Boxing Day Test: Australia toil as Indian all-rounders put on mammoth partnership

That’s an over Mitch Marsh will want to forget.

The all-rounder was brought into the attack for the first time today, and for just his fourth over for the Test so far.

With the keeper Alex Carey up at the stumps, Marsh hit a top speed of just over 121km/hour - his first ball reaching 116 clicks.

His over included a no ball and two mis-fields, resulting in two boundaries as India cut the deficit below 150 and this partnership reached 100.

Mitchell Starc is back to bowl from the member’s end, but he spent Mitch Marsh’s over getting some attention from Australia’s team physio Nick Jones.

It appeared they were in discussions around Starc’s back and were looking at the pull-down of his front arm.

A big watch this space.

Australia has bowled 91 overs in this innings and Mitch Marsh, the designated all-rounder, has been responsible for just three of them.

They all came last night during the Kohli-Jaiswal partnership and he has 0-15 from his three.

Most of his 18 balls were with Alex Carey standing up to the stumps and he struggled to pass 120km/h. He was only used when they went deep into their rotation to break the stand and he has bowled the same amount of overs as Travis Head.

It poses serious questions about the future of the West Australian in this side. He has battled injury niggles early in the series, but the Australian camp insist he is fit.

He made 47 in the second innings in Perth, but has made four single-figure balls since.

Marsh misfielded a ball a couple of overs ago in gully and has not been used before Nathan Lyon with the new ball as India pass 300.

India put a lot of faith in Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar in this Test, batting them at No.7 and No.8 with Ravindra Jadeja at No.6.

They clearly were willing to shuffle things around to fit both Jadeja and Washington in as a spin duo, but that relied on these two contributing with the bat.

Reddy has got himself to 59, his first Test half century, while Washington is on 30.

It’s worth noting Reddy had the best average of any Indian batter, with 52.32 before this Test started and he is obviously building on that now.

He has made 41, an unbeaten 38, 42 in both innings in Adelaide and 16 in Brisbane.

Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar are providing some resistance to this Australian attack, notching up a 50-run partnership.

Reddy, who has been impressive this series, raising the bat for his half-century, while Sundar has added 22 runs to help India cut the deficit below 200.

The visitors now trail by 199 runs and have avoided the follow-on, although there is no doubt Pat Cummins would not have enforced it.

Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand.

Australia need three wickets, India trail by 213 runs.

The visitors still technically need 14 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Despite copping a painful hit to the foot while fielding at silly point, Travis Head comes into the attack.

The Aussies are attempting to cut into their slow over rate, currently a handful behind, as well as keep their star quicks fresh for the looming new ball.

Mitch Marsh is yet to add to his three overs on day two...

The massive roar between balls in that last Pat Cummins over was started by ... Sam Konstas!

This kid is genuinely having so much fun out there, it’s as if he’s any other 19-year-old plunged into the action in the Boxing Day Test.

Back to some of the tricks he was pulling from yesterday.

It feels like everything is building now towards him batting again, which Australia hope will happen shortly.

Australian F1 star Oscar Piastri was a surprise face in the Aussie dugout just before lunch.

He joined Seven during the break to chat about the Boxing Day Test, his love of footy and cricket and more!

Pat Cummins is back into the attack for the Aussies, who are hunting the final three wickets.

Cummins has 2/70 from his 20 overs so far.

We’re just seven overs away from the new ball.