Adelaide: India will look to improve their overseas record while Australians after the tragic demise of their fellow teammate Phillip Hughes would look to give a perfect farewell gift to him.
After losing first two sessions of the day, India have marginally pulled out the third session. Smith and Marsh fortified Australia further with an 87-run stand before India struck back with the second new ball. It was a evenly match session with Steven Smith scoring 72 and bowlers getting 4 wickets. Australia scored 116 runs in 39.2 overs in the evening session and lost four wickets with three of David Warner, Mitchell Marsh and Brad Haddin.
STUMPS DAY 1
Australia 354/6 after 89.2 overs
And it's over for today. Umpires called stumps just after Haddin's dismissal.
Mohammad Shami brought some happiness to the Indian side after dismissing Nathan Lyon and Brad Haddin just before the close of the play. He tried to keep his line and length straight which surely has troubled the batsmen. Varun Aaron who was limping a bit and looked in discomfort was replaced by Karn who bowls another maiden.
Brad Haddin c Saha b Shami 0
OUT! Brad Haddin gets an outside edge to Saha and Shami gets his second wicket just before the close of the play.
Brad Haddin comes to the crease
Australia 352/5 after 87.3 overs
Nathan Lyon b Shami 3
OUT! Shami finally gets his wicket. Stumps shattered! Good length ball nips back in slightly, Lyon pushes at it, and gets an inside edge. Nightwatch man Lyon departs for 3
Australia 348/4 after 85 overs
Both Shami and Ishant failed in having a control over the second new ball as both pacers have been smashed by the batsmen for boundaries but Shami managed to get the wicket of Mitchell Marsh. There was a light appeal for lbw by the keeper Saha but the good length ball jags back in from wide outside off and flicks Smith's pad as he was looking to leave it alone.
Nathan Lyon is the night watchman in for Australia
Australia 345/4 after 84.2 overs
Mitchell Marsh c Kohli b Aaron 41
OUT! Aaron gets his second wicket of well set Mitchell Marsh. Back of a length and outside off with some extra lift, Marsh, perhaps was thinking of punching it. He gets the edge and Kohli takes a good catch at slips.
Second new ball has been taken and Ishant Sharma has been put into the attack
Australia 317/3 after 80 overs
Another Aussie batsmen crossed the 50 run mark today. Steven Smith gets to his 9th Test half-century with a single towards long-on off Karn Sharma's tossed up delivery. The two spinners Karn and Vijay kept it tight for the batsmen to score runs. Vijay bowled his 3rd maiden of the day in his 12 overs. Mohmmad Shami returned for his spell after a long break today.
Australia 317/3 after 75 overs
Marsh and Smith have looked equally comfortable against both pace and spin since Warner's dismissal. Murali Vijay have been able to kept the faith Virat showed in him. His quality spin bowling have been testing the patience of both the set batsmen. No doubt, he is much more impressive than Karn Sharma.
Australia 302/3 after 70 overs
On one hand Ishant has been successful in controlling the Aussies. He is getting a decent pace and bounce which is complimenting his bowling very much. Karn Sharma has again been expensive in 67th over conceding again two boundaries. He was straight away replaced by Murali Vijay after a long spell and who bowled slightly better than Karn so far. Steven Smith's backfoot shot to third man boundary off Varun Aaron brings up 300 for Australia in less than 70 overs.
Australia 280/3 after 65 overs
The scoring rate came down since Warner's dismissal. Karn Sharma have been impressive in post tea session except in one over where he conceded two boundaries. Virat Kohli have shown trust in Murali Vijay's wrist spin after the front line bowlers failed. Ishant was introduced as the first pacer in the third session.
Update: Clarke has left the ground as he was in considerable pain. There will be an update on the extent of his injury at the end of the day
Australia 263/3 after 60 overs
Karn Sharma is looking good after the tea break. He got the major breakthrough for India and has started getting a bit of turn. Murali Vijay is well complimenting Karn with his spin and has restricted the batsmen to score runs on many occassions.
Mitchell Marsh is the new man in
Australia 258/3 after 56.2 overs
OUT! Karn Sharma gets his first test wicket and its a big one. Warner didn't connected it well and gets the height instead of length. Ishant Sharma takes the catch at deep midwicket. Warner out for 145.
Australia 248/2 after 55 overs
David Warner had two lifelines off Karn Sharma. He survived a stumping by Saha after Murali Vijay missed the run out chance in the very first over after tea. Part time off-breakspinner Vijay had been introduced to bowl by the skipper who had a decent time.
Karn Sharma to resume the play
The third session is about to get underway. Will India make a comeback or Australia continue to dominate the first day.
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Indian bowlers have toiled hard, but have been unable to put any sort of pressure on the Australian batters.
After the first session, David Warner dominated the afternoon session as well getting his 10th Test hundred. Though Australia lost Michael Clarke due to an injury but they haven't lost a wicket. 125 runs have been scored in 26 overs in the afternoon session by the batsmen.
TEA BREAK
Australia 238/2 after 50 overs
Steven Smith continues his form in home as well after the quality shots he played off Ishant Sharma and Karn Sharma. The batsmen scored 31 runs in last 5 overs after Smith dispatched a fullish delivery to midwicket boundary at the stroke of Tea on First day.
Australia 207/2 after 45 overs
Karn Sharma kept it tight for Warner in his 9th over giving away just 1 run.
Steven Smith walks in to bat
Michael Clarke retired hurt (60)
It is an emotional moment for him of not being able to continue. He was just 3 short of Hughes' score of 63.
Clarke walks off the ground shaking his head after having some discomfort in his back. He recently recovered from his hamstring injury. Meanwhile only Ishant Sharma has been able to restrict the batsmen to score runs. Rest all the bowlers have the economy rate of above five.
Australia 190/2 after 40 overs
Australians are getting lucky runs through edges. Clarke scored his 28th half century and continues to dominate Indian bowlers with David Warner. They both now have a partnership of 102 runs in 129 balls.
DRINKS BREAK
Australia 171/2 after 37 overs
Warner gets to his 10th test century and 5th this year with a single off Karn Sharma. That is an emotional century for him and the crowd is on their feet applauding his efforts. Michael Clarke survived a big and loud appeal for caught behind by Aaron and Kohli but umpire declines as it was the bat which struck the pad.
Australia 165/2 after 35 overs
Umpires and Indian skipper Kohli after having a few words decided to change the ball due to its irregular shape. Mohammad Shami is being targeted by Clarke and has again been hit for two boundaries in an over by Clarke. Aaron is constantly bowling 140 kph+ with quite a few bouncers as well.
Australia 136/2 after 30 overs
Clarke is in good touch after a classic straight and cover drive for boundary off Mohammad Shami. He came back after lunch after lunch with a good tight over to David Warner followed by Ishant Sharma who continues to bowl from round the wicket to him. A seamed back in delivery by Ishant to Clarke just went off close to the off stump troubling the batsman.
Mohammad Shami to continue for India with Warner on strike
The second session of the Day is about to begin. India has been bowling around the wicket to David Warner so far but will they switch their plans for him in the post lunch session? Aaron and Shami need to get their bearings right, else India will be chasing leather for the rest of the day.
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The players walk off the ground with a big applause from the crowd. David Warner started very well with a quickfire half century. Varun Aaron and Mohammad Shami have been expensive in the first session of the day with no control while Ishant Sharma restricted the batsmen especially Warner with his tight line and length. Karn Sharma served up full tosses - showing his nerves on debut. Rogers and Watson were two gifts for India who were dismissed after their poor strokes.
Australia's run rate is 4.7 to the over. David Warner is the reason for that. He got 77 off 73, the other batsmen have 32 off 73.
LUNCH BREAK
Australia 113/2 after 24 overs
Michael Clarke looks good after the kind of shots he played. Karn is being targeted by Warner after two glorious boundaries in his 3rd over. But Ishant continues to bowl around the wicket to David Warner and making him struggle for runs. He is in every mood to test the batsman's patience. Single on the leg side by Warner takes Australia to lunch on the opening Day of first test.
Australia 92/2 after 20 overs
Clarke was welcomed by a well directed and a speedy bouncer by Varun Aaron in a wicket maiden over. Crowd applauds Warner as he reaches 63 with a couple on the fine leg off a low full toss by Karn Sharma. That must be very emotional moment for him.
Michael Clarke walks in at no. 4
Australia 88/2 after 18.3 overs
Varun Aaron strikes! Dhawan takes another catch at second slip dismissing Shane Watson for 14. Debutant Karn Sharma started his test carrer bowling to Warner who is in no mood to let go off the assault. He started with a high fulltoss which was mistimed by Warner.
Australia 80/1 after 15 overs
Ishant is making it difficult for the batsmen to score runs conceding only 10 runs in his first five overs with two maidens and a wicket. Shane Watson survived a lbw appeal but the ball was much high above the stumps. Varun Aaron has been expensive since the start of the day. Warner quickly reaches his half century in just 45 balls after hitting two back to back boundaries off Aaron.
DRINKS BREAK
Australia 64/1 after 11 overs
Ishant welcomed Watson with a well directed bouncer in a wicket maiden and continues to trouble the batsmen. Mohammad Shami is struggling with his line and length and already conceded 30 in his first 5 overs. Varun have his pace but the batsmen are in no kind of trouble.
Shane Watson is the next man in
Australia 50/1 after 7.5 overs
Ishant Sharma had a good start with a maiden and then the wicket of Chris Rogers for 9 who was caught at slips by Dhawan. Shami on the other side continues to concede runs.
Ishant Sharma comes into the attack
Australia 45/0 after 5 overs
That's a T20 start for Australia. David Warner is looking good after smashing both Varun Aaron and Shami for the boundaries. He seems to be in no trouble as he have already smashed 7 boundaries. On the other hand, Rogers is struggling around the crease after the caught behind appeal by Aaron was turned down. . Aaron bowled the two short balls which was well ducked by Warner while other was cut away for a boundary. Three fielders in the covers but he still manages to collect plenty of runs.
Australia 16/0 after 2 overs
Mohammad Shami bowled the good tight first over with a full length delivery to start. An inside edge got Rogers a couple but a slightly short pitched delivery troubled him. Varun Aaron bowling from other end was smashed for three boundaries by Warner despite getting the swing.
Mohammad Shami to start the proceedings from around the wicket for India and the first ball is not a bouncer.
Team India is in huddle while Aussie openers Chris Rogers and David Warner are making their way to the middle.
Both Australian and Indian players are walking out in the middle with black arm band for the national anthems. You can see 408 painted on the ground which was the test cap number of Phillip Hughes.
India Playing XI: Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Karn Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Varun Aaron, Mohammed Shami
Australia playing XI: Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle & Nathan Lyon.
Kohli says its the ground where he scored his first test hundred and leading India for the first time in Tests, couldn't be a better day to start off the series. Karn Sharma makes his test debut for Indian side. That's a surprising selection when Ravi Ashwin and Jadeja were there in the squad.
Late Phil Hughes is Australia's 13th man in the squad as mentioned by the skipper Clarke.
Michael Clarke won the toss and Australia will bat first
Adelaide Oval it is when India won a Test match after 22 years in Australia, back in 2003-04 when Sourav Ganguly was the captain. Rahul Dravid scored a double-century and followed it up with an unbeaten half-century in the second innings to take India home. Ajit Agarkar picked up a fifer in the second innings to restrict Australia to a modest total.
After the unfortunate demise of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, the on-field face-off is unlikely to be anything less than high-voltage when India and Australia compete in the opening cricket Test of a four-match series, starting here Tuesday.
More than two weeks after landing here, India will finally get down to serious competition with Virat Kohli leading the side in place of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is still recovering from a hairline fracture in his right thumb.
Indians are also dealing with uncertainty surrounding medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar even as Australian skipper Michael Clarke was declared fit for the game.
