BHUVNESHWAR OUT FOR TWO TESTS
DAVID WARNER
ADELAIDE: Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been ruled out of the first two Tests due to injury. The India medium pacer, who is recovering from a left ankle sprain, failed to pass a fitness test on Monday. India skipper Virat Kohli is likely to go with a pace trio of Ishant, Varun and either Mohammad Shami or Umesh Yadav. Uncapped leggie Karn Sharma is likely to get the nod ahead of R Ashwin. ADELAIDE: David Warner’s imperious knock set the stage on Tuesday for an Australia trying to overcome the loss of Phillip Hughes. The India seamers’ late strikes pegged back the hosts at the fag end of the day but Australia were still in a dominant position, finishing on 354/6 at stumps at the Adelaide Oval.
Warner set the agenda for the series, stroking his fifth Test century of the year. Skipper Michael Clarke retired hurt after his back problem flared up while he was going strong, but Steve Smith was unbeaten. Australia were 354/6 at stumps on Day One at the Adelaide Oval.
A 63-second clap resonated around the stadium, and a Richie Benaud-voiced montage captured the life of Phil Hughes at the start of the Test. Under a blue sky, 20,000odd turned up to pay tribute to the cricketer.
OFF THE BLOCKS
A combative Warner quickly put sentiment to one side. Three rasping drives off Varun Aaron’s first over — through cover, point and over point — set the tone. Mohammed Shami in next over was hit over point and two through cover. With six boundaries in three overs, great balance and a beautiful extension of the arm, Warner seemed to seek solace in boundaries.
Varun bowled the much anticipated first bouncer, Warner ducked, and a round of clap ensued. Cricket was clawing back to normalcy.
The match oscillated between raw emotion and hard fight when Warner swept Karn Sharma to reach 63 and acknowledged the score on which Hughes was fatally struck by a bouncer.
Warner, who was on the field in Sydney when Hughes AUSTRALIA 1st innings collapsed, has found his anchor in the last few days, spending time with partner Candice Falzon and their three-monthold daughter Ivy Mae. On Tuesday, he found one in his captain.
On 99, Warner stepped away to play one to mid-off to pick his 10th century, and fifth of 2014. He jumped, pointed his bat and helmet to the sky, paying tribute to Hughes. He hugged Clarke, wiped his face and eyes and continued.
INJURY FLARES UP Clarke played crisp shots through mid wicket and midoff, using his feet well. All was fine until he swayed to avoid a short-pitched delivery from Ishant, immediately complaining of pain on his lower back. He was forced to retire, and walked back grimacing.
It was a near flawless knock by Warner save a run out chance immediately after tea, but Murali Vijay fumbled at mid-wicket. Eventually, he miscued Karn attempting to get his 20th boundary and Ishant held the skier at deep midwicket.
India were confused over bowling around the wicket to the openers. Mohammed Shami and Varun Aaron together went for 81 in 13 overs.
It was the experience of Ishant that put a lid on the scoring. Though the idea of bowling around the wicket was to not cramp Warner for space, the poor execution was punished.
It took eight overs for Ishant to realise that one should play to one’s strength, and he switched to over the wicket and had Chris Roger nicking to Dhawan at slip.
However, Warner had snatched the momentum by then. Rattled by Varun Aaron’s pace, Shane Watson too edged to Dhawan at slip. That was the high point of the India bowling before Warner and Clarke forged a 118-run partnership.
At the fag end, with the second new ball, Aaron and Shami redeemed themselves by removing Mitchell Marsh (41), Nathan Lyon (3) and Brad Haddin (0). India’s consolation was that the slip catching was neat.
Steve Smith took over after Clarke went to reach 72 not out. He stands between India’s hopes of bowling Australia early on Day 2.
Runs Balls Minutes S/R
WELCOME BOUNCERS The big question was who will bowl the first bouncer. Shami had a chance but didn’t. Perhaps, it was too early, or perhaps he was aware of the sentiments. Maybe he wanted to bowl it later. It was only after Aaron was thrashed for 14 runs in his first over did the anticipation grow. On his mark, steaming in around the wicket, Varun was unmindful of the reaction it might bring. Varun banged in, and Warner, just in time, ducked, his head going under his forearm. Varun stayed at the follow through as the ball reached wicket keeper Wriddhiman Saha’s gloves. There was no booing, no banter, just a roar and clap, perhaps an acknowledgement of the batsman’s skill at dodging it and the bowler’s skill at producing one.
It was delightful to see the mature reaction of the spectators. Ishant Sharma welcomed Watson with a short one. Again, a similar reaction from the crowd.