Australia's batsmen battled a deteriorating pitch in their bid to build a match-winning lead on the third day of the second Test in Perth on Sunday. The hosts led by 43 after both teams' first innings despite a superb Virat Kohli century, but found batting incredibly tough in their second innings. At stumps, Australia were 132 for four, with Usman Khawaja on 41 and Tim Paine on eight, an overall lead of 175.Although they still had six wickets in hand, opener Aaron Finch was taken to hospital for scans after retiring hurt with an injured right hand on 25. The struggles of the Australian batsmen were a far cry from the command of Kohli as he anchored his team's first innings. In reply to Australia's 326 after winning the toss and batting, India were bowled out for 283 despite Kohli's 123.
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India's Mohammed Shami is congratulated by his teammates after dismissing Australia's Shaun Marsh on day three of the second test match between Australia and India at Perth Stadium. (REUTERS)
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India's Virat Kohli bats during play in the second cricket test between Australia and India in Perth, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens) (AP)
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India's captain Virat Kohli reacts after scoring his century on day three of the second test match between Australia and India at Perth Stadium in Perth, Australia. (REUTERS)
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India's Virat Kohli, right, is congratulated by team mate Hanuma Vihari after Kohli scored a century during the second cricket test between Australia and India in Perth (AP)
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India's Rishabh Pant bats during play in the second cricket test between Australia and India. (AP)
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Australia's Nathan Lyon shows the ball after taking 5 wickets, on day three of the second test match between Australia and India at Perth Stadium in Perth, Australia (REUTERS)
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Australia's Aaron Finch is hit on the hand by a ball from India's Mohammed Shami forcing him to retire hurt during play in the second cricket test between Australia and India (AP)
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India's Jasprit Bumrah, centre, is congratulated by teammate India's Murali Vijay after claiming the wicket of Australia's Marcus Harris during play in the second cricket test. (AP)
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Usman Khawaja plays a coverdrive on day 3 of the Test in Perth. (AP)
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India's Ishant Sharma, third left, is swamped by teammates after he claimed the wicket of Australia's Peter Handscomb. (AP)
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Australia's Travis Head bats during play in the second cricket test between Australia and India in Perth. (AP)