Australia coach backs under-fire Smith as opener for series against India
Rubbing salt to the injury, the 34-year-old Smith could only manage 51 runs from four knocks during the recently-completed 2-0 series victory over New Zealand.
Pacer Ishant Sharma got rid of Australian opener Matt Renshaw (15) and spinner Ravindra Jadeja removed skipper Steve Smith (21) to give India a real chance of winning the 3rd Test of the India vs Australia series at Lunch on the final day at Ranchi.
Initially the duo had looked like they would emerge from the morning session unscathed, but a fired-up Sharma trapped Renshaw LBW in the 29th over to give India a vital breakthrough.
Jadeja then struck next, removing Smith in the very next over, sending his off stump cartwheeling to really amp the pressure on the visitors, who are tottering at 83/4.
Advertisement
Peter Handscomb (4) and Shaun Marsh (15) were at the crease at the break with Australia still trailing by 69 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Brief Scores:
Australia 1st innings: 451
India 1st innings: 603/9d
Australia 2nd innings: 83/4 in 36 overs (Shaun Marsh 15 batting; R Jadeja 3/22).
Advertisement
