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PHOTOS, Day 4: Warner torments India with another ton

December 12, 2014

Day 4 in the first Test was dominated by Australian performances. First, spinner Nathan Lyon bagged his sixth five-wicket haul as India were dismissed for 444 in the first innings. Then, opener David Warner continued in his sublime form and struck his second century of the match as the home side put up 290 for five in their second innings, an overall lead of 363 runs.

Here are images from Friday's play at the Adelaide Oval.

Australia's David Warner celebrates his century on Day 4 of the first Test at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Powered by David Warner's century and some big-hitting by Mitchell Marsh late in the day, Australia ended Day 4 in the first Test against India on 290 for 5, a lead of 363 runs.

The combative left-hander, who scored an emotional 145 in the first innings, added another 102 to his match aggregate.

He had gazed at the sky in tribute to late batsman Phillip Hughes during his first innings knock and repeated the gesture on Friday after raising his sixth hundred in his last 11 Test innings.

- Scorecard

Steven Smith added a half-century to his own first innings ton and was unbeaten on 52 at stumps, with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin on 14.

Steven Smith scores a run en route his half-century. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Shane Watson was bowled by Shami just after tea.

Injured captain Michael Clarke could not repeat his first innings heroics when he scored 128 despite a painful back strain and was out caught behind for seven off the bowling of Varun Aaron.

Smith joined Warner and the duo batted with ease.

Warner was finally dismissed attempting a frivolous reverse sweep; he was bowled by leg-spinner Karn Sharma as the Australians raised the tempo in the last session.

Mitchell Marsh plays a lofted shot. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Mitchell Marsh put some quick runs on the board to accelerate the scoring. His knock of 40 off 26 deliveries included three sixes, off one over from Sharma.

But Marsh chanced his arm too many times and was caught slogging in the deep after a blitzkrieg.

David Warner bats on Day 4. Photograph: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images

Earlier, Warner and Shane Watson (33) put on a steady partnership to take Australia to 139 for 1 at tea.

- Match report

Opener Chris Rogers was the only casualty for Australia in a session that was other hugely successful for the hosts. He was caught by Rohit Sharma off the bowling of Karn Sharma for 21 before Watson and Warner piled on the runs.

Shane Watson bats. Photograph: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images

Warner was at his aggressive best, spinner Murali Vijay his favourite target.

Vijay was hit for six and four off consecutive balls. Even Karn Sharma was at the receiving end of Warner's attacking batsmanship.

In the 30th over, the opener completed his half-century off just 63 deliveries to follow up on his century in the first innings.

At the other end, Watson was happy to just rotate the strike and hit the odd boundary.

Shane Watson and Shikhar Dhawan exchange words as other Indian players watch. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

With no wickets coming India’s way, Kohli called up pacer Varun Aaron late in the second session and he bowled tight.

At one point he had Warner bowled out but was off a no-ball. Warner was called back to the crease. On his return to the crease he exchanged a few words with Aaron and later Shikhar Dhawan got into a verbal tangle with Warner and then Watson at the non-striker’s end.

It took some calming down from India captain Virat Kohli to douse the situation.

Nathan Lyon celebrates after completing a five-wicket haul. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Earlier, Australia spinner Nathan Lyon took his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket as India were bowled out for 444 runs in their first innings.

Lyon took 5-134 as the visitors lost five wickets for just 75 runs in this morning session and surrendered a lead of 73 runs.

Australia had declared their first innings at 517-7 on Thursday.

The off-spinner became only the second spinner in 46 years to take five wickets in a Test innings at home against India, following Bob Simpson, who scalped 5-59 at Sydney back in 1967-68. He was ably supported by Peter Siddle (2-88) who recovered from a stomach bug.

Nathan Lyon celebrates after taking a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Rohit Sharma. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

India began the day at their overnight score of 369-5 with Rohit Sharma (33*) and Wriddhiman Saha (1*) at the crease.

The two batsmen settled down and played an easy innings, as they got on with the job of scoring runs.

They put on 32 runs for the sixth wicket, with Rohit looking to attack Lyon. But the ploy didn't work and after getting a boundary in the 108th over, the batsman tried to turn one away for a single but only ended up offering a return catch.

Lyon snapped it up, diving to his right, and then went on to wreak more havoc six overs later. Rohit scored 43 runs off 89 balls, hitting five fours.

Michael Clarke dives full length as he attempts to take a catch to dismiss Mohammed Shami. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Lyon snapped up Saha (25 runs, 68 balls, 2 fours) and Ishant (0) in the space of three balls.

At the other end, Siddle bowled Karn (4) in his maiden Test innings, even as the 400-run mark came up in the 109th over.

The lead at that time was still near 100 runs, but Shami (34 runs, 23 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) hit out and scored some quick runs to reduce the deficit to 73.

Chris Rogers walks off after being dismissed by Karn Sharma. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

After a quick change-around then, Warner and Chris Rogers came out to open the Australian innings.

Mohammad Shami (0-7) and Ishant Sharma (0-10) were the opening bowlers for India.

Spin was introduced in only the sixth over as Karn Sharma (0-8) was brought on to make use of the rough patches. Another sign of the deteriorating pitch was when Murali Vijay (0-7) too was brought on, with Varun Aaron kept away from the attack before lunch.

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