<div>Fast-bowler Mohammed Siraj picked two wickets to take India closer to a big win over Australia on day four of the first Test at the Perth Stadium on Monday. At lunch, Australia are 104/5 in 30 overs, with Travis Head playing a counter-attacking unbeaten 63 and Mitchell Marsh giving him company on five not out.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>On a pitch with variable bounce, Australia have an insurmountable task of making 430 runs more, which looks a bit steep as compared to India, who are five wickets away from registering a famous and memorable Test win in Perth.</div>
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<div>India struck on the eighth ball of the day as Usman Khawaja got a top-edge on the swivel pull off Mohammed Siraj, which was safely pouched by Rishabh Pant running a few inches to his right.</div>
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<div>But from the other end, Head was charging up to play his shots with freedom&mdash;driving, cutting, and sweeping with elan to collect his boundaries. Steve Smith presented a more sorted look at the crease with the minimal trigger movement towards middle and off, as compared to a more exaggerated shuffle, which caused his downfall for a golden duck in the first inning.</div>
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<div>The duo also survived LBW appeals off India, who burnt a review in the process, while Smith took a blow on ribs off a short ball from Harshit Rana. Just as it seemed Smith was comfortable at the crease, he was squared up by a short of a good length on the fifth stump from Siraj and took a feather edge through to a full-stretch diving Pant.</div>
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<div>But Head continued to back his attacking instincts, reaching his fifty by ramping a short ball from Siraj over the keeper for four and then getting on top of the bounce to pull through a fine leg for another boundary to bring up Australia&rsquo;s hundred, as the hosts&rsquo; equalled their first-inning score for the loss of five wickets here.</div>
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<div>Brief Scores: India 150 in 49.4 overs and 487/6 dec in 134.3 overs lead Australia 104 in 51.2 overs and 104/5 in 30 overs (Travis Head 63 not out, Mohammed Siraj 3-34) by 430 runs</div>
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<div>--IANS</div>
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Siraj removes Khawaja early; India inches closer to victory over Australia

Head Hits Fifty as Siraj's Strikes Push India Toward Win

Siraj removes Khawaja early; India inches closer to victory over Australia

November 25, 2024 | 16:59 IST