KATHMANDU: Australia has made an impressive start in the fourth Test against India in Melbourne. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the hosts finished Day 1 with a solid score of 311/6.
On the opening day, four Australian batters hit half-centuries. Sam Constas scored 68, Usman Khawaja made 57, Marnus Labuschagne added 72, and Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 68.
Travis Head was dismissed for a duck, while Alex Carey contributed 31 and Mitchell Marsh made 4. Captain Pat Cummins is currently at the crease with Smith, with 8 runs.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah took 3 wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja and Aakash Deep each claimed 1 wicket.
The series is currently tied 1-1, with India winning the first Test by 295 runs and Australia winning the second by 10 wickets.
The third Test, which was affected by rain, ended in a draw.
Photos:
The Australian team stand together for their national anthem ahead of play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)The Indian team stand for their national anthem ahead of play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne watches the ball after playing a shot during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne, second left, is beaten by delivery during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)India’s Rishabh Pant, right/ appeals successfully for the wicket of Australia’s Sam Konstas during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)Australia’s Sam Konstas watches as the ball falls short of a fieldsman during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)India’s Mohammed Siraj appeals unsuccessfully for an LBW during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)India’s Ravindra Jadeja, left, celebrates with teammate Rishabh Pant after the wicket of Australia’s Sam Konstas, right, during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)Australia’s captain Pat Cummins, right, and Steve Smith, walk off the field on the end of day one play of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)India’s Akash Deep, center, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Australia’s Alex Carey during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)Australia’s Alex Carey watches the ball after playing a shot during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)Australia’s Steve Smith raises his bat as he celebrates after scoring fifty runs during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)India’s Jasprit Bumrah celebrates the wicket of Australia’s Mitchell Marsh during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)Australia’s Travis Head bats during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)India’s Ravindra Jadeja reacts after bowling a delivery during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)India’s Akash Deep, right, appeals unsuccessfully for an LBW against Australia’s Steve Smith, left, during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
