Melbourne Test, Day 1: Bumrah brings back Indian team into game after Aussie top-order dominance

The Boxing Day Melbourne Test 2024 was full of action between the hosts Australian batters and the visitors Indian bowlers. While the Test series has already produced thrillers, the Melbourne Test has been set up for another tough Test for both teams. 

Australian captain Pat Cummins chose to bat first after winning the toss. At the stumps of the opening day of the Melbourne Test, Australia scored 311/6, which is not a bad first innings total where the batters’ are facing uneven bounces on the opening day. 

Watch: Virat Kohli involved in a shoulder bump with debutant Sam Konstas

Australia got strong start with three 50+ partnerships

All the first three wickets set 50+ runs partnerships. The 19-year-old debutant opener Sam Konstas made a great start with his experienced opening partner Usman Khawaja. They had an 89-run partnership for the first wicket before Konstas, who completed his half-century in 52 balls, scored 60 off 65 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes.

After Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Konstas, Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne had a 65-run partnership for the second wicket, where Khawaja completed his half-century and scored 57 off 121 balls with six fours as Jasprit Bumrah took the opener’s wicket.

Three wickets for nine runs

Labuschagne then had another 83-run partnership for the third wicket as Australia were once controlling the game with the score of 237/2. However, Bumrah once again played a vital role with the ball as the hosts lost three wickets for nine runs. 

Washington Sundar got the breakthrough by dismissing Labuschagne for 72 runs off 145 balls, who hit seven fours in the innings. Later, Bumrah bowled the in-form Travis Head for a duck as the left-handed batter completely misjudged the delivery. In his next over, Bumrah dismissed Mitchell Marsh for only four runs as the Aussie all-rounder was caught behind. 

Akash Deep picked crucial wicket of Alex Carey

Suddenly struggling at 246/5, Smith and Alex Carey eased the pressure for the hosts. They had a 53-run partnership for the sixth wicket, and they mostly scored before the availability of the second new ball. With the second new ball, Akash Deep produced a great beauty on his first ball to dismiss Carey for 31 runs off 41 balls, who hit a six in the innings. 

At the stumps of the day, Smith was not out for 68 off 111 balls (five fours and one six), and captain Pat Cummins was not out for eight off 17 balls (one four).