Australia’s top order fires to take charge of 4th Test against India

AFP | Melbourne

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Australia’s top four all slammed 50 or better on Thursday to take a firm grip on day one of the fourth Test against India, with fearless teenage opener Sam Konstas stealing the show.

Batting after captain Pat Cummins won the toss on a steamy day, the hosts reached 311-6 by the close in front of more than 87,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

They were aided by some inconsistent early bowling and a flying start from Konstas.

The 19-year-old blasted a hugely entertaining 60 off 65 balls in a debut to remember, pounding 18 off one Jasprit Bumrah over and having a runin with superstar Virat Kohli.

At the close, Steve Smith was not out 68 and Pat Cummins was eight. Marnus Labuschagne made 72 and Usman Khawaja 57.

All the bowlers were punished but they rallied with four wickets in the final session, including dangerman Travis Head for a duck, to haul themselves back into the contest.

Bumrah led the charge, ending with 3-75.

“It was quite surreal with the big crowd, the biggest crowd I’ve ever played before,” said Konstas. “I just played with freedom and backed myself. Lucky to get a few runs. A bit disappointed with the way I got out but hopefully we have got a bit of momentum for tomorrow.”

The five-match series is locked at 1-1 after India won by 295 runs in Perth before being crushed by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The rain-affected third Test in Brisbane was drawn.

“A lot of credit to the way Sam played. The intent he showed sort of put us on the back foot,” said Indian batting coach Abhishek Nayar.

“But it took a lot of character for our bowlers to stick in there. It wasn’t the easiest conditions to bowl. At times like that it is important to stick to your plans and post-lunch we came back really strong.”

With Konstas in for the axed Nathan McSweeney, he and Khawaja shared an 89-run opening partnership -- the hosts’ best of the series -- before the teenager was undone by the spin of Ravindra Jadeja.

Australia’s youngest-ever opener faced the first over from a menacing Bumrah and survived despite the Indian spearhead repeatedly beating his bat.