Lyon backs Aussies to roar to victory

Australia are confident they can overcome a deteriorating pitch to build a match-winning lead in the second Test in Perth.

At stumps on the third day, Australia were 132 for four, with Usman Khawaja on 41 and Tim Paine on eight, an overall advantage of 175 after leading by 43 runs on the first innings despite a stellar Virat Kohli century.

Although they still had six wickets in hand, opener Aaron Finch was taken to hospital for scans after retiring hurt with an injured right hand on 25.

Australian coach Justin Langer said Finch had been cleared of serious damage, but was uncertain if he would return to the crease.

The cracks in the pitch were starting to become a significant factor, with Finch’s opening partner, Marcus Harris, struck flush on the helmet by a rising delivery in making 20.

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, who claimed five wickets in the Indian first innings to move into the top 25 of Test wicket-takers, conceded the pitch was getting harder to bat on, and claimed Australia were set to post a total its attack could defend to level the series.

“The wicket is starting to play a few more tricks,” he said.

“We know we have e the bowlers to make sure we can defend what we have to.

“Whatever we get t to is just going to have to be enough.” nough.”

Indian paceman Jasprit prit Bumrah (one for 25), who was almost unplayable at times, said India’s batsmen would not be deterred by a tough fourth-innings ings chase.

“We want early wickets tomorrow to reduce ce the total,” he said.

“I am confident our team is capable of chasing g any total but we will try ry to minimize it as much h as possible.

“No one has really y got out to the crack, it is s just there, but it doesn’t n’t do a lot but it is only in n the mindset.”

The Australians found und batting extremely y challenging in their seco second innings, playing and m missing time and again as they battled to extend their lead.

The st struggles of the Australian batsm batsmen were a far cry from the command of Kohli as h he anchored his team’s fi first innings until a c contentious dismissal. I In reply to Australia’s 32 326 after winning the tos toss and batting, India we were bowled out for 283 desp despite Kohli’s 123.

The I Indian captain’s innings came to t a controversial end when he was caught at second slip by a diving d Handscomb from the bowling of Pat Cummins.

Kohli w was given out by the on-field umpires but clearly believe believed it had not carried.

How However, the decision stood after it was reviewed by thir third umpire Nigel Llong.