Konstas, Khawaja Fall as Australia Extend Lead to 158 Over India

AFP/APP

Melbourne: Australia lost both openers as they reached 53-2 at lunch on Sunday, extending their lead to 158 over India on day four of the fourth Test in Melbourne.

Marnus Labuschagne survived a series of probing deliveries from seamer Jasprit Bumrah to remain 20 not out at lunch, alongside first-innings centurion Steve Smith, who is unbeaten on two.

India was earlier dismissed for 369 after adding 11 to their overnight score, with maiden centurion Nitish Kumar Reddy the last man out for 114.

The home side gained a first-innings advantage of 105 runs and aimed to build a substantial lead to set up a victory push on day five.

However, Australia’s start was challenging against Bumrah’s inspired new-ball attack. Debutant opener Sam Konstas, who dazzled with a fearless 60 in the first innings, managed just eight runs in the second.

Bumrah trapped him with an in-swinger that rattled the middle stump.

Bumrah, whose series tally stands at 26 wickets at an average of 13.3, continued to trouble the Australian lineup, getting the ball to swing both ways but was unlucky not to claim more wickets.

Usman Khawaja, dropped on one by Yashasvi Jaiswal at leg gully off Bumrah, was eventually bowled for 21 by Mohammed Siraj.

Earlier, all-rounder Reddy attempted to clear the boundary off Nathan Lyon but was caught by Mitchell Starc at deep long-on.

Reddy’s 189-ball knock featured 11 fours and a six, marking the highest Test score in Melbourne for a player batting at number eight or lower. The 21-year-old, playing just his fourth Test, was instrumental in narrowing the deficit.

Mohammed Siraj remained unbeaten on four. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon finished with 3-96, while Pat Cummins and Scott Boland also claimed three wickets each.

The series is tied 1-1, with the fifth and final Test scheduled to begin in Sydney on January 3.