The law of averages caught up with Australia’s opener Sam Konstas as early as the second innings of his Test career, when the teenager’s stumps were rattled early on Day 4 of the fourth Test in Melbourne by Jasprit Bumrah — the same bowler he had scooped for a six in his debut knock.
Australia took the remaining one wicket of the Indian innings quickly on Sunday morning to wrap up the visitors’ first innings for 369 and take a healthy 105-run lead. India’s centurion, Nitish Kumar Reddy, was the last wicket to fall, dismissed by Nathan Lyon for 114. The offspinner ended with three wickets (3 for 96), the same as pacers Pat Cummins (3 for 89) and Scott Boland (3 for 57).
The Indian bowlers began in a much more disciplined fashion, and Bumrah made the new ball count with the dismissal of Konstas in the 7th over. He followed his breezy 60 runs in the first innings by only 8 in the second.
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To rub a little further, Bumrah egged on the Indian fans in attendance to celebrate with loud cheers.
The ball seamed in after pitching, moved a lot to find the gap between bat and pad, and hit the top of middle-stump to trigger celebrations in the Indian camp.
Australia were 20 for 1 at the stage, which brought Marnus Labuschagne in to join Usman Khawaja.
Later in the morning session, Mohammed Siraj struck to make it two down when he castled Khawaja for 21 to make it 43 for 2 in 19 overs.
Australia led by 148 runs at that stage.
