Late Boland burst puts India under pressure in MCG test

MELBOURNE :India suffered a disastrous run-out and Scott Boland took two wickets to leave the tourists in trouble at 164 for five on day two of the fourth test on Friday, after another Steve Smith century helped Australia post an imposing 474.

Smith, having scored a drought-breaking 101 in the drawn third test in Brisbane, reprised his role as India's tormentor-in-chief by scoring a record 11th century against the nation on the way to 140 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

In reply, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Virat Kohli (36) combined in a sturdy 102-run partnership after tea to give the tourists hope of reeling in Australia's total.

That was until Jaiswal suffered a brain-fade late in the session, hitting the ball straight to Australia captain Pat Cummins and calling for a single that was never there.

Kohli sent him back, Cummins threw to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who whipped off the bails leaving Jaiswal to trudge off in agony.

If the run-out opened the door for Australia, recalled paceman Boland ripped it off its hinges, having Kohli caught behind half an hour later.

Boland followed that up by having Akash Deep caught for a duck when the nightwatchman edged onto his pads, with Nathan Lyon diving forward to take a sharp, low catch.

That left Ravindra Jadeja (four not out) and Rishabh Pant (six not out) to mount a huge rescue mission, with India still trailing by 310 runs.

DOUBTS

Smith had earlier shared in a potentially decisive 112-run partnership with Cummins (49), with his 34th test ton ending any lingering questions over his place in the Australia side.

India captain Rohit Sharma, however, did little to dispel the doubts about his future.

Restored to his traditional opening slot, he threw away his wicket for three