Smith’s fighting knock after Marnus departs; India star survives injury scare — LIVE

Australia are 3-116 from 47 overs at lunch on day two of the third Test at The Gabba after being sent in by India, with Steve Smith (31) and Travis Head (25) at the crease.

Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Mohammad Siraj suffered a hamstring strain just before lunch and had to come from the field after bowling two balls of the 37th over.

“This is a big moment in this Test match,” Brad Haddin said.

However, Siraj returned to the field 10 minutes before lunch in a good sign for the tourists.

Jasprit Bumrah struck early on day two with Usman Khawaja caught behind for 21 from 54 balls, including three fours.

A pinpoint delivery outside off-stump caught Khawaja’s edge and was snaffled up by Rishabh Pant as Australia slipped to 1-31.

Nathan McSweeney was second man out for 9 off 48 balls, with just one boundary.

Jasprit Bumrah struck again catching the outside edge, before Virat Kohli took the sitter at second slip.

Marnus Labuschagne fought hard for 12 off 55 balls, before he lost patience and drove at a wide one to be caught by Kohli at slip off Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Australia slump to 3-75 before lunch with Travis Head coming to the wicket.

His wicket came after an altercation with Siraj, who switched the stump bails, before Labuschagne switched them back moments before his wicket fell.

MATCH CENTRE: Latest scores, updates from Australia vs India 3rd Test

Allan Border noted Steve Smith’s unique changing of his batting stance over the first three Tests amid his recent form slump.

“I don’t know that I’ve seen anyone fiddle around so much with different techniques,” Border said.

“We’re talking the third Test match and he’s tried three or four different methods already… that’s different to most.

“I don’t know many players who have done that type of tinkering with their technique.”

MORE: Marnus falls right into India’s trap after cheeky bails act

Michael Vaughan noticed Smith is well below his brilliant best after he nicked a ball that was crashing into his stumps late in the first session.

“This shot makes me think he is nowhere near his best,” Vaughan said.

“When he is batting well he is smashing that through mid-wicket for four.”

BLOG

Relive all the action from the third Test in our live blog below! Can’t see it? Click here!

EARLIER

Australia will resume on day two at 0-28 from 13.2 overs with play set to start on time at 9.50am local time with clear skies above the Gabba on Sunday morning.

India won the toss and sent the Australians in to bat in the third Test with Usman Khawaja (19) and Nathan McSweeney (4) at the crease.

Rain ruined day one of the third Test, but Fox Cricket’s Brendan Julian declared on Test Daily that he thinks play will start on time.

“There’s a little bit of overcast today, and I think there will be a chance of rain somewhere, maybe later this afternoon after that 70mm of rain yesterday,” Julian said.

“But so far so good. Sun’s out. A little bit of breeze out in the middle, went had a look at the pitch and it stills looks like a really good batting day.”

Australia can bat themselves into a commanding position on day two (play begins early at 9:50am local/10:50am AEDT) with Steve Smith looming large.

India may rue their decision to bowl first, but can still get themselves back into the test with quick inroads on day two.

“I looked at that pitch yesterday, and thought it’s not as green as everyone thinks it’s going to be,” Julian said.

“The preparation was still pretty good. It might have been a little slow, the pitch, but I think it was pretty good to bat first on that kind of pitch.

“Having said that, I don’t think the Indian bowlers bowled that well. Bumrah beat the bat a couple of times, they didn’t bowl enough on the stumps, they bowled the wrong length. They should have been pitching the ball up.

“I know it was only 13 overs, but they would have expected to get two wickets. No doubt about that.

“Rohit Sharma, after the first rain delay, stood on the side of the boundary with Morne Morkel, the bowling coach, and he just seemed to be saying ‘what’s going on? I’ve won the toss. I’ve bowled and I’ve got no wickets. Why?’.

“They didn’t enough in the right areas and they are under pressure this morning. They will need a couple of early wickets if they want to stay in this game.”

Khawaja looked the best of the Australian openers on day two, blasting three fours as he aims to get himself out of his own form slump.

In just his third Test McSweeney was more reserved, but will be pushing for his maiden half century when play resumes on day two.

Akash Deep was the pick of the Indian bowlers on day one with figures of 0-2 from his 3.2 overs before rain stopped play for the second and final time.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be looking to recapture their form from Perth to get India back into the lead in the evenly poised series.

It sets the scene for a mouth-watering second day of action in Brisbane, with everyone praying the weather gods are kind.

Australian XI: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj