Australia’s batsmen take control against India on day one of fourth test | Cricket news

Teenager Sam Konstas grabbed plenty of attention with a superb batting debut on day one of the fourth Test in Melbourne.

India battled back with four late wickets to leave Australia on 311 for six on day one of the fourth Test after teenage debutant Sam Konstas lit up the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with a thrilling knock in the morning.

Tempers flared in front of a big crowd of 87,242 on another Christmas day on Thursday, with Virat Kohli booed by home fans after bumping shoulders with Konstas on the field after the 19-year-old smashed India’s bowlers around the park early.

Konstas shrugged off the clash en route to scoring 60 from 65 balls as Australia’s top order rewarded captain Pat Cummins’ decision to strike after he won the toss.

Caught lbw by Ravindra Jadeja after the second drinks break, Konstas trudged off to great cheers and the third-fastest half-century (50 from 52 balls) by an Australian Test debutant behind Adam Gilchrist and Ashton Agar.

“Obviously it was quite surreal, with the big crowd, the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in and I feel like the boys welcomed me,” said Konstas, who has 11 first-class caps under his belt.

“So it’s just playing with that freedom and backing myself and being lucky to get a few runs today. Obviously I’m a little disappointed with the way I came out, but hopefully we’ll pick up some speed tomorrow.”

It was left to Jasprit Bumrah to keep India in the game, spearhead pace bowling dangerman Travis Head for a duck with the aging ball and get all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for four.

Seamer Akash Deep later came in with the wicket of Alex Carey for 31, breaking a quick 53 partnership with Steve Smith.

At the close a patient Smith was not out on 68 and Pat Cummins on eight. Marnus Labuschagne made 72 and Usman Khawaja 57.

Bumrah finished as the best of the Indian bowlers with 3-75.

The five-match series is locked at 1-1 after India won by 295 runs in Perth before being crushed by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The rain-affected third Test in Brisbane was drawn.