Barnstorming Bumrah bowls India back into Melbourne test

MELBOURNE :Pace dynamo Jasprit Bumrah blitzed Australia's middle order in a thrilling three-wicket burst on Sunday to turn the fourth test on its head and give India some hope of pulling off an unlikely victory.

Australia lost four wickets for 11 runs in the Bumrah-led onslaught and were 135 for six at tea, their lead of 240 still short of shutting India out of the game.

Australia were spared further damage by Yashasvi Jaiswal who dropped a regulation chance at gully when number three Marnus Labuschagne nicked Akash Deep when on 46.

It was the young opener's second spill of the day, having dropped Usman Khawaja at leg gully when he was on two.

Opener Khawaja went on to make 21 before Mohammed Siraj bowled him in the morning.

Nitish Kumar Reddy also let Pat Cummins off the hook late in the second session when the Australian skipper was on nine, misjudging the flight of the ball as he bolted back from mid-off and dived in vain for a more difficult chance.

Labuschagne was 65 not out at the break, with Cummins on 21.

Australia had been in command at 80 for two soon after lunch but crumbled when Steve Smith chased a wide, full delivery from Siraj and edged to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant to be out for 13.

The wicket triggered a collapse as number five Travis Head flicked Bumrah off his pads straight to Reddy at square leg to be out for one, giving the Indian paceman his 200th test wicket.

Bumrah struck again four balls later to remove number six Mitchell Marsh for one as the all-rounder gloved a catch to Pant.

The Indian spearhead then bowled wicketkeeper Alex Carey through bat and pad for two to leave Australia reeling at 91 for six before Labuschagne and Cummins steadied for the hosts.

Bumrah had earlier taken revenge for his first