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A gritty first Test half century by wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine and a good little cameo from Mitchell Johnson served Australia achieve 390 for 8, at tea on the 2nd day of the very first Test match against India, at the PCA Stadium here. During the break, Paine was batting on a well made 75 off

179 deliveries studded with 10 boundaries. Giving him company was Ben Hilfenhaus batting on 9, courtesy a huge six off Pragyan Ojha.

After a sedate a first session that saw only 71 runs scored of 29 overs, Johnson-Paine pair included 82 runs in 22 overs. The Aussies scored 95 runs in the session losing just 2 wickets.

Johnson, who finished his 1000 runs in Test cricket, scored a quickfire 47 off just 66 balls with the help of 5 boundaries and 3 massive sixes — two off Ojha and one off Harbhajan’s bowling.

A dogged 53-run partnership between Shane Watson and wicketkeeper batsman Tim Paine in the morning session set it up for Johnson to have a go at the Indian bowlers.

Earlier, at lunch, Australia were 295 for six, after centurion Shane Watson became the only batsman to be dismissed during the session.

The celeb for Australia on the first day, Watson was finally dismissed by Harbhajan Singh after scoring 126. His 458-minute vigil ended when Harbhajan got an odd ball to bounce and the batsman didn’t make completely on the frontfoot.

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