Sydney Test Day 1 report: Pucovski, Labuschagne fifties take hosts to 166/2 on rain-hit opening day

In indicators ominous for India and inspiring for Australia, the beleaguered Steve Smith regarded harmful and his understudy Marnus Labuschagne struck an unbeaten half-century because the hosts reached 166 for 2 on a rain-marred opening day of the third Test right here.At stumps, Labuschagne was unbeaten on 67 and Smith, after his uncharacteristic run of low scores to this point, appeared out of the woods with 31 assured runs, which included 5 authoritative boundaries. Labuschagne discovered the fence eight instances. This was after debutant Will Pucovski, driving on some luck, made 62 on debut to interrupt the shackles for the under-fire aspect.Smith regarded optimistic from the phrase go and was decided to not let the Indian bowlers dictate phrases to him.ALSO READ: Emotional Mohammed Siraj tears up whereas singing nationwide anthem in Sydney Test – WATCHHaving entered the match after registering scores of 1, 0 and eight in his final three innings, Smith’s first assured shot got here towards India’s tempo spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was properly pushed via the mid-on for his first boundary of the collection.His confidence up after dismissing Pucovski for his first Test wicket, debutant pacer Navdeep Saini bought carried away and was responsible of bowling too full to Smith, who latched on to them with a few fours.With Smith wanting in effective fettle, the early indicators have been ominous for India and skipper Ajinkya Rahane introduced again his nemesis Ravichandran Ashwin into the assault, however the Australian was equal to the duty on this event. A tossed up supply was whipped off pads via mid-wicket after which Smith danced down the observe to loft Ashwin on the onside for an additional boundary.ALSO READ: India vs Australia, third Test, Day 1 HighlightsMeanwhile, Labuschagne was in his aspect after he had settled in and performed a number of pleasing drives on each side of the wicket, having drawn confidence from the pull shot he performed towards Bumrah at first of his innings.The two added 60 runs for the third wicket after a 100-run affiliation between Labuschagne and Pucovski, who was trapped in entrance of the wicket by Saini however not earlier than beginning his Test profession with a stable knock.Pucovski additionally had luck on his aspect as wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant dropped the opener twice earlier than tea.Pucovski was on 54 and Marnus Labuschagne on 34 on the tea break after 4 hours of play have been misplaced as a consequence of rain.In between three reprieves, Pucovski performed some spectacular pictures and in addition regarded stable in defence after Mohammed Siraj had despatched again the returning David Warner early.Introduced into the assault after 13 overs in India’s first bowling change, senior off-spinner Ashwin tempted Pucovski right into a drive and the batsman solely managed an edge after shedding his stability, however Pant failed to hold on to the providing regardless of getting his gloves to it within the twenty second over.Pant spilled yet another likelihood and on that event the unfortunate bowler was Siraj, whose quick and brief supply touched the batsman’s gloves on his strategy to the keeper, who couldn’t full the duty. Pant managed to take it on the second try, however the ball had hit the bottom by then.With luck on his aspect, Pucovski bought to his fifty when he pulled one other debutant, Navdeep Saini, via the large mid-on area for a boundary.Earlier, play resumed because the solar shone brightly after a four-hour rain interruption.Groundsmen on the Sydney Cricket Ground labored relentlessly, together with utilizing a blower to go along with the super-sopper, to get the floor prepared for resumption at 3pm native time.As many as 35 overs have been misplaced as a consequence of rain. Scheduled shut of play was prolonged to six.30pm with additional half-hour permitted to make sure minimal overs.This was after younger pacer Siraj dismissed Warner to depart Australia at 21 for one earlier than the inclement climate stopped play barely seven overs into the primary day’s motion.The dwelling crew had batted for less than 7.1 overs when play was interrupted.Siraj despatched again Warner (5) when he had the seasoned opener caught behind by Cheteshwar Pujara at first slip within the fourth over, giving India their first breakthrough earlier than the heavens opened up.The gamers ran off the sector as a bathe arrived from nowhere, forcing the groundsmen to cowl the pitch in addition to the sq..Making a return after an extended harm layoff, Warner confirmed depth within the first few overs however bought carried away as he chased a large Siraj supply.On the opposite had, barring a few uncomfortable moments towards the shorter balls, Pucovski regarded stable within the center after Australia gained the toss and opted to bat within the penultimate match of the four-match collection.Rohit Sharma returned to the Indian taking part in XI instead of Mayank Agarwal, whereas Saini was handed a Test debut, changing an injured Umesh Yadav.