India vs Australia 3rd Test Day 1: The good, bad and ugly of Boxing Day Test in Melbourne

It was a memorable day for 7-year-old Archie Schiller who was presented with the iconic Baggy Green before the start of the Boxing Day Test match at MCG on Wednesday. Schiller, who suffers from a serious heart ailment, was contacted by national coach Justin Langer andi invited to join Australia team. Schiller was given his replica baggy green by hero Nathan Lyon out on the MCG. After being presented with the Test cap, he also walked out for the toss along with captain Tim Paine as co-captain. Read Full Story

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Opener Mayank Agarwal enjoyed a stellar introduction to test cricket, scoring 76 to record the highest ever innings by an India debutant on Australian soil before being dismissed on the last ball before tea. The Karnataka batsman eclipsed the 51 scored by Dattu Phadkar against Don Bradman's team in Sydney in 1947, raising his hand for a permanent role in the top order after replacing the out-of-form Murali Vijay. The Boxing Day crowd of 73,516 was a record attendance for a match featuring India in Australia and travelling fans from the subcontinent roared their applause the debutant reached his first half-century. Read Full Story

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Hanuma Vihari may have scored just 8 runs but his 66-ball innings helped India get past the early danger. Vihari, promoted to the top had endure a fiery spell from Pat Cummins and was once hit on the helmet by a rising ball. He finally snared for eight off 66 balls by another short delivery that reared up and pinged off his gloves before being caught by slips fielder Aaron Finch.

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There was not much on the offer for bowlers at MCG on Wednesday. Australia's bowlers endured a day of toil on a toothless Melbourne Cricket Ground wicket after the India captain won the toss and elected to bat. With the pitch doing little for the seamers, spinner Nathan Lyon was introduced in the eighth over of the morning but he was also unable to conjure a breakthrough. The bowlers were left frustrated by the drop-in pitch that offered very little movement. India's disciplined performance left them well-placed to build a big total and tire Australia's bowlers in baking heat forecast for day two. 

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Former Australian cricketer-turned broadcaster Kerry O’ Keeffe landed himself in hot water over his comments on Mayank Agarwal’s First-Class credentials during day one of the Boxing Day Test. Agarwal was apparently ridiculed by O’ Keeffe while commenting for Fox Sports with Mark Waugh, stating that Agarwal’s highest First-Class score of 304 not out came against canteen people & waiters. Fans took to twitter to vent their anger against O’Keefe who later apologised for his comment. Read Full Story

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