Australia gained the upper hand on Day 1 of the 5th Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), courtesy of a sensational spell by Scott Boland. The pacer dismantled India’s batting lineup in the final session, leaving the visitors reeling.
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Boland’s Fiery Spell
Scott Boland claimed two wickets in consecutive deliveries shortly after Tea, shaking India’s hopes of a recovery. The pacer lured Rishabh Pant into a trap with a short delivery, leading to a catch by Pat Cummins at mid-on. On the very next ball, Nitish Kumar Reddy edged one to Steve Smith in the slips. Though Boland narrowly missed a hat-trick—beating Washington Sundar’s outside edge—his four-wicket haul has been the highlight of the day.
India’s Struggles
India’s batting collapse has been a recurring theme in this series, and Day 1 in Sydney was no exception. The top and middle-order batters failed to capitalize on starts, with Boland’s incisive bowling proving too much to handle.
India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1: Scott Boland Dominates as India Crumbles.
Key Moments
Pant Falls for Boland’s Trap: A well-directed short ball ended Rishabh Pant’s resistance, caught at mid-on.
Consecutive Strikes: Nitish Kumar Reddy edged the very next delivery to the slips, making it two in two for Boland.
Close Call for Hat-trick: Washington Sundar narrowly survived, with Boland missing a hat-trick by a whisker.
Australian Bowlers Shine
Boland’s disciplined bowling has been backed by an equally effective performance from the Australian attack, with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc providing support. Their combined efforts have put the visitors under immense pressure.
What’s Next?
India will need a significant contribution from their lower order to salvage their innings. With Australia on top, the visitors face an uphill battle to stay in contention on a challenging Sydney pitch.
Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as the match unfolds.
