Fiji Sun

Australia defeats India by 146 runs

■Australia 326 & 243; India 283 & 140 | Hosts win by 146 runs ■Australia bowlers mop up tail before lunch on day five

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Australia rattled through the India tail to level the series at 1-1 and secure their first win since former captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned.

Australia have won their first Test match since the ball-tampering controvers­y as their attack blew apart the India tail for a 146-run victory.

The hosts only needed 15 overs to take the remaining five wickets in Perth and level the series at 1-1.

After starting the fifth day on 112 for five, India lost the key wicket of Hanuma Vihari for 28 when he holed out off Mitchell Starc. From then on, it was just a matter of time before Australia sealed the win. Rishabh Pant, who raced to 30 runs from 61 balls, was well caught by Peter Handscomb off Nathan Lyon and an over later Umesh Yadav popped a shot back to Starc for two. Pat Cummins wrapped up the last two wickets in the space of four balls, Ishant Sharma edging behind for a duck and Jasprit Bumrah launching a shot high into the Western Australian sky with Cummins positionin­g himself to take the catch.

The win is the first for Tim Paine as captain and Australia’s first in seven Tests, after former captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned for their part in a ball-tempering plot during a Test in Cape.

The next Test between India and Australia starts in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

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 ?? Photo: Zimbio ?? Australia players celebrate.
Photo: Zimbio Australia players celebrate.

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