Australia’s Travis Head, left, fist bumps with batting partner Steve Smith after scoring runs during play on day two of the third cricket test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, Dec.15, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Australia’s top-order batsman Steve Smith and in-form Travis Head battled through the morning session as they cement a crucial partnership on the second day of third Test at Gabba on Sunday, December 15, 2024.

At tea, Australia has managed to reach a promising score of 234 runs for the loss of three wickets. Head remains unbeaten at 103* (118) while Smith stands firm at 65* (149). Meanwhile, the Indian cookie seems to have crumbled for now.

Travis Head reached his century in 115 balls, scoring his third ton against India in the second session of the day’s play. Smith made a comeback as he crosses the half-century mark.

Jasprit Bumrah managed to get an early breakthrough for the side as the play resumed on the second day with the crucial wicket of opener Usman Khawaja.

Nathan McSweeney edged the bowl towards slip, Virat Kohli made a comfortable catch, and Bumrah registered his second wicket of the test match.

Labuschagne and Smith set about settling the innings, but with both players well below their best heading into the Test, the scoring rate was slow against the disciplined Indian attack.

Labuschagne faced 55 balls on his way to making 12 when he uncharacteristically went for an expansive drive off Nitish Kumar Reddy, only to get a thick edge to Kohli, who took a sharp catch at second slip.

(With inputs from The Hindu’s K.C. Vijaya Kumar from the stadium)