Australia 311 for 6 (Smith 68*, Cummins 8*, Labuschagne 72, Bumrah 3-75) vs India

Within an hour of his maiden Test innings, Konstas, who became his country’s fourth-youngest men’s player, was the most talked-about figure after he took an outrageous 32 off Bumrah in two overs. Despite being stopped for 60 off 65 balls, he had already written a chapter among the most notable debuts and more than rewarded the selectors’ desire to offer something different after Nathan McSweeney’s difficulties at the top of the order.

But it was all about how the day started. Konstas’ first over in Test cricket was against Bumrah and consisted of four overs and misses. On his eighth delivery, he hit a brace into the leg side to loud applause, and two balls later signaled his intention with an attempt to bring Bumrah back, drawing a combination of cheers and gasps.

He missed another over later and with Mohammed Siraj Khawaja also struggling, Australia were 12 without loss after six overs when Konstas unleashed a spell of play that will never be forgotten. After Bumrah’s fourth over, he bowled the ball to fine leg, hit a reverse scoop over deep third for six and was an inch away from repeating it three balls later.

Not long after, a quick running two brought his 50 off 52 balls and grabbed the Australian emblem on his t-shirt while pointing to the name on the back. What did you do on Boxing Day when you were 19? Thoughts began to wander to something even more spectacular, but Ravindra Jadeja caught Konstas lbw in a way that has seen many a veteran batsman removed.

The pace then reverted to something more traditional: the stand of 89 between Konstas and Khawaja took 116 balls, the next of 65 between Khawaja and Labuschagne required 150. The afternoon session began with four consecutive maidens from Bumrah and Akash, the latter again bowling without luck . Both batters’ edges fell short of slip, and another from Khawaja that cut the cordon in half took him only into the second half of the year.

India largely kept the scoreboard under control but were not overly threatening, except for Khawaja ending a move against the first ball of Bumrah’s third over at mid-wicket, leaving the bowler a little embarrassed to celebrate.

Labuschagne still wasn’t quite at his best but looked as good as he has in any other series, with some delicate overtakes to third ahead of Jadeja and the kinds of drives that suggest better days lie ahead for Australia’s No.3. There was a shift in gear after tea, with Labuschagne and Smith adding 41 in the first six overs of the final session against the older ball, although there was still enough support from the surface to challenge the batters, like another hapless spell from Akash pointed.

However, the door was opened for India by offspinner Washington Sundar, who had been brought into the team in place of Shubman Gill, when Labuschagne skimmed the ball after a drinks break in the middle of the game. Labuschagne threw his head back as Kohli took the catch, knowing that the chance of a first Test century since last July had dried up.

Rohit Sharma sensed a moment and immediately brought Bumrah back and towards his third delivery, Travis Head shouldered his arms to one that took off his off-stump. A batsman who has given India nightmares with his attacking stroke play was eliminated without offering a shot. In Bumrah’s next victory, Mitchell Marsh secured an expansive lead after fending off an impressive cover attack to extend the meager run after the summer of his life in 2023/24.

As the ground rose for Shane Warne’s hats-off memorial service at 3:50pm (to match Warne’s Test cap number), Smith had set consecutive boundaries off Jadeja as Australia appeared to be taking control, but now His presence was crucial in ensuring the innings did not stray. He and Carey added 53 before Akash produced a great throw around the wicket. Smith stood his ground and walked away to warm applause from the 87,242 spectators who remained, but that was nothing compared to the ovation earlier in the day.