Australia’s star batter Travis Head was in severe pain after he was it hard on his ankle by India’s Washington Sundar during the third day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Head was lying on the ground after he was hit and it seemed like a serious injury at first sight.
Offspinner Nathan Lyon bowled a tossed up delivery outside off stump which Washingon Sundar smashed it hard in an attempt to hit it through the covers. But the ball hit Travis Head on his ankle, who was stationed at short leg.
Travis Head exulted in pain and lay on the ground but got up soon and confirmed that he was fine. He was also congratulated by Australia’s fielders for his superb effort. Despite knowing that Sundar was going to hit hard, Head didn’t jump and stood in his position bravely.
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Watch: Travis Head in severe pain after Washington Sundar hits him hard
OUCH! That one has got to sting. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BItxgtXQUu
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2024
It is one of the most dangerous positions in cricket and Travis Head was courageous enough to stand in that position. The ball hit Head on the bounce and got up in the air. Nathan Lyon lunged forward to take the catch but that was clearly not out.
Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy steady the ship
Washington Sundar arrived to bat at No. 9 with India still needing 53 runs to avoid the follow-on. It seemed like Australia would wrap up the innings quickly. But Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar had other ideas.
Both the all-rounders showed patience and determination to fight it out and save India from following on. The youngsters tested the patience of Australian bowlers on a slow pitch where bowlers had very little to work with.
Meanwhile, India started the day well with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease. Both the batters were looking set before Pant attempted a scoop to fine leg and was dismissed in the process. Scott Boland got the big wicket of Pant and provided Australia the first breakthrough of the day.
Jadeja stitched another brief partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy but the left-hander was trapped in front by a brilliant set-up by Nathan Lyon for just 17 off 51 balls. Since then, Reddy and Sundar have looked assured at the crease, thus keeping the Australian bowlers at bay.
Massive first-innings score for Australia
Earlier, Australia put a mammoth score of 474 on the board with the help of Steve Smith’s masterclass innings of 140 and fifties from their top three batters. Surprisingly, the in-form Travis Head was dismissed for a duck. Jasprit Bumrah was again the pick of the bowlers for the visitors with 4-99 while Ravindra Jadeja picked up three wickets.
In reply, India struggled right from the start and lost the skipper Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul cheaply. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli formed a partnership of 102 runs for the third wicket before Jaiswal’s wicket led to a flurry of wickets.