Konstas and Khawaja Set Up Australia’s Solid Foundation on Boxing Day Test
Australia's openers, Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja, provided a strong start on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, reaching 176/2 by Tea. Both batsmen scored fifties, with Konstas, the debutant, becoming Australia’s second youngest Test half-centurion. His aggressive 60 off 65 balls included eight boundaries, with two sixes off Jasprit Bumrah.
Khawaja followed suit with a patient 57 before falling to Bumrah, extending his opponent’s dominance over him in the series. Marnus Labuschagne, who was nearing his own fifty at Tea, continued to build on the solid foundation laid by the openers.
The morning session saw Konstas countering Bumrah’s pace attack with reverse scoops, setting the tone for his fiery knock. Despite occasional chances, India’s seamers, including Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, couldn’t break through easily in the second session, as Australia controlled the play.
Labuschagne, after enduring some tough moments, managed to find his rhythm. Australia's strong start leaves them in a dominant position, with India hoping to make inroads on Day 2.
