Photos: Captain Smith's fifty, Dhawan's drop and the beautiful MCG
Australia vs India 3rd Test, Day one in pictures.
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General view of the Melbourne beautiful Cricket Ground during day one of the Third Test match between Australia and India. Australia ended day one on 259/5 after opting to bat first. Chris Rogers (57) , Shane Watson (52) and Smith (72*) hit fifties. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav picked up two wickets each for India. Getty
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India got off to a positive start as Umesh Yadav removed the in-form David Warner caught at 3rd Slip for a duck in just the second over of the match. But then Chris Rogers steadied the ship and scored a half-century as he added 115 runs for the second wicket with Watson. India struck back after lunch and Shami had Rogers caught behind for 57. Getty
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Shane Watson was under tremendous pressure to perform and it seemed it was his day when he was dropped on 37 off Shami by Dhawan at second slip. Dhawan dived from second slip but couldn’t manage to hold on. However, it seemed to be a first slip’s catch and would have carried to the fielder - Ashwin. Getty
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Watson finally reached a fifty after nine innings but didn’t last long as he was trapped LBW by Ashwin on 52 as India made early inroads after lunch. Getty
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Ravichandran Ashwin of India celebrates with teammates after dismissing Shane Watson. Ashwin bowled well throughout the day, building pressure with disciplined bowling. He bowled the most maidens in the day - 7 and went for just 2.22 runs per over. He was rewarded with the wicket of Watson. Getty
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Indian players celebrate the wicket of Shaun Marsh. Marsh did well to rebuild with captain Steven Smith as the pair added 69 runs for the fourth wicket but a rash shot brought about his down fall as he chased a wide one and was caught behind off Shami for 32. Getty
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It was a festive atmosphere and the fans were having a ball on Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The official attendance recorded was 69,993. Getty
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Steven Smith raises his bat after reaching his fifty. The departure of debutant Joe Burns (13) had Australia in a bit of trouble but captain Smith (72*) played sensibly and he along with Brad Haddin (23*) made sure that it was an even day for both the teams as the hosts ended the day on 259/5. Getty
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