Australia have reached the 300 run mark for the first time since Steve Smith and David Warner were suspended.

The Harbour City derby is the first repeat match of the season. Sydney FC have historically dominated, as they did with the 2-0 win in round two at the SCG, but momentum now is running the opposite way.

If the last-placed Mariners maintain their winless run, they’ll equal their club record for 14 games without maximum points.

India’s top order batsmen KL Rahul and Murali Vijay faced a fired-up Mitchell Starc on day 2 of the second Test in Perth after dismissing the Australians for a solid 326.

India bowled the Australians all out just before lunch on Saturday, after the tailenders added another 46 runs.

With just minutes before lunch, India lost their first wicket when Starc bowled Vijay out for a duck after facing only 12 balls, the opener lasting just 13 minutes out on what has been described as a “topsy-turvy” Perth pitch.

With an inswinging thunderbolt, Starc punctuated what was an excellent session for Australia. The big quick, coming into the Test under some pressure after the series opener, did what he does best by making an early incision that leaves the visitors 1/6 in reply to Australia’s 326.

Before play, coach Justin Langer said that if the hosts could survive an hour in the sporting Perth Stadium conditions that it would be a bonus.

They did better than that, captain Tim Paine and Pat Cummins making it through to drinks without losing a wicket.

By the time their 58-run partnership was broken, Umesh Yadav bowled the New South Welshman with a lovely leg cutter on 19 to make it 7/310, making the job largely done.

Soon after, Paine (38) was trapped lbw by Jasprit Bumrah, introduced belatedly after starring as the best of the visiting quicks on day one.

Nathan Lyon and Starc added 15 frustrating runs for Virat Kohli before the latter, then Josh Hazlewood, edged off in consecutive balls to Ishant Sharma, who finished the innings with figures of 4/41.

India are 1/6 at lunch with Rahul on 1.

Allan Border wrote on Fox Sports Australia’s attack will be “licking their lips” after seeing how many tricks the Optus Stadium pitch had played on day one.

“On a surface like this, runs on the board, particularly in the first innings, are like gold.

“The good news for Australia is their bowlers will have learned from India’s (bowlers).

“What worked and what didn’t and, when it is their turn to bowl, they will be confident.”

Meanwhile, new Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts is open to the idea of trialling four-day Tests, saying it’s a change worth exploring.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes shortening Test matches from five days to four is worth a try in a bid to rejuvenate the game.

Australia have no immediate plans to follow suit with a four-day Test but are open to the idea of trialling it.

“There’s a bit to be said for it,” Roberts told SEN.

“It’s certainly something we need to be open minded to down the track.

“The average duration of a Test match is a shade over four days.

“We know there’s been timeless Tests over the years, we know there were even three-day Tests. So Test cricket hasn’t been five days in duration forever.

“And I think the concepts of four days going forward is something we need to be open to, without jumping to conclusions.

-additional reporting in Perth by Adam Collins

-with AAP

The post Second Test: Australia all out for 326 on lively Perth Stadium pitch appeared first on The New Daily.

India’s top order batsmen KL Rahul and Murali Vijay faced a fired-up Mitchell Starc on day 2 of the second Test in Perth after dismissing the Australians for a solid 326.

India bowled the Australians all out just before lunch on Saturday, after the tailenders added another 46 runs.

With just minutes before lunch, India lost their first wicket when Starc bowled Vijay out for a duck after facing only 12 balls, the opener lasting just 13 minutes out on what has been described as a “topsy-turvy” Perth pitch.

With an inswinging thunderbolt, Starc punctuated what was an excellent session for Australia. The big quick, coming into the Test under some pressure after the series opener, did what he does best by making an early incision that leaves the visitors 1/6 in reply to Australia’s 326.

Before play, coach Justin Langer said that if the hosts could survive an hour in the sporting Perth Stadium conditions that it would be a bonus.

They did better than that, captain Tim Paine and Pat Cummins making it through to drinks without losing a wicket.

By the time their 58-run partnership was broken, Umesh Yadav bowled the New South Welshman with a lovely leg cutter on 19 to make it 7/310, making the job largely done.

Soon after, Paine (38) was trapped lbw by Jasprit Bumrah, introduced belatedly after starring as the best of the visiting quicks on day one.

Nathan Lyon and Starc added 15 frustrating runs for Virat Kohli before the latter, then Josh Hazlewood, edged off in consecutive balls to Ishant Sharma, who finished the innings with figures of 4/41.

India are 1/6 at lunch with Rahul on 1.

Allan Border wrote on Fox Sports Australia’s attack will be “licking their lips” after seeing how many tricks the Optus Stadium pitch had played on day one.

“On a surface like this, runs on the board, particularly in the first innings, are like gold.

“The good news for Australia is their bowlers will have learned from India’s (bowlers).

“What worked and what didn’t and, when it is their turn to bowl, they will be confident.”

Meanwhile, new Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts is open to the idea of trialling four-day Tests, saying it’s a change worth exploring.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes shortening Test matches from five days to four is worth a try in a bid to rejuvenate the game.

Australia have no immediate plans to follow suit with a four-day Test but are open to the idea of trialling it.

“There’s a bit to be said for it,” Roberts told SEN.

“It’s certainly something we need to be open minded to down the track.

“The average duration of a Test match is a shade over four days.

“We know there’s been timeless Tests over the years, we know there were even three-day Tests. So Test cricket hasn’t been five days in duration forever.

“And I think the concepts of four days going forward is something we need to be open to, without jumping to conclusions.

-additional reporting in Perth by Adam Collins

-with AAP

The post Second Test: Australia all out for 326 on lively Perth Stadium pitch appeared first on The New Daily.

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