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Adelaide Test Day 3: Mitchell Johnson gives Australia early breakthrough against India

Mitchell Johnson had a wayward spell with the new ball early but came back with a vengeance to break an 81-run partnership between Murali Vijay and number three batsman Cheteshwar Pujara.

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Mitchell Johnson of Australia celebrates a wicket on day 3.
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Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson shook up India just before lunch by taking a wicket and striking captain Virat Kohli on the head, as the tourists reached 117 for two at break, on day three of the first test at Adelaide on Thursday.

The home side declared their innings at 517-7 before start of play and India's batsmen prospered for much of a sunny morning on a benign Adelaide Oval wicket.

Johnson had a wayward spell with the new ball early but came back with a vengeance to break an 81-run partnership between Murali Vijay and number three batsman Cheteshwar Pujara.

The pacer teased a nick from Vijay into the slips to remove the opener for 53 and welcomed stand-in skipper Kohli with a nasty short ball that struck him flush on the badge on his helmet.

Also Read: India lose Murali Vijay before lunch; 32 overs- 119/2

As the death of Phillip Hughes from a bouncer still remains fresh in minds at Adelaide, the Australians rushed forward out of concern for Kohli and Clarke consoled Johnson, as the paceman walked back to his mark visibly distressed.

Kohli was unharmed, however, and survived till lunch on three, with Pujara (34 not out) at the other end.

Seamer Ryan Harris, back in the side after a long recovery following knee surgery, took an early wicket by bowling opener Shikhar Dhawan, who had raced to 25.

Update: Kohli-Pujara rock solid; looking to forge a big partnership

Harris sent in a probing delivery that nipped back a fraction to catch an inside edge and cannoned into the stumps.

Vijay and Pujara then frustrated the bowlers for much of the morning, with the opener hammering offspinner Nathan Lyon, clubbing him for a six over his head and a four with the same shot on the next ball.

The Chennai based batsman whipped three runs off his pads from Harris to raise his half-century shortly before lunch.

A lunging Mitchell Marsh, fielding at slips in place of Clarke, earlier missed a half-chance when Johnson coaxed a nick from Vijay that rocketed between the all-rounder and Steven Smith, when the batsman was on 11. 

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