Wade credits India for being on top on Day 1 despite Smith's ton

Australian wicket-keeper Matthew Wade credited India for dismissing the visitors for 300 in their first innings despite getting off to a strong start on the first day of the fourth and final cricket Test here on Saturday.

Electing to bat after winning the toss here, skipper Steven Smith (111) and opener David Warner (56) set the tone for a massive Australian total, before chinaman Kuldeep Yadav triggered a batting collapse to bring India back into the game, with figures of 4/68.

Wade, who scored a 57, said that even reaching 300 was a good efffort considering the dire situation they were in.

"At 140/1 at lunch, You would hope to push on. But it was credit to the Indians, they bowled really well through the middle session and we had to find a way to grind out 300. I thought to get there in the end was a good effort," he told reporters.

Wade is hopeful that the cracks on the pitch at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium will help them the way it helped the Indians.

"The cracks are playing a huge role, with the spinners as well as the quicks," he reckoned. "So we will be looking to get a bit out of the cracks in the wicket tomorrow. "Hopefully we can create 10 opportunities." Staying positive.

--IANS

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