Starc battles as Renshaw overcomes bug

AN unbeaten half-century from paceman Mitchell Starc and a determined 68 from opener Matthew Renshaw helped edge Australia to 256-9 at the end of the opening day of the first Test against India in Pune.

Renshaw had initially retired ill just before lunch – dashing off to the dressing rooms as he battled what was said to be a stomach bug – before returning to the crease following some 32 overs out of the action.

Four wickets for Umesh Yadav had threatened to unsteady the tourists during the closing sessions before No 8 Starc produced stubborn resistance to end the day 57 not out from just 58 deliveries, which included five boundaries and three shots over the ropes.

After Renshaw, in his first Test innings on the subContinent, was finally out, caught by Murali Vijay at second slip off Ravichandran Ashwin, Australia were 196-7.

India, though, kept the pressure on as Yadav had Steve O’Keefe caught behind at full stretch by Wriddhiman Saha without troubling the scorers and Nathan Lyon was then trapped lbw on the next delivery, which was confirmed on review with Australia 205-9.

Before tea, Australia had lost two wickets in as many overs.

Peter Handscomb was out lbw to Ravindra Jadeja and captain Steve Smith, who had won the toss and decided to bat, was soon following him back to the pavilion after sending a flat delivery outside off stump from Ashwin straight to India captain Virat Kohli at mid-wicket to leave them at 149-4.

Jadeja had Mitchell Marsh leg before in the 68th over for just four before Yadav went to work on the tail, but found Starc in no mood to throw away his wicket.

At the close, Josh Hazlewood was one not out, having spent almost an hour at the crease.