STUMPS DAY 2: Australia Dominate with Head and Smith Hundreds, Bumrah’s Fifer Keeps India in the Game
Australia in Command at 405/7 After Day 2 of Gabba Test
Australia ended Day 2 of the third Test at the Gabba in a strong position. They scored 405/7 in 101 overs, thanks to centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith. The duo tormented the Indian bowlers with a massive 241-run fourth-wicket stand. However, Jasprit Bumrah kept India in the game. He took five wickets, his 12th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
India, far behind, must respond in their first innings. They need to make a contest of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Jasprit Bumrah Strikes Early, But Head and Smith Take Over
India started Day 2 positively. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed both Australian openers cheaply. Usman Khawaja (21 off 54) edged a sharp delivery to the keeper. It was the third time Bumrah has dismissed him this series. Soon after, Nathan McSweeney (9 off 49) fell to another Bumrah beauty, caught by Virat Kohli at second slip.
Nitish Reddy joined the action. He ended Marnus Labuschagne’s gritty knock of 12 runs off 55 balls. Labuschagne edged an outswinger to Kohli at slip. Australia now struggled at 75/3.
Head and Smith’s Record Partnership
The early breakthroughs were the calm before the storm. Travis Head and Steve Smith took charge and crushed the Indian bowlers. Head, in sublime form, notched up his 9th Test hundred and third against India. Meanwhile, Smith ended his lean patch with a masterful 33rd Test century, his first in 25 innings.
Together, the pair added a mammoth 241 runs for the fourth wicket, with Head taking the lead as the aggressor. Smith played a cautious knock at first. He then unleashed his strokes, scoring 101 off 190 balls. Bumrah dismissed him to a standing ovation.
Head continued his dominance, smashing his fifth Test century. But, he fell to Bumrah in a double-wicket over that gave India relief.
Australia Cross 400; Siraj Faces Injury Scare
With Head gone, Alex Carey (45* off 73) anchored the lower order. He combined with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc to take Australia past 400 runs. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Cummins late in the day. But, he caused a brief scare for India when he walked off holding his left knee in the middle of his spell. Thankfully, Siraj returned to the field later, easing concerns for the visitors.
Travis Head’s Dominance Against India
Travis Head’s highest Test scores:
- 175 vs West Indies, Adelaide 2022-23
- 163 vs India, The Oval 2023
- 161 vs Sri Lanka, Canberra 2018-19
- 152 vs India, The Gabba 2024 – THIS MATCH
- 152 vs England, The Gabba 2021-22
- 140 vs India, Adelaide 2024-25
Travis Head’s record against India in Tests:
- Matches: 13
- Innings: 22
- Runs: 1,107
- Average:71
- Hundreds: 3
- Fifties: 4
- Highest Score: 163
What They Said
Steve Smith:
“It was nice to get in and build a partnership with Heady. He makes things look easy, and the scoreboard moves so quickly. I’ve missed triple figures for a while, so this felt good. Credit to the Indian bowlers, especially with the new ball. They made batting tough.”
Travis Head:
“Nice to keep the ball rolling and contribute to the team. It’s always a challenge facing someone like Bumrah, who will go down as one of the greatest. It was hot out there, but building that partnership with Smithy was satisfying.”
Session Breakdown
Session 1: 29.4 overs, 76 runs, 3 wickets
Session 2: 27 overs, 130 runs, 0 wickets
Session 3: 31 overs, 171 runs, 4 wickets
Australia dominated Day 2. Their top order set a strong foundation. Then, Head and Smith capitalized to post a daunting total. Bumrah’s fifer relieved India. But, the visitors need a strong batting effort to get back in the match.
