Australia’s star batsman Marnus Labuschagne has put the hosts firmly in control in the ongoing fourth and final Test against India with his fifth Test century on the opening day of the four-Test series decider at The Gabba, Brisbane on Friday (January 15).
After winning the toss, Australia captain Tim Paine decided to bat first at The Gabba and the decision initially seemed to be backfired to the hosts with an inexperienced Indian bowling attack gave a flying start to the tourists.
They removed the dangerous David Warner (1) and Marcus Harris (5) early with the score reading 17. But then, Labuschagne and Steve Smith took the charge of the team on Friday.
Labuschagne played a brilliant knock of 108 runs off 204 balls before being dismissed by Test debutant T Natarajan in the final session of the Day 1 of the Brisbane Test while Smith managed 36 runs before falling to another debutant Washington Sundar on Friday.
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However, the right-hander’s century took Australia to a respectable score on Day 1 of the final Test but he was a little bit disappointed at being not able to continue his knock at The Gabba on Friday.
Labuschagne told the host broadcaster after the end of the Day 1 of the Brisbane Test: “You know you don't need to be playing at anything around 4th stump line or even 3 and a half stumps. I tell myself to be cool, when you get to a hundred just carry on. It's about how that moment is, I don't plan my hundred celebration. A little bit disappointed that I got out.”
Meanwhile, Natarajan gave another breakthrough to India by taking another crucial wicket of Matthew Wade to keep Team India in the game, but Paine (38*) and Cameron Green (28*) stitched an unbeaten 61-run stand to take Australia to 274/5 at the stump on Day 1 of the final Test.
India captain Ajinkya Rahane said: “For Tim and Green to play like that against the new ball was good. Maybe we have a slight edge but they hung in there throughout.”
Noteworthy, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur dismissed Warner and Harris while Australia will resume play at 247/5.
(With ANI Inputs)
