Australia all out for 474 in fourth test against India

MELBOURNE: Australia were bowled out for 474 in their first innings on the second day of the fourth Test against India in Melbourne on Friday, with Steve Smith making 140.

Resuming at their overnight 311-6, they were removed in the 10th over after lunch.

Smith made his 34th Test century before a bizarre dismissal, with the ball bouncing off his pads as he danced down the pitch and trickling onto leg stump to dislodge a bail on 140. This was Smith’s 11th century against India.

Australia captain Pat Cummins was also among the runs, the tailender falling for 49 as he and Smith combined for a potentially decisive 112-run partnership after resuming on 311 for six at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

India’s bowlers had taken four wickets after tea on a scorching day one to check Australia’s advance but they let the game drift in cooler, overcast conditions on the second morning. Paceman Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with 4-99, while spinner Ravindra Jadeja took 3-78.

Smith and Cummins were barely tested as they racked up 60 runs by the drinks break, smashing the second new ball around the ground. Smith brought up his 34th test century, and second for the series, with a crisp, off-drive for four off Nitish Kumar Reddy.

India quick Mohammed Siraj’s miserable test continued as runs piled up from his bowling and home fans jeered when he was inserted into the attack or fielded the ball.

Siraj, cast as India’s villain since giving Travis Head a send-off in the Adelaide test, sent two bouncer soaring over Rishab Pant’s gloves for five byes each.

Hooked for six and smacked for four in successive balls by Smith, Siraj finished the session still wicketless in the test at the cost of 115 runs.

Ravindra Jadeja alone gave Indian fans some cheer when he denied Cummins a fourth test half-century, the Australia paceman well caught by Reddy in the covers when swinging for the fences.

India’s relief was shortlived, though, as Starc kept the scoreboard ticking over, smashing Bumrah for a six over the long-on fence.