Australia tighten noose on India on Day one of Perth Test

Perth, Jan.13 (ANI): After bundling India out for 161, Australia's openers David Warner and Ed Cowan tightened the home team's noose around the visitors by scoring 149 for no loss on Friday, the first day of the third Test between India Australia at the WACA Ground here.

The only saving grace for India was middle-order batsman Virat Kohli, who scored 44. Australian fast bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus took for four wickets for 43, while Peter Siddle took three wickets for 42.

Replying to the Indian total, Warner scored an unbeaten 104, while partner Ed Cowan scored an unbeaten 40.

Warner lept in celebration after scoring the fourth quickest century in Test cricket towards the end of the day's play.

Warner utterly demoralised India in the company of the relatively obdurate but still free-scoring Ed Cowan. Warner was momentarily stopped by a blow to the head from Umesh Yadav, but recovered to clout his next two deliveries to the fence and moved from 95 to 101 with a rasping club over wide long-on from the bowling of the debutant Vinay Kumar.

Sent in to bat by Australian captain Michael Clarke on a pitch promising early movement in addition to its customary bounce and pace, India were reduced to 4 for 63 at lunch, and subsided not long after tea to undo the grafting of Virat Kohli and VVS Laxman, who added 68 in the afternoon to momentarily blunt the hosts.

India once again failed to cope with the swing, seam and disciplined line of the home attack, comprising Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc.

Thereafter, Warner and Cowan began their run riot with intent. Early on, there were a few nervy moments as Zaheer Khan effected some early swing.

But after that, Warner struck the ball crisply and was given added impetus when Ishant Sharma passed a few jibes against him.

Warner suffered a moment's discomfort when he suffered a blow to the side of the head and helmet from an Umesh Yadav delivery. After gathering himself and calling for new headgear, he spanked the next two balls to the boundary.

His century duly and deservedly arrived before the close, and a sell-out crowd rose unanimously to salute two hours of awe-inspiring destruction. (ANI)