Australia reeling, 101/5 at lunch as Siraj shines

Sydney, Jan 4 (UNI) Day 2 of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground saw India tighten their grip on the game as they reduced Australia to 101 for 5 by lunch here on Saturday.

Despite a brief counterattack from Steven Smith and debutant Beau Webster, the Indian bowlers consistently struck to keep the visitors under pressure. Australia now trail by 84 runs, leaving the match finely balanced.

The day began with Australia resuming at 9 for 1, with Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne at the crease. Jasprit Bumrah provided an early breakthrough, removing Labuschagne for just 2 runs. A seaming delivery that kicked up off the pitch found the faintest of edges, with Rishabh Pant completing a straightforward catch behind the stumps. The dismissal marked Bumrah’s 32nd wicket in the series, a new record for an Indian bowler in Australia.

Mohammed Siraj then delivered a sensational over, dismissing both Konstas and Travis Head. Konstas, who looked promising with 23 off 38 balls, fell to a well-pitched delivery outside off, edging to Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully. Head followed soon after, slashing at a short ball that carried comfortably to KL Rahul at second slip. The double strike left Australia reeling at 39 for 4.

Smith and Webster offered resistance, compiling a much-needed partnership to steady the innings. Smith looked in fine touch, finding the boundary with drives and pulls, while Webster, playing his maiden Test innings, exuded calmness and confidence. The duo capitalised on some loose deliveries from Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Reddy, but just as Australia seemed to regain footing, Krishna struck a crucial blow.

Smith, on 33, was lured into playing at a fuller delivery outside off, edging to Rahul at slip. The wicket, coming against the run of play, tilted the momentum back in India’s favour. Smith, just five runs short of reaching 10,000 Test runs, walked back visibly disappointed.

At the other end, Webster remained unbeaten on 28, showing remarkable poise in difficult conditions. Alex Carey joined him and hit a crisp boundary off Siraj to bring up Australia’s 100 before the break. However, with five wickets down and a long tail to follow, the pressure remains firmly on the Australian batsmen to bridge the gap.

India’s bowlers, particularly Bumrah and Siraj, maintained a tight line and length, exploiting the conditions effectively. Krishna and Reddy, however, were inconsistent, conceding runs during crucial moments, which allowed Australia to keep the scoreboard ticking.

As the players headed into the lunch break, India held the edge, but Australia’s lower order has shown resilience in the past. The post-lunch session will be crucial in determining the direction of this gripping contest.

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