The West Test: Hits & Misses from day four in Perth

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The West Test: Hits & Misses from day four in Perth

India wrapped up a comprehensive first Test victory on day four in Perth, but at least the hosts showed a couple of signs of life heading into Adelaide.

Here are our day four hits and misses.

HITS

Signs of life

The Aussies were desperate for any signs of life on day four, and Travis Head finally provided it.

He reigned himself in to begin with and worked his way in by forcing the Indian bowlers to use a straight line.

And when the overcorrection came, he pounced.

Head showed his full range through the off side, cutting and driving powerfully.

The South *********** pulled out his sweep against Washington Sundar but was also clever with his placement to milk singles.

He got his strike rate up into the 90s as he approached a century but one back-foot drive too many against Jasprit Bumrah cost him the magical milestone, out caught behind for 89.

Camera IconTravis Head made 89. Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Form finder

Mitch Marsh showed Australia’s middle order has some backbone, partnering Head for the side’s most effective partnership in the Test.

He started slowly but showed he could put the pressure back on the spinners with two lusty blows.

However, just three runs short of his half century, he handed Nitish Kumar Reddy his maiden Test wicket, chopping a cut shot onto his stumps.

Camera IconMitch Marsh of Australia bats. Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Nothing beats bat-pad

Washington Sundar was right to give Dhrul Jurel a big hug after the wicket of Mitchell Starc.

With the game putting along to tea, it appeared Australia had safely seen themselves to the break with three wickets in hand.

However, Jurel was still eagle-eyed at bat-pad.

Starc attempted to deflect a straight ball into the leg side, but he couldn’t get over the top of it.

Jurel’s reactions were lightning, flinging his right hand up and plucking a blinder to send India to tea with a flourish.

The celebration wasn’t bad either.

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MISSES

Oh Uzzy

Australia recommenced on the fourth day at 3-12, but with the dogged determination of Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith, hopes of some resistance weren’t silly.

What the home side didn’t need was Khawaja falling to a lazy pull shot in the second over of the day.

The left-hander had faced just one ball before deciding he would try to climb into a ball of shorter length from Mohammad Siraj.

It reared off the Perth Stadium wicket and caught a top edge, giving Rishabh Pant his easiest catch of the match.

Australia’s top order deserves the grilling they are about to get ahead of the Adelaide Test next month.

Camera IconUsman Khawaja falls to the pull shot. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

No ******

If India are being extremely critical, they will have a little word with the bowlers about their front feet.

It makes little difference when you hold a fourth-innings lead of more than 500, but in tighter matches, it could be the difference between winning and losing.

Oddly, Bumrah was the main culprit with five out of 10 front-foot no ******.

To put it in context, the Indian bowlers gave Australia more runs in the second innings with no ****** than Marnus Labuschagne scored with the bat across two.

Camera IconJasprit Bumrah. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Another Aussie loss

Perth Stadium needed just over 13,500 to break the record for the most well-attended Test in WA.

However, the home side’s limp resistance put an end to the dreams, with few being able to justify missing work to catch the embarrassing loss.

The Indian fans were still understandably in fine voice as 6627 people attended.

Camera IconRishabh Pant of India is congratulated by team mates after catching Steve Smith of Australia off a delivery by Mohammed Siraj. Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

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