London, Mar 22 (ANI): Indian bowlers completely exposed Australia’s palpable weakness against quality spin bowling as destroyer-in-chief Ravichandran Ashwin yet again hassled the tourists on day one of the fourth Test match in Delhi, as Shane Watson’s men could barely scrap to 231-8 at stumps. Watson was back in the line-up having been one of four players suspended for the third Test for disciplinary reasons, and was also named as captain when Michael Clarke was ruled out with a back problem, the Guardian reports. Ashwin (four), Ishant Sharma (two) and Ravindra Jadeja (two) shared the wickets as the home side looks to complete a series whitewash, it reported. Watson won his first toss at the Test helm and opted to bat first, but soon saw David Warner heading back to the pavilion for a duck, it said. Australia had reached lunch with 94 runs added, losing two wickets in the process but the second session of the day saw their middle order collapse once again, as they were reduced to 136-7. However, Steven Smith once again played a determined knock, having come in at number five and seemingly content to bide his time for runs, he was eventually caught by debutant Ajinkya Rahane from Ashwin”s bowling after a measured 46 in 145 balls. Tailenders Peter Siddle and James Pattinson then fought hard in to defy Indian bowlers and would continue with their fight back on day two, the paper added. (ANI)
