With Australia at 4/221 before start of the third day in Brisbane, India appeared to have the upper hand. But Steve Smith looked strong in his innings overnight, and Mitchell Marsh had just came in. To gain control of the match, India needed quick wickets.
In the first hour the Indian bowlers took the wickets of Marsh and Brad Haddin and were looking to gain handsome first innings lead.
Then Mitchell Johnson walked out at No. 7 and started to attack. Suddenly, the pressure was back on India.
Johnson is a natural stroke-maker but not a consistent run-maker, still he wasn’t afraid to play his natural game which turned out to be very fruitful for Australia.
Thanks to some wayward bowling by the Indian quicks and Ravi Ashwin, Johnson reached 50 in no time and by lunch Australia were in a strong position.
Johnson was putting balls to the fence and over it and was especially harsh on Varun Aaron and Ashwin, who bowled too short, full or wide to him. The Indian bowlers had no plan for Johnson as he cut, pulled and lofted with ease to score quick-fire 88.
He appeared set to notch up his second Test century, and as Smith scored his first Test century as captain Australia were primed to take the lead. Adding 148 runs for seventh wicket in just 160 balls was a turning point in a match which is now evenly poised, with Australia gaining a psychological advantage over India.
The Indian batsmen have their work cut out to remain in the match, thanks to the best counter-attacking innings I’ve seen in recent times.
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