| 0.0 : December is the most festive time of the year, and it's a rather special one this time around - on top of it being my birthday month, Liverpool are top of the table and we have Boxing Day upon us... doesn't get much better than this, does it? A massive crowd, like every year, is expected to swarm in. The holiday season continues for the regular folk, but not for these warriors. It's long past for them and it's time to prepare for battle. There are three Tests today, but there's just something m |
| Boxing Day brings a bittersweet feeling along with it. It will be the first time Australia have an all-Victorian opening pair in 45 years. Mayank Agarwal finally gets his call-up and what better time to make your debut. There's talk he and Hanuma Vihari will open the innings for the Indian side, and this will be the 6th opening pair for the visitors in 2018. But, along with all the good and positive news, it will be the first time in 40 years we won't have Bill Lawry on air to liven things up fo |
| After producing rather stale affairs on a couple of occasions, it's been said that the MCG surface is going to produce a ripper for this one. Something in it for everyone, and that's what everyone wants to see. India took the first Test in Adelaide, but Australia made a fighting comeback in Perth. Momentum means nothing here, it all comes down to who can hold their nerve on the day. There are going to be changes on both sides, more so in the Indian camp, so it will be interesting to see what com |
| Pitch report - Allan Border out in the middle feels that there is a pretty good grass covering and the conditions overhead are perfect for some Test cricket. He says that if he were the skipper of either team, he might just lean towards bowling first as the MCG wicket is traditionally known to play well and there aren't usually many terrors while batting last too. |
| TOSS - India win the toss and elect to bat first! |
| India skipper, Virat Kohli, feels that it is a nice hard surface under the grass covering, so would like to bat really well as it might get tougher in the 3rd and 4th innings with the surface getting slower. Doesn't feel that there is any worry about the past and is focused on the present. About the team changes, he says that they will open with Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari and wishes the former all the best for his Test debut. Regarding Rohit Sharma, he feels that Sharma could be lethal whi |
| Australia skipper, Tim Paine, says that he is happy that they will be bowling. Feels that they are happy to come in with a win and feels that it was a reward for the hard work. States that he is really proud to be captaining his country in a Boxing Day Test. Regarding the Mitchell Marsh selection, he feels that it will help the bowlers share the workload better towards the end of the series. Ends by saying that Aaron Finch is a 100 percent fine and ready to go. |
| Time for the national anthems. Both teams are lined up side by side and we will begin with the visitors'. |
| The MCG crowd is ready, we're ready, and we hope all of you out there keeping up with us and the match are too. A wonderful day with the sun shining, as Hanuma Vihari and debutant Mayank Agarwal stride out to bat. Mitchell Starc as always will take the new ball first up. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : M Starc to Vihari, Fires a wide full toss outside off, Vihari reaches out to it and gets an edge which goes to the slip cordon on the bounce. |
| 0.2 : M Starc to Vihari, Second full toss in a row from Starc. This one swings back in on middle and leg, Vihari works it in front of square leg. |
| 0.3 : M Starc to Vihari, Better. Keeps it full and manages to bounce it before it reaches the batsman, Hanuma Vihari defends it in front of cover by coming forward. |
| 0.4 : M Starc to Vihari, Nice shape on this as the left-arm pacer bowls it in the channel outside off, on a length, it's left alone. |
| 0.5 : M Starc to Vihari, Length delivery close to the off stick, defended solidly from inside the crease. |
| 0.6 : M Starc to Vihari, Hurls it outside off, pushed away towards mid off with hard hands. |
| Josh Hazlewood will bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Marginally ahead of a length, on off stump, Agarwal defends it with the full face of the bat. |
| 1.2 : J Hazlewood to M Agarwal, Hazlewood goes full and attacks the stumps, Agarwal is well forward in defense. |
| 1.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Nice carry for Hazlewood. He serves it outside off on a length and it rises off the deck, Mayank makes a watchful leave. |
| 1.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, First runs of the morning and this Test match. First runs for Mayank Agarwal in Test cricket and the huge Indian support in the crowd gives him a big round of applause. Full and outside off, Agarwal takes a good stride forward and plays a punchy-drive through the covers for three runs. |
| 1.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Nice and straight from Hazlewood, Vihari can't do much more than block it out. |
| 1.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Rising off the deck once again, outside off, left alone to end the over. |
| 2.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Well played. Safely kept out by Mayank Agarwal. Looks quite confident, which is good to see. Starc fires in a yorker on the stumps, Mayank brings his bat down and keeps it at bay. |
| 2.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Short of a length into the body, nudged fine down the leg side for a single. |
| 2.3 : M Starc to Vihari, Quite full again, in line of the stumps, blocked back down the track solidly. |
| 2.4 : M Starc to Vihari, Moving away late from around off, a good length delivery, Hanuma covers the line and lets it be. |
| 2.5 : M Starc to Vihari, Oooooh! There is a short leg in place and Vihari almost falls prey to it. Starc bangs it in short and into the body, Hanuma awkwardly fends it away and it falls just short of the close-in fielder. |
| 2.6 : M Starc to Vihari, On the shorter side of the length, Vihari remains on the back foot as he deals with it well. |
| 3.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Fullish in length, just around off, Mayank defends it from the front foot. |
| 3.2 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Lands it a bit wide of off stump, the batsman makes a safe leave. |
| 3.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Lovely timing on that. Mayank Agarwal waits for it as the ball comes in full and too straight in line, he flicks it through mid-wicket with good balance. Marsh chases it down, but the batsmen get three runs. |
| 3.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Outside off on a good length, arms are shouldered to this one. |
| 3.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Just beaten. That's a good delivery. Angles in at first but then nips away ever so slightly off the seam. Vihari is drawn forward and he almost nicks it. |
| 3.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Full, straight and on the stumps, hit straight back in the bowler's direction. |
| 4.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Full in length, outside the line of off stump, driven to the man at cover. |
| 4.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Fraction straight in line, Mayank works it away behind square leg and comes back for the second. |
| 4.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, That's a ripper from Starc, equally well played by Mayank Agarwal too. It's short, sharp and accurate, going away from the batsman. Agarwal is on the front foot initially, goes back and does well to drop his hands to avoid that. |
| 4.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Too straight in line once more, not much swing for Starc, it's turned through backward square leg for a brace. |
| 4.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Another confident shot from Agarwal. He's looking fearless here. He comes forward to this full ball and offers a firm punch through the covers. Gets two more to his name. |
| 4.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Back of a length on middle and leg, worked down in front of short leg to end the over. |
| 5.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Angling in on off, fullish in length, Hanuma works it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 5.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Vihari isn't off the mark yet, but he's doing a fine job of sticking it out in the middle. Important for him not to lose his cool in search of that run. He drives this full delivery back to Hazlewood. |
| 5.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Shortish delivery on off stump, defended back out off the back foot. |
| 5.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Bumper in line of the stumps, angling in, Vihari gets right behind the line and blocks it down on the leg side. |
| 5.5 : J Hazlewood to H Vihari, Hazlewood comes from wide of the crease and spears it in full on the stumps, Vihari takes a step forward and drives it, only to find mid on. |
| 5.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Excellent timing but still no run for Hanuma Vihari. He drives it down the ground, but mid on moves to his left and cuts it off with a dive. |
| 6.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Angling away from a length, around off, Mayank moves a step across, gets behind the line and blocks. |
| 6.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Short but way down the leg side, no reason for the batsman to go after it. |
| 6.3 : M Starc to M Agarwal, FOUR! Goes after this one and almost pays the price for it. Just away from Mitchell Marsh at gully. Couldn't resist the temptation this time as Agarwal reaches out for this full delivery wide outside off, gets a thick edge and it flies inches over a diving Marsh. It races away to the fence for a boundary. |
| 6.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, FOUR BYES! No bounce at all on this once. Wow. It was a bit short down the leg side, but it almost goes along the turf and past Tim Paine for another boundary. |
| 6.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Brings it in closer, but still down leg, Agarwal looks to flick but misses. |
| 6.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Good length delivery, aiming the top of off stump, guarded out safely from within the crease. |
| Already spin introduced. Nathan Lyon is brought into the attack in the 8th over itself. |
| 7.1 : N Lyon to H Vihari, Tossed up outside off, Vihari drives but straight to the man at cover. |
| 7.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Spinning in on middle and off, driven back down the track for nothing. |
| 7.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Tossed up outside off, it's the straighter one, Hanuma takes a big stride forward and defends. |
| 7.4 : N Lyon to H Vihari, And Hanuma Vihari is off the mark after 24 balls. He drives this tossed up ball down towards deepish mid on and gets to the other end. He will be relieved with that. |
| 7.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Good stop from Travis Head. Agarwal drives it firmly, looking to find the gap in the covers, but Head dives to his right and stops it. |
| 7.6 : N Lyon to M Agarwal, FOUR! Shot. That's well in the gap this time. Too full and too wide outside off, Agarwal drills it through the covers for a boundary. |
| Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood. |
| 8.1 : Hazlewood to Vihari, Cutting back in off the seam, a good length delivery, goes off Vihari's pads and falls on the leg side as he misses his flick shot. |
| 8.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Full in length, on middle and off, blocked from the front foot. |
| 8.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Full again, Vihari presents a straight bat in defense and keeps it out. |
| 8.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Sharp bouncer from Hazlewood, on middle, Hanuma keeps his eyes on the ball and arches back to let it sail over his head. |
| 8.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Drives this one to the covers, can't find the gap though as the fielder moves swiftly to his left to cut it off. |
| 8.6 : J Hazlewood to H Vihari, Josh keeps it full once more, Vihari positions himself behind the line and drives it with the full face to the man at mid on. |
| 9.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Quicker one on off from around the wicket, met with a straight bat in response. |
| 9.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Some flight on this, it's spinning in on leg, Agarwal safely deals with it. |
| 9.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Plants his front foot forward and drives it straight to the mid off fielder. |
| 9.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Darts it across the right-hander, it's pushed into the covers. Dot ball. |
| 9.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, The off break on middle and off, defended well off the front foot by the batsman. |
| 9.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, A bit quicker through the air, on off stump, Agarwal defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 10.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, This full length delivery is driven down the ground towards mid off. |
| 10.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Bumper outside off, Hanuma picks up the line early and sways away from the ball. |
| 10.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, More runs for Vihari. Angling in on off, Hanuma plays it with the angle as he flicks it wide of short mid-wicket. Easy two for him. |
| 10.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Straightening up after landing on off, guarded out from within the crease. |
| 10.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Hanuma opens the face of the bat, waits for it to come to him before dabbing it to gully. |
| 10.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Targets the top of off stump, the batsman gets behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 11.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Drifting away from around the wicket, Agarwal plays it off the outer half towards cover-point. Both batsmen are alert and change ends easily. Well done. |
| 11.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Full and straight, on the stumps, kept out by coming well forward. |
| 11.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Moving away from around off, pushed off the outer half on the off side. |
| 11.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Another defensive shot. No run taken. |
| 11.5 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Hanuma gets his front leg out of the way and defends. |
| 11.6 : N Lyon to Vihari, Good stop from Lyon. Vihari offers a full-blooded drive towards mid on, but the offie moves to his right and stops it well. |
| Second change for Australia. Pat Cummins is called into action. |
| 12.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Full delivery on off stump, driven hard by Mayank but straight to mid off. |
| 12.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Angles this full ball into the batsman, Agarwal flicks it wide of mid on and crosses over. |
| 12.3 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, That's nasty! Cummins has caught Vihari on the helmet. That was a big noise as the ball struck the helmet. Not that short as Vihari looks to duck, looks to get under it but it goes off the helmet and bounces towards square leg. The batsmen take a leg bye. |
| The physio is out to have a look at Hanuma Vihari. He looks okay, but you never want to take any chances with head injuries. A new helmet has been called for too. He seems fine, which is a good sign. Nice to see. |
| 12.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Zipping off the deck, a length ball outside off, Mayank covers the line and lets it go through. |
| 12.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Coming in at first but then it straightens off the seam, around off, played off the outer half square on the off side. |
| 12.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, In much better control of this one. Agarwal taps this length ball down in front of cover-point to end the over. |
| 13.1 : N Lyon to H Vihari, Looped up around leg, Vihari uses his feet to come down the track. Looks to flick but is caught on the pads. |
| 13.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Quicker one outside off, shorter in length too, the batsman goes on the back foot and defends it down on the off side. |
| 13.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Touch short in length again, on middle and leg this time, Vihari goes back and turns it to short leg. |
| 13.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Is well forward to this tossed up ball as he pushes it away defensively to covers. |
| 13.5 : N Lyon to Vihari, Floated in line of the stumps, kept out with a straight blade. |
| 13.6 : N Lyon to Vihari, Just behind a driving length, on off, Vihari lunges forward, gets close to the pitch and blocks it out well. |
| 14.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, On a good length on off, Agarwal is a bit squared up as he defends it from within the crease. |
| 14.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Sharp. Cummins is generating some good pace here. Angling in on leg and it shoots off the deck a bit, Agarwal is caught high on the thigh pad as he looks to play at it. |
| 14.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Another cracker from Cummins. It's not that short again, but he hits the deck hard at 143 clicks, Agarwal makes the mistake of taking his eyes off the ball and cops a blow on the shoulder. |
| 14.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Marginally behind a length, on middle and off, defended from inside the crease. |
| 14.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Slightly short again, another easy block from Mayank. |
| 14.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Shaping away from outside off, tapped away towards cover-point. |
| Drinks are on the field. And India haven't lost a wicket so far. This is by far their best opening show in the series. Agarwal has looked positive on debut and Vihari is as solid as you'd expect him to be, so the move to start things off with these two has paid off for India, so far. The Australians, the pacers in particular, need to better their lengths. Should be going fuller instead of bowling short on this opening day of the Boxing Day Test. Pretty sure Justin Langer will have sent that mess |
| 15.1 : N Lyon to Vihari, Looped up outside off, Vihari plays his 50th ball into the ground on the off side. |
| 15.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flatter ball on middle, Vihari comes down the ground to defend. Seems to have hit his pad first and there is a huge appeal. The Aussies think about the review but decide not to, in the end. |
| 15.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Quicker, drilled in on middle, Hanuma comes ahead and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 15.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Shorter in length, pushed away to long on off the back foot for a single. |
| 15.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Fuller in length and slightly flighted, driven to mid on. |
| 15.6 : N Lyon to M Agarwal, FOUR! Terrific shot to end the over. Similar to the first boundary he hit off the spinner. Wide outside off, Agarwal frees his arms and drives it hard in the gap and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 16.1 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Short of a length ball outside off, kept out by Vihari on the back foot. |
| 16.2 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Length delivery served just outside off, Hanuma is confident in defense. |
| 16.3 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Bouncer! Well down the off side though. The batsman sways out of the way. |
| 16.4 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Overthrows here and unnecessary from the Aussies. Length ball on off stump and Vihari kept it out to mid-wicket. Finch fires in a wild throw back to Paine that the keeper can't collect and the batsmen can run through for an overthrow. |
| 16.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Bouncer going down leg, Agarwal wants nothing to do with it. |
| 16.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Length ball at the hips, Mayank flicks it away but it goes straight towards short mid-wicket. |
| 17.1 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flatter ball angling down the off stump from around the wicket, Vihari defends it into the ground. |
| 17.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Slightly looped up, Vihari comes down the wicket and pushes it towards mid-wicket. |
| 17.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Another quicker one with the angle, HV dead-bats it. |
| 17.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flatter ball at the pads, Vihari gets inside the line and whips it away for a single to deep square leg. |
| 17.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter delivery outside off, Agarwal defends watchfully. |
| 17.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Another dot to end the over, the ball is looped up on middle. Mayank takes a stride forward and defends. |
| 18.1 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Length ball outside the off stump, Vihari is half-ahead in defense. |
| 18.2 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Slightly short of a length outside off, he pushes it towards short cover. |
| 18.3 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Drifting onto middle and leg, Vihari turns it around the corner towards deep square leg. Picks up a comfortable couple. |
| 18.4 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Back to the off stump line and Hanuma is content to push it to cover this time. |
| 18.5 : Cummins to Vihari, OUT! Caught! The first one is gone and the short ball has done the trick! That was the only ball that was causing trouble so far. Cummins had hit the batsmen twice so far and the bouncers were well-directed. This one was perfect too. Vihari who took his eyes off the ball and was trying to duck couldn't get his gloves out of the way. The ball lobs up to Finch, who runs to his right from second slip and takes a very easy catch. Good effort bowling that from Cummins, need t |
| Cheteshwar Pujara is in at number 3, replacing Hanuma Vihari. |
| 18.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A bouncer to welcome Pujara, the batsman just lets it go. |
| Mitchell Marsh has been called onto bowl for the first time today. |
| 19.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Fuller on the pads to start off with, flicked away by Agarwal for a couple. |
| 19.2 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Length ball outside off stump, defended off the back foot on the off side. |
| 19.3 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Another short of a length delivery to which Mayank just presents a straight bat from within the crease. |
| 19.4 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Length ball on middle and off, Agarwal defends it into the ground. |
| 19.5 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Goes full again and drifts onto the pads. Agarwal flicks it wristily towards deep mid-wicket for another couple. |
| 19.6 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Length ball on middle to end the 20th over. Agarwal keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 20.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Very full on middle and Pujara tries to turn it around on the leg side but finds the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 20.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off stump on a length, Che defends the ball with soft hands. |
| 20.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on off, Pujara comes ahead and defends it back down the ground. |
| 20.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good ball just outside off and slightly short of a length, Pujara lets the ball go pretty late. |
| 20.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer, angling down leg. Che adjusts well and sways out of the way of the delivery. |
| 20.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off, kept out pretty comfortably. Maiden over. |
| 21.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Short of a length and aimed at the hips, Mayank fends it away towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 21.2 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Short seems to be the length to be bowling on, on this surface. This ball suddenly rises just the extra bit and gets Mayank on the glove. Thanfully for him, it just falls onto the ground. |
| 21.3 : M Marsh to Agarwal, On middle again, he stands tall and defends this with a straight bat. |
| 21.4 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Angling down on the pads, worked away to the fine leg fielder for a single. |
| 21.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Outside off on a length and Pujara gets off the mark with a good shot towards deep backward point. The ball is wide enough for Che to cut and he plays it very late after getting on top of the bounce. Three runs till the ball is thrown back. |
| 21.6 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Short of a length ball on off and middle, Agarwal pushes it back to the bowler. |
| Mitchell Starc is back for his second spell. A very fine third man is place. |
| 22.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Bouncer first up, but Pujara moves out of the way easily. |
| 22.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Almost a half-tracker but aimed at the body this time. CP stands tall and plays it with very soft hands. |
| 22.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Short length for the third ball in a row, Pujara hops and turns it around towards fine leg for a run. |
| 22.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Definite plan this! Another short length ball on middle, Agarwal turns it away on the leg side towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end. 50 up for the visitors. Has been a good sedate start this. |
| 22.5 : M Starc to Pujara, 5th straight short of a length delivery. This is wide outside off stump and Pujara decides to let it go. |
| 22.6 : M Starc to Pujara, 6 out of 6. The batsman just fends it off towards the backward square leg fielder. Dot ball. |
| 23.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, A single down to deep point to begin the over. Length ball outside off, pushed by Agarwal for a run. |
| 23.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Length ball on middle, Pujara is half-ahead and pushes it to short mid on. |
| 23.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, Drifts onto the pads and there is an easy single on offer as the batsman works it away to deep backward square leg. |
| 23.4 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Loud appeal! This one has kept low and the Aussies are asking the question. A length ball on middle and Agarwal jumps to defend it. The ball keeps low and Mayank almost misses his defensive push. But the ball has come off the under part of the bat and then gone on to hit the pad. The umpire is unmoved and the home team decide not to go upstairs. |
| 23.5 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Length ball on middle, Agarwal shows the full face of the ball and defends. |
| 23.6 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Outside off and kept out towards the point fielder to end the over. |
| 24.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Bouncer which is wide down the leg side, left alone. |
| 24.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Short of a length again but this doesn't bounce that much. Pujara defends towards mid-wicket. |
| 24.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Another bouncer that comes in slightly after landing, Che moves away from the line of the ball. But his eyes are always on the ball at all times. |
| 24.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Dropped with soft hands on the off side with soft hands and a quick single is taken to this length ball on off. |
| 24.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Bouncer to Agarwal, he climbs on top of the bounce and defends it back down the ground. |
| 24.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Short length ball outside off, played well defensively by Mayank towards cover. |
| 25.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Length ball going down leg. Pujara misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. But the Aussies know that the ball was well down leg stump and don't appeal. |
| 25.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Beaten! Good ball outside off and Che who was trying to feel the ball is beaten as the ball moves away slightly after landing. |
| 25.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, On off and middle, flicked away towards mid-wicket but no run available. |
| 25.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full and wide outside off, Pujara is not drawn into a shot. |
| 25.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, At the hips and on a length, turned away for a single to deep square leg. |
| 25.6 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Good end to the over from MM, Agarwal keeps out the length ball towards point. |
| Josh Hazlewood to replace Mitchell Starc. |
| 26.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short of a length on middle, Pujara misses his flick and gets hit on the thigh pad. The ball is too high to be hitting the stump and the fielding team don't appeal. |
| 26.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Well outside off and coming in slightly late, left alone by Che after he gauges the line and length. |
| 26.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller outside off, defended into the ground on the off side. |
| 26.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller outside off, Pujara comes ahead and drives with an open face of the willow. The ball runs in the gap to the left of point. It doesn't reach the fence but the batsmen can pick up three runs. |
| 26.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Ouch! Another one on the body for Agarwal. Short of a length and coming in. Mayank tries to sway away but can't get out of the line of the ball and gets hit. Lots of bruises but that cannot cause you to lose concentration. |
| 26.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Fuller this time, defended on the front foot towards cover. |
| 27.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Length ball on off stump, pushed towards cover. |
| 27.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Another length ball, this time on middle. Che defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 27.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, On middle and leg once more, Pujara with a straight bat gets it towards the same fielder. |
| 27.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Very full on this occasion, the batsman comes ahead to keep this ball out. |
| 27.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Length ball on middle and shaping away slightly. Pujara has no difficulty defending towards the off side. |
| 27.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Another dot ball to end the over and it is a maiden. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 1 OF THIS THIRD TEST. INDIA ARE 57/1! |
| A good session for India. Would have been even better if they hadn't lost the wicket of a very patient Hanuma Vihari, who played 66 balls for his 8 runs. He could argue that he did the job of seeing the new ball out but there was a great chance to get a big score out there with not too many demons in the wicket. Cheteshwar Pujara, who came to replace him, has looked really solid so far. But the man of the session will definitely have to go to Mayank Agarwal, who in his debut in a Boxing Day Test |
| For the hosts, the stand-out bowler will have to be Pat Cummins. Actually he has been the only one to have extracted some help from the wicket, albeit by bowling short and aiming the bouncers well. He picked up the only wicket to fall as well. The rest have looked a bit rusty and will have to come back better after Lunch. That being said, they haven't given too many runs away and won't be entirely disappointed. The pitch does look a good one to bat on and one would suppose it could be a good tos |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| The two batsmen are followed by the bowling team as they make their way back onto the field of play. Should be an intriguing session of play, Mayank Agarwal to take strike first up. Josh Hazlewood to bowl the first over after Lunch. |
| 28.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, FOUR! Lovely shot to begin the session. Full and a half-volley outside off from Hazlewood, Agarwal leans into the booming drive and gets it in the gap. The ball is a little slow as it is about to reach the fence but eventually just makes it. Good start for the visitors in the second session. |
| 28.2 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short of a length ball on middle, kept out off the back foot towards mid-wicket. |
| 28.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Cut him in half there! The length ball outside off, comes in with the angle and Agarwal was a bit late to bring down his willow. The ball goes right through and luckily for him, also above the off stump. |
| 28.4 : J Hazlewood to M Agarwal, Fuller and pushed wide of mid on. Agarwal has a loud call of no as he sends Pujara back. |
| 28.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Fuller and outside off, Mayank comes ahead and punches it towards cover. |
| 28.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Bouncer going down leg, left alone. |
| Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end after Lunch. |
| 29.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller length on middle, Pujara turns it away towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 29.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and wide outside off and it is left alone by the batsman. |
| 29.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and making the batsman play yet again, Che pushes it out towards cover-point. |
| 29.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball outside off, the batsman is not tempted. |
| 29.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Such a straight bat offered in defense! Lovely to watch. Full ball and pushed right back down the ground. |
| 29.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Wider outside off to end the over, left alone by the batsman. Good over by Cummins, a maiden. |
| 30.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Length ball coming into the body, Agarwal keeps the ball out towards the mid on fielder. |
| 30.2 : J Hazlewood to M Agarwal, Good ball! Takes the outside edge after bouncing off a length outside off. Agarwal does well to remove his bottom hand and ensure the ball does not carry to Aaron Finch at second slip. Finchy dives to his right and stops the ball. |
| 30.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Solid defensive shot this time to a length ball on middle. |
| 30.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket keeper. |
| 30.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Good length ball outside off and coming in after landing. Agarwal gauges the line, length and movement before he leaves the ball. Good cricket all around. |
| 30.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Fuller to end the over, Mayank pushes it to cover. Dot ball and a maiden. Second on the trot. |
| 31.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and just outside off, Pujara comes ahead and defensively pushes it back to mid off. |
| 31.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full yet again, Che doesn't time his front foot drive too well as he tries to beat mid off to his right. |
| 31.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Down the leg side, Pujara must've felt like he missed out there as he doesn't connect his flick. |
| 31.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer aimed at the head of the batsman, he just shrugs and moves out of the way of the cherry. |
| 31.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara gets the ball ping off the middle of the bat and back to mid on. |
| 31.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on middle that is watchfully defended. Another maiden over. |
| 32.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Length ball on middle and Mayank stands tall as he defends this. |
| 32.2 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short and outside off, Agarwal is on top of the bounce as he keeps this out on the off side. |
| 32.3 : J Hazlewood to M Agarwal, Wide outside off, pushed on the front foot towards the left of cover. The fielder moves to the left and stops it, preventing the single. |
| 32.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Well outside off, Agarwal pushes this ball off the back foot and in the gap to the left of point for a couple. Gets into the 40s. |
| 32.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short length ball on middle and leg, the batsman gets inside the line and tucks it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 32.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Dot to end the over. The ball is on a length outside off and Pujara plays it with delicate hands and drops the ball on the pitch. |
| 33.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Outside off and left alone by the batsman. |
| 33.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Bouncer! Agarwal ducks underneath the ball and lets it go. |
| 33.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Length and outside off, once more Mayank prods ahead and uses the pace of Cummins to push this ball in the gap between point and gully. Lyon, who gives chase, fumbles the ball while picking it up and allows the batsmen to collect three runs. |
| 33.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off on a length, Pujara defends it holding his shape. |
| 33.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Slightly fuller this time, Che pushes it softly towards the point fielder. |
| 33.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, FOUR! The patience of Cummins seems to have gotten over here. He overpitches and Pujara latches onto it in a flash. He drives it beautifully all the way for a boundary through the covers. First runs for Pujara after Lunch. Good over for India, 7 runs off it. |
| 34.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short length ball at the hips, nudged towards fine leg off the thigh pad. A leg bye is taken. |
| 34.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball on top of off stump, Pujara keeps it out towards mid-wicket. |
| 34.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller length ball on middle, CP comes ahead and defends it back down the ground. |
| 34.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shorter ball outside off, Pujara stands tall and defends it into the ground. |
| 34.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Wider outside off and left alone by the batsman. Good carry on this one to Paine. |
| 34.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Bouncer but the line is well outside off, left alone by the Indian number 3. |
| Nathan Lyon is back into the attack. |
| 35.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flighted on off and turning slightly after landing, Agarwal comes ahead and defends the ball. |
| 35.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, FOUR! Catch it is the call but the ball is well above the head of mid off and goes all the way for a boundary. Flighted ball on middle, Agarwal dances down the track and lifts the ball above mid off. Moves to 49! |
| 35.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter outside off this time, Mayank pushes it to cover. |
| 35.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Shorter in length, Agarwal rocks back and pushes it to short leg. |
| 35.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball on middle, Agarwal defends it back down the ground off the back foot. |
| 35.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, FOUR! There's his fifty! Maiden fifty and on debut in a Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Couldn't be better. Fuller ball and Agarwal hops down the track and hits it to the left of Lyon, all the way to the long off boundary. It has been a good innings so far but he needs to continue, there is a big one waiting for him out there. |
| 36.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length delivery on off stump, Pujara responds with a straight bat in defense. |
| 36.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Keeps it close to off, on a length, blocked from within the crease. |
| 36.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, In the channel outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 36.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Picked off by Pujara. Bread and butter stuff for him. On the pads, he just flicks this through backward square leg and takes three. |
| 36.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short ball on middle and off, Agarwal rises on his toes and defends it down with gentle hands. |
| 36.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, A bumper from Hazlewood, it's sharp and accurate on middle. Agarwal just about manages to evade it. |
| 37.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Over the wicket, looped up outside off, Pujara comes down the track and flicks it away to deep square leg for a single. |
| 37.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball on middle, Agarwal stands in his crease and tries to work it away on the leg side but finds short leg. |
| 37.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Around the wicket now, pushed back to the bowler on the front foot. |
| 37.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball on off and middle, Mayank comes ahead to defend and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat on to the leg side. |
| 37.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Fuller ball on middle, pushed to long on and Agarwal gets to the other end. |
| 37.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter ball from over the wicket, Pujara takes a big stride ahead and he keeps it out towards the point fielder. |
| Mitchell Starc is back into the attack. Will begin from around the wicket. |
| 38.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Fuller outside off, Agarwal comes ahead and drives but the ball finds the cover fielder. |
| 38.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Shorter outside off, Agarwal pushes the ball to point off his back foot. |
| 38.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, Another length ball on top of off stump, compact looking defensive shot from Mayank towards cover. |
| 38.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Very full and slightly wide outside off, Agarwal pushes the ball to the cover fielder on a bounce. |
| 38.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Bouncer! The batsman sways out of the way and evades the ball. |
| 38.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Another short length delivery coming in with the angle, Agarwal defends it from within his crease. |
| 39.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Looped up outside off, Pujara has his dancing shoes on as he works this away to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| 39.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball from around the wicket, Agarwal misses his flick and gets hit in line it seems. The ball may have just pitched outside leg and that is what makes the umpire say no. The Aussies appeal for a lot of time but do not go upstairs. The Ball Tracker confirms that the ball was pitching outside leg. |
| 39.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Full ball on off, defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 39.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter delivery on middle, Agarwal drives it back to Lyon. |
| 39.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Shorter this time, Mayank in his crease keeps it out with the straight bat. |
| 39.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter and quicker to end the over, Agarwal comes ahead and dead-bats. |
| 40.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 40.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Short of a length ball outside off, Che pushes it towards the cover fielder. |
| 40.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Inside edge! But safe as it goes onto the pads. Fuller length outside off, Pujara goes for a drive but the ball takes the inside edge and goes onto the pads. |
| 40.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Effort delivery outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 40.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Short length ball outside off, Pujara keeps it out on the off side. |
| 40.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Beaten! Short ball on off stump that just reverses a tad bit after landing. Pujara who was looking to play at it, is just beaten on the outside in the end. Good way to end the over from the left-arm quick. |
| Drinks have been summoned by the umpires. A clean hour for the Indians, frustrating the Aussie bowlers. Lyon is on from one end now, but hasn't looked the Lyon of the first two games so far. Can this Indian pair continue, or will the Aussies break this stand in the next hour? |
| 41.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Darted on leg, Mayank picks it off his pads and works it away on the leg side. |
| 41.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Quicker and shorter on leg stump, defended down with soft hands. |
| 41.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Agarwal moves inside the line and nudges it towards short fine leg. |
| 41.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Plants his front foot forward and presents the full face of the bat. |
| 41.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Drifting away from around off, fuller in length, Agarwal defends without any trouble. |
| 41.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Pushes this tossed up delivery to the left of the bowler, but Nathan Lyon moves swiftly and stops the ball. |
| 42.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Comes running in and lands it on a length outside off, Pujara covers the line and leaves it alone. |
| 42.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Sprays it on the pads, easily flicked away by Pujara for a couple of good runs. |
| 42.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Fires this in full and on off, drilled straight to mid off. |
| 42.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Back of a length ball angling in on off, Che stays perfectly behind the line and blocks it out. |
| 42.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Back of a length delivery outside off, Pujara stays on the back foot and slaps it through the gap in the covers. Takes three runs and that brings up the 50-run stand between these two. Been a very good one till now. |
| 42.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Shaping back in on middle and leg, worked away square on the leg side. Dot ball as it's straight to the fielder. |
| 43.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker and straighter outside off, full in length, Pujara defends it off the inner half towards square leg. |
| 43.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, Pujara uses his feet to skip down and drives it through the empty spaces in the covers. Three runs are collected. |
| 43.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 43.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Darts this one on middle and leg, Mayank goes on the back foot and clips it into the leg side. A single is taken. |
| 43.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Played that very late and the timing on that is superb. Pujara hangs back to this shorter ball outside off, waits for it, uses the pace and unleashes the cut behind point for a boundary. |
| 43.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Seeing Pujara give the charge, Lyon fires it full on the stumps. Che somehow manages to keep it at bay. |
| Mitchell Marsh replaces Mitchell Starc. |
| 44.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Length delivery outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 44.2 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Just behind a length, close to the off stick, Mayank keeps it out from the back foot. |
| 44.3 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Too straight in line, Agarwal clips this in front of square leg and gets to the other end. The 100 comes up for India with this. |
| 44.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Stays right behind the line of this one and blocks it out. |
| 44.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Marsh keeps it marginally short once more, Pujara once more is rock solid in defense. |
| 44.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Defended off the back foot by the batsman and that will be the end of this Mitchell Marsh over. |
| 45.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Floats it right up there, on middle and leg, wristed away towards wide mid on. |
| 45.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Quite straight in line, full in length, worked away gently on the leg side. |
| 45.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, This one kept low. Lyon bowls it shorter in line of the stumps, Agarwal does well to deal with the low bounce. |
| 45.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 45.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Agarwal comes forward and pushes it back down the track. |
| 45.6 : N Lyon to M Agarwal, Flighted delivery and it's driven towards deep mid on for a single. |
| 46.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Room offered outside off as Marsh lands it on a good length. Agarwal opens the face and dabs it towards the tumbling gully fielder. |
| 46.2 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Angling in on middle and leg, pushes to the man positioned at mid on. |
| 46.3 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Keeps low again, a length ball on off, Agarwal does well to defend it with a straight bat. |
| 46.4 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Full and straight, driven back in the bowler's direction. |
| 46.5 : M Marsh to Agarwal, On the fuller side of the length, guarded out safely from the front foot. |
| 46.6 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Agarwal uses the angle into him and flicks it to deep square leg for one run. |
| 47.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, SIX! The first one of the innings and Agarwal has decided to go after Lyon. Probably the best way to play against the GOAT. Tossed up on the stumps, Mayank gives the charge, goes with the spin and slogs it over the cow corner for a biggie. |
| 47.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Some drift away, fuller in length, Mayank is well forward in defense. |
| 47.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Fullish in length again, kept out solidly. |
| 47.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Leans ahead into the full ball and knocks it wide of mid on for a run. |
| 47.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 47.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Makes use of the feet, gets close to the pitch and pushes it away. |
| Pat Cummins returns to the attack. |
| 48.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Quick single taken, good running between the wickets. Agarwal pushes this fuller length ball towards mid off and takes off. There is a shy at the bowler's end which misses, but Mayank would have been in even if a direct hit would have been scored. |
| 48.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Rising from the surface as it's landed on a length, Cheteshwar is watchful as he keeps it out safely. |
| 48.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Touch straight in line, slightly fullish in length, it's flicked through the vacant mid-wicket area for a double. |
| 48.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short ball banged in, Pujara ducks and evades. |
| 48.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Some extra bounce off the surface, a length ball on off, Pujara takes his bottom hand off as he blocks it. |
| 48.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On the fifth stump line, Cummins giving little room as it's coming back in, the batsman defends with a straight blade in response. |
| Change of ends for Mitchell Marsh. |
| 49.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Marsh keeps it nice and tight as he bowls a length ball on off, Mayank with a defensive shot in response. |
| 49.2 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Outside off this time, Mayank pushes it tamely in front of covers. |
| 49.3 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Brings his wrists into play as he flicks this one angling into him through square leg for a single. |
| 49.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Back of a length on the stumps, blocked. |
| 49.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, On a length this time, some extra bounce on offer, the ball is met with the full face of the bat. |
| 49.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Short of a length in line of the stumps, Pujara goes on the back foot and punches it past the bowler. Mid on moves to his left and cuts it off. |
| 50.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Length ball on the fourth stump line, Agarwal can only defend it away towards gully. |
| 50.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Short of a good length on off, tight line again, the batsman gets on top of the bounce and blocks. |
| 50.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Cummins isn't giving anything away easily. Keeps it on off and it cuts back in, Mayank defends from inside his crease. |
| 50.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Four dots in a row. Short and on off, Agarwal rises up on his toes and defends it with soft hands on the off side. |
| 50.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Well played. There wasn't much room on offer once more, but Agarwal managed to find the gap. Placed this behind point with a little dab and came back for the second. |
| 50.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Almost... almost. That was close. Cummins makes this go away late after serving it on a length around off, Agarwal fishes for it and nearly nicks it behind. |
| 51.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full ball on off stump, defended from the inner half in front of square on the leg side. |
| 51.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Straighter in line, worked away on the leg side. |
| 51.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, Big chance goes begging! Big chance. Pujara survives a massive scare. First sign of some life for the Aussies. Marsh brings it back in on middle and Pujara hangs his bat out to play. It takes the inside edge, lobs off the thigh pad and falls agonizingly short of Usman Khawaja at gully who comes running in and dives forward to try and take it. |
| 51.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, On a length on the stumps, blocked out solidly from within the crease. |
| 51.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full ball on the stumps and it is driven to mid on. |
| 51.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Slightly behind a good length, Pujara ends the over without any damage. |
| 52.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Coming in at first and then shaping away late, Agarwal is a little squared up as he defends it under his nose. |
| 52.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, FOUR! The timing on it is fantastic. Full ball outside off, Agarwal nicely leans into the shot and drives it through the covers. Lyon chases after it, tries to pull it back in with a dive but just can't. His hand touches the rope while doing so and he himself signals to the umpire that it's a boundary. Fair play to him. |
| 52.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Well outside off, no way the batsman troubles himself with that. |
| 52.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, That wasn't exactly far away. Pat with a length ball around off and it jags back in, Agarwal leaves it alone but it's a little too close for comfort. |
| 52.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Fullish delivery, just outside off, a punchy-push is played as the ball finds cover-point. |
| 52.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Cummins attacks the stumps, but the opener drives it to mid on by bringing down a straight bat. |
| 53.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Good length delivery on middle and off, Che stands firm and blocks it under his nose. |
| 53.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Keeps a little low as Marsh pitches it on middle, Pujara defends from the inner portion in front of square leg. No run taken. |
| 53.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, This full delivery outside off is driven to the left of mid off. Wanted the single at first but is then sent back. |
| 53.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Opens the face slightly and ends up driving it a bit square towards cover-point. |
| 53.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Stays very, very low. Well done, Pujara, for keeping that at bay. Length ball which goes at knee height, the batsman defends it from the toe end. |
| 53.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Works it off his pads but finds the fielder on the leg side. |
| 54.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, A little short, kept out safely by the batsman. |
| 54.2 : Pat Cummins to M Agarwal, Edged and FOUR! First false shot from Mayank all day. Full and well outside off, he's just drawn into it and a thick edge is induced. Much to his fortune though, it flies wide of the slip cordon and races away to the third man boundary. Frustration for the Australians. |
| 54.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Wide outside off, it is left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 54.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Back of a length and on off, Agarwal is up for this as he taps it down on the off side. |
| 54.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, OUT! GOT 'EM! Pat Cummins has struck gold. It's his second of the innings and it's the short ball which does the trick once more. Short ball a bit down the leg side, Agarwal looks to fend it away awkwardly, but the ball brushes the gloves and Tim Paine behind the stumps takes it well by moving to his left. Initially Mayank doesn't walk, stands there as the Australians appeal, but eventually umpire Ian Gould raises his finger and gives him his marching orders. A good |
| A tiring session for Australia, but that late wicket of Mayank Agarwal will have given them much to smile about. 66 runs were scored in 26.5 overs, with the Aussies having to toil hard, but Pat Cummins' late breakthrough has sort of brought them back into this game. Agarwal was playing well, scoring a finely-crafted fifty on debut, but was eventually undone by the short ball. There's plenty of batting left to come from the Indians, but the hosts would feel they can use this opportunity to make f |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| The players and umpires are back for the final session of play. About 35 overs are left to be bowled today. Virat Kohli joins Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle. Kohli will be on strike facing Pat Cummins, who has one delivery to go in this over. |
| 54.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Kohli off the mark straightaway, fuller length and on middle. He takes a huge stride down and pushes the ball to the left of mid on for a couple. |
| Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end. |
| 55.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on off stump, Pujara pushes the ball to mid-wicket. |
| 55.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off this time, Che tries to defend from within the crease. He gets a thick inner edge that goes onto his pads. |
| 55.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Defends this length one off the middle of the bat this time onto the leg side. |
| 55.4 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Fuller in length and slightly coming in after landing, Pujara comes ahead to defend. Again catches the inner half of the bat and the ball rolls onto the leg side. |
| 55.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Wider outside off, the batsman mistimes his attempted cut to gully on the bounce. |
| 55.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short length ball on middle and leg, Pujara keeps it out to mid-wicket. Maiden over. |
| 56.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Fullish in length and shaping away from outside off, left alone. |
| 56.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, In the off stump channel from Cummins, no shot offered by the batsman. |
| 56.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Too far outside off, Kohli takes a step outside, covers the line and leaves it alone. |
| 56.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Plays it very late. Length ball on off, Kohli hangs his bat ahead of him and blocks. |
| 56.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Almost dragged it on! Pat Cummins is on fire. Could have has his third, that too of the Indian skipper. Good length delivery with some good pace on it, Kohli looks to defend but there's some slight nip inside. It takes the inside edge and whiskers past the leg stump. A couple of runs are taken. |
| 56.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Fuller length ball and it's pushed towards short extra cover for no run. |
| 57.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length delivery which rises off the surface, Pujara hangs back and pushes it towards the cover area. |
| 57.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, FOUR! That's a well-earned boundary for Cheteshwar Pujara. Overpitched delivery around off, right in the slot for Pujara who doesn't think twice about whacking it away. Hammers it past mid off all the way to the fence. Super shot. |
| 57.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Sharp bouncer, the batsman ducks comfortably under it. |
| 57.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Keeps it in the channel outside off, Che stands firm and keeps it out on the off side. |
| 57.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Gets right behind the line of this one, hangs a straight bat out and defends it in front of short mid-wicket. |
| 57.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Pujara takes the pull shot on and ironically, to his good fortune, that saves him, because there's a man in the deep. Short ball angling in, it's pulled over backward square without much timing. It falls well short of the fielder in the deep and a single is taken. |
| 58.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery in the off stump channel, blocked with soft hands on the off side. |
| 58.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Big shout for a leg before, but it's turned down. Height the issue? Probably going down leg too. Replays confirm the same, so good call from Ian Gould. Pat Cummins though, he's been excellent. Bending his back and troubling the Indian batsmen. He lands it on middle and leg and it keeps going down, raps Pujara high on the thigh pad as he fails to put bat on ball. |
| 58.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fraction straight in line, defensively pushed on the leg side. |
| 58.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bumper from the pacer, ducked and evaded. |
| 58.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Stays back and keeps it out with the full face of the bat. |
| 58.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 59.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, On the sixth stump line, coming back in, Kohli walks a step across, covers the line and shoulders arms. |
| 59.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Stays a little low as Hazlewood serves it outside off on a length, Kohli taps it off the bottom half of the bat towards cover-point. Wants the run but doesn't decide to take it in the end. |
| 59.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Cutting back in from outside off, met with the full face of the bat. |
| 59.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Off the inside portion of the bat. Kohli uses the angle into him to flick, does so and places it just wide of short mid-wicket. A single is collected. |
| 59.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Bouncer angling down leg, no way Pujara has anything to do with that one. |
| 59.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Nice carry on that. Good length delivery in the zone of apprehension, Pujara withdraws his bat, covers the line and makes a watchful leave. |
| 60.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, Kohli opens the bat face and dabs it to gully. |
| 60.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Full just outside off, defended in front of the covers. |
| 60.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, FOUR! Overpitched from Cummins and he pays the price. Just around off, Virat Kohli beautifully drives it through mid on. Head gives it a chase and makes a lazy attempt to pull it back inside the rope. Ends up conceding a boundary. Should be doing better. |
| 60.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 60.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, it's dabbed down to third man for a comfortable single. |
| 60.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Shortish delivery on middle and off, Che is right behind the line as he defends it right beside him on the leg side. |
| Mitchell Starc replaces Josh Hazlewood. |
| 61.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Back of a length delivery angling across, Virat dabs it wide of point and jogs across to the other end. |
| 61.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Touch fuller in length, on off stump, Cheteshwar meets it with the full face. |
| 61.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Comes from around the wicket on this occasion and angles in a fuller ball outside off, left alone. |
| 61.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Comes from wide of the crease and angles in a full delivery on off, Pujara remains watchful as he defensively pushes it out in front of covers. |
| 61.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Starc keeps firing it full, outside off, one more defensive shot presented by the batsman. |
| 61.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Short ball angling in, on middle, Pujara has no intention to play at it so tries to duck under it. But the ball doesn't rise as much and it goes off his shoulder and lobs towards fine leg. Two leg byes taken. |
| Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood. |
| 62.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, FOUR! Good balance on that shot. Nice and still from Virat Kohli. Extremely full on off, the Indian captain drives this ever so well through mid on and finds the fence. |
| 62.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Gets on top of the bounce and dabs this wide of point. Kohli runs the first one hard and comes back for the second. |
| 62.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Too far outside off, easy enough for VK to leave it alone. |
| 62.4 : J Hazlewood to V Kohli, Edgy FOUR! It falls short of the slip fielder, but credit to Kohli as he plays it by taking his bottom hand off. Length ball outside off, Kohli hangs his bat and the edge is induced. It falls short of a diving Shaun Marsh and goes through him for a boundary. The 150 comes up for India with this. |
| 62.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Full length delivery quite close to off, blocked with the full face of the bat. |
| 62.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Too straight in line, allows Kohli to pick it off his pads and clip it through square leg for a double. |
| 63.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara gets this in the gap through the covers but the timing isn't that great. The batsmen come back for two. |
| 63.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Length delivery on the pads, worked away to the square leg fielder. |
| 63.3 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! Width offered and gleefully accepted by Pujara. The ball was short and well outside off, Cheteshwar chases after the ball and lifts it over point for a boundary. Easy pickings for someone who has played more than 130 balls. |
| 63.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Almost carries! Good comeback from Starc. Gets this bumper on target, Pujara who was trying to fend it away isn't fully in control and the ball is played in the air away on the leg side. It lands just short of square leg. Lucky for the batsman. |
| 63.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 63.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Down the leg side on this occasion, the batsman isn't interested. |
| Mitchell Marsh comes back for another spell. |
| 64.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, Short ball outside off, Kohli stands tall and punches it wide of point. Gets an easy run. |
| 64.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Nice and tight from Marsh, a length ball close to off, Pujara defends. |
| No sign of Nathan Lyon yet. The fact that he's not coming on, against two batsmen who he's had good success against, can only indicate that he's injured. Earlier, on a fielding attempt, he jarred his knee and that seems to be the only logical explanation as to why he hasn't been brought on yet. |
| 64.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, Coming back in on middle and leg, worked away with gentle hands on the leg side. |
| 64.4 : M Marsh to C Pujara, Short ball into the body, it's pulled off the splice towards mid-wicket. Won't get any run for it. |
| 64.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 64.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full length delivery attacking the stumps, kept out safely to end the over. |
| 65.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Shaping away from around off, pushed to the covers for nothing. |
| 65.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Angling away, a good length delivery around off, kept out by getting behind the line. |
| 65.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Back of a length delivery on off, shapes away late, Virat Kohli covers the line and lets it go. |
| 65.4 : M Starc to Kohli, Unnecessary from Kohli. Starc is playing on his only weakness. He likes to feel the ball on his bat and the pacer is trying to exploit it. Full and wide outside off, Virat goes after it and mistimes it in front of point. |
| 65.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Bouncer on leg, ducked and evaded by the batsman. |
| 65.6 : M Starc to Kohli, FOUR! Edged and away! Starc is unlucky, unlike the batsman. It moves away late off the seam as Kohli reaches out for it. Plays away from his body and gets a thick edge which goes between first slip and gully. It runs away to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 66.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Nicely worked away. On the pads, Pujara glances it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 66.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Length ball just outside off, Virat walks a step down the track, goes a little across and taps it down in front of gully. |
| 66.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Standing a long way out of the crease, it allows him to get close to the pitch and defend right under his eye-line. |
| 66.4 : M Marsh to Kohli, Quite full and just outside off, drilled straight to the cover fielder. |
| 66.5 : M Marsh to Kohli, Lands close to off and seams away late, VK gets close to the pitch with a big stride forward and pushes it to mid off. |
| 66.6 : M Marsh to Kohli, Full and straight from Mitchell Marsh, it's wristed straight to the man at short mid-wicket. |
| Finally.... Nathan Lyon comes on to bowl. A little too late, maybe? He can still make all the difference, mind. Let's see how he goes. |
| 67.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Looped up on off stumps, wristed down towards mid on. The batsmen take off and complete the quick run with ease. |
| 67.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Virat eases this down the ground, towards long on and rotates strike. |
| 67.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Spinning in from outside off, Pujara waits for it to come to him before defending it down with soft hands. |
| 67.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes forward once more and blocks it out. |
| 67.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Che goes with the spin and turns it away on the leg side. |
| 67.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Just behind a driving length, Pujara uses his feet to skip down and block it by getting close to the pitch. |
| 68.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, Hurled too far outside off, no shot offered by the Indian captain. |
| 68.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Fullish in length and on off, defended by coming forward and with the full face of the bat. |
| 68.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Waits for it to come, plays really late as he uses the pace and dabs it behind point for one. |
| 68.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Hangs on the back foot and defends it rather solidly. |
| 68.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full length delivery attacking the stumps, it's driven with a straight bat to mid on. |
| 68.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, On a length, on middle and off, Pujara positions himself well behind the line and blocks. |
| 69.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Slower through the air, spinning in from outside off, Kohli lunges forward and leaves it alone. |
| 69.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Quicker through the air, flatter around off, pushed back to the bowler from the back foot. |
| 69.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter once again, coming back in, kept out from the back foot. |
| 69.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 69.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quite full and well outside off, Pujara comes close to the pitch and defends. |
| 69.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, No spin this time and Lyon lands it short outside off, Pujara rocks back in a jiffy and slaps the cut through covers. It won't go all the way, but it's enough to fetch him three runs. |
| 70.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Shaping into the batsman, worked away on the leg side. |
| 70.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, 21st Test fifty for Cheteshwar Pujara! A fine knock from the no.3 once more. Toughening it out there when his side needs him the most. He just dabs this behind point and takes a single. Brings up the 50-run stand as well. |
| 70.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Outside off, the batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 70.4 : M Marsh to Kohli, Places this behind point with an angled bat and changes ends. |
| 70.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full and straight from Mitchell Marsh, it's played right back to the bowler. |
| 70.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Fuller and angling back in, pushed to the right of the bowler, where short mid-wicket comes and cuts it off. |
| 71.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter and quicker outside off, Kohli wrists it away but straight to the fielder at square leg. |
| 71.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball on the pads, again flicked to the fielder. |
| 71.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball on middle, pushed back to the bowler on the back foot by VK. |
| 71.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter ball outside off, defended from within the crease. |
| Kohli has been rapped on the pads, Lyon and the Aussies go up in a huge appeal. The umpire is unmoved but the hosts want to go upstairs for another look. |
| 71.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, NOT OUT! The impact is well outside off. The ball was landing outside off stump and the Indian skipper is well ahead to play this one. Gets beaten by the turn and hit on the pads. The Aussies go up for a review after the umpire shakes his head. The replays show us that the impact was well outside the line of off stump. Australia lose a review. Actually a waste of a review. Looked pretty obvious to the naked eye as well. Seems like the decision was taken in a bit of despera |
| 71.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Fuller and flatter ball on off, pushed to mid on using the wrists by Virat. |
| Drinks break in the final session. Has been another good hour and a bit for the visitors. A couple of close calls but otherwise they have looked comfortable. The run scoring hasn't been too fast from Pujara's end but Kohli seems to be on the move. Should be a really interesting final hour of play. |
| Pat Cummins comes on to bowl, replacing Mitchell Marsh. |
| 72.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer! Pujara sways out of the way of the ball and lets it go. |
| 72.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller on off stump, Che comes ahead and defends it into the ground. |
| 72.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Ouch! This one has rared off a length and the ball has got his fingers. Must be hurting him as he moves away from his stumps and removes his gloves to have a look. |
| The physio is out in the middle to have a look at Pujara's fingers. Hopefully it isn't anything serious and he should be okay to continue. |
| 72.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Overpitched and Pujara drives it beautifully down the ground wide of mid on for an easy couple. |
| 72.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short length ball aimed at the ribs, Che defends gingerly. He seems a little worried about getting hit on his fingers again, looking at the way he played that one. |
| 72.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer, going down leg. Left alone by the batsman. |
| 73.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Well outside off, Kohli shoulders arms. |
| 73.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter on middle and leg, VK flicks it away to deep square leg and gets to the other end. |
| 73.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Good looking shot for a couple from Pujara. Flighted ball on off, Che has his dancing shoes on as he comes down the wicket and whips it away to deep mid-wicket for two runs. |
| 73.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker one on middle, pushed down the ground from within the crease. |
| 73.5 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Another faster one that holds its line outside off, Pujara hangs his bat out and drops the ball wide of slip. The batsmen pick up another two. |
| 73.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Shorter delivery on middle, the batsman covers the line and defends easily. |
| 74.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Short of a length ball on top of middle, Kohli works it away on the leg side for a single. |
| 74.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller on good length, played back to the bowler with soft hands. |
| 74.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Similar delivery and even softer hands from Pujara this time. |
| 74.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Another ball on good length, defended into the ground easily. |
| 74.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer! Pujara ducks and evades the ball going down leg. |
| 74.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on middle, safely played away towards mid-wicket. 5 overs more before the new ball is available now. |
| 75.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter and outside off, Kohli tries to find the gap through mid-wicket with a whip off the back foot but fails. |
| 75.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flighted ball outside off, VK comes ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 75.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Fuller and quicker at the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for a single. |
| 75.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Looped up on off or just outside, Pujara comes down the ground and pushes it to mid on. |
| 75.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Another ball to which Che dances down the ground and flicks it away to deep square leg for one run. |
| 75.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Looped up generously outside off, Kohli absolutely smothers this one after taking a big stride ahead. |
| 76.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Cummins has got to be appreciated a lot for his efforts today. Here again, he got the ball to get some extra bounce by bending his back. Pujara though, isn't troubled as he pushes this one on middle to the square leg fielder. |
| 76.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A ball on middle and leg, Pujara stands tall and pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 76.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller on off stump, Che comes ahead and defends it into the ground. |
| 76.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Ouch! Off the shoulder yet again today. Cummins bowls the bouncer at such a good length, the batsman is confused and tries to duck under it. The ball hits him on the shoulder and goes to the keeper. |
| 76.5 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Length ball on off, Pujara tries to defend the ball a little away from the body. It goes off the inside edge and onto the pads. |
| 76.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on off and middle, defended with a straight bat. |
| 77.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball outside off, Kohli defends it with soft hands towards point. |
| 77.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, FOUR! Gorgeous! Very full outside off, Kohli drives this into the gap wide of mid off and the ball races away to the fence. These cover drives are an absolute treat to watch. |
| 77.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball outside off, defended coming ahead. |
| 77.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, Another quicker ball on middle, whipped towards mid on. |
| 77.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, Outside off stump and with a little loop, Kohli comes ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 77.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Around the wicket and flatter drifting outside off, Virat is satisfied in defending the ball off the back foot. |
| 78.1 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, FOUR! Wide outside off and cut away by Pujara through the gap to the left of point. The fielder has no chance to stop it. |
| 78.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer! Going down the leg side and Cheteshwar ducks out of the way and evades the ball. |
| 78.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller length on the pads, CP flicks it away but to the square leg fielder in the circle. |
| 78.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer, going down the leg side and Pujara shoulders arms to this one. |
| 78.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Another bumper on top of middle, Cheteshwar ducks under the delivery and lets it fly through. |
| 78.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, 3 bouncers on the bounce! Pujara has let all 3 go. 1 over to go before the new ball will be available. |
| 79.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball on middle, Kohli plays it with soft hands toward square leg. |
| 79.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Quicker ball on middle, VK drives this to mid on off the front foot. |
| 79.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Another flick played off the flatter delivery on middle. But straight to the fielder. |
| 79.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, Quicker one holding the angle, Kohli comes ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 79.5 : N Lyon to V Kohli, Fuller looped delivery on middle, pushed straight towards the mid on fielder. |
| 79.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Finally finds the gap and a single is taken as the over comes to an end. Fuller on the pads, flicked away to square leg for a run. 1 run off the over. THE NEW BALL IS AVAILABLE NOW! |
| Mitchell Marsh is on to bowl with the new ball due. |
| 80.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, Short of a length outside off, left alone by the Indian skipper. |
| 80.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Another length ball outside off, defended from within the crease on this occasion. |
| 80.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Length ball outside off that holds its line. Kohli shoulders arms to it. The ball goes on two bounces to the keeper. |
| 80.4 : M Marsh to Kohli, Fuller length ball outside off, Kohli defends it into the ground with a big stride ahead. |
| 80.5 : M Marsh to Kohli, FOUR! And every now and then, there is a show of brilliance from the number 1 batsman in the world. Full and on middle, effortlessly driven away wide of mid on for a boundary by Kohli. No stopping those. |
| 80.6 : M Marsh to Kohli, Good yorker by Marsh after the four, but Kohli is upto it and keeps it out towards cover. |
| 81.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Outside off and flatter delivery, Pujara prods ahead and pads it away. |
| 81.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter ball again on off stump, Che comes down the wicket and blocks the ball. |
| 81.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker ball on middle, CP flicks it but the ball goes straight to square leg in the circle. |
| 81.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, This time the flick is in the gap and Pujara gets to the other end. |
| 81.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball from around the wicket to Kohli, he takes a stride ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 81.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter, quicker ball at the pads. Worked away to the deep square leg fielder for a single. India move onto 199 now. |
| Mitchell Starc is back into the attack and the new ball is taken immediately. |
| 82.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Beaten! On the money straightaway! Just outside off, draws Kohli onto the front foot to play at this one and gets it to hold its line. Beats Virat on the outside and the ball goes through to Paine. There is an appeal that ensues but the umpire is unmoved. |
| 82.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Well outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 82.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Outside off once more, VK shoulders arms once more. |
| 82.4 : M Starc to Kohli, The batsman prods ahead and pushes this ball towards point. |
| 82.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Fuller and at the pads, Kohli flicks it away in the gap towards deep square leg and comes back for an easy two. 200 up for the visitors. |
| 82.6 : M Starc to Kohli, Excellent bouncer to end the over! It keeps rising after crossing the batsman and Paine jumps but can't collect it cleanly. The ball rolls behind for a bye. |
| Josh Hazlewood to share the new cherry. |
| 83.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Wide outside off on a length, Kohli wants nothing to do with it and lets it go through. |
| 83.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Another similar ball that shapes away outside off, Virat lets it go again. |
| 83.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, There is swing but the ball is well wide outside off again, the batsman has no interest to play at these. |
| 83.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Bowled from wide of the crease, lands the ball on short of a length and gets the ball to straighten. But Kohli lets it go seeing it is well outside off again. |
| 83.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Another ball that has gone on two bounces to the keeper. Outside off and VK shoulders arms to it as the ball keeps pretty low. |
| 83.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, A length ball and closer to the off stick. Kohli has to play at the ball and he keeps it out towards cover-point. |
| 84.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Quick! 144 plus clicks. But the line is outside leg and Pujara misses his flick and the ball goes for a bye as Paine can't collect the ball properly. Is it a set plan to get Pujara caught down leg? Like in the second Test. |
| 84.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Short and wide outside off, left alone by Kohli. |
| 84.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Another ball outside off, Virat lets the ball go through. |
| 84.4 : M Starc to Kohli, Had him all beaten there! Wonderful ball from Starc as it comes in late and beats Kohli on the inside. Could have gone onto the stumps. Lucky, very lucky for the Indian skip there. |
| 84.5 : M Starc to Kohli, On the pads, and goes off the pad fine on the leg side for a couple of leg byes. There is an appeal for LBW but the ball seemed to be missing leg. |
| 84.6 : M Starc to Kohli, Fuller length on the middle, Kohli defends this ball into the ground. |
| 85.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, FOUR! Great adjustment and control from the Indian number 3 bat. Short outside off and Pujara hangs the bat outside off from within the crease and places it beautifully for a boundary through the gap between slip and gully. |
| 85.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 85.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Another ball closer to off stump this time, Che opens the face of the bat and pushes it to point. |
| 85.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shorter length ball on middle, Pujara stands tall and defends. |
| 85.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Left alone by the batsman as the ball is well outside off. |
| 85.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A solid back foot defense to end the over. |
| 86.1 : M Starc to Kohli, A loud appeal but Gould says no. Looked like height was an issue there. Brilliant bowling late on in the day from Starc, getting the ball to come in. The ball beats Kohli on the inside as he tries to drive the ball. Gets rapped on the inner thigh and there seems to be too much height so the Aussies drop their appeal. |
| 86.2 : M Starc to V Kohli, DROPPED! Wide outside off after the ball coming in, Kohli goes chasing and gets an edge on this. This looks like it won't carry to Paine behind but it does just about. The keeper dives to his right and tries to take it but can't hold on. Very tough chance this but these are the ones if taken, that can change the course of matches. |
| 86.3 : M Starc to V Kohli, What happened there? The ball on a length has taken off out of nowhere. Slightly fuller on good length and coming in, the ball rares off and swings wildly after passing Kohli. Paine has no chance to catch this one and the ball runs away for four byes. What bowling this, at the fag end of the day. |
| 86.4 : Starc to Kohli, Loud appeal and the umpire says no yet again. Down the leg side by Starc, Kohli wants to flick it away but misses the ball. The ball comes off the strap of the back pad and Paine takes the ball on the full before appealing. Good umpiring. Terrific bowling and a great contest late in the day. |
| 86.5 : M Starc to Kohli, What a yorker! 150.4 kph! Kohli does equally well to dig it out towards the leg side. |
| 86.6 : M Starc to V Kohli, Starc is spitting fire here suddenly and the ball is full and swinging in. Kohli does really well to drive this well towards mid on. End of a terrific over from one of the best left-arm pacers in the world. Just showed his class after being on the field for more than 85 overs. |
| 87.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Cutting back in from a good length, on middle and leg and there's some extra bounce. Pujara is caught on the thigh pad as he fails to play at it. Height an issue, so no real appeal made. |
| 87.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Too straight in line, flicked away into the leg side for a double. |
| 87.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Good length delivery on the fourth stump line, Che gets an inside edge onto his pads as he looks to play at it. |
| 87.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Serves it on a length again, outside off, tapped down on the off side with soft hands. |
| 87.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shortish ball which doesn't climb as much as it should, Pujara takes his eyes off the ball while trying to duck and cops a blow on the glove. |
| 87.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Well outside off, left alone comfortably for the keeper to collect. |
| 88.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Could be the last over of the day. Starc starts off with a ball on a length outside off and holding its line. Left alone by Kohli. |
| 88.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Another one outside off, closer to the stick this time but VK gauges the length well and lets the ball go. |
| 88.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Wider and full outside off, Virat pushes the ball to the cover fielder. |
| 88.4 : M Starc to Kohli, Short of a length ball outside off, Kohli gets his bat out of the way at the last moment and lets the ball fly through. |
| 88.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Length ball on middle, Kohli keeps it out watchfully. |
| 88.6 : M Starc to Kohli, Last ball of the day, huge cheer as Starc charges in to bowl it. Bowls a 147 kph ripper full outside off, almost too full. Kohli tries to put bat on ball but fails to do so. That brings an end to a great day of Test cricket. STUMPS ON DAY 1, INDIA ARE 215/2! |
| What a wonderful day of Test cricket. Definitely, India will head into the pavilion as the happier side but Australia will not be too disheartened. They have bowled wonderfully and restricted the scoring rate to less than 2.5 rpo. The pitch has looked demon less so far and the batsmen who are willing to spend time at the crease, will surely find a way to score runs. All the Indian batsmen so far have played more than 60 balls. Mayank Agarwal on debut, made a pleasing 76, especially considering t |
| Pat Cummins looked the best out of all the bowlers used today and he has been rewarded with both the wickets that fell. The rest of the bowlers haven't looked like picking wickets but have done well to stop the runs. Surely the injury to Nathan Lyon has affected them a bit and helped the visitors' cause a bit more. Mitchell Marsh was a good selection as bowling with just 4 bowlers on this wicket would have been really exhausting and considering the small turnover time between this Test and the n |
| So, 215/2, then! A terrific Day 2 beckons on Thursday. Will the Indian mainstays of Kohli and Pujara continue their stay and push India towards a mammoth first innings score? Or will the Aussies come hard at them in the morning and have a say of their own on an MCG wicket that looked pretty lifeless and with some variable bounce on Day 1? Join us to find out all. Stay tuned for the coverage of the action from Melbourne which will begin at 10.30 am local (2330 GMT, previous night). Cheers! |
| ... Second Day, Morning Session ... |
| Hello and welcome for Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. It's quite nicely poised as things stand. At the end of Day 1, you could argue India have their noses slightly ahead in this Test, but the fact that Australia didn't let them motor away with the runs will give them enough reason to believe they can very much come back in this contest. A couple of early wickets and things become interesting again. |
| The opening day saw Mayank Agarwal score a fifty on debut, while Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli took things further from there. The pitch isn't exactly providing much assistance, but the Australian pacers showed some signs of life towards the end of day's play on Day 1. Pat Cummins was their best bowler, but some concerns remain over Nathan Lyon who picked up a slight knock while on the field. He should most likely be fine for today, the Aussies will surely hope that, otherwise that puts a hu |
| Pitch Report - Allan Border feels that the pitch has dried out well and become harder than yesterday. He says that the surface should start assisting the spinners, and especially Ravindra Jadeja would be happy to bowl later on in the game with some rough patches being formed outside the left-hander's off stump. Also adds that the weather is pretty sunny and will aid in becoming the pitch becoming better for batting. He signs off by saying that Day 2 should be the best day for batting and India w |
| We are all set to begin. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli walk out under the shining sun, and the duo will attempt to put on a big score on the board. Pat Cummins is handed the ball first up. Early wickets is the need of the hour for the hosts. Three slips and a gully in place for Cummins. Let's get this show on the road. Here we go... |
| 89.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Pujara leaves it alone. The ball actually died down a bit before it made its way to Tim Paine. Interesting... |
| 89.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller in length and just outside off, blocked out from the front foot. |
| 89.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, First run of the day down to fine leg. Fuller and angling down the pads, Pujara flicks it away for a single. |
| 89.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Right on the money to the Indian skipper first up, on off stump. Kohli comes ahead and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 89.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Outside off stump and left alone on this occasion. |
| 89.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, FIFTY for Kohli! 20th in Tests. A full ball on middle that is flicked away to deep mid-wicket and the batsmen have enough time to come back for three. Good innings so far and the Indians would love for it go on long. 4 runs off the first over. |
| Mitchell Starc to bowl from the other end. |
| 90.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Angling down the pads first up, flicked away to deep fine leg for a single. |
| 90.2 : M Starc to Pujara, This ball is on a line outside off and slightly comes in, Pujara plays it towards point with soft hands. |
| 90.3 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! Streaky, Australia won't mind this. Very full and on target, with the ball swinging inward. Pujara tries to dig the ball out but it takes the outside edge and runs away to the fence through the gap between the slip cordon and gully. The 100-run stand also comes up between these two. |
| 90.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Full again but this time a little off target, on the pads and easily flicked away through mid-wicket. The ball doesn't reach the fence but the batsmen come back for 3 runs by the time Marsh retrieves the ball. |
| 90.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Well outside off, left alone by Kohli. |
| 90.6 : M Starc to Kohli, Good shot on the off side but straight to the cover fielder. 8 runs off the second over of the day. |
| 91.1 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Length delivery outside off, Pujara hangs his bat out in defense. The ball comes off the thick inside edge and goes onto the pads. |
| 91.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, This time the defense is out of the middle of the bat. |
| 91.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller length on middle and Che is slightly ahead as he defends with a straight bat. |
| 91.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer! Pujara ducks and evades the ball. The ball seems to have bounced a bit more today. From the same length on Day 1, the ball did not bounce so much and hit the batsmen. |
| 91.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Well down the leg side, Pujara tries to flick the ball but misses it. |
| 91.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off and this is the second time today that the ball has gone on two bounces to the keeper. Length delivery that Pujara fails to connect his willow on. |
| 92.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Beaten! Full ball outside off and Kohli is dragged into the drive but the ball holds its line and beats him on the outside. |
| 92.2 : M Starc to Kohli, This time he is much more ahead and leans into his drive through the covers. Just a mere push and the batsmen pick up three runs. |
| 92.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Well outside off again on length and Pujara unlike Kohli, is not drawn into playing a shot. |
| 92.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Left alone again outside the off stump. |
| 92.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Short of a length and the ball is closer to the sticks this time. Pujara stands tall and defends the ball back towards the bowler. |
| 92.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Quick! 147.4 kph! But the ball is well outside off and the patient Indian number 3 lets the ball fly through to Paine. |
| 93.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Well left! Say this because it was Kohli and not Pujara on strike. The ball was on a length and not too far away from off stump and the Indian skipper prevented himself from going for the drive, something that comes naturally to him. |
| 93.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball again on off stump, Kohli comes ahead to defend but the ball takes the inside half and runs to deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 93.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Straying onto the pads, Pujara misses his flick and the ball runs behind square on the leg side for a leg bye after going off Che's pad. |
| 93.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Beautiful delivery! On a length just outside off and straightens a tad bit after landing. That beats Kohli who was looking to play it straight back down. Inches from the outside edge. Really good ball from Cummins! |
| 93.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Wide outside off, left alone by VK. |
| 93.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Full and angling down the leg stump, Kohli tries to flick but misses and gets hit on the pad. Slight appeal but it's only from the bowler. The replays confirm that the ball was clearly going down leg. The batsmen, meanwhile run through for a couple of leg byes. |
| 94.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Wide outside off and full, left alone by Pujara. The ball almost never rose off the ground there and went on a couple of bounces to Paine. |
| 94.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Well outside off and on a shorter length this time, but Che doesn't need to play because of the line of the ball. |
| 94.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Outside off and away from the stumps, Pujara shoulders arms once more. |
| 94.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Short length ball on middle and leg, Straying onto the pads, the batsman fends this off on the leg side awkwardly. Maybe a bat-pad fielder should come in for this bouncer type delivery. |
| 94.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Outside off on a length and Pujara defends it with soft hands and the ball falls into the pitch. |
| 94.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Length ball aimed at the hips, CP tucks it away towards deep square leg for a single and retains strike. |
| 95.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery around off, Pujara hangs his bat close to his body and defends it down on the off side. |
| 95.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Similar length and quite close to off again, Pujara dabs it wide of point for a single. |
| 95.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Beaten! That's the line Pat Cummins should be hitting more. Bowls it a tad fuller, just outside off and it nips away ever so slightly. Virat Kohli is drawn forward and he pushes away from his body, only to get beaten. |
| 95.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Hits the deck hard and bangs it in shorter, Kohli gets behind the line and defends. |
| 95.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Way outside off, no way Kohli chases after it. |
| 95.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Short ball angling in on leg, Kohli initially wants to play at it but ducks at the last second. |
| 96.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Another ball aimed at the ribs, good ball that. Equally well kept out by Pujara towards square leg, dropping his bottom hand at the last moment and keeping the ball down. |
| 96.2 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! Catch it was the call but the ball was well in control of the batsman. Full and outside off, Pujara comes ahead and drives the ball with an open face through the gap to the left of point. No third man and an easy boundary. |
| 96.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Way outside off stump, left alone. |
| 96.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Good solid defense from Che to this ball on top of off. |
| 96.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Length ball on off stump, Pujara defends it back with a straight bat from within the crease. |
| 96.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Bouncer! Pujara sways out of the line of the ball and wants to go for the ramp but decides against it in the end as he lets the ball fly through. |
| 97.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball outside off, left alone by Kohli. |
| 97.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Good leave this time. There was a similar length delivery just outside off in the previous Cummins' over that Kohli was drawn into a drive by but this time he restrains himself from going for the shot. |
| 97.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Shorter in length outside off, VK gauges the line and length as he shoulders arms. |
| 97.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Way outside off and not a ball that makes the batsman play. |
| 97.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Bouncer! Good bumper aimed at the head of the batsman, but Kohli ducks under and lets the ball go through. |
| 97.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Beaten once again! Must be the third or fourth time that Cummins has not got the edge of the batsman. Length ball just outside off, Kohli comes ahead to defend and the ball moves away very slightly to beat the outside edge. |
| Josh Hazlewood replaces Mitchell Starc. |
| 98.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball on the pads, Pujara works it towards square leg. |
| 98.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller length ball on the pads, Pujara flicks it but the ball finds the square leg fielder again. |
| 98.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Well outside off and Che doesn't offer a shot this time. |
| 98.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A loud appeal but the ball seems to be going down leg! Length ball that lands on off and jags back in after landing. Pujara who was looking to defend, misses the ball to get rapped on the thigh pad of his front foot. The ball seems to be doing too much and missing leg stump, hence the appeal dies down. |
| 98.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Outside off stump on a length and the batsman leaves the ball through to the keeper. |
| 98.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short length ball above off stump, Che gets on top of the bounce and defends the ball onto the ground. |
| Nathan Lyon replaces Pat Cummins. |
| 99.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flighted delivery outside off, Kohli comes ahead and smothers the ball onto the ground. |
| 99.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter in length, VK rocks back and pushes it to long on for a single. |
| 99.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter delivery on off, Pujara turns the ball towards short mid-wicket. |
| 99.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Another flatter one on middle, Pujara has a bit more time on this one as he works it towards square leg this time. |
| 99.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, On middle, CP runs down the track before defending this one. |
| 99.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker ball outside off, Pujara comes ahead and dead-bats this. 1 run off the first Lyon over of the day. |
| 100.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Good carry here! The ball is on length outside off and Kohli lets it go. |
| 100.2 : J Hazlewood to V Kohli, EDGED AND FOUR! The trap was set with an unconventional second slip who was wearing a helmet and a little more ahead than where a normal second slip would have been. Maybe that's what made him not dive for the catch. The ball goes just where a normal second slip would have been and the Australians can't believe their luck or Virat's. Length ball outside off to which Kohli comes ahead to drive but the ball takes a genuine outside edge and runs away wide to the right |
| 100.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, The edge has immediate rearguard action as Kohli leaves this one outside off. |
| 100.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Another ball outside off to which Virat shoulders his arms. |
| 100.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Left alone again as the ball is quite far outside off. |
| 100.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Four leaves in a row after the edge to end the over. |
| 101.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Probing length from Lyon. Pujara has come ahead to this one and tries to turn it away onto the leg side but the ball turns just enough to beat the bat and lob off the pad onto the off side. |
| 101.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the wicket again and pushes this ball towards mid-wicket. |
| 101.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter ball on off and middle, defended to the mid-wicket fielder again. |
| 101.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Another flighted ball to which Che comes down the ground and defends. The pressure is building. |
| 101.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Shorter in length and Pujara is let off the hook and he goes to the other end with a single towards cover-point courtesy a back foot push. |
| 101.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball outside off, Kohli comes ahead and defends it. |
| 102.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short one outside off, Pujara looks to play the ramp shot but doesn't connect. |
| 102.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Defended off the back foot with a straight bat. |
| 102.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller good length ball on off stump, solid yet watchful defense from Che to this. |
| 102.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short length ball outside off, Pujara stands tall and defensively punches this one to mid off. |
| 102.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball on top of off stump, chanceless defense from the batsman. |
| 102.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shortens the length, Pujara immediately rocks back and defends the ball. |
| Drinks have been summoned by the umpire. Another hour of play that India will be pleased with. Slow going but no wicket lost and the visitors will know it is all helping in building a launch pad for the batsmen to come in later. Australia need wickets, and quickly at that. Else, they could be staring at a long day on the field. |
| 103.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Spinning down the leg side, Virat attempts to flick but misses. Paine moves to his left, collects and whips the bails off. To no avail though. |
| 103.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Some decent flight on this, around off and coming in, Kohli taps it down on the off side with soft hands. |
| 103.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 103.4 : N Lyon to V Kohli, Pushes this towards the vacant mid on area and scampers across to complete the run. Nicely done. |
| Two close-in fielders now for Cheteshwar Pujara. Good thinking by Tim Paine, trying to put some pressure on the batsman now. |
| 103.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Goes with the spin and works it down in front of short mid-wicket. |
| 103.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Some flight on this one, around off, Pujara comes out to get to the pitch and blocks. |
| 104.1 : J Hazlewood to V Kohli, Full length delivery attacking the stumps, driven straight to the man at mid on. |
| 104.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Kohli is standing well out of his crease, so it becomes easier for him to deal with the movement. He comes forward and defends the length ball around off comfortably. |
| 104.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Just behind a length, on the fourth stump line, Kohli shifts his weight on the back foot and runs it down to gully. |
| 104.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, it's left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 104.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Slightly fullish in length and outside off, VK is half-forward as he keeps it out. |
| 104.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 105.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated well outside off, Cheteshwar Pujara dances down the track and pushes it a bit square to cover-point. |
| 105.2 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Down the track again, this time it's wristed towards mid on. |
| 105.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Straighter one outside off, driven through the gap in the covers and the batsmen take three. The 250 comes up for India. |
| 105.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, Quick, flat and short outside off, the Indian captain goes back and offers a firm punch into the covers. |
| 105.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, Uses the depth of the crease to go back and works it to short mid-wicket. |
| 105.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Tossed up off break on middle and off, eased down to long on for a single. |
| 106.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Rising off the surface after landing in the off stump channel, on a length, arms are shouldered. |
| 106.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Too far outside off, Kohli leans across, covers the line and lets it go. |
| 106.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Serves it on a length on the fifth stump line, Kohli does well to play with soft hands. Gets an edge which falls well short of Finch at that modified second slip position. |
| 106.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Wide outside off, another leave from the batsman. |
| 106.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 106.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, FOUR! As sweet as cotton candy. Beautiful shot from Virat Kohli, they don't get any better than this. Overpitched delivery on off, the Indian captain just presents the full face of the bat and times the drive through mid on perfectly for a boundary. Magic. |
| 107.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Sees the flight on the ball and then charges out to push it away. |
| 107.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Once again makes use of the feet and defends. |
| 107.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Lovely shot from Pujara. He gets his dancing shoes on and skips down, gets close to the pitch and hammers it through the covers to find the fence. |
| 107.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Steps out of the crease once again, it's blocked away comfortably. |
| 107.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Pujara has given the charge to Lyon on all five deliveries so far. Works this one towards the bowler. |
| 107.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Wristed away with the spin, from within the crease this time, but straight to the fielder. |
| 108.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Hazlewood hurls it in the channel outside off, Kohli watches the ball and then lets it go. |
| 108.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Too far outside off, another leave from Virat. |
| 108.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 108.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Bumper from the pacer, ducked and evaded. |
| 108.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Hazlewood serves it in the zone of apprehension, Kohli doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 108.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Wide outside off and on a length, no shot offered. |
| 109.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker delivery on the stumps, Che goes on the back foot and defends it well. |
| 109.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Lyon pushes this quicker again, short and around off, Pujara is on the back foot once more as he keeps it out. |
| 109.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Just outside off, this time Che stands his ground and meets it with the full face. |
| 109.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Good use of the feet again. Very good shot as he comes out and whips it through mid-wicket for three runs. |
| 109.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, Around the wicket to Kohli, shorter and on the hips. It's nudged to short fine leg. |
| 109.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Looped up on middle and leg, Kohli presses forward and blocks it away on the leg side. |
| Mitchell Marsh to bowl for the first time today. |
| 110.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Hits the good length area in the off stump channel, run down to gully for no run. |
| 110.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Touch short in length and on off stump, Pujara hangs back inside his crease and blocks it out. |
| 110.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, Stands firm once more, doesn't move much and defends it safely. |
| 110.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Length ball on off, Pujara slightly opens the face and pushes it to cover-point. |
| 110.5 : M Marsh to C Pujara, Comfortably done. This full delivery outside the line of off stump is driven through the covers for a couple of runs. |
| 110.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Fraction straight in line, a length ball on middle, Pujara gets inside the line and turns it in front of square leg. |
| 111.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Tossed right up there, on the stumps, it's driven to long on for a run. |
| 111.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Lyon continues from around the wicket and floats it up again, Pujara works it away, but straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 111.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Some drift away, around off, Che jumps out of his crease and blocks it in front of square leg. |
| 111.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Goes deep inside the crease and works it to the man at square leg. |
| 111.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 111.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Pujara comes out of his crease yet again and pushes it just wide of short mid-wicket. |
| 112.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, Full delivery outside off, driven but straight to the man at cover. |
| 112.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Drags his length back shortly, outside off again, left alone by the batsman. |
| 112.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Goes a bit square as Kohli places this through point and gets to the other end. |
| 112.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Too straight in line, easy enough for Pujara to clip this down to fine leg. He rotates strike without any trouble. |
| 112.5 : M Marsh to Kohli, Shaping away late from around off, on a good length, Kohli strides forward and blocks by reaching out. |
| 112.6 : M Marsh to Kohli, A length ball once more, wider of off on this occasion, VK lets it through to the keeper. |
| 113.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Hundred for Cheteshwar Pujara, his 17th in this format. Take a bow, maestro. Another gritty knock. Has to be up there with one of his best knocks. He's played Lyon so well and continues to do so even now. Gives the charge and drills it through mid off to find the fence and get to the milestone. |
| 113.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Short and flat, pulled away on the leg side. |
| 113.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flat and on the stumps, worked to square leg but straight to the fielder. |
| 113.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 113.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Takes a step out of the crease and defends it with the full face. |
| 113.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Stays back and keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 114.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, Rising off the deck as it lands on a length wide outside off, Virat Kohli leaves it alone. |
| 114.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Marginally ahead of a length and just outside off, it's kept out by coming half-forward. |
| 114.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Too far outside off, some shape away and not much bounce on it. Kohli makes an easy leave. |
| 114.4 : M Marsh to V Kohli, Full and straight from Mitchell Marsh, Kohli drives with the full face of the bat but finds mid on. |
| 114.5 : M Marsh to Kohli, Fires it full, keeps it outside off, Virat drives but straight to the mid off fielder. |
| 114.6 : M Marsh to Kohli, Needs to bring it in a touch closer. Marsh once again serves it around off, Kohli leaves it alone. |
| 115.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted delivery on middle stump, defended stoutly towards short mid-wicket. |
| 115.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, The 150-run partnership is up between these two. Around leg, Pujara helps it fine down the leg side and comes back for the second. |
| 115.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floats it across, around off and fuller in length, Che blocks with a straight blade in response. |
| 115.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman is out of the crease and blocks the ball before it can turn. |
| 115.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Bit quicker through the air, on middle and leg, defended off the inner portion towards the square leg area. |
| 115.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Cheteshwar Pujara has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 116.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, No ball! The first one of this Test match. Marsh oversteps as he lands it on a length outside off, Kohli defends it on the off side. |
| M Marsh to Kohli, Short of a good length around off, moving away from the batsman off the seam, Kohli stands tall and punches it to short extra cover. |
| 116.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Well wide outside off, an easy leave for the batsman. |
| 116.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, In the air and it's just wide! Too far outside off and it's moving away, Kohli reaches out for it and gets it off the outer half towards point. Finch, with his helmet on for some reason, dives low to his right but can't reach the ball. The batsmen take a single. |
| 116.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Wide! Way outside off, it goes across the other side of the tramline, so the umpire signals a wide. |
| M Marsh to Pujara, Seaming away from a good length, left alone. |
| 116.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Pujara keeps his eyes on the ball, watches it land well outside off and doesn't bother himself with it. |
| 116.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, Pujara opens the face of the bat and runs it past the man at gully for a single. LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| One more session in India's pocket. The runs might have not come in bulk, but the visitors did not lose a single wicket. Pujara scored his ton, while Kohli has cautiously been going about his business as well. There were a couple of nervy moments, especially for the Indian skipper, but luck seems to be with him today. Australia needed early wickets but they failed to get any. The surface today is the best one for batting, and the second session is only going to get better under the baking sun. T |
| ... Second Day, Afternoon Session ... |
| We are back for the 2nd session on Day 2. Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and the fielders make their way to the middle along with the umpires. Pujara will take strike, bowling to him will be Pat Cummins. |
| 117.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short of a length ball on top of off stump, Pujara pats it back calmly to the bowler. |
| 117.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on top of off again, straight bat presented once more. |
| 117.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, At the hips, turned around towards square leg. |
| 117.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Another short of a length delivery at the hips, worked to a backward square leg in the circle. |
| 117.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and outside off, Che comes ahead and defends to the cover fielder. |
| 117.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A length ball to end the first over after Lunch. Pujara plays it towards mid on. Maiden over. |
| Mitchell Starc to bowl from the other end. |
| 118.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Short ball down the leg side, Kohli goes for the hook but misses his shot. Looks like a set plan. |
| 118.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Short of a length ball on top of middle, VK defends back to the bowler. |
| 118.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Very short and some width outside off, Kohli gets on top of the bounce and cuts towards covers and gets off strike. |
| 118.4 : M Starc to Pujara, The ball lobs up in the air but lands in no man's land. Bouncer to Pujara, climbs up a lot on him and he isn't in control as he tries to fend it off. The ball hits the glove and lobs onto the leg side in the vacant area. Single taken. |
| 118.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Another effort ball just outside off, Kohli controls this one beautifully as he taps it down wide of point for a single. |
| 118.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Down leg side and almost halfway down the track, Pujara tries to play the ball but misses. |
| 119.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball on off stump, Kohli comes ahead and defends it towards cover. |
| 119.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Good length ball outside off, comes in slightly after landing. VK lets it go after gauging the line and length. |
| 119.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball on top of off, Virat just defends this onto the pitch. |
| 119.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Overpitched and too straight, Kohli flicks it beautifully into the vacant mid-wicket area. Three runs taken, Kohli wanted the fourth but Pujara was not ready for it. The field is predominantly off side for the Indian skipper and thus, Cummins can't afford to stray onto the pads. |
| 119.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer aimed at the head, CP ducks under it. |
| 119.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball just outside off, Pujara defends towards point. |
| 120.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Good bouncer! Well-aimed but Kohli does well to duck and leave it. |
| 120.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Inside edge! Short length ball and Kohli looks to pull this one. Seems like he is into his shot too early and he gets an inside edge into the pads. Or maybe the ball held up a bit in the pitch. |
| 120.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Bouncer! Another duck from Virat. |
| 120.4 : M Starc to Kohli, Almost a similar ball and a similar reaction from VK. |
| 120.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Length ball outside off, Kohli pushes it back defensively to the bowler. |
| 120.6 : M Starc to Kohli, Single to end the over. Short ball pulled away by the Indian skipper to deep square leg as he retains strike. |
| 121.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball outside off, left alone by Kohli. |
| 121.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Well outside off, VK isn't drawn into the shot. |
| Between the last over and the beginning of this one, Virat Kohli was seen with the physio. Maybe a stiff/sore back which he felt during that pull shot. Seems okay though, looks fine to continue. |
| 121.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball just outside off, defended towards cover. |
| 121.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, No carry there and it is difficult for Paine to collect it. The ball on a length outside off, bounces awkwardly in front of the keeper as Kohli shoulders arms. A bye is taken. |
| 121.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball defended with a straight bat back to Pat. |
| 121.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A play and a miss! Pujara tries to cut a length ball outside off, misses the ball and it goes to Paine behind. |
| 122.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Short ball on middle, Kohli who was struggling with his back decides to pull it standing tall in his crease. The ball is in the air but safe. Doesn't have legs on it to reach the fence but it is an easy three. |
| 122.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Urgency in the running here! Pujara drops this one on the off side and sets off for a quick single. Quick response from his skipper too. |
| 122.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Short length delivery on middle, nudged towards mid-wicket. |
| 122.4 : M Starc to V Kohli, FOUR! Kohli has had enough of the short ball barrage. He pulls this short ball on middle almost to long on, just wide. No fielder present there and the ball goes all the way to the fence. |
| 122.5 : M Starc to Kohli, OUT! The partnership of 170 has finally been broken. Kohli has guided this straight down the throat of third man. Short of a length again outside off, Kohli goes for the deliberate lift wanting to get it over the fence at third man but doesn't have the pace on this one. It only goes right to a perfectly positioned fielder out there and a breakthrough for the Aussies. In the last two overs, he was looking a little stiff and was going for more shots than throughout the inn |
| Ajinkya Rahane walks in at number 5, replacing his skipper. |
| 122.6 : M Starc to Rahane, Short of a length delivery on middle and leg, Rahane gets on top and defends it watchfully. |
| 123.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery outside off, dabbed wide of point for a single. |
| 123.2 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball, attacking the off stump this time, Rahane gets right behind the line and defends. |
| 123.3 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, On middle and leg, Rahane moves inside the line and works it behind square leg for a run. |
| 123.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short ball angling in on middle and leg, Che ducks and avoids it. |
| 123.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Coming in at first but then straightening up a shade, Pujara gets a safe leading edge back down the track. |
| 123.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full in length, just around off and moving away slightly, it's defended with the full face of the bat. |
| 124.1 : M Starc to Rahane, Cut away beautifully by Rahane. Short and wide outside off, the Indian vice-captain is playing his shots and has placed this well through the covers. The batsmen have taken a triple by the time the ball comes back. |
| 124.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Length ball on off stump, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 124.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Well outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 124.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Shorter and wide outside off, Che climbs on top and tries to cut it away but the ball goes to the point fielder. |
| 124.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Short ball on middle and the batsman stands tall to defend from the crease. |
| 124.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Short ball and wide outside the off stump. Left alone by Pujara to end the over. |
| 125.1 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball at the hips, worked away behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 125.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, This ball rears up from a good length and Pujara does well to remove his bottom hand and ensure that the ball doesn't go in the air. Looks like the ball has pinged off his glove. |
| The physio is out there to inspect Pujara's fingers. The ball seemed to have gone off the glove and Che needs some kind of attention here. Hopefully it will not be a serious injury and he should be good to continue. |
| 125.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on the pads, Pujara looks gingerly as he plays this towards the leg side. |
| 125.4 : Cummins to C Pujara, OUT! Bowled 'em! This has snuck through and Pujara can't believe that he has been bowled. But he will have to go. One brings two as they say. Cummins and the Aussies have struck against the run of play again. This ball on length has kept low and Pujara who was on his toes expecting the ball to rise a bit more is undone by the bounce or the lack of it one should say. Maybe the knock to his finger made him go on his toes initially as a trigger movement. The ball knocks |
| Rohit Sharma is in at number 6. |
| 125.5 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Solid defense to a length ball first up by Rohit. |
| 125.6 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Slightly fuller and on middle, kept out with a straight bat. |
| Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack, replacing Mitchell Starc. |
| 126.1 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Outside off and left alone by Rahane. Came in slightly after landing but it was well judged by Jinks. |
| 126.2 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, This is more outside off and left alone easily. |
| 126.3 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, FOUR BYES! The ball has flown out of nowhere and beaten the keeper too. Effort ball on middle and Rahane sways out of the way. Paine jumps to catch but cannot hold on to the ball as it goes off his glove and to the fence. The 300 also comes up for the Indians with these extra runs. |
| 126.4 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Shorter ball at the hips, worked on the leg side. |
| 126.5 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Short again, Rahane brings out the pull for a single to deep square leg. |
| 126.6 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Well outside off and Rohit shoulders arms to end the over. |
| 127.1 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball to which Rahane comes a bit ahead and defends with soft hands. |
| 127.2 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Fuller length ball outside off, Jinks comes ahead and defends it towards cover. |
| 127.3 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, In the air but safe! This ball on a length has got stuck in the pitch again it looks like. It climbs a bit more as well and Rahane who was into his shot early gets the ball high on his bat. The ball lobs up but luckily for Ajinkya, it is short of the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 127.4 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Fuller ball and this time it is driven with some good timing through the covers for a couple. |
| 127.5 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Short ball on middle and Rahane brings out the pull on this occasion towards deep mid-wicket for another two. |
| 127.6 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Dot ball to end an eventful over. Some excitement suddenly in the match. Length ball on leg stump is worked away on the leg side. |
| 128.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Outside the off stump, well left by Rohit. |
| 128.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Defended on the front foot towards the mid off region. |
| 128.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the ball. |
| 128.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Fuller length outside off, Sharma comes ahead and defends it onto the ground on the off side. |
| 128.5 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Short of a length aimed at the head again, Rohit takes it on this time as he swivels and pulls it away behind square on the leg side. He is in control of the shot, getting off the mark with a single. |
| 128.6 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, FOUR! Wonderfully played late cut! Almost off the off stump. Short of a length ball on top of off stump, Rahane rocks back and cuts it away very late and in the gap through point and gully for a boundary. Lovely shot to end the over. |
| Drinks break. Australia's hour after a pretty long time in the game. They have managed to see the back of Pujara and Kohli. The Indians are still slightly ahead at 313/4 and Rahane looking good in the limited time he has been out there but, the Aussies surely have got an opportunity to come back strongly if they pick up a couple more quickly. Nathan Lyon to resume after Drinks. |
| 129.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flatter ball on middle, Rohit rocks back and works it away to deep square leg for a run. |
| 129.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flighted ball outside off, Rahane comes ahead and defends this one. Close to the pad but Jinx does well to get outside the line of off stump. |
| 129.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Another forward defensive shot to this looped ball outside off. |
| 129.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Charges down the wicket and defends this flatter ball. |
| 129.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Shorter ball that keeps straight, Rahane waits on the back foot and cuts it very fine and late. He picks up an easy couple. |
| 129.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flatter ball on middle, Rahane whips it away to deep square leg for another run. |
| 130.1 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Length ball on middle and leg, Rahane gets inside the line of the ball and works it around the corner for a single. |
| 130.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Short of a length ball outside off, Rohit stands tall and dead-bats. Rahane was looking for a quick single but is sent back sensibly by his partner. |
| 130.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Short length ball on the pads, tucked towards mid-wicket. |
| 130.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Beaten all ends up! Outside off on a length, Rohit covers his off stump and tries to defend but the ball straightens and beats his outside edge on its way through to the keeper. What was also noticeable is that the ball keeps low to Paine and goes on a bounce. |
| 130.5 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Length ball at the pads, nudged away in the gap towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 130.6 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Bouncer! Rahane lets the ball fly through. |
| 131.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Quicker and straighter around off, Rohit is well forward in defense. |
| 131.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, Fuller and outside off, Rohit prods forward and blocks it out. |
| 131.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Slower through the air, spinning in from around off, another front foot block from the batsman. |
| 131.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Tossed up on off stump, it's played back down the track to the bowler. |
| 131.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Goes with the spin and works it to short mid-wicket. |
| 131.6 : N Lyon to R Sharma, The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total. |
| 132.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Length delivery targeting the top of off stump, Sharma stays behind the line and defends. |
| 132.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 132.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Too straight in line, it's defensively pushed away on the leg side. |
| 132.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, FOUR! That's the first boundary for Rohit Sharma. Superbly played. Sees the ball landing short, so he rocks back and decides to take the pull shot on. Places it through mid-wicket and finds the fence. |
| 132.5 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Attacks the stumps, blocked with a straight blade in response. |
| 132.6 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Slightly fullish in length, on off stump, Sharma is rock solid in defense. |
| 133.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, The off break around off, spins in, Rahane turns it away on the leg side for no run. |
| 133.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Uses his feet to skip down and ease it to long on for one. |
| 133.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Quite slow through the air as it's landed outside off, Rohit pushes it gently in front of covers. |
| 133.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Rohit taps this square on the off side and takes off. Harris from short cover rushes to his left and throws it to the keeper, but Rahane dives well before there's any danger. |
| 133.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Too straight in line, worked off the pads carefully. |
| 133.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Floats it up on off, spins a touch with some extra bounce, catches Rahane on the pads as he presses forward to defend. |
| Mitchell Starc returns to the attack. |
| 134.1 : M Starc to R Sharma, Full in length from around the wicket, outside off, it's driven to the covers but straight to the fielder there. |
| 134.2 : M Starc to Sharma, Angling in from around off, it's run down to gully from inside the crease. |
| 134.3 : M Starc to Sharma, Starc comes from wide of the crease and angles in a fullish length ball, Sharma defends with the full face. |
| 134.4 : M Starc to Sharma, Spears it in full once more, on middle, Rohit plays it around his pads as he works it in front of square leg. |
| 134.5 : M Starc to Sharma, Shortish delivery pounded in, on off and angling back in. Rohit is on his toes as he defends it down right under his nose. |
| 134.6 : Starc to Sharma, Shouts of a leg before, but turned down. Height seems to be the issue. Starc generates some extra pace and serves it on off, it beats the outside edge of Rohit's bat and catches him high on the thigh pad of the back leg. Good call from the umpire. |
| 135.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Around the wicket, flatter in length, Rahane pushes it back to Lyon. |
| 135.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, FOUR! Rocks back and handsomely cuts this away! Short and outside off, Rahane uses his back foot brilliantly to make room and put this away to the point fence. Gets into the 20s with this boundary. |
| 135.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flatter ball and Rahane defends from within the crease. |
| 135.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Fuller in length outside off, Rahane prods ahead and dead-bats. |
| 135.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Shorter in length, Rahane stands tall and defends with a straight bat. |
| 135.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Looped up on middle, a front foot defense to end the over. |
| 136.1 : M Starc to Sharma, Full and outside off, Rohit Sharma leans into the cover drive and places it nicely in the gap through point and cover. Comes back for three runs. The score is now 333. |
| 136.2 : M Starc to Rahane, Rising off the deck, well outside off. Rahane has room to work with so he throws his bat at it. Fails to make connection though. |
| 136.3 : M Starc to Rahane, Fullish in length on the off stick, driven back down but to the man at mid off. |
| 136.4 : M Starc to Rahane, Nicely done. Shortish and just outside off, Rahane with an angled bat steers it past the diving gully fielder. Two runs are taken. |
| 136.5 : M Starc to Rahane, This full ball is pushed tamely towards the mid off fielder. No run taken. |
| 136.6 : M Starc to Rahane, At 146 kph, Starc angles in a length ball close to off, Jinx positions himself well behind the line and defends it on the off side. |
| Mitchell Marsh is called back on. |
| 137.1 : M Marsh to Sharma, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 137.2 : M Marsh to Sharma, Touch straight in line, on a length, Rohit moves inside the line before clipping it behind square leg for one. |
| 137.3 : M Marsh to Rahane, Bowls it down the leg side, the batsman has nothing to do with it. |
| A silly mid on is in place. |
| 137.4 : M Marsh to Rahane, Fuller length delivery very close to off, Rahane responds with a straight bat in defense. |
| 137.5 : M Marsh to Rahane, Doesn't give much room, pitches it on a length on off, it's kept out from within the crease. |
| 137.6 : M Marsh to Rahane, With the keeper up to the stumps now, Marsh bowls it on leg. It goes off Rahane's pads who misses the flick. A leg bye is collected. |
| Change of ends for Nathan Lyon. |
| 138.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Looped up off break around off, pushed away to the covers. |
| 138.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Comes down the track, takes it on the full and knocks it to long on for one run. |
| 138.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flights it up on off, Rohit is well forward in defense. |
| 138.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Quite slow through the air, around off, kept out from within the crease. |
| 138.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Rohit goes deep inside the crease, goes with the turn and works it to short leg. |
| 138.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Lyon nicely tosses it up around off, Rohit plants his front foot forward and meets it with the straight bat. |
| 139.1 : M Marsh to Rahane, Back of a length coming in on leg, Rahane works it off the hips behind square leg for a single. |
| 139.2 : M Marsh to Sharma, Too straight in line, flicked to the man at square leg for nothing. |
| 139.3 : M Marsh to Sharma, Some movement in the air as Marsh bowls it on middle, comes back in, defended right under the batsman's nose. |
| 139.4 : M Marsh to Sharma, Tight line as Marsh keeps it on a length just outside off, Sharma pats it down square on the off side. |
| 139.5 : M Marsh to Sharma, Fires this full and on the pads, flicked straight to square leg. |
| 139.6 : M Marsh to Sharma, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 140.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Quicker and straighter, full outside off, Rahane comes ahead and defensively punches it towards point. |
| 140.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Short and flat outside off, he goes back again and taps it down square on the off side. |
| 140.3 : N Lyon to A Rahane, Flighted ball on off, Rahane gets close to the pitch and wrists it to wide mid on before the ball can turn. |
| 140.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Quicker through the air and shorter in length, Ajinkya presents a defensive bat in response. |
| 140.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Knocks this down the ground to long on and crosses over. |
| 140.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Some nice air on this as Lyon pitches it on a driving length around off, Rohit comes forward and defends it solidly. |
| 141.1 : M Marsh to Rahane, On a length and it shapes back in, Rahane places the flick through square leg and comes back for the second. |
| 141.2 : M Marsh to Rahane, FOUR LEG BYES! Poor line and he pays the price for it. Going down leg, Rahane looks to flick it fine, does so but off the pads. It races away to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 141.3 : M Marsh to Rahane, Length ball outside off, Rahane comes half-forward and blocks off the middle of the bat. |
| 141.4 : M Marsh to Rahane, Well outside off, on a length once again, one more defensive shot offered. |
| 141.5 : M Marsh to Rahane, Keeps a little low as it's on the pads, worked to square leg. Dot ball. |
| 141.6 : M Marsh to Rahane, Angling back in on middle and leg, Rahane adjusts inside the crease before blocking it down on the track beside him on the leg side. |
| 142.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Looped up on the stumps, blocked from the front foot. |
| 142.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, Keeps it full and straight, pushed away by coming forward. |
| 142.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 142.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, A lot of loop on this, Sharma meets the ball with the full face. |
| 142.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flighted ball served on off, pushed to the cover area. |
| 142.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Stays right behind the line of this one and blocks it out. TEA ON DAY 2! |
| Probably for the first time in this Test match, that a session has been shared by both teams, to a certain degree at least. Starc and Cummins dismissed the two set batsmen, Kohli and Pujara respectively, and gave their side some hope. But since then, Rohit and Rahane have taking things under their control and even accelerated somewhat, especially the latter. 69 runs were added in this session, out of which 47 have come between the current pair. Maybe the Australians could take advantage in the f |
| ... Second Day, Evening Session ... |
| We are back for the final session of the day. Rohit and Rahane take their positions as do the fielders. Rahane will face the first ball to be bowled by Pat Cummins. |
| 143.1 : Pat Cummins to A Rahane, Fuller length ball on off, Rahane is ahead and drives this to Starc at mid on. |
| 143.2 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball outside off, kept out watchfully towards cover. |
| 143.3 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Drifting onto the pads, Rahane flicks it beautifully but just for a single to deep square leg. |
| 143.4 : Pat Cummins to R Sharma, Luck favors Rohit here! Three men out there and ther ball has gone right between the two gullies. Length ball wide outside off, Rohit with absolutely no foot movement whatsover just hangs his bat out at this one. The ball takes an edge and flies in the gap. Single taken down to third man. |
| 143.5 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Short length ball that keeps a tad bit low, Rahane stays low and keeps it out. |
| 143.6 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, At the pads, Rahane drops it on the leg side and the batsmen scurry through for a quick single. |
| Nathan Lyon to bowl from the other end. |
| 144.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Full and Rahane uses his feet to drive it down the ground. Lyon moves quickly to his right and stops the single. |
| 144.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flatter ball on middle, kept out on the leg side. |
| 144.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Another quicker one on middle, worked away on the leg side. |
| 144.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Jinx is down the track and blocks the ball. |
| 144.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Shorter length ball, Rahane has time to defend from within the crease. |
| 144.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Comes down the wicket again to this flatter ball but defends it in the end. Maiden over. |
| 145.1 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Outside off and left alone by Rohit. |
| 145.2 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Fuller length outside off, Sharma is half ahead as he defends the ball. |
| 145.3 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Shorter length ball and Rohit defends from within the crease. The batsmen pick up a quick single as well. Brings up the 350 for India. |
| 145.4 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length delivery that Rahane has to keep low to defend. The ball had kept low once more. |
| 145.5 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball on off stump, Jinx defends towards cover on the back foot. |
| 145.6 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length delivery on middle, defensively pushed to mid on. |
| 146.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Beaten! The arm ball from Lyon foxes Rohit who was playing for the spin and he is beaten as he is late on the cut. |
| 146.2 : Lyon to Sharma, Loud appeal there! The ball seems to be doing a little too much there and might have missed leg stump. Ian Gould is unmoved. Looped up on off and Rohit who was trying to work it on the leg side misses and gets rapped on the pads. The Aussies decide not to go upstairs. Replays show the ball would have missed the stumps. |
| 146.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Fuller outside off, Rohit comes ahead and defends. |
| 146.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Another tentative defense from Rohit to this one looped up around off. |
| 146.5 : Lyon to R Sharma, DROPPED! The 12th man, Siddle has put down a sitter here. The ball was looped up around off and Rohit who was looking nervous defending the ball goes for a sweep but only manages to top edge it towards the leg side. Peter Siddle who moves to his right seems to lose the ball and drops an easy catch. The ball rolls down and the batsmen cross ends. Lyon should have had his first one there. |
| 146.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Almost got him! Lyon gets this ball to bounce off a good length and spin as well. Rahane who was trying to flick it gets a slight feather on it and the ball goes on the pad and lobs towards Travis Head at short leg who can't react quick enough to grab the ball. Maybe the after effects of being on the field for 5 sessions. Lyon has every right to feel disappointed here. |
| 147.1 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, FOUR! Shot. Width on offer and shorter outside off, Sharma gets on top of the bounce and punches it square through point for a boundary. |
| 147.2 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. |
| 147.3 : Pat Cummins to R Sharma, Short ball into the body, Rohit rides the bounce and pulls it through the vacant square leg area. It won't go all the way, but it's enough to fetch him three runs. |
| 147.4 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Works it away into the leg side for a single. |
| 147.5 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Bit fullish and outside off, patted away to the covers for no run. |
| 147.6 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Good length delivery on the fifth stump line, Sharma pants his front foot forward and pushes it in front of covers. |
| 148.1 : N Lyon to A Rahane, Flighted one outside off, Rahane comes down the track and pushes it to long on for a single. |
| 148.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, Oooh! Rohit is looking very uncomfortable against Lyon here. Comes down the wicket and tries to adjust while defending this flatter one outside off, takes a feather, goes onto the pad and lobs towards short leg but just short of him. Lucky for Rohit yet again. |
| 148.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Outside off, kept out towards point by Sharma. |
| 148.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Outside off and Rohit plays it wide of the slip fielder for a single. |
| 148.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Short and Rahane pulls this ball but straight to the square leg fielder in the circle. No single available. |
| 148.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, OUT! Keeps low yet again and that is as plumb as it gets! Lyon has his first of the match and his first LBW of the series. Flatter ball on off and turns in while not even rising off the ground. Rahane who was stuck in the crease to play off the back foot is helpless and can't get bat on ball. The ball raps him bang in front and it is a very easy decision for the umpire. Rahane doesn't even consider reviewing as he walks off. 62-run stand between the two R's has been brok |
| Rishabh Pant walks out to the middle next. |
| 149.1 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Lovely looking shot from the Hitman to begin the 150th over. The ball on length is pushed into the vacant cover region off the front foot. The batsmen pick up an easy three. |
| 149.2 : Pat Cummins to Pant, First ball to Pant, well outside off and left alone. |
| 149.3 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Pant shoulders arms to this one once more. |
| 149.4 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Short of a length ball that rears up a lot more than expected. Pant manages to fend this away on the leg side after jumping on his toes. |
| 149.5 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Short and outside off, Pant is off the mark with a cut towards the deep point region and a single is taken. |
| 149.6 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Good ball to end the over! On a length and straightens after landing. Rohit adjusts and defends it towards point in the end. |
| 150.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on off, Pant tries to cut but gets an under edge that bounces and goes to Paine. |
| 150.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Outside the off stump and left alone by Rishabh. |
| 150.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Left alone outside the off stump once more. |
| 150.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted delivery outside off, Pant comes ahead and defends it towards the off side. |
| 150.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Shorter ball to which Pant plays a defensive push from within the crease. |
| 150.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Another quicker ball outside off, Pant pushes this powerfully towards cover. No run though. Maiden over. |
| Josh Hazlewood into the attack now. |
| 151.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Fuller length outside off to start, Rohit drives it in the gap on the off side towards cover and gets another three. |
| 151.2 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Length ball outside off stump, Pant reaches out and defends. |
| 151.3 : Hazlewood to Pant, Yorker length outside off, taken on the full by Pant as he digs it out towards mid off. |
| 151.4 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Short of a length outside off, Pant pushes the ball towards cover-point. |
| 151.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Another short length ball on top of off stump, Rishabh defends from within the crease. |
| 151.6 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Length ball on the pads, Pant gets a nudged single towards mid-wicket and retains strike. |
| 152.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on off, Pant defends by bringing the bat down just in time. |
| 152.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Short and wide outside off, cut away to sweeper cover by the southpaw for a single. |
| 152.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Arm ball outside off and Rohit pushes it towards cover-point for a run. |
| 152.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Quicker ball outside off, Pant keeps it out on the off side. |
| 152.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Another ball on a length and off stump, kept out by the wicket-keeper bat. |
| 152.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Short of a length and Pant stands within his crease as he punches it towards mid on but the fielder moves quickly to stop the ball and prevents the single. 2 runs off this over. |
| 153.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, FOUR! Short and outside off, Rohit dabs it down through slip and gully for a boundary. Indian move to 375 and Rohit moves to 35. |
| 153.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Another similar ball and this time Sharma taps it to the other side of gully and picks up a couple. 6 runs off the first two balls of this over. |
| 153.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Bouncer aimed at the head, Rohit gets on his toes and pulls it away to deep fine leg for a single. |
| 153.4 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Length ball outside off, Pant pushes this ball to mid off. |
| 153.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Wide outside off and left alone by the left-hander. |
| 153.6 : J Hazlewood to R Pant, Short ball aimed at the head of Pant, the batsman takes it on and pulls it away to deep square leg for a single. Keeps the strike. 8 runs off the over. |
| 154.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 154.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Quicker one full outside off, Pant comes ahead and defends it to cover. |
| 154.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Shorter length and Rishabh rocks back and pushes this towards long on, slightly in the air but well away from the fielder at short mid-wicket. Single taken. |
| 154.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flatter ball outside off, Rohit come ahead and dead-bats this ball. |
| 154.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Another flighted one outside off, Sharma defends comfortably. |
| 154.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Looped up outside off, Rohit comes ahead and smothers the ball onto the pitch. |
| 155.1 : M Marsh to Pant, Wide outside off on a length, Pant lets it go. |
| 155.2 : M Marsh to Pant, Length ball on off stump, Pant tries to whip it away on the leg side but mistimes the ball to mid-wicket. |
| 155.3 : M Marsh to Pant, FOUR! Full and outside off and Pant goes for the lofted drive over cover this time. Gets the placement right and the ball has enough on it to just trickle over the rope in the end. |
| 155.4 : M Marsh to Pant, Loud appeal! There certainly looked sounded like some noise there. The Aussies go up but the umpire doesn't bulge. Length ball outside off, Pant tries to drive this one but there is daylight between bat and ball as the replays show. The fielders have a talk and decide not to review. |
| 155.5 : M Marsh to Pant, Left alone outside off this time. |
| 155.6 : M Marsh to Pant, Length ball outside off, Pant pushes this to point and brings an end to the over. The second new ball will be available in 4 overs. |
| 156.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flatter delivery outside off, Rohit comes ahead and pushes the ball to the bowler. |
| 156.2 : N Lyon to R Sharma, Fuller and outside off, Rohit comes down the track and pushes the ball to long on for a single. That's the hundred, for Lyon. |
| 156.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter outside off, pushed to cover. |
| 156.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Another quicker ball outside off stump, the ball is pushed towards cover again. |
| 156.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Looped up outside off, Pant comes ahead and defends on the front foot to the fielder at cover. |
| 156.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Shorter length and fired in at the pads, Pant works it away behind square on the leg side for a single and keeps strike. |
| 157.1 : M Marsh to Pant, A flashy cut and a miss from Pant! The length ball outside off and straightening slightly after landing, the batsman tries to cut but misses the ball. |
| 157.2 : M Marsh to Pant, Outside off, Pant stands in his crease and pushes it to point. |
| 157.3 : M Marsh to R Pant, FOUR! 'That's the way to play', yelps Michael Clarke on air. Short and on length at Marsh's pace, easy pickings for Pant as he swivels and hoicks this over square leg for a boundary. Good batting this. |
| 157.4 : M Marsh to Pant, Short of a length outside off, punched towards the covers. |
| 157.5 : M Marsh to Pant, Beaten! The ball is on a short length outside off and Pant goes for the cut yet again without foot movement and is beaten on the outside. Unlucky Marsh has beaten the outside edge on multiple occasions today without success. |
| 157.6 : M Marsh to Pant, Length ball on off, Pant tries to defend it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls onto the off side and the batsmen take a quick single. |
| 158.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball outside off, kept out easily. |
| 158.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Another ball that is well outside off, Pant comes ahead and defends the ball. |
| 158.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Quick, fired in on middle and leg. Pant is not outfoxed by the speed and pushes it out. |
| 158.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter outside off, defended on the front foot. |
| 158.5 : N Lyon to Pant, DROPPED! Straight into the hands and out! Flighted outside off and Pant goes for the big one over long on. Doesn't connect properly and the ball goes straight to Cummins positioned there. He just can't hold on to the catch. Single taken. Lyon cannot believe his luck here. The Aussies are looking a pretty tired unit. Can't afford to be loose now. |
| 158.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Fuller and pushed down to long on for a single. Rohit moves into the 40s. Keeps strike for the next over. |
| 159.1 : M Marsh to Sharma, Angling back in on middle and leg, worked down on the leg side with gentle hands. |
| 159.2 : M Marsh to Sharma, Fraction straight in line, on a length again, turned away on the leg side once more. |
| 159.3 : M Marsh to Sharma, Rohit closes the face of the bat and finds the fielder positioned in front of square leg. |
| 159.4 : M Marsh to Sharma, Some room on offer outside off, Sharma pushes it square to point and gets to the other end. |
| 159.5 : M Marsh to Pant, Good length delivery, shaping away from around off, Pant moves a step across and blocks it out. |
| 159.6 : M Marsh to Pant, Yorker outside off, Pant digs it out in front of covers to end the over. |
| 160.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flighted on middle, pushed down the ground for a single to long on. |
| 160.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on off, pushed towards point. |
| 160.3 : N Lyon to Pant, The ball is quicker and fired at middle, Pant pushes it back to Lyon. |
| 160.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter delivery outside off, punched down to long off for a single. |
| 160.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Another misfield, this time by Travis Head at short leg. Flighted ball on middle, Rohit works this on the leg side. Head, at short leg doesn't react quickly enough and allows the ball to go through. Single taken. |
| 160.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on off stump, defended watchfully towards cover. |
| Drinks break. A long period of play after Tea. Australia picked up the wicket of Rahane and could have had Rohit, as well as Pant, had they held on to the chances that came their way. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and India have moved on to 397, having added 51 runs in the session so far. What will be interesting is to see if India will want to have a go at the Aussie openers for a few overs before Stumps or will they continue batting and pile on as much as they can. |
| 161.1 : M Marsh to Sharma, Length ball outside off, Rohit drives this well off the back foot for a single wide of mid off. |
| 161.2 : M Marsh to Pant, Outside off and Pant pushes it away towards cover and gets to the other end. |
| 161.3 : M Marsh to Sharma, Length ball at the hips, worked away but Rohit doesn't want the run as the ball is too close to the fielder. |
| 161.4 : M Marsh to Sharma, Fuller length on off stump, Rohit drives this off the front foot to mid off. |
| 161.5 : M Marsh to Sharma, FOUR! Half-tracker from Marsh and at his speed, Rohit will always pounce on this length. Sharma pulls this away in the air and no fielder out there in the deep. The ball runs away to the fence and Rohit moves onto 48. 400 comes up for the visitors. |
| 161.6 : M Marsh to Sharma, Length ball on middle, pushed away back down the ground. |
| 162.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Slower through the air from around the wicket, on middle, it's worked on the leg side from the back foot. A single is collected. |
| 162.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, Over the wicket now, it's turning in from outside off, Sharma meets the ball with the full face. |
| 162.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Comes down the track and wrists this tossed up ball to long on for one run. |
| 162.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Back to around the wicket, it's darted full and on the stumps, played back to the bowler. |
| 162.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Flat and short around off, Pant backs away and places the punch to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 162.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Tad straight in line, it's worked off the pads for no run. |
| Aaron Finch is brought into the attack. |
| 163.1 : A Finch to Pant, Half tracker around leg, Pant defends it down on the leg side. |
| 163.2 : A Finch to Pant, Goes on the back foot and flicks it straight to the man in front of square leg. |
| 163.3 : A Finch to Pant, Walks down the track to this short ball and punches it to long on for a run. |
| 163.4 : A Finch to Sharma, Fifty for Rohit Sharma, his 10th in this format. Well-deserved too. He was surely feeling a lot of pressure, will definitely take some off from his shoulders. He walks down the track and knocks it to long off for a single. |
| 163.5 : A Finch to Pant, Pant skips down the track and blocks it. |
| 163.6 : A Finch to Pant, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 164.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Spinning in on middle and leg, blocked. |
| 164.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 164.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Rohit walks down the track and meets the ball at its pitch. |
| 164.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Stays right behind the line and blocks it out. |
| 164.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Picks it off his pads and turns it away with the spin into the leg side. |
| 164.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Rohit Sharma shows the full face of the bat as he defends from the back foot. |
| 165.1 : A Finch to Pant, Fuller ball outside off, driven down to long off for a single. 50-run stand is up between these two. |
| 165.2 : A Finch to Sharma, Flatter ball outside off, Rohit looks to defend but the ball goes towards square leg off the inner half of the bat. |
| 165.3 : A Finch to Sharma, Flatter ball outside off, punched to long on for a single. |
| 165.4 : A Finch to Pant, Flighted and Pant lofts this towards long on for a single. |
| 165.5 : A Finch to Sharma, Another half-tracker from Finch and pushed away to long for another single. |
| 165.6 : A Finch to Pant, Single down to long on to end the over and Pant keeps strike. |
| The third new ball has been taken by Australia and Mitchell Starc will bowl the first over with the new cherry. |
| 166.1 : M Starc to Pant, Shaping back in on middle and leg, Pant picks it off his pads and flicks it through square leg. Big gap out there, a triple results. |
| 166.2 : Starc to Sharma, Yorker fired in on middle and off, Rohit does well to jam it out back down the track. |
| 166.3 : M Starc to Sharma, Wide yorker outside off, fired well across, Rohit gets low, opens the bat face and squeezes it to third man for a run. |
| 166.4 : M Starc to Pant, A full outswinging delivery outside off, Pant leans into the shot and drives it through the covers. He runs the first one hard and manages to come back for the second. |
| 166.5 : M Starc to Pant, Goes for the yorker, ends up dishing out an overpitched delivery outside off. Pant drills it through the covers for two more. |
| 166.6 : M Starc to R Pant, Back of a length coming into the body, Pant looks to take the pull shot on. It goes off the glove and rolls down towards fine leg. One run collected. 9 have come from this over. |
| Josh Hazlewood to share the new ball with Starc. |
| 167.1 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Length delivery angled across, outside off. Pant looks to cut as it keeps a touch low. Finds deep point and gets to the other end. |
| 167.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Some extra bounce as Hazlewood lands it on a length around off, Rohit looks to cut it late down to third man but misses. |
| 167.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Big swing and a miss! Length delivery outside off, Rohit looks to go big downtown. Only ends up connecting with thin air though. |
| 167.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Spills it on the pads, Sharma easily works it past the square leg fielder and three runs are taken. |
| 167.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Full ball outside the line of off stump, driven with the full face but straight to mid off. |
| 167.6 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Josh makes it go away from outside off, Pant gets behind the line and defends. |
| 168.1 : M Starc to Sharma, Fires a fuller length delivery well outside off, Sharma uses the angle away from him as he drives it hard to covers. Can't beat the fielder there. |
| 168.2 : M Starc to Sharma, FOUR! He's taking the attack to Mitchell Starc. The Hitman going for it now. Full and wide outside off, Rohit Sharma drives this through the line and finds the gap between extra cover and mid off. The timing on it is so sweet that there's no stopping it. |
| 168.3 : M Starc to Sharma, Angling away from outside off, on a length, Rohit looks to run it past gully. A half stop is made which allows the batsmen to take a single. |
| 168.4 : M Starc to Pant, FOUR! That ball went back as fast as it came to him. Overpitched around off, Rishabh Pant, with absolute disdain, dismisses it out of his sight as he smashes it straight back past the bowler for a boundary. |
| 168.5 : M Starc to Pant, OUT! GONE! The new ball brings about the breakthrough. Partnership of 76 comes to a close. Starc bowls a back of a length delivery and Pant swings hard, looking to clear the leg side. He instead, gets a big top edge which skies towards point. Khawaja there settles himself under the ball, watches it carefully and holds on this time. A bittersweet sight for Nathan Lyon for sure. It was clear the message was to score as fast as possible, so the southpaw's played his part. |
| Ravindra Jadeja is the new man in. |
| 168.6 : M Starc to Sharma, Length ball on the pads, worked away through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 169.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Full delivery attacking the base of off stump, Rohit taps it down on the off side with soft hands and both batsmen cross over. |
| 169.2 : Hazlewood to Jadeja, FOUR! Jadeja wastes no time to get going. Gets off the mark with a boundary. Full and right in his slot, he lofts this cleanly over mid off to find the fence. |
| 169.3 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Fuller length ball just outside off, angling away, Jadeja gets low and looks to guide to third man with an open face, but gets beaten. |
| 169.4 : J Hazlewood to R Jadeja, OUT! Hazlewood gets his man! This Test match is livening up now. An accurate short ball on middle and off, completely takes Jadeja by surprise as he can't do much other than hang his bat out. It goes off the glove and Tim Paine behind takes a regulation catch. |
| Well, here comes the declaration. Those quick runs added seem to be enough for skipper Virat Kohli. He's seen coming by the boundary line and calling his boys in. INDIA HAVE DECLARED ON 443/7! |
| After almost two long days of batting, India have decided that what they have on the board is enough. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Agarwal and Vihari provided a solid start, with the former taking charge and scoring a fifty on debut. Kohli and Pujara then saw the first day out, continued in the second and eventually added 170 runs between them. The skipper scored a fine fifty, while Che went on to notch up a gritty ton. Towards the end, Rohit (who also scored a fifty) and Pant scored so |
| The hosts did their best, and maybe could have done better despite the lifeless track, had they held on to the catches. Lyon will be most disappointed as he had at least two dropped off his bowling. The rest did what they could, plugged the runs for as long as possible, till Rohit and Pant started to cut loose. Australia have about 25 minutes to bat, and India will look to milk every ounce of these minutes. A fun final phase awaits. |
| 0.1 : I Sharma to Harris, Movement straightaway. Ishant lands it on off, it comes in at first and then moves away. Marcus Harris is squared up as he looks to defend and gets beaten. |
| 0.2 : I Sharma to Harris, Sprays it on the hips, Harris clips it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 0.3 : I Sharma to Finch, Oh! How close was that? Incredible start from Ishant Sharma. He lands it on a length and brings this one back in to Aaron Finch. The batsman looks to play at it and gets it off the inner half on the leg side. |
| 0.4 : I Sharma to Finch, Length ball in the off stump channel, Finch covers the line and shoulders arms. |
| 0.5 : I Sharma to Finch, Too far outside off, another leave is made by the batsman. |
| 0.6 : I Sharma to Finch, Nearly... nearly. Significant movement back in from around off, on a length, Finch just about manages to work it to backward square leg somehow. A single is taken. End of an eventful first over from Ishant. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : J Bumrah to Finch, Darts a length ball on off stump, angling in, Finch defends it with the full face of the bat. |
| 1.2 : J Bumrah to Finch, Keeps a little low as it's pitched on a back of a length, Finch rocks back to pull but it goes off the under edge and thuds onto his thigh pad. |
| 1.3 : J Bumrah to Finch, Short of a good length into the body, Finch rises on his toes and defends it back down the track. |
| 1.4 : J Bumrah to Finch, Bumrah hits the deck hard and angles it in on a back of a length on off. Finch hops a little and guards it out safely. |
| 1.5 : J Bumrah to Finch, Finch is looking a little edgy. Once again the inswing almost gets him. He pushes away from his body and gets it off the inside edge down to fine leg for one. |
| 1.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Full delivery just outside off, Harris drives this past the mid off fielder. A couple of runs result. |
| 2.1 : I Sharma to Finch, Dear me! That is a brave leave, to say the least. Ishant serves a length delivery around off and it jags back in off the seam. Finch points his bat skywards as the ball whiskers past the off pole. Don't think even he thought it'd go past that close. |
| 2.2 : I Sharma to Finch, Angling down the leg side, Finch looks to flick but misses. |
| 2.3 : I Sharma to Finch, Hurled too far outside off, the right-hander has nothing to do with it. |
| 2.4 : I Sharma to Finch, Needs to bring it in closer. On the sixth stump line, Aaron lets it be. |
| 2.5 : I Sharma to Finch, Makes him play this time. Pitches it fuller and close to off, Finch meets it with the full face of the bat. |
| 2.6 : I Sharma to Finch, Decent carry on this. Good length delivery in the off stump channel, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 3.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Bumrah switches to around the wicket and almost gets his man. Lands it outside off and it jags away with some extra bounce. Harris fishes inside the line and almost edges it. |
| 3.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Nasty! A sharp and accurate bouncer from Bumrah catches Harris on the helmet as he looks to duck under it. He quickly takes his helmet off, the Indian players walk up to check on him. |
| We have a slight halt in play as the physio is out to have a look at Marcus Harris. He seemed fine, and should be okay to continue as well. But a quick scan wouldn't hurt anyone. |
| 3.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, That was close! Almost dragged it back on to the stumps. Bumrah bowls it full just outside off and Harris looks to play with a straight bat. It takes the toe end, bounce behind and goes over the stumps. How fortunate for the opener. |
| 3.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Stays inside the crease and defends this one out with a straight bat. |
| 3.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, Nicely done. Harris presents a tight defensive shot. Keeps his bat close to his body and blocks this length ball out. |
| 3.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Pushes this fuller length ball towards mid on. The batsmen want a single but then decide against it. |
| Ravindra Jadeja is called into the attack. |
| 4.1 : R Jadeja to Finch, Full and straight, on the stumps, driven back in the bowler's direction. |
| 4.2 : R Jadeja to A Finch, Full outside off, Finch drives it to the man at mid off. |
| 4.3 : R Jadeja to Finch, Spinning away from outside off, tapped to point with an open face. |
| 4.4 : R Jadeja to Finch, Finch comes forward, it's quicker in pace, blocked with the full face. |
| 4.5 : R Jadeja to Finch, Fuller ball in line of the stumps, Finch comes half-forward to keep it out. |
| 4.6 : R Jadeja to Finch, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 5.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Beaten! Beautiful bowling. At 148 kph, Bumrah pitches it on a length on off. It comes in first, then moves away ever so late. Beats the outside edge of Marcus Harris' bat and goes to Rishabh Pant behind. |
| 5.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Fullish and angling in on the pads, flicked away in front of square leg for an easy run. He'll be relieved to get off strike. |
| 5.3 : J Bumrah to Finch, Keeps a little low and almost goes through. Bumrah angles it in on off, Finch is nearly undone by the lack of bounce as it goes off the inner half and past the leg stump. A single is taken. |
| 5.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Short of a good length on off stump, Harris stays perfectly behind the line and defends. |
| 5.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, Bumper on middle and leg, Harris fends it away past short leg and gets to the other end. |
| 5.6 : J Bumrah to A Finch, Edged but just short! Bumrah lands it outside off, Finch plays at this with soft hands and that's what saves him. It goes on the bounce to Virat Kohli at third slip, who dives to his right and stops it. So this pair survives, it's STUMPS ON DAY 2! |
| Just 6 overs were possible, but plenty of action in them. India would have liked a wicket or two, Ishant, Bumrah and Jadeja all applied the pressure, especially Bumrah, but it didn't happen as Finch and Harris somehow managed to survive. India declared after posting 443/7 on the board, and that came after a lot of hard work. A good start from the openers, Pujara's resilience, Kohli's class, followed by Rohit and Pant's free-flowing hitting got the visitors there. |
| Day 3 is going to be a big one. The surface is still good for batting for the most part, but it's turning now and the variable bounce is causing problems too, as we saw earlier in the Indian innings. It'll be a different challenge for both sides. The action begins at 1030 local (2330 GMT, Previous Day). Join in for that. Till then, you can switch tabs and catch all the action from Day 2 of the ongoing SA-PAK Test and the Big Bash match between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars beginning in some |
| ... Third Day, Morning Session ... |
| Hello and welcome to what promises to be an exciting day of Test cricket from the MCG. Day 3 of the 3rd Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is nicely poised and it'll be interesting to see how the day pans out. Australia have their work cut out to bat and bat long. They have the threat of the pitch that has started to play tricks and an Indian bowling unit that is in good form to contend with. A certain Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja should most probably be their biggest fear on a surface wit |
| That said, a lot would be expected of the two Victorian opening batsmen, especially Marcus Harris with the good form he is in. The middle order comes into the game with some confidence but, will their being on the field for almost two days have an effect on them? So many possibilities! A long haul from the Australian batsmen with a toil for the Indian bowlers or, A great bowling performance running through the hosts order? What are we about to witness? Or will it be a neck and neck day ? Whateve |
| Mark Howard has Rohit Sharma with him for an interview just besides the Indian Team which is undergoing a few fielding drills. Rohit says that the drills that are going on are regarding the position of the slips and close-in fielders, considering the low carry on the surface. He also adds that the back injury he had in the previous game has completely sorted itself and he is 100% now. Ends by saying that the on-field banter was a lot of fun but when he is in the middle, he tends to concentrate o |
| Time to begin. As the Indian team is in a huddle by the boundary line, The Australian openers Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch stride out to the middle. Ishant Sharma will be handed the ball first up. Two Slips and a gully in position for him. Let's roll... |
| 6.1 : I Sharma to Harris, No ball! Bit of a false start. Comes from around the wicket to Harris, angles it in on middle and leg, the left-hander clips it off his pads and works it down to fine leg for a single. Ishant overstepped on this occasion, so a no ball is signalled. |
| I Sharma to Finch, Over the wicket now to Finch. It's a length ball in the corridor of uncertainty, left alone by the batsman. |
| 6.2 : I Sharma to Finch, Full and just outside off, Finch plants his front foot forward and mistimes the drive to short cover. |
| 6.3 : I Sharma to Finch, Just ahead of a length, outside off, Finch offers a punchy-drive through the covers and takes a single. First runs of the morning for Finch. |
| 6.4 : I Sharma to Harris, Around the wicket to Harris, it's a length ball tailing in on the pads, the southpaw works it down in front of the square leg fielder. |
| 6.5 : I Sharma to Harris, Nicely timed. Marcus Harris offers the full face of the bat as he times the drive past mid on. Gets a single for doing so. |
| 6.6 : I Sharma to Finch, Hurls it in the off stump channel, the batsman covers the line and shoulders arms to it. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end. |
| 7.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Bumrah too comes around the wicket, angles in a length ball on off, Harris stays inside the crease and blocks it out. |
| 7.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Just behind a good length, outside the line of off stump, it's pushed away to the off side with gentle hands. |
| 7.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, Full on this occasion, Harris gets low and drills it straight to the cover fielder. |
| 7.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, FOUR! First of the morning. Good shot from Marcus Harris. He has some room on offer outside off, just waits for it, uses the pace and with his fast hands cuts it past gully for a boundary. |
| 7.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, Full in length, quite close to off, it's played back in the bowler's direction. |
| 7.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Harris slightly opens the face and dabs this fuller delivery away on the off side. |
| 8.1 : I Sharma to Finch, Too far outside off, close to the tramline, Aaron Finch has nothing to do with it. |
| 8.2 : I Sharma to Finch, Brings it in closer, a length ball around off, makes Finch play at it which is what he should be doing. The opener comes forward and pushes it to covers. |
| 8.3 : I Sharma to Finch, Bit fuller than the previous delivery, wide outside off though. An easy leave for the batsman. |
| 8.4 : I Sharma to A Finch, FOUR! That is a beautiful, confident shot from Aaron Finch. No swing in the air at all, Ishant just hangs it in the air outside off. Finch takes a stride forward and caresses the drive through the covers for a boundary. |
| 8.5 : I Sharma to Finch, Beaten! Good comeback from Sharma, absolute peach. Keeps it just outside off, it nips away ever so slightly and it almost undoes Finch. It goes past the outside edge of his hanging bat and thuds into the keeper's gloves. |
| 8.6 : I Sharma to Finch, Aaron takes a big lunge ahead and defensively punches it in front of covers. |
| 9.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, That's a good leave. Bumrah serves it in the channel outside off, Harris lets it be. Earlier in Perth, he had left a similar ball and got bowled as a result. He and Bumrah will both be aware of that fact. |
| 9.2 : J Bumrah to M Harris, Almost dragged it on. Bumrah brings it in slightly closer to off, Harris plays at it and ends up getting an inside edge which goes past the pads and towards short leg. |
| 9.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, Brings out the short one, on middle stump, Marcus ducks and evades. |
| 9.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Fraction straight in line, easy enough for the left-handed opener to work it down on the leg side. |
| 9.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, A little too full outside off, Harris drives it past cover-point and manages to come back for the second. |
| 9.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Another two, nicely done. It's full and angling in on middle and leg, Harris flicks it through the big gap in the mid-wicket area. |
| 10.1 : I Sharma to Finch, On a length on the fourth stump line, Finch comes half-forward and pushes it towards Jadeja at short cover. |
| 10.2 : I Sharma to Finch, Tight line again. Finch can only defend this length delivery around off just ahead of him. |
| 10.3 : I Sharma to Finch, OUT! Got 'em! The first casualty is down for Australia. And what a catch from Mayank Agarwal at short mid-wicket. Good captaincy from Virat Kohli to bring in that catching fielder. It made Ishant bowl straighter and get the result. Full on middle, coming in slightly, Finch flicks this aerially. Agarwal at short mid-wicket dives quick and dives low to his left to pull off an absolute blinder. Good work from the debutant. A welcome wicket for the visitors, as both openers |
| Usman Khawaja walks in at no.3. |
| 10.4 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Full delivery swinging back in from around off, Khawaja brings down a straight bat and keeps it out. |
| 10.5 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Fuller again, around that off stump, Khawaja is solid in defense. |
| 10.6 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Off the mark. Khawaja nicely tucks this away off his pads behind square on the leg side. Big gap out there, so he's able to take a double. |
| 11.1 : J Bumrah to M Harris, Length ball which moves away off the seam, Harris plays it off the outer half past gully and down towards third man for a single. |
| 11.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Taps this to cover-point and scurries through for a run. |
| 11.3 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Just ahead of a length, in line of the stumps and this is what's needed more from the Indian pacers. Khawaja defends this, but the ball keeps low. Had the batsman missed, he would have been plumb for sure. Challenge for the batsmen too, it's not going to be easy out there. |
| 11.4 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Keeps low again as it's angling in on middle and leg, worked off the pads down towards fine leg for one. |
| 11.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, Bumper on middle and off, comfortably ducked under by the opener. |
| 11.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Good length ball on middle and leg, worked away to the man at short leg. |
| 12.1 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Continues from around the wicket too, it's a length ball shaping in on off, Usman Khawaja defends with the full face. |
| 12.2 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Swerving in on the off stick, Usman remains watchful as he presents a straight bat in defense. |
| 12.3 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Bit fullish in length, around off this time, it's defended right under his eye-line. |
| 12.4 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Short ball which is rising, outside off, Khawaja initially thinks of taking the pull on but then withdraws at the last second. |
| 12.5 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Drags his length slightly short, keeps it around off, the Australian no.3 hangs back inside the crease and taps it down on the off side. |
| 12.6 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Too straight in line, and the length ball is wristed through backward square leg. Two runs to end the over as fine leg cuts it off moving to his right. |
| 13.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 13.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, FOUR! Spills it on the pads Bumrah pays the price for it. Harris just moves inside the line and helps it fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 13.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, OUT! Throws it away really. Was no need for that shot. Sucked him in and got the wicket. Well done on India's part, quite the contrary on Marcus Harris'. Poor shot selection. He's frustrated with himself, and should be too. Short ball from around the wicket, angling in on middle and leg, Harris takes on the pull and is in no control of that shot. Fine leg is positioned specifically for this, and it's a straightforward catch to Ishant Sharma out in the deep as the ball g |
| Shaun Marsh comes in next to bat. |
| 13.4 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Loud shout for a leg before, but nothing from the umpire. Clearly pitched outside leg and there was an inside edge as well, so Marsh would have been saved anyhow. Bumrah with a length ball which goes on middle, takes the edge and thuds Marsh on the pads. |
| 13.5 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Angling across on a good length, Marsh defends it down from within his crease. |
| 13.6 : J Bumrah to Marsh, It stays a touch low, just outside off, blocked carefully to end a successful over from Jasprit Bumrah. |
| 14.1 : I Sharma to Khawaja, That wasn't far away at all. Sheesh! Nips back in from a length around off, Khawaja raises his bat to leave it and the ball whizzes past the off stump. Inches wide. A little too close for comfort. |
| 14.2 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Hurled on the fifth stump line, arms are shouldered to this one. |
| 14.3 : I Sharma to Khawaja, FOUR! That's a positive stroke from Usman Khawaja. It's too full with room on offer outside off, he crashes this through the covers and finds the fence with ease. |
| 14.4 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Zips off the deck, on a good length and well outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 14.5 : I Sharma to Khawaja, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 14.6 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Sharma is lucky that ball didn't race away to the fence. Was quite poor really. It's served wide outside off and too full in length, Khawaja reaches out and makes good connection, but hits it too close to the cover-point fielder who's able to dive to his left and stop it. |
| 15.1 : J Bumrah to Marsh, A harmless length delivery outside off, Shaun Marsh lets it be. |
| 15.2 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Angling across from middle and off, Marsh positions himself well behind the line and blocks it. |
| 15.3 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Touch straight in line, clipped down easily on the leg side for no run. |
| Leg slip in place. |
| 15.4 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Bumrah switches the angle and comes from around the wicket, lands it on a length outside off. It keeps a little low but Marsh is watchful as he leaves it alone. |
| 15.5 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Bouncer angling in on middle and leg, the left-hander has nothing to do with it. |
| 15.6 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Full ball around the off stump, driven right back at the bowler. |
| Mohammed Shami is the first bowling change for India. |
| 16.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Starts off from around the wicket and pitches a length delivery around off, Khawaja lets it go. |
| 16.2 : M Shami to Khawaja, Keeps low and zips through. Khawaja will feel lucky that wasn't in line with the stumps. Outside off on a length, it goes under the bat as he tries to play at it. |
| 16.3 : M Shami to Khawaja, Angles the length ball in on off, Usman stays perfectly behind the line and meets it with a straight bat. |
| 16.4 : M Shami to U Khawaja, Shortish delivery on off, the batsman is a bit cramped for room and the ball climbs on him quickly. He still takes the pull on and mistimes it towards mid on. |
| 16.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, Comfortably left alone. On the fifth stump line, the batter doesn't bother himself with it. |
| 16.6 : M Shami to Khawaja, Full outside off, it's tapped down in front of short cover from inside the crease. |
| Spin introduced. Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. |
| 17.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Full on middle and off, driven to mid on for nothing. |
| 17.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Quite full again, just outside off, it's driven to mid off from the front foot. |
| 17.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Lands it on a driving length, around off, it spins in and Marsh blocks it well. |
| 17.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Off the rough. The length and line both are perfect. Jadeja slows it up and floats it around off, it lands and turns in, goes off the pad on the off side as Marsh comes forward to defend. |
| 17.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Keeps low. It's quicker through the air outside off, Marsh just about manages to defend it off the toe end. |
| 17.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Tossed up and just outside off, blocked with the full face of the bat. |
| Drinks are on the field. A good first hour for India. The pacers have done their job, with Ishant and Bumrah dismissing Finch and Harris respectively. You could consider Finch to be a bit unlucky, but Harris basically threw his wicket away. Big job ahead for Khawaja and Marsh now, as the ball is turning and Jadeja could capitalize on the rough areas. |
| 18.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Length ball on off stump, Khawaja stands tall and defends back to the bowler. |
| 18.2 : M Shami to Khawaja, Left alone outside off this time. |
| 18.3 : M Shami to U Khawaja, Short delivery, pulled away by Khawaja for a couple to deep square leg. The ball was not that far away from Mayank Agarwal at a backward short leg. |
| 18.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, FOUR! Overpitched and dispatched away beautifully behind square on the leg side for a boundary. The outfield might be slow but the timing was so good that fine leg has no chance to stop it. |
| 18.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, Just outside off, Usman drops this on off and sets for a quick single. The mid off fielder picks up the ball and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Marsh puts in a dive and gets in. |
| 18.6 : M Shami to Marsh, Shorter outside off, Marsh guides it down towards third man. |
| 19.1 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Flatter outside off, Khawaja pushes it towards point and gets a single. |
| 19.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Flatter ball again, Marsh comes down the track and pushes the ball wide of mid on. Gets to the other end. |
| 19.3 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Usman comes down the track and blocks the ball. |
| 19.4 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, FOUR! The reverse-sweep comes out! Flatter ball outside off, Khawaja gets to the pitch of the ball and reverse sweeps it fine on the off side for a boundary. Good shot against the turn. Ishant at backward point has to go and fetch the ball. |
| 19.5 : R Jadeja to U Khawaja, OUT! That's the third one! And it is the big fish. Absoulute ripper this one from Jadeja! Flatter ball outside off and Khawaja is forward in defense. The ball grips and turns to get the inside edge and goes straight to Mayank Agarwal at short leg who takes a smart, low catch. The Indians are turning on the heat here. |
| Travis Head comes in at number 5, replacing Usman Khawaja. |
| 19.6 : R Jadeja to Head, A watchful defensive stroke from Head to end the over to this one just outside off. |
| 20.1 : M Shami to Marsh, Fuller and on middle, flicked straight towards the short mid-wicket fielder. |
| 20.2 : M Shami to Marsh, On a length and keeps slightly low. Marsh does well to stay low and keep it out from within the crease. |
| 20.3 : M Shami to Marsh, Back to a fuller length on middle, Marsh gets to the other end by flicking it wide of mid on. |
| 20.4 : M Shami to Head, Bouncer! Well-aimed and Head does well to move out of the way at the last moment. |
| 20.5 : M Shami to Head, Length ball on off, defended easily this time. |
| 20.6 : M Shami to Head, Flicked away towards the square leg fielder in the circle to end the over. |
| 21.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Flatter one on off, played back to the bowler by Marsh. |
| 21.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Grip and turn again! Beats the inside half of the bat and gets Marsh on the pads but the impact is outside off clearly. |
| 21.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Shorter one outside off, Marsh stays tall and pushes it out towards mid on. |
| 21.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Outside off on a length, left alone by Marsh. |
| 21.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, This time the ball is fuller and flicked away square on the leg side. Three runs result. |
| 21.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Another appeal! The ball has gripped and turned as Head tried to paddle sweep this one but missed. The umpire says no, most probably because the impact was outside off. |
| 22.1 : M Shami to Marsh, Wide outside off, left alone by Marsh. |
| 22.2 : M Shami to Marsh, Fuller and angling down the pads, Shaun flicks it away square on the leg side for a couple. |
| 22.3 : M Shami to Marsh, Back to the line outside off, Marsh keeps it out with soft hands towards the slip cordon. |
| 22.4 : M Shami to Marsh, Length ball angling in from off again, the southpaw drives it towards mid on. His bat almost got stuck behind his front pad there. |
| 22.5 : M Shami to Marsh, Slightly short of a length, aimed at the pads. Marsh flicks it to backward square leg. |
| 22.6 : M Shami to Marsh, Mixing up the lengths here, back to a fuller one to end the over. The batsman pushes it to mid on. |
| 23.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter ball on a short length outside off, Head stays tall and pushes it back. |
| 23.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Slightly short again, Travis pushes the ball to mid-wicket. |
| 23.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Outside off on a fuller length, pushes it to mid-wicket once more, this time off the front foot. |
| 23.4 : R Jadeja to T Head, FOUR! The umpire signals runs off the bat. That would go down as a chance gone begging then! Absolute peach by Jadeja, Head plays for the turn and seems to have missed the ball. Pant too misses it and the ball runs away for a boundary. Bamboozled everyone that ball. Could have been interesting had the keeper taken that one. |
| 23.5 : R Jadeja to Head, A watchful defensive stroke onto the ground by Head this time. |
| 23.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Goes for the sweep, gets hit on the pad again but the leg is well outside the line of the stumps here. |
| Ishant Sharma is back on, replacing Mohammed Shami. |
| 24.1 : I Sharma to Marsh, Short length ball, Marsh is slightly ahead to defend this one that keeps a bit low. |
| 24.2 : I Sharma to Marsh, On the pads, worked away for a single wristily towards square leg. |
| 24.3 : I Sharma to Head, Another one towards the pads, Head flicks it away to deep fine leg for another single. |
| 24.4 : I Sharma to Marsh, FOUR! Where is the slip? 3 down and India could have had another if there was a second slip in place. The length delivery outside off, takes a genuine edge as Marsh tries to defend the ball. The ball flies through the gap between first slip and gully for a boundary. |
| 24.5 : I Sharma to Marsh, Shortens the length, Shaun flicks it away off the back foot in the gap through square leg for a couple. |
| 24.6 : I Sharma to Marsh, On a length, aimed at the hips. Worked away to square leg. |
| The leg umpire has gone upstairs for a stumping appeal against Head. The batsman doesn't seem too worried though. |
| 25.1 : R Jadeja to Head, NOT OUT! The ball is outside off on a length and Head who comes ahead to drive misses the ball. Slightly drags his foot outside the crease, but brings it back in time. Pant whips off the bails a little late and Head is safe. |
| 25.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Loud appeal from India but the umpire is unmoved. This one rears off a length and turns back in, flicks the pads of Head who was looking to defend. The ball lobs up to leg slip and the fielders appeal but there was no bat involved there. |
| 25.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Fuller outside off, defended by Travis coming ahead. |
| 25.4 : R Jadeja to Head, The batsman has played this flatter one outside off to the point region. They pick up a single. |
| 25.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, On the pads, flicked away wristily towards the square leg fielder. |
| 25.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Fuller length ball outside off, Marsh takes a couple of strides down before blocking the ball. |
| 26.1 : I Sharma to Head, Length delivery on off stump, Head gets behind the line and defends. |
| 26.2 : I Sharma to Head, Too straight in line, worked wide of short mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 26.3 : I Sharma to Head, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 26.4 : I Sharma to Head, Shaping away from a good length outside off, Head rises on his toes before tapping it down on the off side. |
| 26.5 : I Sharma to Head, A beautiful punch off the back foot. Head stands tall and times it well through the covers. Jadeja chases it down and keeps the batsmen to three. |
| 26.6 : I Sharma to S Marsh, Coming in at first but then going away late, full in length on off. Marsh plays it off the outer half past gully for a single. |
| 27.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Just behind the rough outside the left-hander's off stump. Marsh pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 27.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Shorter one outside off, pushed to mid-wicket. |
| 27.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Marsh gets a quick single wide of mid on as he comes down the track and drives this flatter one. |
| 27.4 : R Jadeja to Head, Shorter one outside off, punched towards cover for a single by Head. |
| 27.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Flatter delivery, kept out of the back foot by the batsman. |
| 27.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Marsh comes slightly ahead and dead-bats this flatter delivery on off. |
| Jasprit Bumrah has come on for another spell. |
| 28.1 : J Bumrah to Head, Length ball outside off, Head keeps it out towards cover. |
| 28.2 : J Bumrah to Head, Shorter length, pushed in the gap wide of mid off by the southpaw. The batsmen come back for two. |
| 28.3 : J Bumrah to Head, FOUR! The ball is wide and outside off, Head immediately pounces on the width available as he cuts this beautifully wide of gully and all the way to fence. Safe shot that. Looked real good. |
| 28.4 : J Bumrah to Head, Length delivery on off, pushed away towards mid-wicket off the back foot. |
| 28.5 : J Bumrah to Head, This one is wide outside off and the ball goes on a couple of bounces to the keeper as it does not rise at all. Head leaves it alone. |
| 28.6 : J Bumrah to Head, Length ball at the pads, worked away towards the square leg fielder. |
| 29.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Fuller in length and at the sticks, Marsh pushes it away to mid-wicket. |
| 29.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Outside off and quicker, Marsh comes ahead and guides it with soft hands wide of slip for an easy couple of runs. |
| 29.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Well outside off and Marsh pads this away. |
| 29.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Back to the line just outside off, slower through the air this time. Shaun comes ahead and pushes the ball back to the bowler. |
| 29.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Shorter length and defended by the leftie staying back in his crease. |
| 29.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Another defensive stroke to end the over. Length ball that holds its line without doing much. |
| 30.1 : J Bumrah to Head, Length ball outside off, Head stands tall and defends it towards cover. |
| 30.2 : J Bumrah to Head, Keeps slightly low this one! Length ball outside off, Head goes to cut but misses the ball completely. |
| 30.3 : J Bumrah to Head, Quick and just outside off but the ball straightens, the batsman leaves the ball alone. |
| 30.4 : J Bumrah to Head, Fuller this time on middle and leg, pushed towards mid on. |
| 30.5 : J Bumrah to Head, Length ball outside off, pushed off the back foot to mid off. |
| 30.6 : J Bumrah to Head, Fuller ball outside off, driven towards cover who misfields it slightly but mid off has the ball covered hence there is no single. |
| 31.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Looped outside off, Marsh uses his feet and drives towards mid on. |
| 31.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Very full, almost yorker length. SM digs it out towards mid-wicket. |
| 31.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Oooh! Grip and turn once more. Gives this air outside off and the ball turns enough to beat the inside edge of Marsh who is looking to defend. Too much bounce and turn though. |
| 31.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Outside off and an arm ball, no stroke offered. |
| 31.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Flatter quicker delivery outside off, Marsh drives this wide of mid on using his feet. Quick single taken as Rohit dives to his right and stops this one. |
| 31.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Good defensive stroke to end the over from Head. |
| 32.1 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Outside off, left alone by Marsh. |
| 32.2 : J Bumrah to Marsh, A confident looking defense to this length ball on off stump. |
| 32.3 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Tad outside off, Marsh shoulders arms to this ball. |
| 32.4 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Shaun lets this ball go outside his off stump again. |
| 32.5 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Fuller length ball outside off, Marsh watches the ball through into the gloves of the keeper. |
| 32.6 : Bumrah to Marsh, OUT! What a delivery! Completely outfoxes Marsh. Bumrah comes around the wicket and disguises this slower ball brilliantly. Marsh who was looking to defend this one and get to the break is early into the shot and misses the ball. Gets rapped low on his pads and right in front of the stumps. The umpire has no qualms in raising his fingers. Marsh has a chat with his partner but in the end just walks off without reviewing. Australia have lost their fourth wicket and THAT WILL |
| India's session no doubt! 81 runs have been scored in 27 overs at 3 rpo but 4 wickets have been taken by India. The visitors will definitely go into the Lunch break the happier team. The Aussies started the day off at 8/0 and with some good strokes from the openers who were looking to stitch a decent partnership but against the run of play, brilliant captaincy brought about the downfall of Aaron Finch. Poor shot making saw his partner, Marcus Harris, depart and India were suddenly right on top. |
| Post that, Ravindra Jadeja, who was brought on, didn't disappoint as he got the important wicket of Usman Khawaja soon and just when it looked like the hosts would go into Lunch three down, Jasprit Bumrah bamboozled Shaun Marsh on the last ball before the break to get him LBW plumb in front. The hosts are 89/4 and will be desperate for some sort of a stand, but the Indian bowlers seem to be on fire at the moment. Can the Aussies fight back in the second session or will the visitors run havoc? Jo |
| ... Third Day, Afternoon Session ... |
| Welcome back, folks. The players and umpires are making their way to the middle for the second session. Mitchell Marsh will join Travis Head out there. Head will face the first ball of the session, to be bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. |
| 33.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter delivery outside off to start, Head stays back and defends. |
| 33.2 : R Jadeja to Head, First run of the session, Head pushes this fuller one through cover for a single. |
| 33.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Going down leg, Marsh leaves it alone. |
| 33.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Quicker and darted in on middle, Marsh pushes it back to Jadeja with a straight bat. |
| 33.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Another one bang on target, Marsh defends comfortably though. |
| 33.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Flatter and full on middle to end the over, Marsh stays ahead to push the ball back to the bowler. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end. |
| 34.1 : J Bumrah to T Head, Length ball outside off, Head drives it to mid off. |
| 34.2 : J Bumrah to Head, Yorker length ball on middle, Travis keeps it out towards mid-wicket. |
| 34.3 : J Bumrah to Head, Length ball outside off, Head pushes it to cover off the back foot. |
| 34.4 : J Bumrah to Head, Shorter outside off, the batsman plays it to point off the back foot and gets to the other end. |
| 34.5 : Bumrah to Marsh, LOUD APPEAL! But the umpire says no. Was full and fast but just going down leg maybe. Marsh who was looking to flick the ball misses it and gets rapped on the pads but the ball was missing leg stump hence he is safe. |
| 34.6 : J Bumrah to M Marsh, Another full delivery that Marsh keeps out towards mid on. |
| 35.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter ball outside off, Head pushes it off the back foot to mid on. |
| 35.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter ball outside off, Head comes ahead and keeps the ball out. |
| 35.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Another ball that is just outside off on a good length, Travis comes ahead slightly before pushing the ball away. |
| 35.4 : R Jadeja to Head, The batsman comes ahead and dead-bats this. |
| 35.5 : R Jadeja to T Head, Almost! The ball creeps low but Head stays low and gets his bat down in time. Was outside off and turned onto the pads. The southpaw gets the ball off the inside edge and onto his pads. |
| 35.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter delivery outside off and comes in after landing, TH stays back in his crease and keeps it out. |
| 36.1 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Length ball just outside off, Marsh comes ahead and defends the ball onto the ground. |
| 36.2 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Keeps a bit low yet again, from a length. Mitchell Marsh who was looking to defend is beaten on the inside and the ball goes through to the keeper. |
| 36.3 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Marsh is off the mark as he pushes this ball on off towards cover and gets to the other end. |
| 36.4 : J Bumrah to Head, OUT! Timberrrrr! All ends cleaned up and Head has to depart. Half the team back in the shed for just 92. Fuller length delivery from around the wicket, angling in. Head tried to hit his way out and gets the inside edge as he is beaten by pace. The ball goes on to knock the middle and leg stump. The Indians are elated, just the start they would have wanted after the Lunch break. Bumrah has his third. The Aussies are in deep trouble now. |
| Tim Paine is in at number 7, replacing Travis Head. |
| 36.5 : J Bumrah to Paine, Length ball on middle to start off to Paine, he works it to mid-wicket with soft hands. |
| 36.6 : J Bumrah to Paine, Fuller in length to end the over, driven down the ground. |
| 37.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Full and outside off, driven to the man at cover. |
| 37.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Sliding in from around off, full in length, Marsh defends with a straight bat. |
| 37.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 37.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Short and flat close to off, kept out from the back foot. |
| 37.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Good stop from Kohli. Marsh drives this full delivery to the covers where the Indian skipper makes a diving stop. |
| 37.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Lovely. Nice drift in from Jadeja, it's tossed up around off. Marsh comes half forward and blocks it out. |
| 38.1 : J Bumrah to Paine, Length ball outside off, Paine gets off the mark with a shot played with soft hands towards the point region. |
| 38.2 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Length ball coming in slightly after landing, Marsh is ahead as he pushes this one to mid on off the front foot. |
| 38.3 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Another length ball outside off, Mitchell defends it back down the ground off the back foot. |
| 38.4 : J Bumrah to M Marsh, Full, almost yorker length. Marsh does really well to dig this one out. |
| 38.5 : J Bumrah to Marsh, This one seems to have moved away slightly after landing. The batsman pushes this ball away to the cover region. |
| 38.6 : J Bumrah to Marsh, What was Marsh thinking there? Short ball and instinctively Mitchell goes for the pull. Goes off the top edge and no where in control. Luckily for the hosts, the ball lands short of Shami at fine leg who was charging in for the catch. Single taken. |
| 39.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Flatter ball on middle, kept out off the front foot. |
| 39.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Short ball on middle, Marsh whips this away towards mid-wicket and gets three till the ball is returned. |
| 39.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flatter ball on middle, keeps a bit low. Paine does well to bring his bat down in time and keep it out. |
| 39.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, A bit more air on this one, Paine stands tall and watches it as he pushes it towards cover. |
| 39.5 : R Jadeja to Paine, Fuller ball outside off, Tim comes ahead and defends it towards cover. |
| 39.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, Another full one, the Aussie skipper drives this to cover. |
| Mohammed Shami replaces Jasprit Bumrah. |
| 40.1 : M Shami to Marsh, Length ball outside off, Marsh stands tall and pushes the ball to cover. |
| 40.2 : M Shami to Marsh, Wide outside off and swinging slightly away, Mitchell goes for an expansive drive but the ball goes off the inner half and towards mid off. Looks like some reverse swing there. |
| 40.3 : M Shami to Marsh, This one comes in with the angle and Marsh misses his flick to get rapped on the pad. The ball seems to be going down leg hence the umpire says no when the Indians appeal. |
| 40.4 : M Shami to Marsh, Another one that comes in, Mitchell Marsh isn't looking too comfortable there as he misses his flick once more to get hit on the pad. Again going down. |
| 40.5 : M Shami to M Marsh, Never mind, scratch that! Marsh has just bludgeoned this short one off the back foot and over mid-wicket for a boundary. Right off the middle of the bat. Lovely shot! |
| 40.6 : M Shami to Marsh, Fuller length ball to end the over, Mitch gets his front leg out of the way and drives the ball towards mid on. |
| 41.1 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flatter ball on middle, Paine dead-bats it. |
| 41.2 : R Jadeja to Paine, Looped up on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 41.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, Seeing the batsman come down, Jadeja slightly pulls his length back. While trying to push the ball onto the leg side, Paine gets it on the inside half and onto the pads towards short leg. Mayank fumbles, else could have been a run out chance. |
| 41.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, Shorter one, Tim cuts this but finds Ishant at backward point moving slightly to his left to stop this. |
| 41.5 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flatter ball outside off, the batsman drives the ball straight down the ground. |
| 41.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, A solid defense from the Aussie skipper to end this over to full ball on middle. |
| 42.1 : M Shami to M Marsh, Fuller outside off, Marsh drives to the left of mid off but for no run. |
| 42.2 : M Shami to Marsh, Going down leg and Marsh cannot connect his willow on this one as he tries to flick this ball. |
| 42.3 : M Shami to Marsh, At the middle stump, Marsh pushes this back down the ground to mid on. |
| 42.4 : M Shami to Marsh, Bouncer! Slightly down the leg side, Marsh sways out of the way. |
| 42.5 : M Shami to Marsh, Short length ball outside off, Mitch defends from within the crease. |
| 42.6 : M Shami to Marsh, Fuller length ball driven to mid on and the over is brought to an end. Maiden. |
| 43.1 : R Jadeja to Paine, Slower one outside off, Paine pushes this towards cover-point for a single. |
| 43.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Flatter and aimed at off stump, Marsh stands tall and punches it back to the bowler. |
| 43.3 : Jadeja to M Marsh, OUT! Caught at slip! Off the inside edge, onto the pads and gone to Rahane. Fuller ball on leg, Marsh looks to whip flick it away through mid-wicket. Unfortunately for him, the ball takes a thin inside edge on to the pads and lobs up to Rahane for an easy catch. 6 down now! Even a follow on looks possible here. |
| Pat Cummins is in at number 8, replacing Mitchell Marsh. |
| 43.4 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Fired in outside off, Cummins keeps it out towards point. |
| 43.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Slower outside off, kept out again towards the cover-point fielder. |
| 43.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Flatter one on middle, Cummins comes ahead and defends the ball onto the ground. |
| 44.1 : M Shami to Paine, On a length outside off, Paine defends towards the off side. |
| 44.2 : M Shami to Paine, Fuller ball on middle and leg, flicked away to deep square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 44.3 : M Shami to Paine, Ouch! Shami goes for a bouncer and the ball does not rise much. Paine looking to duck under the ball gets hit on the shoulder. Looks fine to continue though. |
| 44.4 : M Shami to Paine, Another bouncer! This time, Tim ducks under the ball and lets it go through. |
| 44.5 : M Shami to Paine, On the pads, the skipper flicks it away towards fine leg for a single. |
| 44.6 : M Shami to Cummins, Length ball on off stump coming in slightly, Cummins blocks it out. |
| 45.1 : R Jadeja to Paine, Slower through the air on middle, Paine defends towards mid on. |
| 45.2 : R Jadeja to Paine, Another one on off and middle, defended safely back down the ground. |
| 45.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, Quicker and coming in with the angle, Paine stands tall and pushes it back to mid on. |
| 45.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flighted one on middle, the batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and pushes it back to Jadeja. |
| 45.5 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flatter outside off, defended off the front foot showing the full face of the bat. |
| 45.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, Drifting down at the pads, Tim keeps strike with a single worked down to fine leg. |
| 46.1 : M Shami to Paine, Going down leg and Paine lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 46.2 : M Shami to Paine, Short one outside off, Tim sways out of the way and lets the ball fly. |
| 46.3 : M Shami to Paine, Length ball shaping in slightly after landing, the skipper defends it back down the ground. |
| 46.4 : M Shami to Paine, On a length and this one shapes slightly away from the right-hander, Paine drops this on the off side with soft hands and runs through for a quick single. |
| 46.5 : M Shami to Cummins, On middle and leg, Cummins has got a good defense to this one. |
| 46.6 : M Shami to Cummins, Fuller in length, Cummins works it down to fine leg and gets to the other end, retaining strike. |
| 47.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Slower through the air and on off stump, kept out watchfully. |
| 47.2 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Flatter through the air on middle, Pat comes ahead to defend but the ball goes off the inside half of the bat wide of short leg for a single. |
| 47.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flatter ball outside off, defended towards cover. |
| 47.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, Fuller length ball, Paine pushes it towards mid on for a single. |
| 47.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Another one on middle and leg that Cummins pushes to mid on. |
| 47.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Slower outside off, a front foot defense follows. |
| Ishant Sharma returns. |
| 48.1 : I Sharma to Paine, Length ball outside off, Paine defends the ball onto the ground. |
| 48.2 : I Sharma to Paine, Fuller length on off, Tim pushes it to mid on. |
| 48.3 : I Sharma to Paine, Length ball served on middle and leg, Paine keeps it out back down the ground. |
| 48.4 : I Sharma to Paine, FOUR! What has happened here? Outside off and Paine decides to leave the ball late but the ball is quick and goes of the under part of the bat between slip and gully for a boundary. Welcome runs for the hosts. |
| 48.5 : I Sharma to Paine, Shorter length ball outside off, defended from within the crease. |
| 48.6 : I Sharma to Paine, Slightly slower outside off, pushed to cover with soft hands. |
| Drinks break in the afternoon session. 2 wickets in the past hour and India firmly on top here. Pat Cummins who has done well in the bat this series so far has joined hands with his skipper. They will have to stitch a big stand for Australia to first avoid follow on and then, think about getting close to India's first innings score. Can they do so? Also, Hanuma Vihari is into the attack. |
| 49.1 : H Vihari to Cummins, Dropped! Vihari could have had a wicket with his very first ball in this Test. Bowls the straighter one outside off, Cummins comes forward to play for the turn and ends up getting an edge. It goes behind to Pant who gets low but can't get a hold of it. |
| 49.2 : H Vihari to Cummins, Full and on the off stump, blocked solidly. |
| 49.3 : H Vihari to Cummins, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 49.4 : H Vihari to Cummins, Tossed up off break outside off, pushed into the covers for no run. |
| 49.5 : H Vihari to Cummins, Stays right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 49.6 : H Vihari to Cummins, Loopy and full outside off, Cummins throws his bat at it and misses. |
| Change of ends for Ravindra Jadeja. |
| 50.1 : R Jadeja to Paine, Full and straight on the stumps, met with the full face of the bat. |
| 50.2 : R Jadeja to Paine, Paine moves inside the line and works this in front of square leg. Gets two comfortably. |
| 50.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, Drops this on the leg side and crosses over. |
| 50.4 : R Jadeja to Pat Cummins, Yorker darted in on middle, it's drilled towards the mid on fielder. |
| 50.5 : R Jadeja to Pat Cummins, Full and outside off, Pat drives it through the gap in the covers and takes three runs for it. |
| 50.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 51.1 : H Vihari to Paine, Tosses it right up there, on off stump, Paine shows the full face and defends it out. |
| 51.2 : H Vihari to Paine, Quicker one in line of the stumps, another defensive shot presented by the batsman. |
| 51.3 : H Vihari to Paine, Slightly short and around off, Paine positions himself behind the line and defends. |
| 51.4 : H Vihari to Paine, Short, flat and just outside off, the Aussie captain is on the back foot once more to defend it down the track. |
| 51.5 : H Vihari to Paine, Defended off the back foot by the batsman yet again. |
| 51.6 : H Vihari to Paine, Fuller and around off, defended solidly to end the over. |
| 52.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Spinning away from outside off, Pat makes an easy leave. |
| 52.2 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Fuller in length from Jadeja, a defensive blade is presented in response. |
| 52.3 : Jadeja to Cummins, Stifled appeal, but going down leg. Was never going to be given. Sliding in on leg, going further down, Cummins is caught on the pads as he tries to play at it. |
| 52.4 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Keeps it around off this time, it is defended. |
| 52.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 52.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Tossed up outside off, Cummins pushes it away from his body but straight to the fielder. |
| 53.1 : H Vihari to Paine, Floats it on off stump, kept out from the back foot. |
| 53.2 : H Vihari to Paine, No turn on this occasion, Paine watches the ball closely and lets it go past him. |
| 53.3 : H Vihari to Paine, Some flight on this as Vihari lands it around off, Tim Paine is well forward in defense. |
| 53.4 : H Vihari to Paine, Drives it along the turf to covers but straight to the fielder. |
| 53.5 : H Vihari to Tim Paine, Quick single, nicely done. Good running between the wickets. Paine taps this to mid off and takes off. Pujara is the man there, he has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. |
| 53.6 : H Vihari to Cummins, Positions himself perfectly behind the line and blocks it out. |
| Ishant Sharma is called back on. |
| 54.1 : I Sharma to Paine, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Paine looks to cut but gets it off the inner half to gully. |
| 54.2 : I Sharma to Paine, Again on a length, close to off this time, Paine gets behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 54.3 : I Sharma to Paine, Too far outside off on this occasion, the Australian skipper doesn't bother himself with it. |
| 54.4 : I Sharma to Paine, Brings the short one out of nowhere, hits the deck hard. Paine though remains watchful as he ducks and evades. |
| 54.5 : I Sharma to Paine, Length delivery on middle and leg, a little too straight in line and this allows Paine to move inside the line and work it behind square leg for a single. |
| 54.6 : I Sharma to Cummins, Wide! Another bumper, wide outside off this time, the batsman arches back and lets it go. Wide called for height. |
| I Sharma to Cummins, Fullish in length and attacking the off stump, it's driven back down the track |
| Change of ends for Ravindra Jadeja. |
| 55.1 : R Jadeja to Paine, Full and darted in on middle and leg, eased down to long on for one run. |
| 55.2 : R Jadeja to Cummins, A bit slower through the air, drifting in on middle and leg, clipped to short fine leg for no run. |
| 55.3 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Quick, full and straight, driven to the cover fielder. |
| 55.4 : R Jadeja to Cummins, FOUR! Some nice drift in as Jadeja comes from a bit wide of the crease but Cummins puts this away. Drives it square as he has room to free his arms and finds the fence without any problem. |
| 55.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Full and straight, it's hit back to the bowler. |
| 55.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Full and fast on the stumps, worked in front of square leg to end the over. |
| 56.1 : I Sharma to Paine, Fires it full and angles it in on middle and leg, Paine flicks it to mid-wicket but finds the fielder there. |
| 56.2 : I Sharma to Paine, Too straight in line, worked to the man in the mid-wicket area once again. |
| Some problem with the ball it seems. The umpire checks the shape, puts the ball through the hoops and it looks okay. We are fine to continue with the same one. |
| 56.3 : I Sharma to Paine, Length delivery in the channel outside off, Paine attempts to put bat on ball but misses. |
| 56.4 : I Sharma to Paine, Full and attacking the stumps, looking for the reverse, Tim drives it to mid on. |
| 56.5 : I Sharma to Paine, Throws this too far outside off, left alone. |
| 56.6 : I Sharma to Paine, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 57.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Darted full on the stumps, it's driven back down the track to the bowler. |
| 57.2 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Quite full again, it's wristed just wide of mid on. The batsmen take off and complete the run with ease. |
| 57.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, A little slower through the air, around off, kept out off the front foot. |
| 57.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, Floats it up just outside off, Paine is well forward in defense. |
| 57.5 : R Jadeja to Paine, Quick, flat and darted on the stumps, The Australian captain keeps it out safely. |
| 57.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, Shortens the length on this occasion, around off, kept out with the full face. |
| 58.1 : I Sharma to Cummins, Serves it in the channel outside off, on a good length, Cummins plays and misses. |
| 58.2 : I Sharma to Cummins, Fuller ball on middle and leg, flicked straight to the man at square leg. |
| 58.3 : I Sharma to Cummins, Outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 58.4 : I Sharma to Cummins, Pitches it on a length and around off, Pat with a solid block from within his crease. |
| If Australia can't get to the intended number, then there's a good chance that India can enforce the follow-on. The weather isn't as hot as the previous two days and India haven't bowled as many overs to feel really tired. Will be interesting to see what Virat Kohli opts to do if faced with the situation. |
| 58.5 : I Sharma to Cummins, Full in length and outside off, it's driven sweetly through the covers for a couple of runs. |
| 58.6 : I Sharma to Cummins, Touch short and outside off, Cummins goes back, opens the face and punches it square towards point for a run. |
| 59.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, FOUR! Amazing timing on this one! Flighted outside off, Cummins drives this beautifully for a boundary through the covers. |
| 59.2 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Flatter ball on off, Pat comes ahead and dead-bats this. |
| 59.3 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Well down the leg side, Cummins goes after it but doesn't connect. |
| 59.4 : R Jadeja to Pat Cummins, Slower outside the off stump, the batsman looks to drive but the ball goes off the inside half back to the bowler. |
| 59.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Flatter ball on the stumps, kept out watchfully. |
| 59.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Another ball on middle stump, Cummins drives it back towards mid on. |
| Mohammed Shami is back into the attack. |
| 60.1 : M Shami to Paine, Ouch! That's got to hurt! Shami comes in and shapes it into the batsman, Tim Paine is beaten past the inside edge and caught on the box. He takes a moment to recover. |
| 0.0 : Review taken. It's for an lbw decision against Tim Paine. Looks close. Let's see... |
| 60.2 : Shami to Paine, Not out! Paine survives as the height saves him. Not a bad review in all honesty, looked close to the naked eye. Shami lands this length ball on middle and off and it nips in slightly, catches Paine on the pads and an appeal goes up. The umpire shakes his head. Kohli is the closest to the batsman excluding the bowler, so he thinks long and hard and eventually, takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and show it to be going over the stumps. India lose the review. |
| 60.3 : M Shami to Paine, Fraction straight in line, worked off the pads on the leg side for a single. |
| 60.4 : M Shami to Cummins, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 60.5 : M Shami to Cummins, Full in length and on the stumps, driven to mid on. |
| 60.6 : M Shami to Pat Cummins, OUT! Bowled 'em! Shami strikes on his return to the attack. A promising stand of 36 is broken. He charges in and attacks the stumps with a length ball around off, it nips back in and goes right through Pat Cummins' defense. Nothing he could do about it, was just too good. Australia lose another wicket. They need another 105 runs to avoid the follow-on. |
| Mitchell Starc is the next batsman in. |
| 61.1 : R Jadeja to Paine, On the stumps, it's driven straight back. |
| 61.2 : R Jadeja to Paine, Quicker through the air and around off, Paine defends it out from the front foot. |
| 61.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, Quick, flat and turning away from outside off, Paine is unable to connect with the ball. |
| 61.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 61.5 : R Jadeja to Paine, Minimal turn on this occasion, Tim lets it come to him before blocking it out. |
| 61.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, Straighter one on middle and leg, wristed away on the leg side. |
| 62.1 : M Shami to Starc, Around the wicket, short length ball outside off, Starc pushes this towards mid-wicket. |
| 62.2 : M Shami to Starc, Loud appeal! On a length and angling down on the pads, Starc goes for the flick and misses the ball. The ball raps him on the front pad and the Indians are up in a huge appeal. The ball seems to be going down leg here. Shami and Kohli have a huge discussion before deciding not to go upstairs. Replays show that the ball would have gone on to clip leg stump. But the decision from the umpire would have prevailed. |
| 62.3 : M Shami to M Starc, EDGED AND FOUR! Wide outside off, Starc goes fishing. Gets an outside edge that does not quite carry to Kohli at a wide fourth slip. The ball takes a bounce in front of him awkwardly and runs under towards the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 62.4 : M Shami to Starc, Fuller ball at the pads, flicked away to the deep square leg fielder for a single. |
| 62.5 : M Shami to Paine, Another one angling in on middle and leg, flicked away by Paine in the gap behind square on the leg side. Couple taken. |
| 62.6 : M Shami to Paine, Probably the last ball before Tea. Outside off and on a length. Paine keeps it out watchfully. THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 3. |
| India firmly in control of this Boxing Day Test. Another session which belongs to them. Australia have lost 3 wickets in the 30 overs, scoring only 56 runs. They lost Head, the younger Marsh and Cummins, to some extraordinary bowling from the Indian contingent. Bumrah, Jadeja and Shami all have done their part to put the hosts on the back foot. Tim Paine is out there and he'll have to bat with the tail. Starc is partnering him for the moment, who can obviously bat, but the task is a monumental o |
| ... Third Day, Evening Session ... |
| Welcome back for the final session of play on Day 3. The players and umpires stroll into their positions. Mitchell Starc will take strike on the first ball after resumption. Jadeja to bowl. |
| 63.1 : R Jadeja to Starc, Looped up outside off but very full and Starc pushes it down to long on for a single. |
| 63.2 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flatter ball at the pads, played with soft hands to short leg. |
| 63.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flighted outside off, Paine lets the ball go through. |
| 63.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, Quicker this time on off, Paine comes ahead to defend but the ball goes off the thick inside edge towards square leg. |
| 63.5 : R Jadeja to Paine, Slower through the air, Tim comes down the wicket and pushes it back down the ground. |
| 63.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, Fuller outside off, driven to the cover fielder. |
| Jasprit Bumrah with the ball in hand. |
| 64.1 : J Bumrah to Starc, Short of a length ball on off stump and comes in slightly, Starc is done in by the pace and gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 64.2 : J Bumrah to Starc, Fuller ball at the pads, slight reverse swing. Mitch flicks it away to square leg for a single. |
| 64.3 : J Bumrah to Paine, OUT! Caught behind! The skipper has to go. Pouched beautifully by Pant behind. It was a length ball just outside off and there is a slight hint of reverse swing here that takes the ball away from the right-hander at the last moment. Paine who was looking to push it down on the off side gets an outside edge that just about carries into the waiting gloves of Pant. Good catch moving to his right and Australia are eight down now, with still 97 runs to avoid the follow-on. |
| Nathan Lyon walks in at number 10, replacing his skipper. |
| 64.4 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Bouncer first up. Going down leg and Lyon just ducks out. |
| 64.5 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Short length ball on middle, defended from within the crease. |
| 64.6 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Another ball on a length and on top of off stump, kept out well by Nathan. |
| 65.1 : R Jadeja to Starc, Flatter ball outside off, played back with a straight bat. |
| 65.2 : R Jadeja to Starc, Another ball that is flat and on off, Starc comes ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 65.3 : R Jadeja to Starc, Fuller outside off, defended onto the ground. |
| 65.4 : R Jadeja to M Starc, Flatter ball on middle, pushed towards mid on by the batsman. |
| 65.5 : R Jadeja to Starc, Shorter outside off, Mitch stands tall and pushes it back. |
| 65.6 : R Jadeja to Starc, Beaten! Outside off and the drift on this ball takes the ball away from the left-handed Starc. He was looking to drive this full ball and misses it due to the drift in the end. |
| 66.1 : J Bumrah to Lyon, FOUR BYES! Bouncer down leg and the ball is too wayward down the leg side as even Pant cannot reach it and it runs away to the fence. 150 runs up for the hosts. |
| 66.2 : J Bumrah to Lyon, OUT! Struck in front and the umpire raises his finger immediately! Bumrah has five. His 3rd fifer in Tests. Incredible considering he made his debut earlier this year. Pacy and yorker length ball that Lyon tries to flick but misses. Get rapped low on the pad in front of middle and leg, the umpire has no hesitation in raising his finger here. Replays show that the ball would have gone on to clip leg stump with a slight hint of reverse swing. |
| Josh Hazlewood is the last batsman to the crease. |
| 66.3 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Outside off on a length, Hazlewood taps it down. |
| 66.4 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Short ball aimed at the head, Josh tries to ramp it but misses the ball completely. |
| 66.5 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, OUT! That's that. AUSTRALIA ARE BOWLED OUT FOR 151 in their first dig. Bumrah picks up his sixth and Hazlewood goes out without troubling the scorers. Fuller length on middle and leg, too pacy for the tailender. Goes off the inside edge, on to his pads as he misses his flick. The ball then rolls on to disturb the stumps and knock the bails down. Bumrah finishes with 6-33. India have a lead of 292 to play with. Will they come out to bat here or will they put the hosts |
| A fine, fine bowling display from the no.1 Test team in the world. The Indians have bowled out Australia for just 151 runs. Jasprit Bumrah was the star of the show as he picked up a 6-wicket haul, running through the Australian batting order with his deadly pace and clever variations. None of the Australian batsmen were able to put up a fight. When you're chasing 443, if you don't have a single 50-run partnership, that's just not going to cut it at all. |
| If Bumrah wasn't enough of a threat on his own, the hosts had to deal with Shami, Ishant and Jadeja and all of them created problems for every single batsman. If ever there was a complete performance, this is it. India have decided they WON'T ENFORCE THE FOLLOW-ON! Now, they have mammoth lead of 292 runs, but there is forecast of rain for both Day 4 and 5. So, there's a good chance India would like to add runs quickly and come out to bowl again. Mostly likely it will be tomorrow itself. Let's se |
| 0.1 : M Starc to H Vihari, Full ball swinging in from around off, Vihari with a straight bat drives it to mid on. |
| 0.2 : M Starc to Vihari, Angling away from around off, on a good length, it's left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 0.3 : M Starc to Vihari, FOUR! Streaky runs but Vihari will take it. Short and wide outside off, Hanuma throws his bat at it and gets it off the bottom edge between gully and the slip cordon. It races away to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 0.4 : M Starc to Vihari, Hurled too far outside off, left alone. |
| 0.5 : M Starc to Vihari, The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. |
| 0.6 : M Starc to Vihari, Fullish in length and well outside off, Vihari looks to play at it but fails to connect. |
| Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Length ball angling down leg, Agarwal lets it go. |
| 1.2 : J Hazlewood to M Agarwal, FOUR! Lovely shot! Full and outside off, slightly swinging away. Mayank Agarwal, confident after his first dig goes for a flowing cover drive and times it just good enough for it to reach the fence. Off the mark in style! The lead is 300 now! |
| 1.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Going down leg once more, left alone. |
| 1.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Length ball on off stump, Agarwal stays low and keeps it out towards mid off. |
| 1.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short length ball outside off, the batsman pushes it away to cover off the back foot. |
| 1.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Length ball on top of off and middle, he is on his toes as he plays this towards mid on with an angled bat. |
| 2.1 : M Starc to Vihari, Around the wicket and wide outside off, Vihari looked to cut this away but pulls out of the shot at the last moment. |
| 2.2 : M Starc to Vihari, Short of a length, closer to the off stump now, Hanuma stands tall and defends it. |
| 2.3 : M Starc to Vihari, Fuller length coming in with the angle on off stump, pushed back down the ground on the front foot. |
| 2.4 : M Starc to Vihari, Another short ball in the line of off stump, Vihari gets on top of the bounce and defends this ball. |
| 2.5 : M Starc to Vihari, Angling down on the hips this time, Hanuma works it away to backward square leg in the circle. |
| 2.6 : M Starc to Vihari, Sprayed wide down the leg side, the batsman can't reach it and Paine makes a good stop diving to his left. |
| 3.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, At the hips, Agarwal flicks it away to deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 3.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, On a length outside off, keeps a tad low. Vihari does well to bring his bat down and keep it out towards mid on. |
| 3.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Length ball outside off, Vihari plays a punchy shot towards cover for no run. |
| 3.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Short of a length on middle, pulled away by HV for a single to deep square leg. |
| 3.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Length ball outside off, front foot defensive stroke follows. |
| 3.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Well outside off on a length to end the over. Left alone by the batsman. |
| 4.1 : M Starc to Vihari, Fuller length on off, Vihari comes ahead and drives this to mid on. |
| 4.2 : M Starc to Vihari, Angling down on the pads, worked away to the vacant square leg region. 3 runs taken before the fine leg fielder can come around and throw back the ball. |
| 4.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, Good bouncer! Just outside off, Agarwal ducks under the ball. |
| 4.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, FOUR! Freebies. The ball is on the hips and it is easily turned away fine on the leg side by Agarwal. Easy picking for any Indian batsman this, who are usually very strong off their pads. Too fine for the fielder at the fence to come around and stop it. |
| 4.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Another ball on middle and leg, Mayank pushes it towards mid-wicket. |
| 4.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Short length ball on middle, defended towards the bowler. |
| 5.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Length ball outside off, Vihari defends it back down the ground. |
| 5.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Fuller this time and Hanuma has a big stride ahead before pushing it back down the ground to mid off. |
| 5.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Short length ball on top of off, Vihari pushes it off the back foot towards cover. |
| 5.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Outside off and left alone by the batsman. |
| 5.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, On a length and on off stump, Vihari comes ahead and defends it onto the ground. |
| 5.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, At the hips for the last ball of the over, works it away to the deep square leg fielder for a single as he retains strike. |
| Nathan Lyon comes onto bowl, replacing Mitchell Starc. |
| 6.1 : N Lyon to Vihari, Appeal from the keeper down leg, but there was daylight between the bat and ball as it passes Vihari. Short and outside off and turns a long way to go down the leg side. |
| 6.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flatter delivery on the pads, worked away to square leg for a single. |
| 6.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Oooh! Turn and bounce. The ball lands outside off and turns down to the leg stump. Agarwal tries to flick it but gets an inside edge onto the pad towards the leg side away from the fielder at short leg. |
| 6.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter on off stump, pushed towards cover. |
| 6.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball outside off. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 6.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Short ball outside off and turning into Mayank, he steps back and pushes it towards cover off the back foot. |
| 7.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Length ball on off and middle, Vihari stands tall and defends it back down to the bowler. |
| 7.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Outside off, left alone by Hanuma. |
| 7.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Length ball, keeps a bit low. Vihari is also low and pushes it back to mid on. |
| 7.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Another defense with the full face of the bat to this ball on middle. |
| 7.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Length ball on middle, Vihari pushes it towards cover with an open face of the bat. |
| 7.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Length ball outside off, HV comes ahead and plays it onto the ground. Maiden over. |
| 8.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, FOUR! Lofted over the mid on fielder and all the way to the fence. Flighted outside off, Agarwal hops down the track and scores a good boundary. Positive batting! |
| 8.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball outside off, Mayank comes ahead and dead-bats. |
| 8.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flighted on off and turning in, the batsman comes down and smothers the spin on the ball. |
| 8.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Shorter and quicker outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 8.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball outside off, Mayank takes a stride ahead before defending. |
| 8.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Shortens the length on middle, Agarwal looks to flick it away but finds the fielder in the circle at square leg. |
| 9.1 : J Hazlewood to H Vihari, Length ball on off and middle, Vihari pushes this back down to mid on off the front foot. |
| 9.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Short ball on middle, worked away to fine leg for a single. |
| 9.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Sliding down the leg side, Agarwal doesn't connect the flick. |
| 9.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Outside off on this occasion, left alone. |
| 9.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short ball outside off, Mayank gets on top of the ball and defends the ball. |
| 9.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Length ball at the pads, pushed away to mid-wicket. |
| Pat Cummins replaces Nathan Lyon. |
| 10.1 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Starts off with a ball at the pads, worked away to mid-wicket by Vihari for a single. |
| 10.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Short ball, slightly slower. Agarwal jumps and keeps it down towards backward square leg for a run. |
| 10.3 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Bouncer! Hanuma sways out of the way and lets it go. |
| 10.4 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Length ball at the pads, worked towards the backward square leg. |
| 10.5 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Fullish on a good length, Vihari times this well but straight to mid on. |
| 10.6 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Another bumper to end the over, good technique from the batsman as he moves out of the way. |
| Change of ends for Nathan Lyon. |
| 11.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Looped up on middle, defended onto the ground. |
| 11.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, In the air but safe! Everything is going the way of the Indians here. The ball is beautifully looped up outside off and Agarwal who was ahead to drive this one is flummoxed by the flight and gets it on thick inside half of the bat. The ball flies in the air but just away from the short mid-wicket fielder and Mayank escapes with a single. |
| 11.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flatter on off, Vihari comes ahead and defends it on the off side. Quick single taken. |
| 11.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball on middle, the batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 11.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Going down the leg side with the turn, left alone. |
| 11.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Oooh! Draws Agarwal forward into defense with a looped delivery on off stump, the ball takes the thick inside edge and rolls just away from the short leg fielder. Good bowling this! |
| 12.1 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, On the pads, Vihari turns it towards backward square leg. |
| 12.2 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Fuller ball on the middle stump line, pushed towards mid on. |
| 12.3 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Short ball on off, Hanuma gets on top of the bounce as he defends the ball. |
| 12.4 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Bouncer! Vihari sways out of the way and drops his hands down as he lets this one go. Good leave. |
| 12.5 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Length ball outside off, pushed toward the mid off fielder. |
| 12.6 : Pat Cummins to H Vihari, OUT! Caught at gully. Great bouncer! Quick, 141.2 kph! Almost like the first innings dismissal. India lose their first one. Just as we were saying he was leaving the bouncers better this time around, he has made the same error as he did in the first dig. Short ball and got big on the batsman, Vihari takes his eyes off and tries to fend it away. The ball goes off the shoulder of the bat and lobs up for one of the easier catches to Khawaja at gully. Maiden wicket ove |
| Cheteshwar Pujara comes in at number 3. |
| 13.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Tossed up on off, spins in sharply, Agarwal drives but it takes the inside edge and goes past the leg stump. |
| 13.2 : N Lyon to M Agarwal, Plants his front foot forward and drives it straight to the man at mid on. |
| 13.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Lyon lands it in the rough around outside off and it turns a long way. Agarwal comes forward to play as the ball takes the inside edge and goes past short leg. |
| 13.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Quicker delivery just outside off, Mayank goes back and defends it under his nose. |
| 13.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Uses the depth of the crease again to block this out. |
| 13.6 : N Lyon to M Agarwal, Full and loopy outside off, it's driven to wide mid off. Maiden from Nathan Lyon. |
| 14.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on the off stump, Pujara pushes away his first ball towards mid-wicket. |
| 14.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, OUT! Gone second ball! Pujara has a rare duck! Caught at leg gully and Cummins has his second wicket in three deliveries. Length ball on the pads and it is instinctively flicked by Pujara towards the leg side. But lo and behold, there is Marcus Harris at leg gully taking an easy catch. Great bowling to the plan and good captaincy too. Second wicket lost in quick succession and the Aussies have something to smile about here. |
| Drinks have been called for. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli walks into the middle at number 4, replacing Cheteshwar Pujara. |
| 14.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball first up on middle, pushed towards to mid-wicket. |
| 14.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Oooh! Another short length delivery that is hit slightly in the air. Kohli tries to fend it off on the leg side but the ball goes off the top half of his bat in the air towards short mid-wicket. |
| 14.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Angling at the pads, worked away towards the mid-wicket area. |
| 14.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, OUT! An action replay of the Pujara dismissal. Cummins has his third! And Kohli, believe me Virat Kohli has a zero against his name. Length ball at the pads, just the plan and VK takes the bait. He flicks this in the air and Marcus Harris at backward square leg moves to his right and takes a good, low catch. Cummins has worked really hard in this series and especially in this match, and is reaping the rewards now. Three wickets in three overs so far. His figures read |
| Ajinkya Rahane walks in at number 5, replacing his skipper. |
| 15.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Tossed up off break on middle stump, Agarwal flicks it fine down the leg side and steals a quick single. |
| 15.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Rahane makes use of his feet to get off the mark. Dances down and eases it to long on for a single. |
| 15.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Loopy and quite full on leg, Mayank flicks it off his pads to short mid-wicket. |
| 15.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Goes with the spin as he turns it in front of short leg. |
| 15.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Some serious turn for Lyon. He lands it on off and it spins a long way, goes down leg in fact as Agarwal misses his flick. A shout from Paine but nothing from it. |
| 15.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Agarwal goes on the back foot and tickles it fine down the leg side for a double. |
| 16.1 : Pat Cummins to A Rahane, OUT! Fourth wicket down and Pat Cummins has taken all of them. Is this a tired man? Doesn't look like it at all. He's breathing fire. Absolutely unreal. A bit of a soft dismissal though on this occasion. Back of a length down the leg side, Rahane looks to help the pull fine down the leg side but gets it off the glove. It's only a feather, but it's enough and Tim Paine behind dives to his left to take it. Not what you'd have expected, really. This is sensational. Cu |
| 0.0 : Rohit Sharma to bat next. |
| 16.2 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, No hat-trick for Cummins, but it was mighty close though. Back of a length on the hips, Sharma swivels and pulls it past Marcus Harris at leg gully, who dives to his right but it just comes at him too fast. It goes through to fine leg and a single is taken. |
| 16.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Short of a good length around off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 16.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Back of a length on off, Agarwal gets behind the line and defends. |
| 16.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. Another dot. |
| 16.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Hangs on the back foot again and defends it well. |
| 17.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Safe! Agarwal survives. Rohit turns this off the back foot towards backward square leg and takes off. The fielder there throws it to Paine as Mayank slides in. An appeal is made when the bails are taken off and it goes upstairs. Replays show the opener is fine, but a direct hit would have made things interesting. |
| 17.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Too straight in line, a flatter ball, worked away on the leg side. |
| 17.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 17.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Agarwal moves inside the line and turns it with the spin on the leg side. |
| 17.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Quite full and loopy, around off, Mayank presses forward and works it away. |
| 17.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Short and wide outside off, it's punched off the back foot to the covers for no run. |
| 18.1 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Comfortably done. Cummins bowls it on the pads and Rohit just tickles it down to fine leg for a single. The other batsmen got out trying to do this same thing, only Sharma has done it with full control. |
| 18.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, On the pads once more, a length ball, Mayank goes deep inside the crease and blocks it down in front of short leg. |
| 18.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Coming in at first but then straightening off the seam, Agarwal is watchful as he turns this away past the short leg fielder. |
| 18.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Good length delivery around the off stump, Mayank presents the full face as he blocks it down. |
| 18.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, A rather stifled shout, but this is sliding down leg. Length ball on middle and leg, catches Agarwal on the pads as he misses his flick. |
| 18.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Behind a good length and outside the line of off stump, it's tapped down in front of covers from the back foot. |
| 19.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Serves it well outside off, turns in as Rohit pads it away. Paine appeals loudly, but even then it's too far out. Can't be given. |
| 19.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, Skips down the track, gets close to the pitch of the floated ball and turns it to mid on. |
| 19.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Tossed up off break, on the stumps, it's pushed straight back down to the bowler. |
| 19.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Easily done. Rohit Sharma steps out of his crease and wrists it with the spin to long on. Crosses over to complete the run. |
| 19.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Full and wide outside off, it's driven square through point for a single. |
| 19.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Extremely full on middle and leg, flicked straight to the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 20.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Edged and FOUR! Cummins is a bit unlucky. Length ball outside off with some extra bounce, takes the outside edge of Agarwal's hanging bat and runs past the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 20.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Shaping back in on middle and leg, worked down on the leg side with gentle hands. |
| 20.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Well timed. Cummins brings it back in on middle and leg, Mayank tucks this behind square on the leg side and manages to come back for the second. |
| 20.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Length delivery quite close to off, it's kept out safely from within the crease. |
| 20.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Shortish delivery just outside off, the batsman rises and taps it down on the off side. |
| 20.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. That will be the end of the over. |
| 21.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, In the air for a bit but Rohit is safe. Tries to get close to the pitch but isn't exactly able to do so. It turns and goes off the inner half past short leg. |
| 21.2 : N Lyon to R Sharma, Tossed up off spinner outside off, comes in and Rohit plays it from the front foot. |
| 21.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Quite full in length and around off, once more the batsman is well forward in defense. |
| 21.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Goes with the spin and works it down on the leg side. |
| 21.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Loud shout... denied. And while this is going down, the batsmen sneakily pinch a run. Tossed up outside off, turns in, Rohit prods forward to defend but it goes off the inside edge, lobs off the pads and falls on the off side. Everybody is busy appealing and the batsmen use this opportunity to cross over. |
| 21.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Mayank Agarwal has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Josh Hazlewood is into the attack. |
| 22.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Rising from a good length, it's just outside off, Sharma keeps it out well from inside his crease. |
| 22.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, On a good length once more, just outside off, Sharma keeps it out with a straight bat. |
| 22.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Hazlewood generates some extra bounce again, lands it around off and Sharma rises on his toes to defend this away. |
| 22.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. |
| 22.5 : J Hazlewood to R Sharma, OUT! Edged and gone! Half the Indian side is back in the dressing room now. A twist left in this tale? May very well be. Short of a length outside off and there's some extra bounce on this too, which gets Rohit Sharma. He looks to cut but edges it behind due to the extra bounce. It's a simple catch for Shaun Marsh at first. India lead by 336 runs. |
| Rishabh Pant walks out to bat next. |
| 22.6 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Bouncer on middle and leg, Pant just about manages to duck under it. |
| 23.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Spinning in from outside off, Agarwal backs away and cuts it square, straight to point though. |
| 23.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Spinning in on middle and leg, worked down in front of square leg. |
| 23.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Goes deep inside the crease and turns it to backward square leg. |
| 23.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Turns in from outside off, Mayank stays behind the line and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 23.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Lbw appeal, shut down. Flat, short and spinning down, Agarwal gets low to help the sweep behind square leg but is caught on the pad. It's going down leg clearly. |
| 23.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Short and flat outside off, cut down towards third man for three good runs. |
| 24.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, it's defended from inside the crease. |
| 24.2 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Outside off again, on a back of a length this time, punched off the back foot straight to short cover. |
| 24.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Fuller in length, attacking the stumps this time, the opener brings a straight bat down in defense. |
| 24.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Sharp bumper on middle and off, the batsman just arches back and ducks under it. Well done, as the bumper was sharp and accurate. |
| 24.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Full in length, at the base of off stump, drilled but straight to the man at cover. |
| 24.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Another nasty bouncer from Hazlewood. Bangs it in hard on off, Agarwal somehow, barely and awkwardly manages to fend it down off his glove. |
| And Mayank Agarwal is receiving medical treatment after he copped a blow on his hand. The magic spray is out and it does its job. The opener is fine to continue. |
| 25.1 : N Lyon to Pant, From around the wicket, it's floated around off, Pant comes forward and blocks it out. |
| 25.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Landing on off, some drift in and then turns away, Pant defends it well. |
| 25.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Uses the depth of the crease to go back and keep it out with a straight blade. |
| 25.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Positions himself well behind the line and defends it back down the track. |
| 25.5 : N Lyon to Pant, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 25.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Sees the flight on the ball, comes down the track and then knocks it to long off for a single. |
| 26.1 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Another accurate bouncer from Hazlewood, he's generating some serious pace and bounce off this deck. Bangs it in short on middle and leg and Pant is beaten as he looks to pull. |
| 26.2 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Short and a bit down the leg side, the southpaw looks to pull but then opts out of it. |
| 26.3 : J Hazlewood to Pant, FOUR! Not as short on this occasion, it's shortish and down the leg side. Pant is in complete control of this one as he helps the pull across the fine leg fence. The 50 is up for India. They lead by 344. |
| 26.4 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Yorker fired in on off, Rishabh brings his bat down and plays it off the inner half towards mid-wicket. |
| 26.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Short of a good length into the body, Pant helps the pull, this time through backward square leg. Just the single on this occasion. |
| Tim Paine is getting creative with his field here. Has a short leg, silly point in place, along with a modified backward square leg who's a bit finer. |
| 26.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Some drama on the last ball of the day. Hazlewood fires it full on leg, it catches Agarwal low on his pads as he looks to tickle it fine. It goes down the leg side and a loud appeal goes up. Nothing from the umpire. The batsmen cross and it's a leg bye. STUMPS ON DAY 3! |
| Finally, a session in Australia's favour, though it's still only a small victory in the larger context of the game. It's been an entertaining day of cricket, wherein 197 runs were scored and 15 wickets scalped. In this final session alone, 60 came of those 197 and 8 from those 15. Those numbers should indicate what a fun day of Test cricket it's been. |
| It all began with India wrapping up the Australians in the final session with Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge with a 6-fer. The others too did their part, with everyone barring Vihari sharing the wickets. The visitors had a massive lead of 292, and they chose to bat again instead of enforcing the follow-on. At this point everyone thought they would run away with the game, but up rose a warrior in the form of Pat Cummins and he decimated the Indian top order claiming 4 wickets in 4 overs, while |
| India are 54/5, and they lead by 346 runs, but this Test just got that little bit more interesting. The away side is still in the driver's seat, but the Kangaroos will be in better spirits come Day 4. One more thing that could play in their favour is the fact that there is rain forecast for the remaining two days, which could help and dent hopes, depending on which side you lean towards. It'll be intriguing to see how this all unfolds. The action from Day 4 begins at 1030 local (2330 GMT, previo |
| ... Fourth Day, Morning Session ... |
| Welcome to Day 4! What a magnificent day the third one was. After two slow days, Day 3 was just what this Test needed to come to life and boy, did it spring to life or what? Never mind what team's supporter you are, what you want to see is tough Test cricket and a great battle between bat and ball. 15 wickets fell, India decided they did not want to bat fourth for some reason, Australia reduced the visitors to 54/5 by the end of the day to remain valid in the game. What did the game not have? Wo |
| So, then, Day 4 should be an amazing watch, if we are allowed to have some uninterrupted action that is. There is a 60 percent rain forecast for the day and it has been raining on and off causing the groundstaff to bring on the covers and take them off in a cat and mouse type way. Intermittent thunderstorms are predicted for the day and all we can do is hope for them to stay away so we can have some good cricket. Although, these rains might come to help Australia to remove some time out of the g |
| The players and umpires have made their way onto the ground. Nathan Lyon to begin proceedings and Mayank Agarwal will take strike for India, Rishabh Pant at the non-striker's end. The umpire says 'Play' and here we go! |
| 27.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, First run of the day on the first ball, fuller and quicker on middle and pushed down to long on for a single by Agarwal. |
| 27.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter one on middle, Pant comes ahead to keep it out. |
| 27.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Oooh! that would excite Jadeja as well. The ball gripped and turned and bounced as well. Landed on off with some loop, the ball turns a long way to beat the outside edge of Pant's bat as he comes ahead to defend. |
| 27.4 : N Lyon to Pant, This one goes straight on and Rishabh is ahead to defend. |
| 27.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on middle, nudged towards mid-wicket and Pant gets to the other end. |
| 27.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Looped up outside off, Agarwal comes ahead and dead-bats. |
| Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end. 4/10 so far off his 6 overs. |
| 28.1 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Wide outside off, left alone by the Indian wicket-keeper batsman. |
| 28.2 : Pat Cummins to R Pant, DROPPED! Cummins could have had his fifth but Paine can't quite hold on. The ball came in after landing on a length outside off from around the wicket. Pant tried to push at the ball but got an inside edge that carried to Paine. He dived to his right to take this one but couldn't hold on. The ball rolls towards the fence where Mitchell Marsh makes a good stop and saves a couple of runs for his team. |
| 28.3 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Over the wicket, shorter length outside off. Pushed towards cover for a single. The 350-run lead up for the visitors. |
| 28.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Length delivery on off, driven back down the ground by Agarwal. |
| 28.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Length ball slightly angling in, pushed towards mid-wicket. |
| 28.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, A front foot defensive stroke from Mayank to end the over. |
| 29.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on off, Pant stands tall and pushes it to long on for a single. |
| 29.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, SIX! It's huge! Looped outside off and Agarwal has his dancing shoes on as he comes down the track and lifts it over long off for a biggie. Lovely shot, especially against the turn. Looks like Mayank has come out with a set plan. |
| 29.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball on the pads, pushed towards the leg side with soft hands. |
| 29.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, SIX! The second maximum of the over! Lyon isn't used to this, at least not so far in this series. Another looped up ball on middle, Agarwal comes down the track again and just times this one with a brilliant straight-bat loft over the bowler's head. The ball goes all the way and hits the sightscreen. Real good batting this, showing people how to play the wily off spinner. |
| 29.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball, quicker in response to the two big shots. Agarwal flicks it away on the leg side for a single and gets to the other end. |
| 29.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Another flatter ball on middle and off to end the over, Pant is on his back foot as he defensively pushes it back. 14 runs off the over, a great one for the Indians. |
| 30.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Length delivery angling back in, goes down leg in fact as Agarwal misses his flick. |
| 30.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Sharp delivery from Pat Cummins. He's been Australia's best bowler by a distance, is continuing to show that even now. Serves it on a length on middle and it jags back in, Agarwal is beaten and is caught on the thigh pad. An appeal for lbw goes up, but height is an issue. |
| 30.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Almost a replica of the previous delivery. Cuts back in from a length and catches Mayank Agarwal high on the thigh pad. No appeal on this occasion. |
| 30.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Bumper from Cummins, Agarwal ducks and evades. |
| 30.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Just behind a length and around off, Mayank shows the full face of the bat and keeps it out from the back foot. |
| 30.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Goes full this time, just outside off, the batsman is forward as he pushes it a bit square towards cover-point. |
| 31.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Quicker delivery outside off, left alone by Pant. |
| 31.2 : N Lyon to R Pant, FOUR! Short and wide, Rishabh Pant cuts this really late and fine to beat Pat Cummins at backward point. The ball runs all the way to the fence, with the pace on the ball. |
| 31.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Slightly slower outside off, the Indian wicket-keeper batsman pushes it on the off side for a single. |
| 31.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball on the pads to Agarwal, worked away on the leg side. |
| 31.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Another ball on the pads, another flick but no run available. |
| 31.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Really quick, at 98.4 kph from the off-spinner. Agarwal comes ahead and defends it. |
| 32.1 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Around the wicket, slower short ball outside off. Pant drops the ball towards mid off and runs through for a quick single. |
| 32.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, FOUR BYES! That has gone through everything. Pacy and incredible movement after landing, must have hit a crack or something on the wicket. The deviation is huge after landing on off and middle. Agarwal who is looking to drive this uppishly back down the ground is beaten between his bat and pad and the ball misses his leg stump due to the ball seaming and bouncing. Paine too, can't get a hand on it and the ball runs away for four byes. |
| 32.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, What is happening to the pitch? One rears up and seams wildly and the next one keeps incredibly low from a length. Agarwal does well to bring his bat down in time and the ball goes off the outside edge towards first slip. Tough batting here. |
| 32.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, A length ball that behaves normally and Agarwal stands tall and defends. |
| 32.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Fuller length ball and Agarwal is playing back to this one. Does well again to bring his bat down in time and keep it out. |
| 32.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, OUT! Bowled 'em! The ball has snuck through and disturbed the timber. Fifer for Pat Cummins, 3rd of his Test career. No consecutive fifties for Agarwal as he departs for 42. The ball has kept low once again and Mayank, who is in two minds due to the pitch misbehaving in this over, plays this one back in the crease. The short of a length ball on off does not rise enough and the opener, who tries to put his bat down and prevent the ball from going on to hit his stumps |
| Ravindra Jadeja in at number 8, replacing Mayank Agarwal. Also, Josh Hazlewood to replace Nathan Lyon. |
| 33.1 : J Hazlewood to R Pant, Full length delivery attacking the off stump, Pant drives but can't beat mid off. |
| 33.2 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Angling away from the left-hander, slightly fuller in length, Pant pushes away from his body and finds the cover fielder. |
| 33.3 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Full and wide outside off, Pant has nothing to do with that one. |
| 33.4 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Too far outside off again, it is left alone. |
| 33.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, In line with the stumps this time, worked down in front of short mid-wicket. Both batsmen take off and complete the run with ease. |
| 33.6 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Nasty from Hazlewood. He bangs it in short and hard and it's an accurate one, Jadeja awkwardly fends it down in front of the slip cordon. Nicely done from the batsman. |
| 34.1 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Length ball, Pant pushes it right back to the bowler. |
| 34.2 : Pat Cummins to Pant, FOUR! Stand and deliver stuff from Rishabh Pant. Produces these brilliant shots every now and then. This ball is on a shorter length outside off, Pant stands tall and punches this one off the back foot towards cover and the ball reaches the fence. Deep point cannot come around in time to stop it. |
| 34.3 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Fuller this time, and another good-looking shot but just for a single through the covers. Pant timed that cover drive really well but there was Starc at wide mid off to stop it. |
| 34.4 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Shorter delivery to Jadeja, the left-hander goes for the pull. It is in the air but just drops short of Marcus Harris in the deep square leg position. The boundary is huge there. Single taken. |
| 34.5 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Bouncer to Pant! The Indian keeper ducks under the ball and lets it go. |
| 34.6 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Wide! Signaled for bowling this well down the leg side and possibly, deliberately to keep Pant off strike. Length ball way down leg side, so far down that Pant cannot get bat on it. Tim Paine collects it and tries to get to the other end for the next over but Marais Erasmus is quick to spot this and signals it as Wide. He is not going to allow the Aussies to get away with that, as they tried to bowl this one well down leg to keep Pant off strike. The Aussie skipper is |
| Pat Cummins to Pant, Pant does eventually get to the other end. Length ball on the pads, Pant turns it down on the leg side for a single to fine leg. |
| 35.1 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Short of a good length outside off, punched off the back foot through the covers for a single. |
| 35.2 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, What was that? A wild swing from Jadeja as Hazlewood throws it wide outside off, it keeps low and Paine has an uneven bounce in front of him. He can't collect cleanly and a bye is taken. |
| 35.3 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 35.4 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Banged in short, Pant takes the pull shot on but fails to connect. |
| 35.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Outside off on a good length, it's tapped just wide of the cover fielder for a quick run. |
| 35.6 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Jadeja stays inside the crease and keeps it out without much trouble. |
| 36.1 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Short length ball outside off, keeps a little low again. Pant tries to pull this one but only gets a thick inside edge that goes onto his pads. Lucky that didn't go on the stumps. Single taken as the ball just drops on the pitch. |
| 0.0 : It's got dark out there, so the floodlights have been switched on. Rain could be around the corner, so you'd have to wonder if the declaration is as well. |
| 36.2 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, FOUR! Shot! Short-arm jab over mid-wicket amd all the way for a boundary. Short of a length ball outside off, Jadeja pulls this front of square on the leg side and holds his pose for the cameras. |
| 36.3 : Cummins to R Jadeja, OUT! Bounced him out! Cummins has six! Might not be very important in the context of the game but mighty good performance from the quick. The previous ball was well outside off but this bouncer was aimed at the body and immediately, Jadeja is uncomfortable. He tries to fend it off on the leg side but the ball lobs off the glove and flies towards Usman Khawaja at gully who comes ahead and takes this catch. Cummins has bowled beautifully yesterday and today, gets his six |
| Mohammed Shami is in at number 9, replacing Ravindra Jadeja. |
| 36.4 : Pat Cummins to Shami, Bouncer going down the leg side, Shami tries to pull it but cannot connect this ball. |
| Review taken by Australia. It's for a caught behind decision against Mohammed Shami. |
| 36.5 : Cummins to Shami, NOT OUT! Shami survives and Cummins will have to try again for his seventh. Short length ball again just down the leg side, the Indian pacer tries to pull this but misses the ball. It is mighty close to the bat and Paine collects the ball behind. There is not a big appeal but the bowler seems a little interested and the Aussie skipper goes upstairs eventually. Replays roll in and show that there is no bat involved and the on-field umpire can remain with his original decis |
| 36.6 : Pat Cummins to Shami, Short outside off again, Shami does well to get on top of the bounce and fends it off towards point. |
| 37.1 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Angling away from a fuller length, left alone. |
| 37.2 : J Hazlewood to Pant, SIX! BANG! Take that, Josh Hazlewood. Shows his no mercy. Wow. The big pacer comes from around the wicket and fires it full outside off, Rishabh Pant just throws everything behind this and bludgeons it straight back over the bowler's head for a maximum. Amazing hit. |
| 37.3 : J Hazlewood to R Pant, OUT! Pant departs looking to score off an innovative stroke. Hazlewood bangs it short on middle and leg, Pant makes room, looks to ramp it over the keeper's head but can get it only as far as Paine behind. Simple take for him. |
| And with that dismissal, Virat Kohli calls the batsmen off and India have declared on 106-8. AUSTRALIA NEED 399 TO WIN! A quick moving hour of play this morning. The Indians came out playing their shots and eventually lost wickets as well. It didn't matter that much as they have added 53 runs to their overnight lead. The Indian second innings was about Mayank Agarwal again as the opener scored a good-looking 42 to follow up his 76 in the first dig. But more than him, the second innings was about |
| This morning again, he started from one end and kept the fire going. The pitch helped him as picked the wicket of Agarwal with one that kept low and got to his fifth. Then, bounced out Jadeja with a snorter of a ball. The last one to fall was Pant who was caught behind off a Hazlewood delivery. The Indians will not mind this too much as they got what they came for and scored the runs they think they required. Now onto the chase then, not going to be easy for the hosts. The final innings in a bit |
| 0.1 : I Sharma to Harris, Length ball from around the wicket, moves away after landing outside off. Left alone by Harris. |
| 0.2 : I Sharma to Harris, First run for the hosts, length ball on off again. Harris drops it with soft hands towards cover and gets to the other end. Quick single, good running by the Aussies. |
| 0.3 : I Sharma to Finch, Angling down the pads first up for Finch. The ball is coming in with the angle and it looks like a set plan with a silly mid on in place. But this ball is well down the leg side and Aaron can't connect. |
| 0.4 : I Sharma to Finch, Fuller and outside off this time, Finch drives this through the covers. Much better shot, with him not falling over this time. Three runs taken by the time the ball is returned. |
| 0.5 : I Sharma to Harris, Good ball! Length ball on off and tailing away after landing, Harris who is thinking about defending, then decides to let the ball go. |
| 0.6 : I Sharma to M Harris, Off the thick outside edge but all along the ground. The ball runs wide of point for a couple. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to share the new ball. |
| 1.1 : J Bumrah to Finch, Close call! Lovely ball first up from Bumrah. Right on the money. Landing outside off and coming in with the angle. Finch falls over yet again and misses his drive due to the movement. Gets hit on the back thigh pad. Loud appeal ensues but the umpire says no. The Indians have a discussion and decide not to go upstairs. Good decision as the ball looked like it would have gone over the stumps. |
| 1.2 : J Bumrah to Finch, OUT! The first one goes! Caught at second slip. Bumrah draws first blood, Finch falls cheaply yet again. Length ball outside off, Finch just hangs his bat trying to cut it away. The ball takes the edge and flies to Virat Kohli at second slip, who doesn't make any mistake. Well taken and Australia are one down in the second over of their innings itself. |
| Usman Khawaja is in at number 3. |
| 1.3 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Length ball outside off and moving away, Khawaja moves his bat out of the line of the ball at the last moment. Good ball first up to a new batsman. |
| 1.4 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, DROPPED! Fuller length ball on middle, Khawaja goes for the flick and hits it in the air and straight to short leg. Mayank Agarwal does get his hands to the ball but cannot hold on. These ones are more instinctive than anything, cannot blame him as the ball was travelling quite fast there. Would have been huge trouble for the Aussies had he held on there. Bumrah is causing all sorts of problems for the left-hander here. |
| 1.5 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Ouch! Surely must have hurt. On a length and jags back in with the angle. Bounces a bit more than usual too and Khawaja misses his flick and gets hit on the thigh area. Looks in a bit of pain but he just shakes it off and is ready to go again. |
| 1.6 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Length ball on the pads, this one is easier to flick away towards square leg for a couple of runs. Good over from Bumrah though. |
| 2.1 : I Sharma to Harris, Ishant bowls this down the leg side from around the wicket, Harris looks to flick but misses. |
| 2.2 : I Sharma to Harris, Length delivery in the channel outside off, Harris makes an easy leave. |
| 2.3 : I Sharma to Harris, Coming in at first and then shaping away late, fuller and around off, Harris meets it with a straight bat. |
| 2.4 : I Sharma to Harris, Short ball on off, Harris rides the bounce and controls the pull to mid-wicket. Agarwal there moves to his right and dives to stop it. |
| 2.5 : I Sharma to Harris, Too far outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 2.6 : I Sharma to Harris, Nicely done. Harris stands tall to this one and punches it a bit square through cover-point for a couple of runs. |
| 3.1 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Too full and quite straight, Khawaja flicks it well through square leg and takes two. |
| 3.2 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Back of a length this time, it's kept out from the back foot. |
| 3.3 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Edged and FOUR! Khawaja is lucky to survive this. The ball is doing all sorts of things for Bumrah. Full ball angling in but then straightens up after pitching. Khawaja looks to flick and gets a leading edge as a result. Much to his fortune, it flies well past gully and runs away to the third man fence. |
| 3.4 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Moving away from around off, on a good length, no shot offered by the batsman. |
| 3.5 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, it's tapped down on the off side from within the crease. |
| 3.6 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Accurate short delivery to finish the over, Khawaja falls to the ground and avoids the ball. |
| 4.1 : I Sharma to Harris, Angling down leg, Marcus with an attempted flick which misses. |
| 4.2 : I Sharma to M Harris, Beautiful timing on that. Harris presents a straight bat and times the drive through mid off. The fielder chases it down and keeps the batsmen to three. |
| 4.3 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Back of a good length and it is safely dealt with by the batsman. |
| 4.4 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Throws it down leg again, another flick and a miss. |
| 4.5 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Shaping back in on middle and leg, Usman works it off his pads to the man in front of square leg. |
| 4.6 : I Sharma to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Ravindra Jadeja into the attack now. |
| 5.1 : R Jadeja to Harris, Fuller and around off, Harris gives the charge and blocks getting close to the pitch. |
| 5.2 : R Jadeja to Harris, Sliding in on middle and leg, flicked away on the leg side for one. |
| 5.3 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, FOUR! This is good, positive batting from Usman Khawaja. He skips down the track, gets close to the pitch and lofts it cleanly over mid off for a boundary. |
| 5.4 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Big shout for lbw, but the impact is outside off. Tossed up just outside off, spins in as Khawaja gets low to sweep. He's caught on the front pad and an big appeal goes up. The umpire declines, which is the right call. |
| 5.5 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Straighter one outside off, left alone. |
| Review time. India have decided to go upstairs. They feel they've got Khawaja caught at slip. Let's see here. |
| 5.6 : Jadeja to Khawaja, Not out! Khawaja will carry on, a poor review from India to be honest. Never looked out, even to the naked eye. Darted wide outside off, Khawaja walks down the track and looks to play at it. It lobs off the pads and goes behind to Rahane at first slip. Everyone appeals, they feel there is bat involved, so decide to review it. Replays roll in and show there's no bat involved, not even close. |
| Change of ends for Jasprit Bumrah. |
| 6.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, FOUR! Amazing shot from Harris. Full and on the stumps, the opener presents a straight bat in response and times the drive to perfection as he places it through mid on. A boundary results. |
| 6.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Just behind a length, around off, defended from the back foot. |
| 6.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 6.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Cutting back in from a length, on middle and leg, Harris works it down in front of mid-wicket. Dot ball. |
| 6.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, Brings out the short one and pounds it in hard, on off. Marcus is watchful as he ducks and evades. |
| 6.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Beaten! It keeps a little low. Bumrah pitches it on a length outside off and Harris looks to play at it, only to miss. |
| 7.1 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Quicker and fuller outside off, blocked down in front of silly point. |
| 7.2 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Keeps low as Jadeja fires it quicker around off, it turns in and Usman brings his bat down in time to keep it out. |
| 7.3 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, FOUR! Nicely executed. Khawaja premeditates the reverse sweep, it's outside off and he places it well wide of short third man to fine the boundary line. |
| 7.4 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Spinning in from outside off, fullish in length, Khawaja once again looks to play the reverse sweep but fails to connect on this occasion. |
| 7.5 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Plants his front foot forward and blocks it with the full face. |
| 7.6 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Uses the depth of the crease, goes deep inside and turns it with the spin past the short leg fielder. |
| 8.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Back of a length coming in from around the wicket, Marcus Harris stays back and defends it well. |
| 8.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, On a good length and targeting the top of off stump, Harris stays behind the line and keeps it out. |
| Virat Kohli is seen going off the field. Maybe to get some treatment for his still somewhat stiff back? KL Rahul takes his place on the field. |
| 8.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, Marginally ahead of a length, just outside off, pushed down on the off side with gentle hands. |
| 8.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, This one is down the leg side and the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 8.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, Fraction straight in line, clipped away from the back foot to the man at backward square leg. |
| 8.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Short of a good length just outside off, dealt with off the back foot to end the over. |
| 9.1 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Turning in sharply from around off, flicked away on the leg side for a single. |
| 9.2 : R Jadeja to M Harris, OUT! GOT 'EM! Agarwal holds on to this one. This is a very good catch from the debutant. Jadeja lands it on the rough outside off and it kicks off from there. Turns in as Harris is forward to defend. It goes off the inside edge and flies to Mayank at short leg, who takes it. Not cleanly, but it sticks between his forearm and body. Doesn't matter, it's all the same. India have another wicket. |
| Shaun Marsh is the new man in. |
| 9.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Quite full and well outside off, no room for the ball to turn so Marsh comes forward and pushes it square on the off side. |
| 9.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Beaten! Straighter one outside off, Marsh is half forward to play and it goes past the outside edge. |
| 9.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 9.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Tossed up on off stump, kept out well from the front foot. |
| Mohammed Shami into the attack now. |
| 10.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Starts from around the wicket and angles in a length ball from outside off, Usman opens the face slightly and taps it down on the off side. A quick single is stolen. |
| 10.2 : M Shami to Marsh, Good length ball angling in on off, it's blocked with the full face of the bat. |
| 10.3 : M Shami to Marsh, In the channel outside off, the batsman doesn't bother himself with it. |
| Just an update - Virat Kohli has come back out on the field. |
| 10.4 : M Shami to Marsh, Brings it in closer, makes the batsman play at this one. Marsh defends this length ball on off from inside his crease. |
| 10.5 : M Shami to Marsh, Some shape inward for Shami, from outside off, another defensive shot on offer. |
| 10.6 : M Shami to Marsh, On the sixth stump line, Marsh covers the line and withdraws his bat to let it go. |
| 11.1 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, SIX! That's gone all the way! Fearless batting from Usman Khawaja. Puts the pressure on Jadeja instantly. Tossed up around off, not much spin on it, Khawaja jumps out and smokes it over long off for a biggie. |
| 11.2 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Down the track once again, taps it square past silly point and gets to the other end. |
| 11.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Goes with the spin and wrists it towards mid-wicket. A slight misfield there allows the batsmen to cross over. |
| 11.4 : R Jadeja to U Khawaja, Edged and safe! Jadeja bowls the straighter one, quick outside off. Khawaja looks to defend but it goes off the edge and past first slip. A single is collected. |
| 11.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Some air on this as the left-arm spinner lands it outside off, Shaun Marsh plants his front foot forward and pads it away. |
| 11.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Full and outside the line of off stump, pushed defensively off the front foot to end the over. |
| 12.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Short of a good length just outside off, kept down by rising tall and presenting a straight bat. |
| 12.2 : M Shami to Khawaja, Fuller in length and close to off, Khawaja is slightly squared up as he pats it down in front of covers. |
| 12.3 : M Shami to Khawaja, Moves off the rough a little bit, fuller in length around off. Khawaja plays it towards mid on from the inner half as it comes in slightly. |
| 12.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, Fullish in length on the stumps, from over the wicket this time, he brings a straight bat down and defends it carefully. |
| 12.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, A little too straight in line, on a length, the left-hander moves inside the line and wrists it down to mid-wicket. |
| 12.6 : M Shami to Khawaja, Angling across from a good length, around off, tapped away in front of cover-point. |
| One more over left before Lunch. |
| 13.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Full and just outside off, Shaun Marsh prods forward and defends it out. |
| 13.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Quick, short and flat outside off, Marsh moves across his stick and blocks. |
| 13.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 13.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Fullish once more, Jadeja looking to hit the rough, Marsh does well to deal with it. |
| 13.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Darted full and outside off, Marsh gives the charge and drills it to the man at mid on. |
| 13.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Spinning in on middle and leg, it's turned to backward square leg for a comfortable single. LUNCH ON DAY 4! |
| India well and truly on top. After scoring 52 runs today, finishing on 106/8, they set a target of 399 in front of the Australians and blew them away with the ball early. Bumrah once again delivered the goods as he got rid of Finch early and then, Jadeja dismissed Harris soon after. Khawaja and Marsh safely negotiated the remainder of the session, but you can sense India will try to capitalize in the afternoon session with the wicket deteriorating further. It's still quite overcast out there, wi |
| ... Fourth Day, Afternoon Session ... |
| We are back for the post-Lunch session. Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh walk out to the middle, followed by the Indian fielders and the umpires. SOS to take first strike. Mohammed Shami to bowl. |
| 14.1 : M Shami to Marsh, FOUR LEG BYES! Bit of a false start from Shami. He angles it on leg, Marsh looks to flick but it goes off his thigh pad. Past the diving keeper and away to the fine leg fence. |
| 14.2 : M Shami to S Marsh, Nicely played. Marsh takes the short ball on and connects with the pull amazingly well. Clears mid-wicket and gets two for it. |
| 14.3 : M Shami to Marsh, Bumper from Shami, ducked and evaded. |
| 14.4 : M Shami to S Marsh, FOUR! That's a beautiful shot. Full and outside off, Marsh drives it with the full face of the bat and past mid off for a boundary. |
| 14.5 : M Shami to Marsh, Good leave in the end. Length delivery cutting back in from outside off, Shaun covers the line and lets it go past him. |
| 14.6 : M Shami to Marsh, Too far outside off, another leave from the batsman. 10 runs off the over. |
| Ravindra Jadeja to bowl from the other end. |
| 15.1 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Floats it up there, Khawaja comes out and defends it away. |
| 15.2 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, That's got to hurt. Ouch. Nasty blow. Tossed up on the stumps, Khawaja gets low and sweeps this hard. Ends up hitting Mayank Agarwal at short leg on the side of neck. Bit dangerous, he's lucky it didn't hit him in the front. |
| Agarwal is receiving medical treatment from the physio now. Slight halt in play as a result. He's gone off the field and KL Rahul comes on as a substitute. |
| 15.3 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Floats it up around off, Usman presses forward and negotiates with the spin well. |
| 15.4 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Flighted delivery outside off, Khawaja is down on one knee to play the reverse sweep. Finds short third man with that. |
| 15.5 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Loud appeal from Jadeja, but the impact is outside off. Tossed up outside off and it spins in, Khawaja looks to play the reverse sweep again but is caught on the front pad. |
| 15.6 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Works it with the spin into the leg side and keeps strike with a single. |
| 16.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Seaming back in on off, Shami comes from around the wicket, it's flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 16.2 : M Shami to Khawaja, Hurled in the channel outside off, no shot offered by the batsman. |
| 16.3 : M Shami to Khawaja, FOUR! Cut away and cut away hard. Khawaja is offered a lot of room outside off, so he free his arms and flays it past the diving point fielder for a boundary. |
| 16.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, Beaten! Coming in at first but then it straightens off the seam, a length ball around off. Khawaja is drawn forward to defend but gets beaten past the outside edge. |
| 16.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 16.6 : M Shami to Khawaja, Attacks the stumps and this keeps low. Nicely done by Khawaja to defend this supposed length ball with a straight blade. |
| 17.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Marsh initially wants to come forward, but then seeing the ball outside off he leaves it alone from within his crease. No spin this time. |
| 17.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Looped up delivery on off, blocked from the front foot. |
| 17.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, A little too full on this occasion, Shaun drives it to mid off before the ball can turn. |
| 17.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Well outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 17.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Darts this full ball on middle and leg, Marsh flicks it off his pads through square leg and manages to come back for the second. |
| 17.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Rock solid in defense as the southpaw plants his front foot forward and meets it with the full face. |
| 18.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Short of a good length outside off, Usman moves across his stumps and taps it away towards short cover. |
| 18.2 : M Shami to Khawaja, Yikes! That just spits off the surface, Shami bangs it short and it takes off. Comes in sharply and Khawaja, to his credit, does really well to drop it down right beside him. |
| 18.3 : M Shami to Khawaja, Good length ball rising off the surface a bit, it's kept out from within the crease. |
| 18.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, Just behind a good length, on the fifth stump line, met with a defensive bat in response. |
| 18.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, Angling back in on middle and leg, clipped neatly behind square leg. Fine leg comes to his right and cuts it off, keeping the batsmen down to just the one. |
| 18.6 : M Shami to Marsh, Over the wicket to Marsh now. Bowls a short ball down the leg side, the batsman moves inside the line and lets it go. |
| 19.1 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Darts a full delivery outside off, Khawaja gets down and drags the sweep in front of square leg for a single. |
| 19.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Rising off the deck, fuller and outside off, it's left alone. |
| 19.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Turning in from a fullish length around off, Marsh defends off the outer half past silly point. |
| 19.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Tosses it up on off again, it's kept out well from within the crease. |
| 19.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 19.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Marsh comes down the track and smashes this straight back, but Jadeja reacts quickly and catches it. Even gets into position to fire a throw back at the striker's end. Amazing reflexes. |
| 20.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Around the wicket to Khawaja, a length ball is shaping in on off and keeps low too. The batsman does well to bring his bat down in time and defend. |
| 20.2 : M Shami to Khawaja, Full and straight from Shami, confidently punched down the ground to mid off. |
| 20.3 : M Shami to Khawaja, Full in length, Shami makes it come into the batsman. Usman drives but finds mid off. |
| 20.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, Attacks the stumps with a back of a length ball and it keeps low, Khawaja gets right behind the line and defends with a straight bat. |
| 20.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, Short of a good length just around off, he shapes up for the shot and then taps it down on the off side. |
| Big moment in the game. Usman Khawaja has been caught leg before by Mohammed Shami and the umpire has adjudged him as out. The batsman has decided to review it. Over to the TV umpire now... |
| 20.6 : Shami to Khawaja, OUT! What an absolute ripper from Mohammed Shami. Khawaja can stick around for long, long periods in the game, so it's a vital moment in this Test match. It's a length ball on off, it comes in and then moves away late. Khawaja is squared up as he tries to defend it but is beaten past the outside edge and caught flush on the pads in front of the off stump. Big appeal and the finger follows. After some deliberation, Usman signals the 'T' and it's taken upstairs. Replays sho |
| Travis Head walks into the middle next. |
| 21.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Full and on the stumps, it's driven just wide of mid on for a quick single. |
| 21.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Tossed up just around off, Head opens the face slightly and taps it down in front of silly point. |
| 21.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Massive appeal for an lbw, but it's shut down. The straighter one outside off, Head looks to play at it, gets beaten and there is a big appeal as soon as Pant catches it. The umpire is not interested and replays show why it's the right call. The noise came of the bat hitting the pad. |
| 21.4 : R Jadeja to Head, Full and outside off, driven to covers. |
| 21.5 : R Jadeja to Head, Darted full and just outside off, Head gets low to sweep but is hit on the back pad and it goes to first slip. No appeal for lbw, impact is outside off. |
| 21.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Quicker through the air, in line of the stumps, Head goes back and flicks it away on the leg side. |
| 22.1 : M Shami to Marsh, Bouncer on middle and leg, Shaun ducks and lets it go over his head. |
| 22.2 : M Shami to Marsh, Fires it down the leg side, the batsman looks to flick but misses. |
| 22.3 : M Shami to Marsh, Full and on the pads, Shaun flicks but straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 22.4 : M Shami to Marsh, Too straight in line again, Marsh tucks this through backward square leg. Big gap out there, the ball won't go all the way, but it's enough to fetch the batsman three runs. |
| 22.5 : M Shami to Head, Shortish delivery pounded in, but it's angling down leg, Head moves inside the line and gets off the mark by tickling it down to fine leg for a run. |
| 22.6 : M Shami to Marsh, FOUR! Too straight on the pads and Marsh gets it fine enough. Tickles it fine down the leg side and beats the man positioned in the deep. |
| 23.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter ball outside off, Head comes down the wicket but can't reach the pitch of the ball. Plays the ball away square on the off side for a single with the outside half of the bat. Single taken. |
| 23.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Flatter on middle, Marsh comes down and almost yorks himself. Digs it out to short mid-wicket. |
| 23.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Again down the track and Marsh looking to loft it over mid on, gets the thick inside half and the ball goes over deep mid-wicket instead. 3 runs taken as the ball falls in a vacant area. |
| 23.4 : R Jadeja to Head, Shorter length outside off, punched away through the covers for a couple on the back foot by Head. |
| 23.5 : R Jadeja to T Head, FOUR! Fuller one wide outside off, Head connects beautifully and puts it in the gap through the covers. The ball has the legs to reach the fence. Some wayward bowling here. |
| 23.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Overcompensates, this ball is on the pads and worked away watchfully on the leg side. |
| 24.1 : M Shami to Marsh, Length ball on the off stump line, pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 24.2 : M Shami to Marsh, Slightly fuller length on leg stump, Marsh is half ahead and drives it back to the bowler. |
| 24.3 : M Shami to Marsh, Bouncer aimed at the helmet, Marsh ducks under the ball and lets it go. |
| 24.4 : M Shami to Marsh, Ripper! Angled across the left-hander and the ball moves off the seam after landing. Marsh looking to feel the ball comes ahead but the ball moves enough to beat the outside edge. |
| 24.5 : M Shami to Marsh, FOUR! What a shot! Fuller and on off stump, Marsh leans into this on drive and times it beautifully for a boundary. Showing the maker's name this. |
| 24.6 : M Shami to Marsh, Good comeback from the bowler. Length ball on off stump, kept out towards the point region from within the crease. |
| 25.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter ball outside off, Head plays it late and with soft hands. Goes off the outside half fine on the off side for a couple of runs. |
| 25.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Another length delivery that Head pushes out from within the crease. |
| 25.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Darted in outside off, Head brings his bat down in time as he plays this towards the off side. |
| 25.4 : R Jadeja to Head, Another ball that is kept out watchfully by Travis. |
| 25.5 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter ball at the pads, TH flicks it on the leg side for no run though. |
| 25.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Outside off and Head plays it away to deep cover for a single and keeps strike. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to have a go now. |
| 26.1 : J Bumrah to Head, Length ball outside off to start with, kept out with soft hands. |
| 26.2 : J Bumrah to Head, Another ball aimed at the off stump, Head pushes ahead and drives this to mid off. |
| 26.3 : J Bumrah to Head, Slightly shorter in length, Travis gently pushes this back to the bowler. |
| 26.4 : J Bumrah to Head, Uncertainty! Bouncer from Bumrah, doesn't bounce that much. Wanted to sway out of the way initially but then fends it off on the leg side but not too comfortably. The ball seems to have stuck a bit in the pitch. |
| 26.5 : J Bumrah to Head, Peach! Another bouncer! This time really fast and rears off the same length as the previous delivery. Head manages to keep his gloves out of the way thankfully for the Aussies. |
| 26.6 : J Bumrah to Head, Double bluff, fuller length ball on the pads, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for three runs. |
| 27.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Full and outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 27.2 : R Jadeja to T Head, Straighter one outside off, quicker in pace, Head plays it off the outer half square on the off side for a single. |
| 27.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Floated up close to off, Marsh is well forward in defense. |
| 27.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 27.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Lands it in the rough outside off, it spins in and keeps a little low as well. Marsh goes across his stumps and blocks it out. |
| 27.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Comes down the track to this flighted ball and works it to mid on. |
| 28.1 : J Bumrah to Head, Back of a length on off stump, keeps a little low as Head somehow blocks it down in front of mid-wicket. |
| 28.2 : J Bumrah to Head, This one really takes off. Bumrah hits the deck hard and pounds it short, Head ducks under it. |
| 28.3 : J Bumrah to Head, Back of a length just outside off, Travis rises on his toes and pushes it away with hard hands. |
| 28.4 : J Bumrah to Head, Full in length and angling in on leg, Head flicks it down to fine leg and gets to the other end. |
| 28.5 : J Bumrah to Marsh, An appeal from Pant, but umpire Erasmus is not interested. It's going down leg, Marsh looks to flick but misses. It maybe goes off the thigh pad. |
| 28.6 : J Bumrah to Marsh, A swerving full toss on the stumps, goes away late. Marsh looks to work it on the leg side but it goes off the leading edge through covers. One run taken by the batsmen. |
| Drinks are on the field. India steadily building towards that win. Shami got rid of Khawaja, but since then the elder Marsh and Head have somewhat steadied things up and look solid. Still 304 to win, but pretty sure they're not thinking about it right now. No sign of rain yet, which is a good thing. |
| 29.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, SIX! The 100 is up for Australia. Shaun Marsh stays positive, gives the charge to Jadeja and gets close to the pitch. Smokes it flat over long on for half a dozen. |
| 29.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Full and outside off, it's drilled through cover-point for a couple of runs. |
| 29.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Spinning in from outside off, Shaun comes forward and defends. |
| 29.4 : R Jadeja to S Marsh, Advances down the wicket again, drills it but only as far as mid on. Single collected. |
| 29.5 : R Jadeja to Head, This full length ball is pushed to mid off. |
| 29.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Jadeja slows it up and tosses it around off, Head brings his bat ahead of his pad and blocks. 9 off this one, a good one for the hosts. |
| 30.1 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Shaping away from around off, on a back of a length, it's patted down gently on the off side. |
| 30.2 : J Bumrah to Marsh, On a good length and well outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 30.3 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Once again it's outside the line of off stump, the batsman lets it be. |
| 30.4 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Makes the batsman play and fires it full on off, Marsh defends it in front of covers. |
| 30.5 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Bumper angling in on leg, the left-hander has nothing to do with it. |
| 30.6 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Darting in on middle and leg, Marsh flicks it away down to fine leg and keeps strike. |
| 31.1 : R Jadeja to S Marsh, FOUR! Didn't try to hit it hard at all, this is all about the timing. Tossed up wide outside off, Marsh goes against the turn and drives it sweetly through the covers for a boundary. |
| 31.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Takes a big step forward, gets close to the pitch and pushes it to extra cover for one. |
| 31.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Now Head advance down the track and whips this to mid on. |
| 31.4 : R Jadeja to Head, With fast hands, Travis Head punches this to the right of the bowler, towards mid off and pinches a quick run. |
| 31.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Stays right behind the line and keeps it out from the back foot. |
| 31.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Edged and away! Short and wide, Marsh backs away to cut, but it goes off the edge and down to third man for three runs. With this, the 50-run stand is up too. These two have played well so far. Will want to continue on. |
| 32.1 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Short of a good length outside off, Marsh rises on his toes and taps it down on the off side. |
| Review! This could be the turning point in the game. Shaun Marsh is caught leg before and he's immediately reviewed it. Let's see what happens. It looks close. |
| 32.2 : J Bumrah to Marsh, OUT! It's umpire's call and so, the on-field call will stay. Shaun Marsh has departed after playing a solid knock. Who else but Bumrah to provide the breakthrough. He comes from around the wicket and angles in a length ball on middle and leg. Marsh looks to flick it down the leg side but misses and is rapped on the pads. A big appeal goes up and the umpire raises his finger. Shaun, after speaking with his partner, signals the 'T'. It's taken upstairs and replays show tha |
| Mitchell Marsh comes in now, replacing his brother. |
| 32.3 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Full toss on the stumps from over the wicket, Marsh flicks it in front of square leg for a double. He gets off the mark. |
| 32.4 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, Mitchell Marsh defends it from within his crease. |
| 32.5 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Hurls it in the channel outside off, on a length, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 32.6 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Shortish delivery banged into the body, Mitchell Marsh moves inside the line and works it down on the leg side. |
| Ishant Sharma is brought back into the attack. |
| 33.1 : I Sharma to T Head, FOUR! Welcomes Ishant with a boundary. Overpitched delivery outside off, Travis Head drives this hard past mid off and the ball wins the race to the rope, leaving the chasing fielder with no chance. |
| 33.2 : I Sharma to Head, Keeps slightly low, a length ball on off, Head brings his bat down and adjusts well to block it out. |
| 33.3 : I Sharma to Head, Angles it too far down, Head moves inside the line, tries to flick but misses. |
| 33.4 : I Sharma to Head, Fires it too far outside off, Head leaves it alone. |
| 33.5 : I Sharma to Head, This full ball is driven straight back down the track to the bowler. |
| 33.6 : I Sharma to Head, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. Dot ball to end the over. |
| 34.1 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Angling back in on middle and leg, it's worked away through the mid-wicket area for a single. |
| 34.2 : J Bumrah to Head, Short of a good length around off, kept out from the back foot. |
| 34.3 : J Bumrah to Head, On the shorter side of the length, Bumrah hits the deck hard, Head once again defends it solidly. |
| 34.4 : J Bumrah to Head, This length delivery is flicked down to fine leg for an easy single. |
| 34.5 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 34.6 : J Bumrah to Marsh, Caught on the pads but it's always going down leg. Bumrah darts it full on leg, it keeps going down with the angle as Marsh misses his flick. Bumrah makes no appeal. Smart boy. |
| 35.1 : I Sharma to T Head, Full in length and on the fifth stump line, Head drives it hard but can't get it past the cover fielder. |
| 35.2 : I Sharma to Head, Places this just wide of the cover fielder and manages to pinch the single. |
| 35.3 : I Sharma to Marsh, Over the wicket to the younger Marsh now. Full and around off, looking to attack the stumps, it's driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 35.4 : I Sharma to Marsh, It shapes in first but then moves away off the seam. Marsh stays back and pats it down on the off side. |
| 35.5 : I Sharma to Marsh, Good delivery. Ishant keeps it tight as he bowls it on a length around off, Mitchell Marsh defends it from inside the crease. |
| 35.6 : I Sharma to Marsh, Quite straight in line, fuller in length on middle, it's wristed towards the mid on fielder for a run. |
| Mohammed Shami returns to the attack. |
| 36.1 : M Shami to Head, Behind a good length around off, Head pushes it back down the track from within his crease. |
| 36.2 : M Shami to Head, Shami offers a little width and Head pounces on it. Cracks it through the covers off the back foot and comes back for the second. |
| 36.3 : M Shami to Head, Shaping back in on middle and leg, flicked straight to the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 36.4 : M Shami to Head, Could have just as easily dragged it on. Some luck for Travis Head. Length ball close to off, Head plays away from his body and gets an inside edge onto his pads. It rolls away on the off side and the batsmen take a brisk single. |
| 36.5 : M Shami to Marsh, Good length delivery wide outside off, keeps low and as a result, it goes under the bat. Marsh can't connect. |
| 36.6 : M Shami to Marsh, In line of the stumps, Mitchell presents a straight bat in defense. |
| Ravindra Jadeja is back on. |
| 37.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Head comes down the track and meets the floated ball at its pitch. |
| 37.2 : R Jadeja to T Head, Dropped! Sharp chance, but you'd expect Pant to take that. Head comes forward to play for the turn when there is none and gets a feather behind. Pant can't react in time and hence, the chance goes wasted. |
| 37.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Another edge? No. Not this time. Jadeja bowls the straighter one outside off, Head comes forward to play but his bat gets stuck behind his pad. It goes off the keeper's gloves and a bye is taken. |
| 37.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 37.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Full on the stumps, driven to mid off. |
| 37.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, SIX! That's a huuuuggggeeeeee hit! Talk about brute force from Mitchell Marsh. It's tossed right up there, in the slot and the right-hander just dispatches this out of his sight. Gets low and hammers it over wide long on for a maximum. |
| 38.1 : M Shami to Head, Flicked it off his pads and gets to the other end for a run. |
| 38.2 : M Shami to Marsh, Attacks the stumps again, it's pushed down towards mid on. |
| 38.3 : M Shami to Marsh, That is close. Very, very close. Shami lands a back of a length delivery on middle and off, keeps really low but Marsh does well to bring his bat down in time. |
| 38.4 : M Shami to Marsh, Full and straight, hit back to the bowler. Shami collects in his followthrough and gently throws it back as the ball hits the batsman's foot. No harm done, the bowler immediately apologizes with a smile. |
| 38.5 : M Shami to Marsh, Shaping away from around off, it's tapped to cover-point for an easy run. |
| 38.6 : M Shami to Head, Full ball in line of the stumps, from around the wicket, it's driven to mid on to end the over. |
| 39.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, OUT! One Marsh went before, the other one now follows him back. Bit of a soft dismissal to be honest. Jadeja comes from around the wicket and tosses it up outside off, Mitchell Marsh comes forward and drives it on the up with hard hands. Can't keep it down and he hands a sharp catch to skipper Virat Kohli at short extra cover. Australia need 264 to win, while India need 5 more wickets. |
| Tim Paine walks into the middle now. |
| 39.2 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flatter, quicker and turning away from around off, Paine defends from inside his crease. |
| 39.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, Keeps low as Jadeja darts it on the stumps, Paine does well to bring his bat down in time. |
| 39.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, The slider on middle, keeps coming in with the angle, the Aussie skipper goes back and works it down on the leg side. |
| 39.5 : R Jadeja to Paine, Short and wide outside off, cut away straight to cover-point. |
| 39.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, Full and slow through the air, on off, pushed off the front foot to cover. |
| 40.1 : M Shami to Head, Touch straight in line, on a length, flicked with soft hands on the leg side. |
| 40.2 : M Shami to Head, Back of a length well outside off, Head cuts it square through the off side for a single. |
| So here's the deal. In the previous over, while Paine was on strike, Pant was heard on the stump mic sledging Paine. Now, umpire Ian Gould is seen talking to the Indian keeper about it. Maybe he heard something unsavoury and is giving him a word of caution? Good contest and banter out there so far, hope everyone keeps it clean (enough). |
| 40.3 : M Shami to Paine, Too straight in line, coming in on middle and leg, Paine flicks it to mid-wicket where Pujara makes a misfield and allows the batsmen to take a run. |
| 40.4 : M Shami to T Head, Run out chance goes begging! And it wasn't far away at all. Head flicks this one towards mid-wicket and sets off. Jadeja from wide mid on moves to his left, collects the ball and with that rocket arm of his, fires it at the bowler's end. Misses it by a whisker. Had he hit, Travis would have been gone. |
| 40.5 : M Shami to Paine, Short ball dug in by Shami, Paine ducks and evades. |
| 40.6 : M Shami to Paine, Full and straight, it's hit back to the bowler. Shami takes the ball and once more throws it back at the striker's end, as Paine was just out of his crease. Zero problems with that, Shami threw it softly. |
| 41.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Flights it outside off, Head is well forward in defense. |
| 41.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Pushes it quicker through the air, outside off and shorter in length, Head goes back to block. |
| 41.3 : R Jadeja to Head, That turned sharply! Almost got Head. It landed on the rough outside off and came back in, took the inside edge and fell beside the leg stump. |
| 41.4 : R Jadeja to Head, The southpaw is on the front foot and he defends it watchfully. |
| 41.5 : R Jadeja to Head, Positions himself well behind the line and blocks once more. |
| 41.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Tossed up and just outside off, Head plants his front foot forward and blocks it with the full face. TEA ON DAY 4! |
| Much like the spinning ball, it's been a gripping session of Test cricket. In 28 overs, 94 runs were scored for the loss of 3 wickets. The Indians have gone about their business in a rather professional manner. They did face some resistance, but eventually they got what they desired. Khawaja went first, followed by both the Marsh brothers. Shami, Bumrah and Jadeja all got one apiece, and they are now against the last recognized batting pair of Head and Paine. There's a bit on banter going in the |
| ... Fourth Day, Evening Session ... |
| We are back for the final session of Day 4. Could possibly be the final session of the game too if things go India's way. Australia have their hopes pinned on Travis Head and Tim Paine who are making their way to the middle. The latter will take strike on the first ball. Mohammed Shami to bowl. A very straight short mid on in place, almost on the pitch. |
| 42.1 : M Shami to Paine, FOUR! Rusty from Shami after the break. Strays down the leg side and Paine flicks it away really fine for a boundary. |
| 42.2 : M Shami to Paine, Gets his line back to the off stump this time, Tim defends it back down the ground. |
| 42.3 : M Shami to Paine, Length ball outside off, pushed to mid off. |
| 42.4 : M Shami to Paine, Length ball outside off, left alone by Paine this time. |
| 42.5 : M Shami to Paine, Good bumper almost aimed at the head. Paine decides to pull out of the pull shot that he was going for initially. |
| 42.6 : M Shami to Paine, Back to the probing line around off, defended towards cover. |
| Ravindra Jadeja to bowl from the other end. |
| 43.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Flighted outside off, Head tries to drive it down the ground but gets it off the inside half onto his pads. |
| 43.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Beaten! Arm ball outside off, Head tries to go for the drive through the off side but the ball holds its line and beats him on the outside. |
| 43.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Fuller outside off, TH comes ahead and defends it onto the pitch. |
| 43.4 : R Jadeja to Head, Another full one outside off, dead-batted. |
| 43.5 : R Jadeja to Head, Full and quick this time, pushed back to the bowler by Head. |
| 43.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter ball outside off, Head stands in his crease and defends. |
| 44.1 : M Shami to Paine, Ouch! Gets him on the back! Bouncer on middle and leg, doesn't rise that much and Paine who is looking to duck under the ball gets hit on his back. No real worries though. |
| 44.2 : M Shami to Paine, Length ball outside off, slight hint of reverse swing there. Defended by Paine towards cover. |
| 44.3 : M Shami to Paine, Edged and FOUR! Paine would have had his heart in his mouth for a moment there. Short of a length ball outside off, Paine stands tall and wants to play the back foot punch but the ball hurries on and flies off the outer half. It evades a diving Rahane at gully and runs away for a streaky boundary. Almost had him there! |
| 44.4 : M Shami to Paine, Another bouncer this time on leg, Tim ducks under it. |
| 44.5 : M Shami to Paine, Fuller length ball on off, solid defense follows. |
| 44.6 : M Shami to Paine, Edged and FOUR! Second time lucky too! This one is much finer though. The ball is on a good length and takes the outside edge of Paine's bat who is looking to push this through the covers. The ball flies wide of Pujara at first slip and to the fence. Good bowling by Shami. |
| 45.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter ball at the pads, pushed on the front foot to mid-wicket. |
| 45.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Another front foot defense on this one. |
| 45.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Looped up on middle, Head comes a little down the ground and digs it out to Jadeja. |
| 45.4 : R Jadeja to Head, Beaten! The arm ball again! Holds its line as Head looks to push this through covers. No edge luckily for Travis. |
| 45.5 : R Jadeja to Head, Worked off the pads towards the leg side with soft hands. |
| 45.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Flighted and Head pushes this back very straight towards mid on for a single. The fielder moves to his right and makes a stop and prevents more runs. TH keeps strike. |
| 46.1 : M Shami to Head, Length ball on off stump, Head defends off the back foot. |
| 46.2 : M Shami to Head, Another one on off stump that is pushed back down the ground from within the crease. |
| 46.3 : M Shami to Head, Length ball on the pads, works it away towards deep square leg for a couple as Jadeja gives chase. |
| 46.4 : M Shami to Head, Fuller length ball coming in with the angle, Head pushes it out towards mid on. |
| 46.5 : M Shami to Head, Slower bouncer, looked like it got stuck in the pitch. Head plays it with soft hands towards point. Looks for the single that is not available in the end. |
| 46.6 : M Shami to T Head, Yorker length ball on middle and angling in, the southpaw does well to keep it out towards mid-wicket. |
| 47.1 : R Jadeja to Paine, Looped outside off, Paine pushes it towards cover-point and gets a single. |
| 47.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Looped outside off to the leftie, Head plays it towards mid off against the turn and runs through for one. |
| 47.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, Well outside off, left alone. |
| 47.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flatter delivery on off and middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 47.5 : R Jadeja to Paine, Similar delivery and similarly patted back to Jadeja. |
| 47.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flighted outside off, Paine takes a stride ahead before pushing it to the cover fielder. |
| Ishant Sharma comes on for a spell of bowling. |
| 48.1 : I Sharma to Head, Length ball on off, Head comes ahead and pushes it down the ground. |
| 48.2 : I Sharma to Head, Shorter outside off, Travis stands tall and defensively punches to mid off. |
| 48.3 : I Sharma to Head, Played down the wrong line! Head goes for a drive to the cover region but the ball stays a bit low and beats the batsman's inside edge. There is no carry on this one. |
| 48.4 : I Sharma to Head, On the middle stump line, pushed back on the front foot towards the bowler. |
| 48.5 : I Sharma to Head, Oooh! Keeps a bit low. Head was back in his crease but adjusts in time to push it away to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 48.6 : I Sharma to Paine, Short of a length ball on off, Paine stands tall and plays the ball to the bowler. |
| 49.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Flighted outside off, Head pushes it to cover. |
| 49.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter delivery on middle, patted defensively. Looking comfortable here, Head. |
| 49.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Looped up on middle, the leftie comes down the ground and pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 49.4 : R Jadeja to Head, Prods ahead and dead-bats this. |
| 49.5 : R Jadeja to Head, Another one on middle and leg, Head covers the spin and defends. |
| 49.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter with an off stump line, Travis keeps it out watchfully. |
| 50.1 : I Sharma to Paine, On the pads slightly, Paine works it towards square leg in the circle. |
| 50.2 : I Sharma to Paine, Too straight here! Easily flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a single. Paine wants the second but is sent back sensibly by Head. |
| 50.3 : I Sharma to Head, OUT! A wicket against the run of play! Can you believe it? Chopped on, it is the first for Ishant in this innings and a distraught Travis Head has to walk off. On a length well outside off, seems to have stuck a bit on the pitch and comes on to the batsman slowly. Head looks like he is into the front foot drive a little early, and the ball takes the inside edge and then goes onto the stumps. Head had done everything right till now, but alas he has been undone finally. A b |
| Pat Cummins in at number 8, replacing Travis Head. |
| 50.4 : I Sharma to Cummins, Gives Cummins a taste of his own medicine! Ishant welcomes the best Aussie pacer on display in this match with a bouncer. Fended off uncomfortably to the leg side. |
| 50.5 : I Sharma to Cummins, Length ball at the hips, Pat works it away to the square leg fielder. |
| 50.6 : I Sharma to Cummins, Another one that is at the hips, looks like a ploy with leg gully in place. Cummins handles this easily though. |
| 51.1 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flighted delivery outside off, Paine lets it go. |
| 51.2 : R Jadeja to Paine, Drifting in from around off, fuller in length, Paine is well forward in defense. |
| 51.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, Stays right behind the line, keeps his eyes on the ball and blocks. |
| 51.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, Full and on off, Paine drives towards mid off and is out of his crease. Seeing this, Jadeja gets to the ball and throws it at the striker's end, but hits the batsman instead of the stumps. |
| 51.5 : R Jadeja to Paine, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 51.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, Is well forward again to keep the ball out safely. |
| 52.1 : I Sharma to Cummins, Another half-tracker, the ball seems to have stuck again on the surface as it comes on slowly. Cummins waits for it and guides it wide of point for a couple. Gets off the mark with the same. |
| 52.2 : I Sharma to Cummins, Bouncer aimed at the helmet! Cummins fends this off pretty uncomfortably again. There is no short leg in place though. Actually there is, but a little too away from the pitch for my liking. Needs to be closer to bring the lobbed glove catch into play. |
| 52.3 : I Sharma to Cummins, This one is on a length, Pat looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto his thigh pad. |
| 52.4 : I Sharma to Cummins, Well-directed bouncer! Cummins does well to duck under this at the last moment. |
| 52.5 : I Sharma to Cummins, Outside off and an attempted bouncer that doesn't rise so much once more. The batsman has had enough of ducking and tries the ramp but the ball goes off the inside half and drops onto the off side. |
| 52.6 : I Sharma to Cummins, Another bumper to end the over. Outside off, Cummins goes for the ramp again and connects with nothing but thin air. |
| 53.1 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flatter ball on off, pushed back defensively towards the bowler. |
| 53.2 : R Jadeja to Paine, Well left by Paine outside off. The ball was given a lot of air and turned a lot after landing. |
| 53.3 : R Jadeja to Tim Paine, Quicker this time outside off, pushed to the cover fielder. |
| 53.4 : R Jadeja to Paine, Flatter ball outside off, Tim rocks back and cuts it but it goes straight to Shami at backward point. |
| 53.5 : R Jadeja to Paine, Dead-bats this fuller one on off stump. |
| 53.6 : R Jadeja to Paine, Quick single! Lovely running that brings the Aussie skipper back on strike. Fuller ball outside off, Tim pushes it towards mid off and sets off and makes it easily to the other end. |
| 54.1 : I Sharma to Paine, Well down the leg side, too wide for Paine to connect his flick. Might be a ploy with Kohli at leg slip. |
| 54.2 : I Sharma to Paine, Length ball just outside off, Paine is dogged in defense. |
| 54.3 : I Sharma to Paine, Length ball aimed at the hips, Paine is looking to work it down the leg side but pulls out of his shot at the last moment and gets hit on the hips. |
| 54.4 : I Sharma to Paine, Short ball going down leg, Paine swivels and turns it towards fine leg off the back foot for a single. |
| 54.5 : I Sharma to Cummins, Short of a length ball outside off and coming in with the angle. Doesn't rise at all but Cummins does well to flick it away to deep square leg for a run. |
| 54.6 : I Sharma to Paine, Aimed on the pads once more, Paine does not connect with the flick as it is well down leg. |
| Hanuma Vihari to roll his arm over. |
| 55.1 : H Vihari to Cummins, Flatter ball on leg, Cummins works it on the leg side. |
| 55.2 : H Vihari to Cummins, Flatter ball once more, Pat defends from within his crease. |
| 55.3 : H Vihari to Cummins, Comes ahead and dead-bats this flighted one. |
| 55.4 : H Vihari to Cummins, Shorter outside off, rears up off that length and beats Cummins' outside edge as he tries to cut the ball. |
| 55.5 : H Vihari to Cummins, Looped up outside off, driven to the cover fielder. |
| 55.6 : H Vihari to Cummins, Flatter ball outside off, Cummins tries to get cute as he looks to guide this wide of slip but doesn't connect properly. |
| Jasprit Bumrah is called back on. |
| 56.1 : J Bumrah to Paine, Length ball on top of the off stump to start, Paine defends it back to the bowler. |
| 56.2 : J Bumrah to Paine, Fuller length on off and middle, Tim comes ahead and defends. |
| 56.3 : J Bumrah to Paine, Short outside the off stump, Paine pushes it away through the covers for a couple. |
| 56.4 : J Bumrah to Paine, Short of a length, aimed at the grill. Paine rocks back and pulls it away hard. It is just wide of the fielder at square leg. Shami comes around and keeps it down to two runs. |
| 56.5 : J Bumrah to Paine, Fuller length ball on off and middle, Paine comes ahead to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto the pads. |
| 56.6 : J Bumrah to Paine, Full and on middle, the Aussie skipper drives it to mid on. |
| 57.1 : H Vihari to Cummins, Flighted outside off, Cummins drives it wide of mid off and gets to the other end. |
| 57.2 : H Vihari to Paine, Flatter ball on middle, defended from within the crease. |
| 57.3 : H Vihari to Paine, Flatter yet again on middle, Tim keeps it out towards short leg. |
| 57.4 : H Vihari to Paine, Paine shoulders arms to this quicker one outside off. |
| 57.5 : H Vihari to Tim Paine, FOUR! Paine takes this on the full outside off and drives it beautifully in the gap between cover and point for a boundary. Great timing takes it to the fence. |
| 57.6 : H Vihari to Paine, Slower ball on middle, the Australian captain comes ahead and blocks it out. |
| 58.1 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Bouncer outside off, left alone by Cummins. Actually does really well to sway out of the way of the beautifully directed bumper. |
| 58.2 : J Bumrah to Pat Cummins, Wide! Too short, the ball flies above the head of Cummins. Signaled as a wide. |
| J Bumrah to Cummins, Snorter! The ball is pacy and bounces too much. Cummins does really well again to get out of the way of this ball. |
| 58.3 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Another bouncer, this time going down leg with the angle. Cummins tries to guide it down the leg side but the ball whizzes past the gloves. Lucky it didn't take a feather. |
| 58.4 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Length ball outside off, Pat gets on top of the bounce and pats it down on the off side for a single. |
| 58.5 : J Bumrah to Paine, Short of a length ball outside off, Paine defends it coming slightly ahead. |
| 58.6 : J Bumrah to Tim Paine, Fuller length ball on middle and leg, pushed away to mid on, on the front foot. |
| 59.1 : H Vihari to Cummins, Flatter ball outside off, Cummins watchfully defends it back to the bowler. |
| 59.2 : H Vihari to Cummins, Loopy outside off, Pat guides this down towards third man with an open face for a couple of runs. |
| 59.3 : H Vihari to Pat Cummins, Looped up outside off again, driven to the covers but straight to the fielder. |
| 59.4 : H Vihari to Cummins, Flighted outside off, defended on the front foot. |
| 59.5 : H Vihari to Cummins, Another front foot defensive shot from the pacer. |
| 59.6 : H Vihari to Cummins, Shortens the length and Cummins keeps it out from within the crease. |
| 60.1 : J Bumrah to Paine, Aimed on the pads, Paine works it away wristily but straight to the square leg fielder. |
| 60.2 : J Bumrah to Paine, Another length ball on middle and leg, pushes it towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 60.3 : J Bumrah to Paine, Length ball outside off, the Aussie skipper shoulders arms to this one. |
| 60.4 : J Bumrah to Paine, Bouncer going down the leg side with the angle, Paine sways out of the way. |
| 60.5 : J Bumrah to Paine, Another bumper attempted but the ball is well down leg. Paine leaves it alone and Pant makes a diving stop towards his left. |
| 60.6 : J Bumrah to Paine, Slower yorker attempted but the ball goes through as a full toss outside off, Paine pushes it towards cover and gets to the other end, keeping the strike. |
| Ravindra Jadeja is back into the attack. |
| 61.1 : R Jadeja to Paine, Over the wicket, flatter delivery on middle. Paine defends solidly off the front foot. |
| 61.2 : R Jadeja to Paine, Too full on middle, Paine defends it back to the bowler. |
| 61.3 : R Jadeja to Paine, OUT! Another one absolutely against the run of play and with no help off the surface. The skipper is gone! Australia are seven down and India have one foot in the door now. The trick of coming over the wicket has somehow worked. Jadeja pulls his length slightly back this time and Paine is induced into the cut off the back foot. The ball keeps a tad bit low and takes the toe end of the willow on its way through and Pant holds on for a really smart catch. The Indians have |
| Probably the last Drinks break of the game. Also, Mitchell Starc in at number 9, replacing his skipper. |
| 61.4 : R Jadeja to Starc, Flatter outside off, landing on the rough. Starc is ahead and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 61.5 : R Jadeja to Starc, Almost snuck through there! The ball lands in the rough once more, spins inward but Mitchell Starc somehow manages to push it away towards mid-wicket for a single off the inside half of the bat. |
| 61.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Another inside edge this time, Cummins was ahead to defend this flatter one on off. The ball rolls towards the leg side and the batsmen pick up a quick single. |
| 62.1 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Bouncer on middle and leg, Cummins ducks under it and lets it go. |
| 62.2 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Shot. The timing on that is really good on that. Full ball angling in around off, Cummins drives it through the gap in the covers. It won't go all the way, but it's enough to fetch him three runs. |
| 62.3 : J Bumrah to Starc, Nasty short ball on middle, Starc just about manages to fend it down beside him. |
| 62.4 : J Bumrah to Starc, Angling across from a good length, outside off, Starc opens the bat face and runs it down to third man for a single. |
| 62.5 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Bumrah cuts it back into the batsman, from a good length and it rises off the surface. Cummins backs away and forces it in front of covers. |
| 62.6 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Short of a good length outside off, a play and a miss from the batsman. |
| 63.1 : R Jadeja to Starc, Tossed up around off stump, Starc mistimes the drive back down the track. |
| 63.2 : R Jadeja to Starc, Fired quicker through the air, outside off, Starc opens the bat face and pushes it square to point. A single is taken. |
| 63.3 : Jadeja to Cummins, Stifled lbw appeal, turned down. Clearly pitched outside leg. Landed around leg and it turns, catches Cummins on the front pad as he comes forward to defend. |
| 63.4 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Full on middle and leg, worked off the front foot to mid-wicket. |
| 63.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 63.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Outside off, left alone to end the over. |
| 64.1 : J Bumrah to Starc, FOUR! That's a clean hit. Full and right in the slot from around the wicket, Starc stands his ground and lofts it over mid on to find the fence. |
| 64.2 : J Bumrah to Starc, Short of a good length outside off, Starc opens the face of the bat and dabs it towards third man for one run. |
| 64.3 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Massive appeal for a leg before, but the umpire isn't interested. Bumrah brings this back in on leg and it keeps going down. Cummins look to play at this but is caught on the pads. A big shout goes up, but nothing from the umpire. India think long and hard about the review, but then Bumrah indicates it might be missing leg. Good call. |
| 64.4 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Fullish in length and outside off, pushed to the covers for a single. |
| 64.5 : Bumrah to M Starc, In the air but safe! Starc survives. Bumrah angles in the perfect short ball on middle, Starc has no clue about it and he can only fend it off the glove on the leg side. Vihari is there at short leg, but the ball pops up and away from him. He moves to his right but can't get to it in time. |
| 64.6 : J Bumrah to Starc, Too far outside off and on a length, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 65.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Sliding in from around off, Cummins comes forward to block. |
| 65.2 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Extremely full and outside off, it's squeezed square to cover-point. No run taken. |
| 65.3 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Turning away from around off, Pat doesn't bother himself with it. |
| 65.4 : R Jadeja to Cummins, SIX! That's outta here! Pat Cummins makes sweet connection on this one. Sees the flight, plants his front foot forward and smokes it over long off for a biggie. |
| 65.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 65.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Flights it up outside the line of off stump, eased down to long off for a single. |
| Mohammed Shami comes back on to bowl. |
| 66.1 : M Shami to Cummins, Bouncer down the leg side, ducked and evaded by the batsman. |
| 66.2 : M Shami to Cummins, FOUR! Fine placement and timing from Pat Cummins. It's a bit short and with some room on offer outside off, the batsman cuts this square past point and beats the chasing fielder to the fence. |
| 66.3 : M Shami to Cummins, Too full on the pads, flicked square on the leg side for an easy run. |
| 66.4 : M Shami to Starc, Short ball outside the line of off stump, Mitch has nothing to do with it. |
| 66.5 : Shami to Starc, Comes in a long way, on leg stump, catches the southpaw on the pads as he tries to play it across the line. Appeal from Shami, but it was always going down leg. |
| 66.6 : M Shami to Starc, Another one down leg, this time the bowler doesn't even bother to appeal. Curving in on leg, once again Mitchell Starc is caught on the pads on his attempted flick shot. |
| 67.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, The slider on middle and off, coming in with the arm, Pat is on the front foot as he defends it from the inner half behind square leg. |
| 67.2 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Positions himself well behind the line and blocks comfortably. |
| 67.3 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Slower through the air and outside off, Cummins presses ahead and pushes it to mid off. |
| 67.4 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Sliding in on middle and leg, worked in front of square leg off the back foot. |
| 67.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Quicker and shorter outside off, a back foot punch is offered towards point. |
| 67.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Maiden over from Jadeja. It's full and straight, played back to the bowler by the batsman. |
| 68.1 : M Shami to Starc, Good length delivery on the fifth stump line, Starc pushes it down the track from the back foot. |
| 68.2 : M Shami to Starc, Some reverse for Shami as he lands it on middle, it comes in and Starc flicks it aerially. It goes past the diving short mid-wicket fielder and a couple of runs are taken. |
| 68.3 : M Shami to Starc, A misfield from Vihari enables a run. Starc flicks it to short mid-wicket and it goes through the fielder. One run taken. |
| 68.4 : M Shami to Cummins, FOUR! Another edge which goes through. Maybe Virat Kohli could consider adding more resources to the slip cordon. Back of a length outside off, Cummins cuts and it goes off the edge. It goes past first slip and away to the fence. |
| 68.5 : Shami to Cummins, Yorker on the stumps, dug out well by the batsman. |
| 68.6 : M Shami to Cummins, Some shape inward as it lands around off, Cummins plays it off the under edge towards the slip cordon behind. |
| 69.1 : R Jadeja to Starc, Flatter one outside off, it's played back to the bowler. |
| 69.2 : R Jadeja to Starc, Fuller on this occasion, pushed away on the off side for no run. |
| 69.3 : R Jadeja to M Starc, Full and outside off, some pace is taken off this. Starc drives it to covers. |
| 69.4 : R Jadeja to Starc, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 69.5 : R Jadeja to Starc, Outside off and it's left alone. |
| 69.6 : R Jadeja to Starc, Full, quick and in line of the stumps, it's flicked to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 70.1 : Shami to Starc, Shami keeps attacking the stumps once more, it's full in length. Starc drives it aerially straight back past Shami's (left) outstretched hand. A brace is collected by the batsmen. |
| 70.2 : M Shami to Starc, Shaping back in on middle and leg, it's worked down in front of Kohli at backward square leg. |
| 70.3 : M Shami to M Starc, FOUR! Around off and on a good length, Starc plays it away from his body and gets a thick edge. It runs past gully and away to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 70.4 : M Shami to Starc, Back of a length on off, kept out from inside the crease. |
| 70.5 : M Shami to Starc, OUT! Bowled 'em! India one step closer to a famous victory. Shami continues from around the wicket and as always, keeps attacking the stumps. It comes in on a fuller length around off and Starc goes for the big shot. Leaves a big gap between bat and pad and the ball shatters the stumps behind. |
| Nathan Lyon to bat next. |
| 70.6 : M Shami to Lyon, Over the wicket to Lyon and Shami instantly fires in a yorker, Lyon somehow digs it out. Kohli and Shami talk amongst themselves, contemplate whether it's boot or bat first, then eventually decide not to go through with the review. |
| Ishant Sharma returns to the attack. |
| 71.1 : I Sharma to Cummins, Just ahead of a length on off stump, Cummins brings down a defensive blade in response. |
| 71.2 : I Sharma to Cummins, Keeps it quite full and on the stumps, Cummins goes deep inside the crease, crouches a bit and defends. |
| 71.3 : I Sharma to Cummins, Just behind a good length and around off, Pat looks to cut but gets it off the under edge behind to the slip cordon on the bounce. |
| 71.4 : I Sharma to Cummins, Shaping away from around off on a good length, Pat places the cut through cover-point and comes back for the second. |
| 71.5 : I Sharma to Cummins, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 71.6 : I Sharma to Cummins, This full delivery is driven through to mid off for a brisk run. |
| 72.1 : M Shami to Cummins, Full in length and just outside off, pushed square to point from inside the crease. |
| 72.2 : M Shami to Cummins, Touch straight in line, a full toss, it's clipped off the pads through backward square leg for a double. |
| 72.3 : M Shami to Cummins, Banged in short, the batsman ducks and evades. |
| 72.4 : M Shami to Cummins, Fullish delivery on the fourth stump line, driven through the covers for one run. |
| 72.5 : M Shami to Lyon, Nathan Lyon works it down the leg side and crosses over to complete the single. |
| 72.6 : M Shami to Cummins, Curling in from a good length, on middle and leg, Pat Cummins leans across, picks it off his pads and works it to short mid-wicket. |
| 73.1 : I Sharma to Lyon, Short of a length and down the leg side, Lyon tries to tickle it fine but fails to do so. |
| 73.2 : I Sharma to Lyon, Short again, this time well outside off, Nathan Lyon arches back, withdraws his bat and lets it through. |
| 73.3 : I Sharma to Lyon, Ishant spears a full delivery on leg, Lyon is caught on the pads, but not before the ball takes the inside edge. It rolls away on the leg side and a single is collected. |
| 73.4 : I Sharma to Cummins, Bumper from Sharma, Pat doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 73.5 : I Sharma to Cummins, Behind a good length and around off, kept out safely off the back foot. |
| 73.6 : I Sharma to Cummins, Nicely placed. Cummins opens the face to this full ball outside off and drives it square through point. Three runs are taken. |
| 74.1 : M Shami to Cummins, Just ahead of a length and outside off, forced square to point and the batsmen cross over. |
| 74.2 : M Shami to Lyon, Back of a length in line of the stumps, Lyon hangs back inside the crease and defends with a straight blade. |
| 74.3 : M Shami to Lyon, Good length delivery quite close to the off stick, it's punched back down the track to the left of the bowler. |
| 74.4 : M Shami to Lyon, Shaping back in from outside off, Nate tries to cut but it goes off the bottom edge behind to the slip cordon on a few bounces. |
| 74.5 : M Shami to Lyon, Lyon shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 74.6 : M Shami to Lyon, Full and straight from the Indian pacer, Lyon presents a straight bat in defense. |
| Ravindra Jadeja back on. |
| 75.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Flatter ball on off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 75.2 : R Jadeja to Pat Cummins, Very full, easily driven to long on by Cummins for a single. |
| 75.3 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Slower through the air on middle and leg, Lyon comes ahead and defends. |
| 75.4 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Flatter one at the pads, pushed back down the ground with soft hands. |
| 75.5 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Another looped up ball, Nathan takes a stride ahead and dead-bats. |
| 75.6 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Keeps out the last ball as well. Well played by Lyon. |
| Jasprit Bumrah back for a quick burst. We are hearing that India have taken the extra half an hour to try and bowl out the last two wickets. |
| 76.1 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Almost had him first ball! Cummins goes for the drive to this one on length outside off, but the ball takes the inside edge and runs to fine leg for a single. Very close to the off pole. |
| 76.2 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Length ball on middle, pushed back by Lyon slightly coming ahead. |
| 76.3 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Brilliant yorker but equally well kept out by Lyon. |
| 76.4 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Drifting a little down the pads, Nathan works it on the leg side. |
| 76.5 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Attempts a shorter length delivery but it is down leg, the batsman tries to go for the pull but the ball is past the batsman before he gets bat on it. |
| 76.6 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Lovely guile! Slower one! Completely foxed Lyon who was early into the shot. Had it been in line it would have been a wicket-taking opportunity. This one is just a little outside off though. Good end to the over by Bumrah. |
| 77.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Full and straight from the bowler, it's played back to him. |
| 77.2 : R Jadeja to Cummins, A bit slower through the air, landing on leg and turning, Cummins is half forward to defend. |
| 77.3 : R Jadeja to Cummins, On the leg stump line, flicked defensively on the leg side. |
| 77.4 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Quicker through the air and it catches the batsman high on the thigh pad. |
| 77.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Short, flat and around off, Cummins punches it down to long on for a single. |
| 77.6 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Flighted delivery from Jadeja, Lyon plays it out with utmost ease. |
| 78.1 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Bumrah comes from wide of the crease and angles it in on off, Cummins drives it off the inner half towards mid on. |
| 78.2 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Full again and attacking the stumps, Pat drives it wide of mid off and steals a quick run. |
| 78.3 : J Bumrah to Lyon, The slower one outside off, slightly fuller in length, Lyon lofts it over covers and takes two for it. |
| 78.4 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Back of a length on off, punched off the back foot straight to short extra cover. |
| 78.5 : J Bumrah to Lyon, The yorker speared in on off, Lyon digs it out back down the track. Bumrah collects on his followthrough. |
| 78.6 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Quite full again, Bumrah really bends his back on this as he falls over after delivering the ball. Lyon squeezes it out square on the off side to end the over. |
| 79.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, From over the wicket, it's fuller and outside leg. Cummins flicks it to square leg and jogs across to the other end. |
| 79.2 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Looped up around leg, the batsman pads it away. |
| 79.3 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Bit quicker on middle stump, Lyon defends without any trouble. |
| 79.4 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Slows this up on middle and leg, Nathan gets his front leg out of the way and blocks with the full face. |
| 79.5 : R Jadeja to Lyon, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 79.6 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Down the leg side, it's left alone as Pant moves to his left to take it. |
| The second new ball is available and has been taken. Bumrah wastes no time in having a go with it. |
| 80.1 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Seaming in from a good length around off, Pat dabs it to the cover area from inside his crease. |
| 80.2 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Full length delivery swinging away from outside off, Cummins pushes it off the outer half through point and comes back for the second. |
| 80.3 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Touch straight in line, bit fuller in length, Pat flicks it in front of square leg and takes one. |
| 80.4 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Short ball into the body, Lyon pulls it away through backward square leg. No fielder there, so he's safe. A single results. |
| 80.5 : J Bumrah to Cummins, FOUR! Fifty for Pat Cummins, his second in Test cricket. He equals his highest score in this format too. He's been Australia's shining star in this game hands down. First did the business with the ball, is now going strong with the bat too. He drives this full delivery through the covers and finds the fence. |
| 80.6 : J Bumrah to Pat Cummins, Wide! Bangs in short but it's too short, wide signalled by the umpire. Bumrah's plan to bring Lyon on strike in the next over fails. |
| J Bumrah to Cummins, Cummins retains strike with a single. He drives it a bit square through cover-point and crosses over. |
| Ishant Sharma is called back on to share the new cherry. |
| 81.1 : I Sharma to Cummins, FOUR! Superb shot. Too full from Sharma, outside off, Cummins drives it through the gap in the covers and sends it across the boundary line. |
| 81.2 : I Sharma to Cummins, Serves it in the channel outside off, arms are shouldered to this one. |
| 81.3 : I Sharma to Cummins, FOUR! No stopping him, is there? What a wonderful straight drive from Pat Cummins, even Virat Kohli would be proud of that one. Full and in the slot, Cummins hits it back past the bowler and across the rope. |
| 81.4 : I Sharma to Cummins, Shaping back in from a back of a length, tucked behind square on the leg side for one. |
| 81.5 : I Sharma to Lyon, Rising off the surface from a good length, on off, Lyon is rock solid in defense. |
| 81.6 : I Sharma to Lyon, And he sees the over out. No trouble for the GOAT. He watchfully defends it in front of point with a slightly open face. |
| Mohammed Shami on now. |
| 82.1 : M Shami to Cummins, Full and it comes back in, Cummins plays at it and gets it from the inner half to mid on. |
| 82.2 : M Shami to Cummins, Arrows in a yorker on leg stump, it catches Cummins low on the pads as it keeps going down. It rolls over on the leg side and the batsmen take a leg bye. |
| 82.3 : M Shami to Lyon, Slightly fuller in length and on the stumps, blocked. |
| 82.4 : M Shami to Lyon, Nathan Lyon plants his front foot forward and mistimes the drive back down the track. |
| 82.5 : M Shami to Lyon, The timing on this is superb. Lyon just offers a straight bat in response and places it back down the ground for a run. |
| 82.6 : M Shami to Cummins, Full and fired close to off, Cummins drives away from his body and gets an inside edge back onto his pads. Most importantly, Lyon will be on strike for the next over. So India will be happy with that. |
| Ravindra Jadeja to bowl. |
| 83.1 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Sliding in on middle and leg, Lyon gets it off the inside half on the leg side for a single. |
| 83.2 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Pat takes a big stride forward and pushes it to cover. |
| 83.3 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 83.4 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Spinning away from outside off, Cummins leaves it alone. Due to the turn and bounce, Pant is unable to hold on to it. It goes behind and the batsmen take an extra run. |
| 83.5 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Comes well forward and meets it with the full face. |
| 83.6 : R Jadeja to Lyon, Tossed up and on off as Jadeja comes from around the wicket, Nathan Lyon blocks from the front foot. |
| 84.1 : M Shami to Cummins, Shaping away from a length and around off, placed to short cover from the back foot. |
| 84.2 : M Shami to Cummins, Full and just outside off, left alone easily. |
| 84.3 : M Shami to Cummins, Good length delivery in the off stump channel, a little bit of swing away for Shami. Pat Cummins doesn't flirt with it. |
| 84.4 : M Shami to Cummins, Another leave. Well done, Pat Cummins. Almost home. He covers the line and then watches as the length ball outside off goes past him. |
| 84.5 : M Shami to Cummins, Back of a length on off stump, it's defended down the track from deep inside the crease. |
| 84.6 : M Shami to Cummins, Cummins survives. Full and attacking the stumps, it's worked in front of square leg for a single. This match lives to see another day. Australia still need 141 runs to win and that's STUMPS ON DAY 4! |
| A fine, fine performance from Pat Cummins. He's ensured that this Boxing Day Test goes into the final day. He put on two partnerships of substance - the first with Starc worth 39 and the next with Lyon, unbeaten on 43. It says a lot about the Australian side that Pat Cummins of all of them is the one to score their first fifty in this Test. Had the others stuck around and showed the same kind of temperament and application as Cummins, then things might have been much different right now. |
| India did well for the most part. Got rid of the top and middle order without much trouble, but as it has been the case for them on most occasions, failed to run through the tail. Actually, you could argue that they could have plucked those wickets earlier too had Virat Kohli been a little more brave and kept an attacking field. There were a few edges which flew through vacant catching positions. All did well for the most part, with everyone chipping in with the wickets barring Vihari. |
| Anyway, as things stand, this is definitely India's game to lose. They should win too, unless the rain intervenes, or the remaining three batsmen pull off something miraculous. And there is a good chance of the rain coming down on the final day as well, about a 90 percent chance. Whether India's decision on the follow-on and this slightly defensive strategy come back to haunt them or not, remains to be seen. Join us on Sunday at 1030 local (2330 GMT, previous day) for all the action from Day 5. |
| ... Fifth Day, Morning Session ... |
| Welcome to the last day of the Third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India are on the brink of victory, needing just two wickets but there is a certain Pat Cummins in between them and the win. He has been nothing less of a warrior in this game. While the rest of the batsmen crumbled against a potent Indian attack, the all-rounder stood tall and provided stern resistance, scoring a fine fifty along the way and showing the rest how to bat on this surface. Can he do the unthinkable and take the |
| There is another factor today, the rain. There is a forecast of some rain today and this will bring a smile on the faces of the Australian supporters. So far, slight rain has been there and the pitch had been covered. The covers are off now though and nothing alarming as yet. Play should begin on time provided there's no further rain. The action awaits, let's keep our fingers crossed. |
| Update 1022 local - The covers are on and the start to the final day will be a bit delayed. Should just be a passing shower, hopefully. Quite dark out there right now on account of the misty clouds. The floodlights are already on. |
| Update 1045 local - The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off. Play will begin at 1100 local. The players are warming up. Guess we'll have some action soon. |
| Update 1054 local - Scratch the last update. The covers are back on as there's a slight drizzle. Doesn't look as bad though. |
| Update 1055 local - And.... the covers are back off. |
| Update 1056 - Frustration for everyone as the rain has really picked up now. It's coming down quite heavily. The wait continues... |
| Update 1154 local - EARLY LUNCH WILL BE TAKEN AT 1215 LOCAL. The forecast is said to clear up around 1300 local time, let's hope the radar is a reliable one. The rain has stopped, so play should resume at 1255 local if there are no further interruptions. And if that is the case, then we will lose 11 overs. Add the 8 bowled on Day 4 in the extra time taken and we will have a minimum of 71 overs in the day. |
| We are ready to begin now. Finally! The Indian team spread across the field and it will want to wrap things up ASAP, before the rain intervenes again. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon take their places in the middle, with the former on strike. Ishant Sharma will take the new ball first up. Here we go... |
| 85.1 : I Sharma to Cummins, Back of a length delivery outside off, Cummins rises and guides it past the diving Rahane at gully. A single is taken as third man mops it up. |
| 85.2 : I Sharma to Lyon, Short of a good length close to off, Lyon gets on his toes and defends it down to the left of the bowler. |
| The groundsmen were coming out on the ground, but then were sent back. Maybe some sawdust was required. Okay, he's come back out with it now. Ishant wants some sprinkled around the landing area of his run up. |
| 85.3 : I Sharma to Lyon, Brings it back in on middle stump, slightly fuller in length, Lyon presents a straight bat in defense. |
| 85.4 : I Sharma to Lyon, Touch straight in line, it's worked down towards fine leg for an easy one. |
| 85.5 : I Sharma to Cummins, Some noise but it's not off the bat. Cutting back in on leg, keeps going down, Cummins looks to tickle but it brushes off his thigh pad and Pant collects. An appeal goes up, but in vain. |
| 85.6 : I Sharma to Cummins, Short of a good length outside off, punched from the crease through the covers for a single. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end. |
| 86.1 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Short of a good length on off stump, Pat Cummins stands tall and defends it down on the off side from the outer half. |
| 86.2 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Play and a miss! Bumrah keeps it on the shorter side and outside off, Cummins looks to push it on the off side but misses. |
| 86.3 : J Bumrah to Cummins, In the channel outside off, on a good length, left alone. |
| 86.4 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Beaten again! Bumrah pitches it in that off stump channel and makes Cummins play at it. The batsman does so and almost edges it behind. |
| 86.5 : J Bumrah to Cummins, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 86.6 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Maiden to start off with for Bumrah. Bumper on the stumps, ducked and evaded by Pat. |
| 87.1 : I Sharma to Lyon, Sharma hurls it on a fullish length outside off, Lyon plays away from his body and gets beaten due to the extra bounce. |
| 87.2 : I Sharma to Lyon, Good length delivery outside the line of off stump, kept out from inside the crease. |
| 87.3 : I Sharma to Lyon, On the sixth stump line, arms are shouldered to this one. |
| 87.4 : I Sharma to Lyon, Lyon hangs back inside the crease, waits for the ball to come to him before patting it away down on the off side. |
| 87.5 : I Sharma to Lyon, Back of a length, just around off, defended well from the back foot. |
| 87.6 : I Sharma to N Lyon, Nathan Lyon comes forward to this full ball and drives it to mid off. Another maiden. |
| A short leg comes in place. |
| 88.1 : J Bumrah to Cummins, Slightly short, does not bounce as much as the Indians would have wanted it to. Cummins punches it to mid on. |
| 88.2 : J Bumrah to Pat Cummins, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! No. 9 goes down and it is that of the well-set Cummins. Excellent delivery. Gets it around the off stump, in that corridor of uncertainty. It straightens a touch. Cummins plays inside the line, the ball takes the outside edge and goes low towards Pujara who takes a decent catch at first slip. End of a fighting knock by Cummins. India now just a wicket away from taking a 2-1 lead. |
| Josh Hazlewood is the last man in. |
| 88.3 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Lands it on a length and attacks the stumps, Josh defends it. |
| 88.4 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Bowls the yorker on middle, Hazlewood does well to jam it out. |
| 88.5 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Follows the yorker up with the bouncer, the batsman ducks under it. |
| 88.6 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, On the stumps and the batsman is solid in defense. |
| 89.1 : I Sharma to Lyon, Lands it on a length around off, the ball pitches and comes back in. Lyon tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 89.2 : I Sharma to Lyon, Goes shorter in length, Ishant though does not have the same pace as Bumrah to hurry the batsman. Lyon gets on the back foot and blocks it. Ishant should be bowling a little fuller here. |
| 89.3 : I Sharma to Lyon, OUT! THAT IS IT! Ishant just made me eat my words. He does not have the pace of Bumrah to hurry the batsman but he has bounced Lyon out here. He bangs it short and on middle, Lyon goes for the pull but the bounce gets big on him, it takes the top edge and goes towards Pant who takes it above his head. All smiles on the faces of the Indians, Virat kohli is absolutely pumped up as INDIA WIN BY 137 RUNS! THEY LEAD THE SERIES 2-1! |
| A handsome victory for the Indians. They retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with this win. It's also their 150th win in Test cricket. Smiles all around as the away side celebrates. Kohli is pumped, his teammates are pumped and his team's supporters in the crowd give out a loud cheer. The decision from the skipper and the management to not enforce the follow-on did eventually pay off, but not without a few nails being bitten for sure. |
| The start of the day was marred by rain, but after a stop-start and a relative long-ish break, play began and it took the visitors less than 5 overs to wrap things up. Bumrah got the set Cummins first and then soon after, Sharma got Lyon to get his side over the line. It wasn't easy by any means though, India were made to work hard. India should have won the game on Day 4 itself after running through the Australian batting line-up, but Cummins and Lyon stood firm and took the game into the final |
| It was a collective performance from the Indians and that's the thing which will please them the most. Debutant Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari, who replaced Vijay and Rahul at the top of the order, did a fine job with Mayank scoring a confident 76. It set the platform for Pujara and Kohli who largely took the game away from the Aussies by really digging in there. Rohit later came in with a fifty of his own which enabled India to post 443 on the board. |
| There was talk of maybe the tourists batting too slow on a surface which wasn't doing much, but everything changed on Day 3 when suddenly the surface offered assistance to the bowlers. 15 wickets in total fell on that day, and Australia were bowled out for 151 where Bumrah led the charge with his 6-fer. Despite having a lead of 292, the follow-on wasn't enforced and a target of 399 was set. More could have been achieved, if it wasn't for Cummins, who finished with career-best figures and took a |
| Australia were rocked again, and everyone did their part to get the job done. They had to wait a bit on the final day, but even the rain gods weren't going to stop them from a famous win. It was a good win for them. Australia's batting once again falls into the limelight. It's something they would like to focus on and better in the final Test in Sydney. |
| Australian skipper, Tim Paine, says it is very disappointing, he felt they made some strides forward in Perth but failed to continue the good work in this game. Further adds they are trying to get better and now they are looking forward to the game in Sydney. Mentions there is always some discussion about the batting line-up, the conditions in Sydney will be different and they will once again have a chat about who should bat where. Reckons the wicket was a good one but he felt it would deteriora |
| Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, says they are not going to stop here, they are very confident now and they would look to play positive cricket in Sydney. States they will be looking for a win in Sydney and that is what their mind-set is. Mentions what the people outside say does not matter, what is being discussed in the dressing is what matters. Further adds the wicket was getting difficult to bat on as the game progressed. Credits the way Bumrah bowled. Appreciates the record-breaking effort by h |
| Man of the Match, Jasprit Bumrah, starts by saying, be it boxing day or be it any other day, it is special to play Test cricket and he is happy to contribute to the team's success. Mentions he always focuses on consistency and he always tries to contribute to the team's success. Further adds he now wants to focus on the next game. States it was always a dream to play Test cricket and he was very happy when he made his debut in South Africa. Ends by saying the start has been good and he would wan |
| So that is it from this game. The Indians have taken an unassailable lead and have also retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy. They now, however, head to Sydney to do something no Indian team has done - win a Test series Down Under. Will they do so or will Australia bounce back? Join us to find out on the 3rd of January 1030 local (2330 GMT, previous day). Till then, take care and goodbye! |
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