Aussies chase 128 runs to win 2nd Test

Australia need 128 runs to win the second Test, having rolled India for 224 on day four at the Gabba.

India resumed at 1-71 on Saturday, their woes starting before play when opener Shikhar Dhawan was struck on the wrist in the nets and retired hurt.

Mitchell Johnson triggered a woeful collapse, the tourists slumping to 5-87 in the space of 6.2 overs.

Dhawan returned to bat, counter-attacking the hosts with bat and mouth.

The left-hander, fined for his role in a heated confrontation during the first Test, exchanged sharp words with Shane Watson and David Warner when the teams walked off at lunch.

The opener raced to 81, surviving a run-out opportunity on 48 when he momentarily scrambled forward after defending the ball back to Johnson.

Nathan Lyon engineered the key breakthrough, Dhawan missing a sweep shot to be trapped lbw.

Umesh Yadav crashed two sixes off Lyon in a quick-fire 30, but India’s innings ended when he became Johnson’s fourth scalp.

Johnson clubbed 88 off 93 balls on Friday, lifting Australia to a first-innings lead of 97 runs.

The left-armer, who went wicketless in the first innings at the venue for the first time since 2010, then sparked his side with the ball on Saturday morning.

In the space of two overs, the 33-year-old’s pace and bounce removed Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma.

Rahane popped up a catch to Lyon at gully, while Sharma was caught behind.

On both occasions, third umpire Simon Fry took his time checking for a no-ball with Johnson’s foot barely behind the paint.

“I actually thought the second one – it may have been very touch and go,” injured quick Ryan Harris said, while calling the game for ABC radio.

“There was a bit of debate in our room whether there was anything behind, but the umpires made the decision. It was a good decision.”

Captain MS Dhoni then lasted two deliveries, trapped lbw by debutant Josh Hazlewood.

Ravichandran Ashwin ensured Australia would have to bat again, scoring 19 as the tourists tried to settle under overcast skies.

Ashwin was bewildered to be judged caught behind off the bowling of Mitchell Starc, lingering at the crease momentarily to glare at umpire Ian Gould.

Replays suggested the ball scraped his thigh pad.

India were in real need of a big partnership between their last two recognised batsmen, but Hazlewood’s steepling bounce was the undoing of Cheteshwar Pujara on 43.

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