Captain Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb are at the crease for the visitors.
India bowlers Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin took a wicket each in the first session to not let Australia run away with the advantage of winning the toss. At Lunch on the opening day of the third Test at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association International Stadium in Ranchi on Thursday, Australia were 109 for three with captain Steve Smith on 34 and Peter Handscomb on 6.
Australia may have thought they were off to a good start to their 800th Test with David Warner and Matthew Renshaw sharing their third half-century partnership of this series. But, no sooner had the two left-handers of contrasting heights raised 50 than the diminutive explosive Warner fell to a Jadeja full toss in his first over.
Warner, yet to set the series afire despite getting the starts, was cautious in his approach. He was a mute spectator as the seven-Test old Renshaw dealt in boundaries. Warner’s first of two boundaries came in the innings eighth over, a cover drive off Yadav. By then, Renshaw had already scored six fours – his first six scoring shots came off fours – cashing in on the loose deliveries that India’s new ball bowlers Ishant Sharma and Yadav, and Ashwin sent down.
However, in Jadeja’s first over, and innings’ 10th, Warner hit a full toss back to the bowler. Knowing Warner’s explosive batting, the ball could have gone anywhere out of the ground for maximum but to his disappointment, and to India’s glee, it went straight to Jadeja.
Renshaw was on course to his third fifty in as many Tests this series but he was set up well by Yadav half-an-hour before the lunch interval. Renshaw was dismissed by a beauty from India’s best pacer in recent times by inducing the tall left-hander to edge to first slip Virat Kohli for 44. Only the previous delivery, Renshaw survived as the edge fell short of second slip Ajinkya Rahane.
Ashwin, who went for 7-1-19-0 in his first spell sent down from the pavilion side, changed ends and removed Australia’s No. 4 Shaun Marsh in the second over of his second spell, courtesy a successful DRS by India. The left-handed Marsh, who is regarded as one of their best batsmen in sub-continental conditions, was caught bat-pad at short-leg by Cheteshwar Pujara. However, England umpire Ian Gould did not see the thin edge. TV replays showed a faint edge onto the pad and Marsh started walking towards the dressing room even before the decision was relayed by third umpire Nigel Llong on to Gould.
Captain Smith began positively, not afraid to play his shots. Two successive fours off Yadav including one flicking between his legs to fine leg showed the positive intent that he came out to bat with.
Brief scores, at Lunch: Australia are 109/3 in 30 overs (S Smith 34*, P Handscomb 6*) vs India
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 "India, australia, matthew renshaw, ravindra jadeja, steven smith, Ranchi, cricket, India v/s Australia, david warner, umesh yada")
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