Australia survive through to stumps after India declare at 443/7 on day two

Sport360 staff 10:45 27/12/2018
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  • Cheteshwar Pujara scored his 17th Test century as India’s batsmen continued to make Australia toil before declaring on 443 for seven on day two of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

    Pujara made 106 and there were also half-centuries from captain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – his first fifty outside Asia since 2015 – as the tourists built on their good base from day one at the MCG.

    Kohli’s attacking declaration gave India’s bowlers six overs at Australia before the close but openers Marcus Harris (five) and Aaron Finch (three) survived as the hosts reached stumps on eight without loss, trailing by 435 runs.

    India started the second day of the third Test on 215 for two and looking to hammer home their fine start with Pujara and Kohli well-set on 68 and 47 respectively.

    Pujara brought up three figures in the morning session and the pair extended their third-wicket partnership to 170 before Kohli, 18 runs short of his 26th Test ton, picked out Finch at third man off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.

    The in-form Pujara was bowled by Pat Cummins (three for 72) shortly afterwards – having taken his series tally to 328 from five innings – but Australia were unable to capitalise on the double breakthrough as India continued to make the hosts suffer in the field.

    Sharma (63 not out), Rishabh Pant (39) and Ajinkya Rahane (34) all made contributions before Kohli opted to give his bowlers a chance at the Australian top order.

    Harris and Finch had a few scares, with the former being struck on the helmet by a Jasprit Bumrah delivery, but managed to see out the session with their wickets intact.

    The four-match series is 1-1 after the opening two Tests.

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