India vs Australia: India struggle as David Warner’s ton swells Australia’s lead to 363

Match Report

Opener David Warner rode his luck and irritated his opponents in scoring his second century of the match on Friday and guiding Australia to 290-5 in its second innings after day four of the first Test, leading India by 363 runs.

Warner’s 102 helped put Australia in a position to push for victory and followed his first-innings score of 145.

At stumps Friday, Steve Smith was 52 not out and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin unbeaten on 14, with a likely declaration looming overnight.

Warner, who was bowled by fast bowler Varun Aaron when on 66 but replays showed it was a no-ball, has scored six centuries this year in 11 Test.

After two days of politeness between the teams, tempers flared when Warner was given his reprieve.

Attempting a hook shot, Warner was clean-bowled and halfway to the pavilion – with Aaron’s boisterous celebrations obvious – before he was told Aaron had overstepped the crease.

Warner then imitated Aaron’s cries of “come on” as he strode back to take his position at the crease. India took exception, and players on both sides congregated to discuss the exchange.

“I had a lot of luck out there, but luck’s on my side at the moment,” Warner said. “We’ve got a great total on the board now so it’s about coming out tomorrow and taking 10 wickets to win a Test.”

Warner was the fifth Australian to achieve the double in Test matches twice or more, and Warner is only the second Australian to do it twice in a calendar year after Ricky Ponting in 2006. Warner made 135 and 145 against South Africa in Cape Town in March.

Warner joins Greg Chappell, Allan Border and Matthew Hayden in performing the feat twice.

Karn Sharma took two wickets but also conceded 24 runs in the 64th over, including three sixes to Mitchell Marsh (40).

Australia’s bowlers earlier captured India’s last five wickets for 75 runs during the morning session to end the tourists’ first innings at 444, taking a 73-run first-innings lead. Spinner Nathan Lyon finished with 5-134 from 36 overs, and will play a major role as the sole specialist spinner on the final day.

The tourists resumed Friday at 369-5, trailing Australia by 148 runs but with the prospect of at least matching the home team’s score on a still docile pitch.

Rohit Sharma was out for 43, after adding only 10 to his overnight score, and wicketkeeper Wriddhinam Saha fell at 25. Facing a rapid loss of prospective partners, Mohammed Shami hit out, making 34 off 24 balls including a six and three fours.

In Australia’s second innings, Michael Clarke was dismissed for seven. Australia’s captain at least looks fitter than he did on day one when his chronic back injury flared, and he even attempted a diving catch.

The highest victorious fourth-innings Test total at the Adelaide Oval was Australia’s 315-6 in 1902. India scored 445 in a loss almost 40 years ago in Adelaide.