India fold as Aussies end seven-test winless run
Australia trounced India by 146 runs to level the four-test series 1-1 on the final day in Perth yesterday.
Needing 287 runs to win, India, resuming the day on 112-5, were skittled out for 140 as fast bowler Mitchel Starc (3-46) and offspinner Nathan Lyon (3-39) made a mockery of the India second innings.
Fellow fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood (2-24) and Pat Cummins (2-25) contributed in a supporting role.
India lost their last six wickets for 42 runs as Australia hurried to their first victory in seven tests since beating South Africa in Durban in March.
Australia were home for lunch after outplaying the No 1 test team in the world. India won the first test in Adelaide by 31 runs last week.
“I am relieved personally,” said skipper Tim Paine after the longawaited test win. “It’s hard work. I am really proud of the competitive and hard cricket we played.”
Both teams were left battered and bruised on a pitch that crumbled with widening cracks at Perth Stadium.
India in particular enjoyed bowling on it, leaving the Australian batsmen ducking for cover, with opener Aaron Finch forced to retire after a painful blow on his hand.
“It was a tough and bruising test,” Paine said. “Both teams have outstanding fast bowling attacks.
“We have some inexperienced players in terms of tests played. To get a win like that against the best test team in the world is going to give them a huge boost of confidence.
“The game tightened up a lot at certain stages and we stuck to our guns and delivered our skills really well under pressure against a team as good as India — it’s really pleasing for our side.”
Skipper Virat Kohli rued missed opportunities but acknowledged India lost to the better team.
“Australia played better cricket and consistently,” Kohli said. “They deserved to win. We didn’t play with the same intensity as we did in the first test. We always had the belief we could do it, but they were more relentless and pitched the ball in the right area for long enough to put us in trouble.”