the bowler producing an emphatic performance in a four-wicket victory in Brisbane.
Johnson took four wickets for 61 runs as the visitors struggled to 224 all out, leaving Australia with the simple task of chasing down 128, which they duly did despite an early scare.
Here’s a look at the scorecards from an exciting day at the Gabba:
India began the day on 71-1 with the bat, but it wasn’t long before the Aussies made their mark on the day, with that man Johnson dismissing Virat Kohli thanks to an expert delivery.
That was the start of something special for the fast bowler, who went on to take three wickets for 11 runs in just 10 balls—adding Aijinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma to his list of victims.
The latter went for a duck on just his second ball after dishing out a bit of sledging to Johnson, something that Piers Morgan wouldn’t advise:
The Indians went from a healthy position at the start of the day to 86-4 and looking vulnerable, and so it proved as the wickets continued to tumble.
Captain MS Dhoni also failed to register on the board after Josh Hazelwood sent him walking, before Mitchell Starc’s delivery saw Ravichandran Ashwin edge into the grateful hands of wicket keeper Brad Haddin.
The only man that seemed to be able to handle the Australian bowling order was opener Shikhar Dhawan, who produced a sterling display to chalk up a half century.
Still going strong as partner upon partner left him, Dhawan lost his concentration for a split second and was punished as Nathan Lyon trapped him lbw.
That sparked the beginning of the end for India, and when Johnson fittingly took Umesh Yadav’s wicket for 30, the visitors’ race was run.
The 224 total meant that Australia needed just 128 to double their Test series lead, but as statistics expert Ric Finlay pointed out, they’ve failed to chase such a measly total in the past:
History repeating itself didn’t look out of the question early on, either, as David Warner and Shane Watson lost their wickets for six and zero respectively through seamer Ishant Sharma’s brilliance.
However, opener Chris Rogers steadied the ship, hitting 55 before Sharma claimed his third wicket of the innings, leaving the Aussies on 85-3.
Despite that, Australia managed to get over the line, with Mitchell Marsh’s four taking them to 130-6 and into a 2-0 series lead.
While poor batting will have concerned the Aussies a little, the job was comprehensively done thanks to Johnson’s excellent display with the ball.
The 33-year-old was understandably delighted with the victory after the day’s play, but insisted that taking wickets was just part of his job—per Sky Sports:
"My job in this team is to get out there, get wickets and be aggressive. It's just nice to feel some rhythm and contribute to the team."
Johnson will be looking to contribute once again when the third of four Tests get underway on Christmas Day, and should he continue in this vain of form then that much is a near certainty.
The Indians, meanwhile, desperately need to bounce back, or Australia will begin the series victory party very early. But with Aussie players in form and dedicating every run and wicket to Phillip Hughes, it seems that nothing is going to stop them.
from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1zPRzKb
via IFTTT December 21, 2014 at 12:14AM
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