London, June 9 (UNI) Australia opened up a 196-run lead as they reached 23/1 in their second innings at tea on Day 3 of the WTC final at The Oval here on Friday.
It was another session pocketed by Australia, as the post-lunch hours saw their bowlers break through the resistance put up by India in the morning. Resuming the session at 260/5, the Indians lost their remaining wickets with the addition of only 36 runs to finish at 296 and fall behind the Aussies by 173 runs. Australia had scored 469 in their first essay.
Cameron Green took a stunner in the gully and broke the 7th wicket partnership of 109 runs between Shardul Thakur and Ajinkya Rahane, who made a brilliant 89 runs.
After that, India's end was near. Pat Cummins got Umesh Yadav and Shardul. who fell immediately after cracking a valiant 51.
Mohammad Shami was the last wicket to fall.
Shami and Siraj started the second stint as they did in the first. They bowled a probing line and length, and soon removed David Warner for one, caught behind the stumps by Srikar Bharat off Siraj.
Marnus Labuschagne took a couple of blows and outlasted a runout opportunity, and Usman Khawaja looked solid in contrast to the first innings.
Post-tea, India would look to pick some quick wickets to creep into the match, and Australia would be determined to extend the lead further.
Earlier, Rahane and Shardul batted almost the whole of the first session after Scott Boland castled overnight batsman Srikar Bharat on the second ball of the day. But Rahane put his foot down as he always does during a crisis, and he had the company of the stocky bowling-allrounder Shardul at the other end.
Cummins tested with some snorters soon after Shardul arrived at the crease. The Indian batsman was struck twice on his arm, and then received a couple of body blows.
But Shardul did not give up, and spanked a couple of boundaries with grit and swagger. It could have been a different essay if Australia had held on to their chances.
Three catches were spilled in the session. Rahane was lucky once and Shardul twice. The latter also was lucky to have survived an lbw decision as the TV umpire no-balled Cummins. UNI BDN SSP