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Aussie batsmen falter after India's big 'sledge'

Shaun Marsh shapes as Australia’s best hope of winning the first Test against India which history – and conventional wisdom – suggests is near-impossible.

Australia, set an imposing target of 323 at Adelaide Oval, reached 4-104 at stumps on day four.

Marsh is unbeaten on 31 from 92 balls, having occupied the crease for more time than any other batsman in Australia’s second innings, while Travis Head is 11 not out.

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Marsh has history when it comes to resisting India, having batted out 62 overs on day five to help secure a draw last year in Ranchi.

The 35-year-old is also likely to draw confidence from negotiating Sunday’s final session plus last month’s Sheffield Shield knock of 163 not out in Adelaide, where he helped Western Australia to overhaul a target of 313.

India celebrate the wicket of Usman Khawaja. Image: Getty
India celebrate the wicket of Usman Khawaja. Image: Getty

But the mountain confronting the much-maligned veteran on Monday is significantly more confronting for several reasons, with Australia still 219 runs away from a record-breaking victory after suffering a concerning collapse of 4-56.

The highest-successful run chase in an Adelaide Test is Australia’s 6-315, achieved in 1902 against England, while no side has hunted down more than 236 at the venue since West Indies in 1982.

India’s prospects of recording their first Test win in Australia since 2008, and their maiden Test series win in Australia, were already strong when resuming on Sunday at 3-151.

They were enhanced by first-inning centurion Cheteshwar Pujara, who top-scored again with 71 to make it 11 hours at the crease in the low-scoring contest.

Nathan Lyon celebrates after dismissing Rohit Sharma. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)
Nathan Lyon celebrates after dismissing Rohit Sharma. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)

Nathan Lyon grabbed 6-122 as India posted a second-innings total of 307.

Loose strokes from Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb served as the latest reminder of Australia’s reliance on Steve Smith and David Warner in recent years.

The slump started when Aaron Finch ended the post-lunch session, caught at bat-pad for 11.

Replays suggested the ball didn’t flick the gloves, meaning Finch would have been reprieved if he had reviewed.

Finch had already referred a lbw verdict in the first over of the innings, only avoiding the ignominy of a pair because replays showed Ishant Sharma delivered a no-ball.

‘That’s the biggest sledge right there’

India resumed their second innings at 3-151 on Sunday then enjoyed a productive opening session, underlined by Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane’s 87-run stand.

But they were rolled for 307 after losing 7-73 either side of lunch, notably adding a mere 25 runs for their final five wickets.

The big collapse was a result of India putting the foot down and trying to add some quick runs, despite only being about 250 in front.

Leading cricket writer Robert Craddock saw it as a sign that India felt they already had enough in the bag.

“That was a subtle sledge to Australia when India said after lunch ‘let’s go for this’,” Craddock said on Fox’s Cricket 360.

“Pant went absolutely crazy, that was them saying ‘I think we’ve got enough, 300 is enough against this weak team’. Normally that’s what you have when it’s 400, that’s them saying we don’t rate you guys.

“That was as big a sledge as any that have been said on the field.”

Rishabh Pant, in particular, showed the Aussies absolutely no respect.

With India’s lead hovering around 250, the 21-year-old wicketkeeper slogged Nathan Lyon for three fours and a six in one over.

A number of commentators were critical after Pant got out going for another big shot, but it was the perfect example of the little respect India have for Australia’s batting.

HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASES IN ADELAIDE OVAL TESTS:

6-315 by Australia to beat England, 1902

5-239 by West Indies to beat Australia, 1982

4-233 by West Indies to defeat Australia, 1951

6-233 by India to defeat Australia, 2003

HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASES IN TEST CRICKET:

7-418 by West Indies to beat Australia at St John’s, 2003

4-414 by South Africa against Australia at WACA Ground, 2008

4-406 by India to beat West Indies at Port of Spain, 1976

3-404 by Australia to beat England at Headingly, 1948

HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASES IN AUSTRALIA:

6-369 by Australia to beat Pakistan at Bellerive Oval, 1999

8-342 by Australia to beat India at WACA Ground, 1977

7-332 by England to beat Australia at MCG, 1928

6-315 by Australia to beat England at Adelaide Oval, 1902

with AAP