HITS

GOAT gets going again
Nathan Lyon just keeps on giving. The off-spinner had no right to snaffle five wickets on a seam-friendly wicket, when Australia’s vaunted pace trio were causing the Indians all sorts of problems. But he did – right when Australia needed him to. The early dismissal of Rahane significantly stifled India’s chances of compiling a lead, while Lyon won yet another cat-and-mouse battle with dashing keeper Rishabh Pant. His 14th five-wicket haul comes on the back of three unbeaten innings and eight scalps in Adelaide. Early contender for man of the series.

Virat’s century celebration
Without wishing to become too Kohli-centric – which, let’s be honest, is hard to avoid – the way Virat saluted his 25th Test hundred spoke volumes of his attitude. After notching three figures, Kohli calmly placed his helmet on the pitch and gestured with his right hand, as if to say “I let my bat do the talking”. A strange celebration, not least because very few journalists have criticised him. The Aussies haven’t been vocal either – by all accounts, sledging on-field was at a minimum. Who he was motioning to is unclear. What we do know is that Kohli remains up for the fight.

Perth’s ‘green demon’
For the third day running, fans were treated to an intriguing – if not even – contest between bat and ball. There was serious pace, seam movement and vicious bounce, complimented by a quick outfield. While batsmen found the going tough, scarcely a dull moment went by. All of the sudden, Australia’s first innings lead of 43 looks invaluable.

MISSES

Finch cops ill-timed injury
Spare a thought for Aaron Finch, who was taken to hospital on the stroke of tea with an injured right index finger. The stocky opener was hit on the hand while attempting to pull a vicious bouncer from Mohammed Shami. Finch immediately called for medical assistance and left the ground in serious discomfort. It is the same hand that was hit twice during training by Mitchell Starc – first in November, then again less than two weeks ago. Frustratingly, Finch was beginning to look like himself in a breezy knock of 25. Encouragingly, the Victorian has been cleared of serious injury and could resume his innings on Monday.

Australia’s soft dismissals
Marcus Harris, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb and Travis Head all threw their wickets away. Harris – who never looked comfortable in his knock of 20 – failed to line up Jasprit Burmah correctly and left a straight delivery which kissed off stump. Marsh (five) under-edged a full-blooded pull shot from Shami before he was set. It’s certainly not the first time we’ve seen Handscomb (13) trapped in front by a full in-swinger and Head’s dismissal for 19 – a slashing cut shot to third man – was more or less a carbon copy of his first innings demise. All have ability. All are prone to brain fades. All have thrown away starts this series. It’s a trend the Aussies will be eager to defy.