India 330 & 52-1 Australia 212: Australia wilt under attack from Singh's searing pace and Perth heat
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Australia's attempt to break their own world record of 16 consecutive Test wins was on shaky ground after their batting collapsed on a dramatic second day of the third Test against India here in Perth.
India bowled out Australia for 212 in 50 overs, then added 52 runs for the loss of one wicket, reaching stumps with an overall lead of 170.
Australia, who won the first two matches in the series, looked to have gained the upper hand early in the day. They polished off India's first innings for 330 before lunch, capturing the last four wickets for just two runs. However, their own batting crumbled on a scorching day, with the temperature climbing past 41C.
The spinner Anil Kumble joined Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne as the only players to have claimed 600 Test wickets, while wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni took five excellent catches, including four off impressive left-arm paceman Rudra Pratap Singh.
Singh was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 for 68, while Irfan Pathan and the teenager Ishant Sharma grabbed two apiece as India's seamers succeeded in rattling Australia with their ability to extract movement off the pitch and in the air.
Australia lost their first three wickets before the total had passed 14, then their last five for 47 runs. Only Andrew Symonds (66) and Adam Gilchrist (55) saved them from disaster.
Kumble was delighted to join the 600 club. "It means a lot, you never think when you first start off that you will reach that milestone," he said. "People don't even think you will last two Test matches, so it means a lot. You have the belief and you have the faith."
Gilchrist, Australia's vice-captain, admitted his team had been outplayed for most of the day but said it was too early to make any predictions.
"We didn't play well. We started OK and then we just handed it back to them," he said. "They bowled very well. It was just one of those days where it felt like we nicked everything and they played and missed everything. There's a long way to go, so we're not thinking ahead to what may or may not happen. We've just got some wickets to take."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments