Perth Test: Shami spell helps India fight back, Aussies set 287-run target

Perth [Australia], Dec 17 (ANI): A flying spell from Indian pacer Mohammed Shami helped the visitors bowl out the Australian team for a total of 243 runs on Day Four of the ongoing second Test here at the Perth Stadium on Monday.
After going wicket-less in the first session, India looked in deep trouble but a spirited bowling brought the team back in the competition. Australia, who were 190 for four till Lunch, lost wickets in quick succession as they managed a 287 -run target for India to chase.
Top-order batsman Usman Khawaja and Australian skipper Tim Paine stitched a 72-run partnership for the fifth wicket, helping their side to put a decent total on the board. The partnership was broken by Indian pacer Mohammed Shami who came out with a brilliant spell post lunch.
Paine was trapped by Shami in a vicious short ball which balloons off his gloves and was caught easily by Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the slips. Opening batsman Aaron Finch, who had retired hurt on Day Three, walked on to the crease after the dismissal of Paine. Shami bowled a short delivery to him which was angling down the leg side. Finch gloved the ball which went straight to the Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant.
The glorious spell by Shami continued as he picked up the most crucial wicket of the day in the form of Usman Khawaja (72). Australia had added just eight runs to their post lunch total when they lost their three top batsmen.
Another Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah joined the party as he clipped off the stumps of right-arm bowler Pat Cummins (1) with a beautiful back of a length delivery. India bowlers were all over the Australians at the moment.
Star bowler of the day Mohammed Shami struck again with his short length delivery. Nathon Lyon (5) chose a wrong shot to tackle the delivery and ended up giving an easy catch to Hanuma Vihari at the deep point.
Australian pacers Mitchell Starc (14) and Josh Hazelwood (17) tried to spoil the Indian party with a quick partnership of 36 runs but Bumrah, with a super quick delivery, came to the team's rescue and sent Starc back to the pavilion.
Shami, with a six-wicket haul, emerged as the most successful bowler for India in the second innings. While Bumrah picked up three wickets, Ishant Sharma contributed one wicket for his team. (ANI)