Left Arm Around

Australia face a seismic task to save the first Test in as they finish 12-3 at the end of day three in Perth.

Captain Jasprit Bumrah starred again to trap debutant Nathan McSweeney LBW for a duck and Marnus Labuschagne for 3, while Mohammad Siraj removed nightwatchman Pat Cummins for 2 to leave the hosts reeling.

The hosts require a further 522 runs for victory following a herculean batting effort by the visitors to post a mammoth 487 in the third innings.

Virat Kohli made history to complete his 30th Test ton and ninth against Australia, reaching the landmark in 143 balls before Bumrah swiftly declared.

Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a magnificent 4th Test hundred to strike 161 as he and KL Rahul combined for a partnership of 201- India’s highest ever opening stand in Australia.

Befitting of a batter littered with flair and confidence, the 22-year-old reached the landmark with an audacious uppercut for six off Josh Hazlewood that landed directly onto the boundary cushion.

Stand-in opener Rahul (77) fell short of a deserved ton when Mitchell Starc had him caught behind, but the stand-in opener will be happy with a resolute effort that provided a brilliant springboard for those to come.

Both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel were removed for one as Cummins and Nathan Lyon struck in quick succession, but the Aussies were always well behind the eight-ball as Kohli rose through the gears.

Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy also smashed a quick-fire 38 from 27 to add the finishing touches.

In a series that promised to deliver, it seems India have dealt the first serious killer blow…