Australia 249-5 at lunch, day 2 of 3rd test against India

Marnus Labuschagne fell short of his fifth test century but Australia continued its strong start to third cricket test, reaching 249-5 at lunch Friday in ar rain-interrupted session at Sydney Cricket Ground.

Labuschagne me 91, after resuming on 67 on Friday with Australia at 166-2, and shared a century stand with Steve Smith to see Australia past 200 runs for first time in five innings this series.

Ravi Jeja took two wickets and Jasprit Bumrah h Cameron Green lbw with last ball before lunch in morning session as India maintained pressure with accurate bowling to keep Australia’s scoring in check.

At break Smith was unbeaten on 76 and will be key for Australia’s hopes of a big first innings tally.

Labuschagne didn’t appear to be batting at his fluent best but his scoring options improved as session progressed as 26-year-old used his feet to disrupt line and length of India’s bowlers.

His wicket came against momentum of morning as he edged Jeja (2-43) to Ajinkya Rahane at slip as he attempted to cut spinner through point.

Labuschagne’s 91 off 196 balls, with 11 boundaries, was highest score by an Australian in last seven home tests against India since David Warner’s quickfire century at SCG in 2015.

Smith continued his welcome return to form for Australia raising his half century off 116 balls, with an on-drive for four off Ravichandran Ashwin in 72nd over. It was his 30th half century in his 76th test and first since scoring 63 against New Zealand at SCG last year.

Matw We me 13 off 16 balls before he played a poor shot and was caught in deep by Jasprit Bumrah off Jeja in 77th over.

Third-gamer Green never looked comfortable against second new ball and Bumrah (1-37) h allrounder trapped lbw for score from 21 balls.

On Thursday, Will Pucovski set tone with a flourishing 62 on debut, before Labuschagne and Smith took over as Australia’s batting lineup finally ed against India, reaching 166-2 on a rain-interrupted opening day.

After Australia won toss and elected to bat, Labuschagne shared a partnership of 100 with Pucovski and n 60 with Smith after going to crease in fourth over.

four-match Border-Gavaskar trophy series is currently tied at 1-1. holder India is hoping to secure it with a victory in Sydney and Australia needing to win series to reclaim it.

Australia won opening day-night match in elaide by eight wickets and India responded with an eight-wicket win in Melbourne last week.

Im credits: @icc / Twitter