Australia lost three wickets in the middle session to lose momentum and stumble to 3-180 at tea on Friday’s second day of the third cricket Test against India.
A first-ball duck for skipper Michael Clarke, in his new role at No.3, left Australia’s dressing room in shock after the right-hander had batted beautifully to score 268 runs in the first two Tests of the series.
Opener Ed Cowan provided the backbone of Australia’s innings with an unbeaten 76 from 218 deliveries including eight fours.
Steve Smith is 19 not out in his first Test since 2011.
Thursday’s first day of play was washed out.
David Warner (71) and Cowan steered Australia safely to lunch at 0-109 in the first century opening stand for either side in the series.
Warner was first to go with the score on 139 when he was caught after edging a ball from spinner Ravindra Jadeja onto his pad.
Clarke was sensationally stumped by rival skipper MS Dhoni as Jadeja claimed two wickets in two deliveries.
Clarke’s first-ball exit was only his second Test duck since 2009. The skipper was Test cricket’s leading run-scorer in 2012.
Phil Hughes, who was moved from No.3 to No.4, continued his woeful series (27 runs at 5.4) when the left-hander was caught behind down the legside to spinner Pragyan Ojha at 3-151.
In 82 deliveries against spin in the series, Hughes has been dismissed five times and scored eight runs. Perhaps only a second-innings century will save him from the axe.
Test great Allan Border said before play he felt the injection of 23-year-old Smith could energise the side following the shock suspensions of four players over the homeworkgate affair.
“The team will be galvanised by recent events as well,” Border said.
Australia made four changes.
Injured wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (ankle) was ruled out, while vice-captain Shane Watson and pace bowler James Pattinson were suspended for failing to submit a homework assignment on time to coach Mickey Arthur.
Squad members Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson also received one-match bans over homeworkgate.
Offspinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell was dropped after making his debut in Hyderabad.
Smith and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin were recalled along with paceman Mitchell Starc and offspinner Nathan Lyon.
India lead the four-match series two-nil.
