By IANS,
Melbourne : India pacer Umesh Yadav struck twice reducing Australia to 68 for two in the first innings on the first morning of the Boxing Day Test as rain brought an early lunch break at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Monday.
Debutant opener Ed Cowan was batting on 14 and Ricky Ponting 15 at the lunch break here after Yadav picked up the wickets of David Warner (37) and Shaun Marsh.
After winning the toss, Australia made a determined start and survived a difficult first hour with both Cowan and Warner batting well in tandem for their 46-run stand that came off 79 balls. Both the batsmen had contrasting approach. Cowan was watchful while Warne was forceful.
But a brief rain delay, broke Warner’s concentration and the diminutive opener was caught behind gloving a short ball from Yadav’s first delivery after the break.
Marsh survived just six balls before pushing hard at Yadav delivery outside off for an easy catch.
Ponting was immediately struck in the grille of his helmet while trying to pull that then almost dropped onto his stumps.