India has made a rollicking start after Australia set them 444 runs for victory or a day and a half to survive for a draw on day four of the World Test Championship Final at The Oval.
The Aussies played cautiously in the opening session but took the long handle to India after Lunch to build a near-insurmountable lead, putting one hand firmly on the Test mace.
However, India’s talent was on display from the fore as free-scoring openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill scored with ease, but West Aussie Cam Green put himself in the spotlight again with another stunning catch to halt Gill in his tracks and leave India 1-41.
India needed energy early, and Umesh Yadav provided just the ticket, firing a perfect out-swinger at Labuschagne, who nicked it through to second slip without adding to his overnight total.
But despite India asking questions with probing lengths Green and Carey proved a tough nut to crack, ticking along with ease through to drinks.
Mohammed Siraj made a spirited entry to the attack, hitting Green with a searing bouncer in the chest.
The West Aussie wore the blow well but was left embarrassed after leaving a Ravi Jadeja delivery as it pitched in the rough outside his leg stump.
The ball spat, turning across him and into his gloves before colliding with his off stump, sending him back to the sheds for 25.
Carey took the wicket as a sign to up the ante, taking 10 off the next over and increasing his aggressiveness into the long break.
Starc took the lead after Lunch, taking the long handle to the quicks, who turned to a short-ball barrage.
The tall left-hander bludgeoned his way to 41 before one slog too many saw him nick one to Virat Kohli at first slip.
Cummins wasted little time, bombing an on-drive down the ground but was caught at cover as he attempted to tee off, leaving Carey unbeaten on 66 as he called the declaration.
Sharma showed early he and his side would not be willing to roll over meekly as he and Gill gracefully raced the score past 30.
But up stepped Scott Boland and Green, who got one to lift and catch Gill’s outside edge.
It flew low to the giant West Aussies’ left, but he got his long arm to it and plucked the ball.
Gill wasn’t convinced, and the third umpire checked the catch on camera, but the free-scoring Indian opener was given his marching orders for 18.