Adelaide, Dec 12 (IANS): Opener David Warner’s breezy knock of an unbeaten 69 helped Australia reach 139 for one to take a 21-run lead at tea on the fourth day against India in the first of the four-match Test series at the Adelaide Oval here Friday.
Warner scored at a brisk rate and his knock that was laced with seven fours and a huge six, helped the hosts stretch their lead quickly as India were bowled out for 444, thanks to Nathon Lyon’s five-wicket haul.
Left-hander Warner, who had scored a belligerent 145 in the first innings, first shared a 38-run stand for the first wicket with Chris Rogers (21) till the latter was dismissed by debutant Karn Sharma.
All-rounder Shane Watson (batting 33) did well to support the 28-year-old Warner, who looked in no mood to let Indian bowlers go unpunished.
He singled out leggie Karn for special treatment, smacking him for six boundaries. He also used the sweep shot to great effect against the spinner, mixing it up with straight drives and cover drives.
Earlier, India managed to add only 75 runs to their overnight score of 369 for five and were bowled out for 444, conceding a 73-run run first innings lead.
Lyon removed overnight batsmen Rohit Sharma (43) and Wriddhiman Saha (25) before taking another wicket of Ishant Sharma to complete his sixth five-wicket haul.
Indian batsmen Rohit and Wriddhiman made a sedate start as the hosts utilised the early morning conditions perfectly and tested the Indians with probing line and length, mixing it up with occasional high-rising bouncers.
They scored only eight runs in first seven overs Friday before Saha picked up two boundaries off left-arm pacer Johnson. The Australians didn’t give any width to the batsmen for big shots and the Indians were busy picking ones and twos instead.
Australian skipper Michael Clarke brought in Lyon and he dismissed Rohit in his second over of the day.
Rohit had charged down the track to hit him over his head for a four before the Indian repeated his act but only managed to nudge it straight back into the bowler's hand when the team’s total was 399.
Up next, debutant Karn Sharma (4) had his stumps dismantled by pace bowler Peter Siddle.
Lyon got good purchase from the fourth day pitch, which offered a variable pace and bounce, making it a little bit difficult for the batsmen.
He removed Saha with another loopy delivery, which beat the wicketkeeper batsman’s inside edge and kissed his thigh before making its way to the waiting hands of Shane Watson at slip.
Two deliveries later, Ishant failed to defend a ball, which bounced sharply after hitting a rough patch on the pitch and snicked his gloves and went straight into the hands of Smith at short leg.
Mohammed Shami entertained the crowd with a quickfire 34 of 24 before he guided a Siddle delivery to Watson at gully as India fell short of Australia’s first innings score of 517 for seven.