As It Happened: Australia will be pretty happy with the fact that they reached 277/6 at the end of day’s play. There were three half-centurions for Australia - Marcus Harris (70), Travis Head (58) and Aaron Finch (50). As for India, Ishant Sharma and Hanuma Vihari scalped two wickets each while Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav picked one each. (Full scorecard)

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15:24 hrs IST Stumps on Day 1 With that stunning Jasprit Bumrah delivery, the first day comes to an end in Perth. Australia will be pretty happy with the fact that they reached 277/6 at the end of day’s play. There were three half-centurions for Australia - Marcus Harris (70), Travis Head (58) and Aaron Finch (50). As for India, Ishant Sharma and Hanuma Vihari scalped two wickets each while Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav picked one each.





15:12 hrs IST Cummins batting well Pat Cummins is once again giving a good account of himself that he can bat. He is currently putting on a good partnership with Tim Paine and it seems that they will end the day on a positive note.





15:02 hrs IST Boundary for Paine Bad delivery from Umesh and it is duly dispatched for a boundary by Paine. Welcome runs for the Aussie skipper as the hosts are slowly and steadily going past towards the 300-run mark.





14:56 hrs IST Ball of the day Jasprit Bumrah, Tim Paine along with the other Indian players and the fans in the stands — no one knows how that delivery didn’t crash into the off stump. The ball pitched just in front of Paint and moved away from the batsman. It took a ferocious bounce off the track and went over the keeper’s head for a boundary. Ummm...



Wow. What a delivery!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/T0F2y0PkHE — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2018





14:49 hrs IST Ishant strikes with the new ball The decision to bring Ishant Sharma has paid dividends as he gets rid of Travis Head for 58. Head tried to hit the ball straight down the ground but the ball took an edge and Shami took an easy catch at third man. Australia have lost their sixth wicket now.





14:43 hrs IST New ball taken Virat Kohli seems to have had enough with the spinners as he opts to take the new ball. Mohammed Shami will bowl the first over with the second new ball as India look to finish off the tail soon.





14:39 hrs IST New ball due now 80 overs have been bowled by the Indian bowlers and that means that the new ball is due now. But Kohli sticks with Vihari as he has been bowling well. But Tim Paine shows that he means business as he cuts the ball past the point fielder for a boundary. Australia cross 250.





14:31 hrs IST Fifty for Head Travis Head completes his half-century and this is his second of the series. Head has held the innings from one end and he will play a crucial role if Australia end up putting on a 300+ score in the innings. FIFTY! Travis Head brings up his third Test half-century from 70 deliveries, featuring five boundaries: https://t.co/mzWOwn19la #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ybk4wg8b6o — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2018





14:26 hrs IST Vihari strikes to break the partnership Hanuma Vihari produces and edge off the bat of Shaun Marsh and Ajinkya Rahane takes a brilliant reflex catch at first slip. Australia have lost their fifth wicket now and are in a spot of bother. India needed to break that stand and they have done it at the right time.





14:22 hrs IST Part-time bowlers going for runs Easy runs these for the Aussie batsmen as Vihari and Vijay gets creamed for one boundary each in a span of just four deliveries. The new ball is due in four overs and India want to get there as soon as possible because Head and Marsh are batting like they have been out in the middle since morning.





14:14 hrs IST Vihari keeps things under check India are clearly missing a regular spinner and the job is somewhat being done by Hanuma Vihari, who has now bowled ten overs in the innings. Ravindra Jadeja is their on the field but he can only do the job of a substitute fielder.





14:07 hrs IST India need a wicket Travis Head and Shaun Marsh have steadied the ship for Australia and they are milking the singles and doubles with great ease. India need to break this partnership as soon as possible to have any chance of bundling out the hosts soon.





14:00 hrs IST Stat attack 50 partnership for 5th wicket between Shaun Marsh and Travis Head. 1st fifty partnership between Shaun Marsh and Travis Head. 1st fifty partnership for 5th wicket by Australia after 10 innings. 1st fifty partnership for 5th wicket by Australia vs India after 4 innings. Marsh-Head are the only 2nd pair to add 50+ runs for 5th wicket in an innings vs India in 2018 after Buttler-Stokes at Nottingham.





13:54 hrs IST Australia cross 200 The 50-run partnership is up between Travis Head and Shaun Marsh and with that the Australia have also crossed the 200-run mark. The duo have weathered the storm well after Indian bowlers caused a mini collapse.





13:49 hrs IST Dropped catch Hanuma Vihari thought he picked his second wicket of the day when Shaun Marsh (24) edged the ball into the hands of keeper Rishabh Pant. But the ball popped straight out of Pant’s glouves after going in. And to add insult to injury, Marsh hits a boundary on the last ball of the over from Vihari.





13:42 hrs IST Bowling change Mohammed Shami has been introduced into the attack and he replaces Jasprit Bumrah. Shami has conceded at three runs per over thus far and he has been wicket-less. The pacer will hope his fortunes change in the final session of the day.





13:36 hrs IST Good bowling in tandem by Bumrah & Vihari Bumrah and Vihari are bowling well in tandem at the moment. With pace from one end and spin from the other, it is not letting the batsmen settle at the moment. The Indian bowlers are creating good pressure on the two Aussie batters.





13:30 hrs IST Edge but four Good delivery from Hanuma Vihari and it takes a leading edge off the bat of Shaun Marsh and flies past the slip fielder for a boundary towards third man. Unfortunate for the part-time spinner who has been bowling really well in the innings.





13:24 hrs IST The Indian pace troika This is the 6th instance of 3 or more pacers from a team taking 30+ away wickets each in a calendar year and 1st such instance for India.





13:18 hrs IST Marsh holds the key Shaun Marsh, who found form in the second innings at Adelaide, has to dig deep and lead Australia to a competitive total. This pitch has certainly quickened up and is proving to be difficult





13:06 hrs IST Pitch has become rather tricky to bat on Right, this is the pitch now that we were told to expect. But this could actually get dangerous if the cracks open up too quickly. Already a bit up and down — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 14, 2018





13:00 hrs IST Captain Virat Stunning catch by the skipper. That was not very short, not very wide, Handscomb cuts, gets the top edge and captain Kohli leaps towards his right and collects the catch





12:53 hrs IST Final session begins The players are back on the pitch as the third and final session of the day gets underway. Umesh Yadav will bowl the first over post tea while Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb are at the crease for the hosts. They will look to steady the ship after couple of quick blows before the play had stopped for tea.





12:34 hrs IST Tea break Good session for India, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav were brilliant with the ball. Hanuma Vihari was the surprise package as he got the wicket of Marcus Harris. Australia still ahead but India have made their presence felt in that session





12:15 hrs IST Vihari strikes Wow, that ball jumped up on Harris and he had no place to hide, gloves it behind to Rahane. India have a lucky break





12:06 hrs IST Khawaja dismissed It was a very scratchy innings by Usman Khawaja and in the end, he tried to cut and short and wide ball over point and cover. Nicks it behind





12:00 hrs IST KL Rahul shells a tough chance Good ball by Shami, getting it to bounce and move away after pitching. Harris slashes, the ball takes the edge and flies to KL Rahul who leaps at second slip but the ball evades him and scoots away to the boundary





11:47 hrs IST Bumrah is in the mood The ball is zipping all over the place, but the Australians are just about surviving. Good phase of play for Kohli and company, they have to be patient and stick to their plans





11:33 hrs IST Reckless from the captain Khawaja was under pressure, he had played out 10 balls without getting off the mark. However, a forward defense to Kohli saw him get to the other end courtesy a reckless and unwanted throw at the stumps by the skipper





11:18 hrs IST Bumrah is buzzing now That was one serious over by the bowler. Coming from around the wicket and angling the ball only to get it seaming away from the bat





11:15 hrs IST Finally, a wicket Kohli brings back Bumrah and he strike immediately. That ball was full and straight and Finch played all around that ball. The pad is in the way and the ball clatters into it. First blood for India





11:12 hrs IST The master speaks Australia played well in the first session and have surely been more positive today.

It’s important for them to continue to bat well in the 1st innings of this Test to stay alive in the series, otherwise it will be a downhill ride all the way to Sydney. #INDvAUS — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 14, 2018





11:11 hrs IST 50 for Finch Much-needed innings for Aaron Finch. He was scratchy in Adelaide, but has looked far more relaxed here. A priceless knock by the opener. Australia on the charge





11:07 hrs IST Solid start 100 runs for the first wicket. Tim Paine made a brave call at the toss and his openers have proved him right. They are right on top here. Where are India going to get that first wicket from?





10:51 hrs IST Marcus on the move The pitch is looking very flat now, the Indian bowlers even flatter. Harris has been creaming his drives and has now notched up his maiden 50. It looks very ominous for the visitors!





10:47 hrs IST Oops, that one did not bounce 'The curator just swallowed his lunch'



The Shami short ball baffles everyone. Is this a worrying sign?#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/C5LcgRJmdp — Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 14, 2018





10:43 hrs IST Harris on the charge Sublime batting by the young man. Those balls were not half volleys, but he leans into the drive and then creams it on the up through covers. Delicious





10:35 hrs IST We are back after the break Out walk the players. India need to strike early in order to assert themselves in this game. The Aussie openers will take fresh guard. Umesh Yadav will start the proceedings





9:55 hrs IST That’s lunch Marcus Harris leaves the ball outside off, tucks the bat and walks back to the pavilion after a job well done. India have toiled hard and this could be a long day on the field. Australia: 66/0 at Lunch





9:47 hrs IST Stat attack · 1st fifty partnership between Finch and Harris. · 1st fifty stand for 1st wicket by any team against India in 8 innings. · 6th fifty stand for opening wicket by Australia in 2018 — 2nd most after India (7) this year. · 5th fifty stand for opening wicket conceded by India in 2018 — joint 2nd most by any opposition in 2018 along with Pakistan. o South Africa holds the top spot by conceding 6 fifty stand for 1st wicket in 2018 · 1st fifty stand for 1st wicket by Australia in 5 innings. · 1st fifty stand for 1st wicket by Australia against India in 6 innings.





9:41 hrs IST Stunning over by Bumrah The fast bowler had Aaron Finch reaching out and splashing around that over. He beat him thrice, got him to nick once, but then could not get a wicket





9:28 hrs IST Correct bowling attack? Going in with 4 seamers is one thing, without Ashwin or Jadeja it makes the batting a little lighter that none of the #TeamIndia seamers can make a realistic Batting contribution #AUSvIND #PerthTest — subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) December 14, 2018





9:09 hrs IST 50 partnership up for the first wicket Excellent start to the Test for the hosts with the openers looking very good after weathering the initial storm. India will have to keep hitting the areas and keep the spirits high





8:54 hrs IST Drinks The first hour ticks by and Australia have started really well. The openers have buckled down perfectly and they should not capitalise on the platform





8:49 hrs IST Good start by Shami Hitting the line and the perfect length there Shami. India have been inconsistent so far this morning, but Shami has made a promising start





8:38 hrs IST Openers looking good There is assistance, but then the Aussie openers have weathered the initial storm and are now looking rather good. The drives are coming and the strike rotation has been perfect





8:30 hrs IST No luck for Ishant In the second innings at Adelaide, 29% of Ishant's new ball bowling was full; today, it's 69%. He's determined to pitch it up - but he's had no luck with wickets so far. #AUSvIND — The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) December 14, 2018





8:14 hrs IST Struggling to find control Ishant wants to pitch the ball up, but he is struggling to find control with the length and is pushing the ball down the leg side. Australia unscathed at the moment





7:59 hrs IST Finch gets cracking Bumrah was testing the middle of the pitch and Aaron Finch was perfectly set up to slap a shortish ball away to mid-wicket to get off the mark





7:54 hrs IST Probing first over Ishant Sharma is getting the ball right up to the batsman and asking Marcus Harris to come and drive. There is great carry on this pitch. Here is what Ian Chappell believes about Ishant.





7:48 hrs IST Anthems have been played We are all set to get cracking. Kohli is out there, his side is spreading all over the place. The Aussie openers saunter out. A decent crowd is expected





7:31 hrs IST Teams are out IND XI: L Rahul, M Vijay, C Pujara, V Kohli, A Rahane, H Vihari, R Pant, I Sharma, M Shami, U Yadav, J Bumrah AUS XI: A Finch, M Harris, U Khawaja, S Marsh, P Handscomb, T Head, T Paine, M Starc, P Cummins, N Lyon, J Hazlewood





7:24 hrs IST Australia win the toss and bat first Tim Paine has won the toss and he has decided to bat first. Virat says he would have batted first as well, but does not mind bowling first on the green track





7:12 hrs IST Pitch report Look at the amount of live green grass and that will encourage the fast bowlers. Expect plenty of movement and bounce. I’d rather be a bowler this week: Michael Vaughan with his assessment Meet the Green Mamba....I’ve never seen this much grass on a cricket pitch 🙈🙏 #AusvInd #7cricket @7Cricket pic.twitter.com/JLLr8EycPH — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 14, 2018





7:06 hrs IST Hmmm, Warne has fired a salvo Good luck to both teams in Perth today for the second test ! Sorry to all my Indian fans, but given the pitch conditions, a hard, green bouncy & fast pitch - I think the Aussies will blow India away ! I hope Starc finds his form & gets 10 for the match !!!! 👍 — Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 14, 2018





7:00 hrs IST Trivia time Perth Stadium will become the 10th venue in Australia to host a Men’s Test match Joining the MCG, SCG, Adelaide Oval, Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Gabba (Brisbane), WACA Ground (Perth), Blundstone Arena (Hobart), TIO Stadium (Darwin) and Cazaly’s Stadium (Cairns)





6:59 hrs IST Captain Kohli is excited “We certainly get more excited than nervous looking at lively pitches now because we understand that we do have a bowling attack that can bowl the opposition out as much as they are confident about their attack,” Kohli said on the eve of the match. More on what he said can be read here.





6:50 hrs IST Curator speaks out - We’ve been told to make it fast “We’ve just been told make it fast, make it bouncy if you can and run with it,” Sipthorpe was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “We’re just trying to produce the bounciest pitch we can.” More about the story here





6:45 hrs IST No more WACA We are at the new ground in Perth and the stadium is a gorgeous sight to behold. The beautiful Perth stadium readies itself for its first Test 🤙🏻✌🏻😎 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/zaeIpmv67p — BCCI (@BCCI) December 14, 2018





6:44 hrs IST The big player battles to look forward to A green top is what can be expected at Perth and there are several big battles to look out for in the second Test match as Virat Kohli and India look to consolidate their lead while the Aussies will aim to hit back hard. Here is how we see the different contests within the contest.



