Marcus Harris scored his maiden half-century in Test cricket
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Marcus Harris, Travis Head and Aaron Finch made 70, 58 and 50 respectively as Australia claimed a slim advantage over India on the opening day in Perth.
Opting to bat first, Australia made a superb start to their innings as Harris and Finch amassed a 112-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their fifties.
However, shortly after registering his half-century, Finch was trapped lbw off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah for 50, which came off 105 balls and included six boundaries.
Usman Khawaja failed to have much of an impact as he was caught behind off the bowling of Umesh Yadav for five runs.
Harris went on to score a 141-ball 70, which included 10 boundaries, before he was caught by Ajinkya Rahane at slip off the bowling of Hanuma Vihari.
That's done a bit!
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— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2018
Peter Handscomb was the next to go as he was brilliantly caught by India captain Virat Kohli in the slip cordon off the bowling of Ishant Sharma for seven runs.
A stunning grab from Virat Kohli shortly after the tea break!#AUSvIND | @bet365_aus pic.twitter.com/ZgV3i3ENiY
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2018
With Australia having lost four quick wickets, Head and Shaun Marsh steadied things with an 84-run stand before Marsh was caught by Rahane at slip off the bowling of Vihari for 45.
Head finds the boundary behind point to move to 41* and Australia are 4-217.
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Head fell towards the end of the day as he was caught by Mohammed Shami at third man off the bowling of Ishant for 58, which came off 80 deliveries and included six boundaries.
Australia skipper Tim Paine and Pat Cummins ensured Australia didn’t lose anymore wickets prior to stumps as they forged an unbeaten 26-run partnership.
Paine finished on 16, which came off 34 balls and included two boundaries, while Cummins remained undefeated on 11.
Ishant and Vihari picked up two wickets apiece, while Bumrah and Yadav claimed one wicket each.
Australia ended day one on 277/6 and will continue batting on Saturday at 10:20 local time or 02:20 GMT.