Australia's Mitchell Johnson (L) and Nathan Lyon celebrate the wicket of Dale Steyn (not in picture) during the third day of the third cricket test match against South Africa at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, March 3, 2014.
Australia's Mitchell Johnson (L) and Nathan Lyon celebrate the wicket of Dale Steyn (not in picture) during the third day of the third cricket test match against South Africa at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, March 3, 2014. Shaun Roy

On a sizzling summer morning, with temperatures reaching around 400C at the Gabba, Brisbane, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first. Is was a wise decision looking at the number of times the Australian bowlers stopped to take in refreshments and called on the physiotherapist to undergo some running repairs. Unfortunately for Australia, Mitchell Marsh pulled up after bowling just six overs in the day and left the field of play. At the end of the day Australia even failed to bowl their mandatory ninety overs in a day because of too many stoppages.

The first two hours belonged to the visitors with wayward bowling from Mitchell Johnson and the debutant Josh Hazelwood. After the first hour India were 49 for no loss. Mitchell Marsh brought some control to the proceedings when he dismissed explosive opener Sikhar Dhawan but had to leave the field of play soon afterwards. At lunch India were 89 for the loss of one wicket.

Soon after lunch the other Indian opener Murli Vijay crossed his half century. This was when the debutant fast bowler Josh Hazelwood found his line and length. India's insistence on not using the Decision Review System proved to be costly when Cheteshwar Pujara was given out after the ball hit the helmet instead of his bat. Hazelwood soon doubled his wicket tally when he dismissed the dangerous Virat Kohli. After tea Murli Vijay reached his century but was out wanting to step out and hit off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin was involved in all the four dismissals. India finished the day at 311 for the loss of four wickets with Ajinkya Rahane still at the crease not out on 75.

At the risk of stating the obvious, the first hour of tomorrow will be crucial for Australia and Steve Smith. Australia would be looking to get into the fragile Indian bottom order sooner rather than later. The pitch is very good for batting with the ball coming no to the bat very nicely. The in-form Australian batsmen should not have too many problems dealing with it.

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