| 0.0 : Good morning! Good afternoon! Good evening! Which part of the world are you in? Does not matter. The first international day of cricket in 2019 is upon us. And it is so hectic that unless you sleep for more than 20 hours, you are going to catch at least some match at some point of time! Australia-India. New Zealand-Sri Lanka. South Africa-Pakistan! Wishing you all, a very happy and prosperous 2019!!! |
| Okay. Time to get down to business. The SCG Test. The one where Steve Waugh played his final game. The one which will not be remembered by many cricket fans due to the 'MonkeyGate' issue. The one which could be remembered by many Indian fans in the near future should they win or draw - A Test series win Down Under. |
| With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the bag, India will not be too much under pressure but their main aim would be to win the series. Plenty of off-field talks. No Ishant. No Rohit. Will Ashwin play? Will Kuldeep feature? |
| Wait... wait... wait...Australia are also playing this Test. Why haven't they been mentioned so far in this opening text? Because they have not done much things worth remembering in the whole of 2018, let alone this series! Their fast bowlers have been good as per the stats - but if you look deeply, barring Pat Cummins, both Starc and Hazlewood have been average, neither generating enough reverse swing. Nathan Lyon has been a bit under-par as well. |
| Australia's batting. Does he have a good strike-rate? Is he flamboyant? Does he rotate the strike? He has done so well in the BBL. Let us get him into the Test side! These are the talks going around the town. Sadly, no one is talking much about the technique. The hosts have decided to drop Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh even before the toss. Let's see what the Indians have thought about... |
| WEATHER REPORT - It is a bit overcast to start off right now, but the forecast is not worrying, at least for today and tomorrow. However, thunderstorms are predicted for Saturday and some showers for Days 4 and 5. |
| PITCH REPORT- Brendon Julian doing the pitch report observes that it looks very patchy with plenty of moisture. Predicts that it will start turning from Day 3. However, also forecasts some help for the seamers in the first two sessions today. |
| TOSS - Time then for the first international toss of 2019! Tim Paine flips the coin, Virat Kohli calls Heads and it is a Head. INDIA ELECT TO BAT FIRST. |
| Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, says that it looks like a pretty good wicket with grass coverage. Adds that it is going to get tougher and tougher as the days go by, hence the decision. Is not too bothered abut the series win and is looking no further than winning this Test, maintaining the level of intensity that they have shown so far. On the team changes, Kohli says that they have got forced ones. Newly become father Rohit Sharma is back in India and is replaced by KL Rahul which also means that |
| Australian captain, Tim Paine, says that he too would have batted first. Hopes that his bowlers can bowl in the right areas and get good bounce from this track. On Australia's scenario, he says that the team needs to forget what has happened in the past and focus on playing good cricket. Informs that Australia have left out Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh and got in Marnus Labuschagne and Peter Handscomb. On being asked about the batting order, Tim stresses that Khawaja will open, Labuschagne wil |
| The players spread themselves out in the middle. Mitchell Starc has the brand new cherry in his hand. Lokesh Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are the openers. The latter to face Starc. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : Starc to Agarwal, LBW appeal first up. But nothing much to look into it. Full and down the leg side, Agarwal misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Starc appeals but it was comfortably going down leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 0.2 : M Starc to Rahul, EDGED, FOUR! A bit streaky to start from Rahul. Some swing on offer here for the left-arm speedster. Full and outside off, the opener plays a loose shot, away from his body, trying to guide it through third man but gets a thick inside edge instead, wide of a diving Usman Khawaja at gully to the third man fence! |
| 0.3 : M Starc to Rahul, Hmmm.... more swing. This one comes in, Rahul looks to flick but is defeated by the late swing. Gets a leading edge which does not carry to point. |
| 0.4 : M Starc to Rahul, Now an inside edge. This is the Starc which Australia want to see. But for more periods of time. Full and around off, swinging in a mile, the Karnataka-based lad looks to flick but is late. The ball goes off the inside edge towards fine leg and a single is taken. |
| 0.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, BEATEN! Starc is smiling. No, he is not sledging. But just enjoying his cricket. That is good to see. On a length outside off, Mayank looks to defend but is a bit tentative. The ball goes away off the seam and beats the outside edge. |
| 0.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Another play and a miss! Oh boy, Starc is reminding us of the Starc of 2015, 2016 and 2017. He swings it in, then swings it away, which way do I play? After beating Agarwal on the outside on the previous ball, Starc now beats him on the inside. On a length outside off, MA looks to feel for this one but the ball moves back in to beat the inside edge. Superb opening over from Mitchell Starc. |
| Josh Hazlewood to share the new ball with Starc. |
| 1.1 : J Hazlewood to Rahul, FOUR! Well controlled. Full and outside off, Rahul looks to defend but gets an outside edge due to the away movement. However, he plays it with soft hands, hence the edge does not carry. Goes onto the ground and then eludes a diving second slip to the third man fence. |
| 1.2 : J Hazlewood to Rahul, Around off, confidently defended from the crease. |
| 1.3 : J Hazlewood to L Rahul, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Ball number 9. Wicket number 1. Australia have struck early. Once again, an Indian opening stand has been dislodged cheaply. Rahul's tentativeness outside the off stump continues. He is not sure which balls to play and which ones to leave. His two boundaries came off edges and this one again, he is unsure. The ball lands on a good length outside off and then moves away slightly. Takes the outside edge and is stored into the bucket-like hands of |
| Cheteshwar Pujara walks in at number 3, replacing Rahul. |
| 1.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A short ball to welcome Pujara, he is a bit surprised but manages to defend it in front of short leg. |
| 1.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 1.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 2.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 2.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Outside off, left alone. |
| 2.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, Full and around off, driven straight back down the ground. Good timing. Two runs taken. |
| 2.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Yorker outside off, well dug out. |
| 2.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 2.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, One more leave outside off. |
| 3.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, On a good length outside off, left alone. |
| 3.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 3.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Around off, on a length, watchfully pushed towards point. |
| 3.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 3.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 3.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple now. |
| 4.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Full and around off, swinging in, Agarwal leans and drives it past wide mid off. Three runs taken. |
| 4.2 : M Starc to Pujara, On middle and leg, helped past short leg for a couple. |
| 4.3 : M Starc to C Pujara, Full and around off, pushed towards mid on. |
| 4.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Outside off, half volley, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 4.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 4.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Down the leg side, Mayank misses his flick. |
| 5.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 5.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, This is on a length around off, defended from the crease. |
| 5.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 5.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, On a length outside off, coming in, Pujara, unlike Rahul, is unfazed. Knows where his off stump is and lets it go. |
| 5.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A bouncer, around middle, Cheteshwar ducks. |
| 5.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, pushed towards backward point. |
| First change in the bowling. Australia's shining star in a dark 2018 is here. Patrick Cummins to bowl his first ball of 2019. |
| 6.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Loose. Too loose a shot after having shown so much of patience. A gentle loosener from Cummins, full and wide outside off, Agarwal reaches out to drive but misses. No feet movement. |
| 6.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Much better shot. One can see the result when the foot meets the pitch of the ball. Full and outside off, not as wide as the previous one, but not entirely dissimilar either. However, this time, Agarwal gets a good stride out, reaches the pitch of the ball and drives it through the covers. Two runs taken. |
| 6.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Full and just outside off, coming in, watchfully defended towards cover. |
| 6.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Similar ball, similar shot, same result. |
| 6.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Good timing again. Half volley around middle and leg, Mayank gets forward and drives it past mid on. Mitchell Starc gives it a good chase and keeps the batsmen to two. |
| 6.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, FOUR! CRISP! No stopping this one! Half volley outside off, Agarwal reaches out, gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it through the covers. |
| Some distraction for Pujara. It is near the sight screen. Umpire Ian Gould is sorting it out. |
| 7.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, On a good length outside off, left alone. |
| 7.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, This particular shot describes Pujara's mental state. Head totally still. Mind not fluxed. No confusion. Knows where his off stump is. Knows which balls to play and which not to. On a good length outside off, coming in, Cheteshwar defends it watchfully. |
| 7.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and around off, CP drives it straight down the ground. Hazlewood gets down and manages to take some sting off it with his right hand. Mitchell Starc gets across from mid on but cannot prevent the single. There seemed to be a run out chance as Pujara had to run around the bowler but in the competition of who was slower - Pujara or Starc - the latter won the race. |
| 7.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 7.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 7.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Landed outside off, coming in, left alone. |
| 8.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On a good length outside off, left alone. |
| 0.0 : Oh dear... problems again for Pujara. Cummins is halfway through his runup but is interrupted. Sight screen issues. |
| 8.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Around off, on a good length, Cheteshwar looks to defend but the ball scoots off the inner half of the bat towards short mid-wicket. |
| 8.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Similar ball, but this is a touch wider outside off. Shouldered arms to. |
| 8.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Around a good length outside off, defended towards the leg side. |
| 8.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 8.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, FOUR! Lovely shot. Full and wide outside off, Pujara leans and drives it behind point. Quick outfield. Pujara moves to 12. His first boundary. |
| Mitchell Starc is back on. 3-0-13-0 so far. |
| 9.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 9.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Back of a length this time, watchfully let through. |
| 9.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, On a good length around middle, angling away, defended towards cover. |
| 9.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Fuller in length outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 9.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Yorker length outside off, dug out towards point. |
| 9.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, On the shorter side, around leg stump, Agarwal plays that nicely, riding the bounce and tucking it towards long leg for a run. |
| 10.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, On a good length around off, solidly defended. |
| 10.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, FOUR! Jeez, that is just a push! This guy is hungry. And confident. And hence, shots like these are being played. Not a bad ball at all. But this is what quality batting can do. Score off non-bad deliveries. Full and outside off, coming in slightly, Agarwal gets a good stride forward and defends. Yes, just defends. But so sweet is his defense that the moment the ball meets the bat, it goes past mid off. Then it continues to go and tease the fielder. He tries his bes |
| 10.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, A rib-tickler, down the leg side, Mayank looks to tuck but misses. The ball goes off his ribs past short leg and a single is taken. Leg bye signalled. |
| 10.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and outside off, solidly defended. |
| 10.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 10.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A wild bouncer outside off, Pujara ducks. Paine has to leap to collect. |
| 11.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, On a good length around off, solidly defended with a hop to the off side. |
| 11.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, FOUR! There is that push-drive again! Mayank Agarwal is not a tall guy but his strides are really big. On a good length outside off, Agarwal leans and just pushes it. Away she goes to the cover fence. |
| 11.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 11.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, A short ball, down the leg side, Mayank lets it go. |
| 11.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, On a good length outside off, left alone. |
| 11.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, IN THE AIR... SAFE! A rare nervy moment for the youngster. A short ball, around leg and middle, Agarwal is caught by surprise and looks to fend. He has no idea where the ball is and it flies off the handle. Luckily for him, there is no leg gully. A single taken. |
| 12.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, On a length around off, cutting back in off the seam, watchfully defended. |
| 12.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, A bouncer, around middle, Agarwal ducks. |
| 12.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Gets squared up. Not many balls have beaten Mayank today. This one did. On a fuller length around middle, MA looks to flick but the ball swings away late and induces a leading edge. Goes past Usman Khawaja at second slip and for some reason, they do not run. There was a single on offer. |
| 12.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Around off, Agarwal comes forward and pushes it towards cover. Nathan Lyon runs to his right from point and dives spectacularly. Keeps the batsmen to a single. |
| 12.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A short ball, around middle, helped straight to leg gully. Both he and Kohli were out playing that shot in the second innings of the third Test. |
| 12.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Action replay of the previous delivery. |
| 13.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, On a good length outside off, defended towards cover. |
| 13.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Around off, blocked from the crease again. |
| 13.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, That is a good short ball and is equally well played. Around middle, Agarwal rises with the bounce and fends it down in front of short leg. |
| 13.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Around off, jumping with the bounce, fended to the off side. |
| 13.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, A short ball again, down the leg side, Mayank misses his tuck. |
| 13.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, EDGED, FOUR! That is a good quality short ball from Starc to end the over. It is around middle and Agarwal cannot help but play at it. He rises, with both his feet in the air and so does the ball. Now, in that pose, you have no control on the shot. Neither does Mayank. Goes through with his attempted defense and the ball bounces high, takes the glove, hits the helmet and rockets over the slip cordon to the third man fence. 50 UP FOR INDIA. The stand is worth 41. |
| A bit of a break in play as Agarwal gets his helmet and head checked. Mitchell Starc has a kind word with Agarwal, asking his well-being. Mayank looks okay but because of the norm of checking for concussion these days, the delay is a lengthy one. |
| 14.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On a fuller length outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 0.0 : Is that caught behind? Tim Paine seems the most confident and the only confident person as he appealed for a caught behind. This review against Pujara is solely his call. No one else is even remotely sure. |
| 14.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, NOT OUT! Waste of a review from Paine and Paine alone. Decent delivery from Cummins, landing on a length outside off and cutting back in off the seam. Pujara looked to play at it but was beaten. Tim Paine dived to his left to collect and then appealed as an afterthought. Everyone else from the slips joined him as good students supporting their class monitor. Paine was very serious though. Walked to his bowler and asked. 'There was some noise,' replied Cummins. That w |
| 14.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, THIS NEARLY CUTS HIM INTO HALF! Sensational bowling from Hazlewood. On a good length outside off, Pujara looks to play at this one again but while the previous one came in, this one moved away. Beat the outside edge. |
| 14.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 14.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery around middle, watchfully pushed back. |
| 14.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 15.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, A good short ball, around off, Agarwal rises with the bounce and plays it in front of short leg. |
| 15.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Another short ball, Mayank looks to tuck it fine but the ball goes wide of leg gully towards fine leg. A single taken. |
| 15.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 15.4 : M Starc to Pujara, On middle and leg, helped past short leg for a run towards mid-wicket. |
| 15.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Another short ball, exploiting his back foot technique, this time MA rides the bounce well. |
| 15.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| Josh Hazlewood returns. 4-1-9-1 so far. |
| 16.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 16.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Outside off, in the corridor of Hazlewood, Pujara understands that he is not welcome there and lets it go. |
| 16.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Similar ball, but this one comes in nicely, played towards short leg. |
| 16.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A bouncer on middle, Cheteshwar ducks. |
| 16.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, In the air... but safe in the end. Full and wide outside off, CP looks to drive but cannot quite control it. Almost gives a catch to Usman Khawaja at point. Lands just short. |
| 16.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, On a good length around middle, helped towards leg gully. |
| 17.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, A short ball, around middle, Agarwal plays that reasonably well, rising with the bounce and then fending it down. |
| 17.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, A nice bouncer and this time Mayank sways away. |
| 17.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, Outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 17.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, A length ball now, watchfully played out. |
| 17.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, A short ball down the leg side, MA nearly tucks it to the keeper. |
| 17.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, A short ball again, Agarwal plays it nicely too, tucking it wide of Nathan Lyon at leg gully for a single. Moves to 30. |
| 18.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, A bouncer on middle, harmless and ducked under. |
| 18.2 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, EDGED, FOUR! On a length outside off, Agarwal pushes at it and gets a healthy outside edge. Luckily for him, it flies between second slip and gully to the third man fence. |
| 18.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, A terrific short ball around off, Mayank looks to fend it away but the ball goes off something to the keeper. Shoulder. |
| 18.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Another bouncer, ducked under. |
| 18.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, 50-RUN STAND! You might look at the run rate and say well, easy going. It has not exactly been that way to be honest. On a good length outside off, MA leans and pushes it through the covers. Nathan Lyon gets to the ball from cover, dives and pulls it back, throwing it to Travis Head running with him from cover. Three runs taken. |
| 18.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 19.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Interesting. Australia now have a short leg and a silly point for Agarwal. The length is short as expected and Mayank goes deep in his crease to fend it away. Was not a million miles away from silly point. |
| 19.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, A wild bouncer, way too high, MA ducks while Paine leaps. The batsman immediately looks at the square leg umpire for the wide call but only one bouncer for the over is signalled. |
| 19.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 19.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Outside off, pushed wide of cover for a single. |
| 19.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 19.6 : M Starc to Pujara, A bouncer again, once more Paine has to leap to collect. Pujara does not even bother to duck. |
| 20.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, On a good length outside off, watchfully defended towards cover. |
| 20.2 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Back of a length around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 20.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, A bouncer now, Agarwal sways away. |
| 20.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Fuller in length, pushed towards the off side. |
| 20.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Landed outside off, allowed to go through. |
| 20.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Back of a length outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| Time for spin. Nathan Lyon has been brought on with around 10 minutes to go for Lunch. |
| 21.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara is straightaway down the track, whipping the ball towards mid on. |
| 21.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the track again, thrusts his pad forward and manages to push it wide of silly point. |
| 21.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Goes back this time and works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 21.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Full and around middle, worked wide of mid on for a run. |
| 21.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 21.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Around off, well blocked out. |
| 22.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, On a good length outside off, coming in, left alone. |
| 22.2 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Tight lines, around off, watchfully defended. |
| 22.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, A short ball, down the leg side, helped past leg gully towards long leg for a single. Agarwal moves to 40 now. |
| 22.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and just outside off, coming in, watchfully defended. |
| 22.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, OUCH! On the helmet! Second one of the morning. Not surprising with this barricade of short stuff from Australia. It is on a short length outside off and Pujara ducks, but surprisingly, taking his eyes off the ball. Gets hit on the vizor. He immediately signals towards the dressing room with a thumbs up that he is fine. |
| Well, Pujara signalled towards the dressing room that he was fine but it is a norm these days. The physio runs out, asks you dozens of questions, makes absolutely sure that you are not concussed and then takes the next call. |
| 22.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A bouncer to end the over, Cheteshwar ducks. |
| 23.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Full and outside off, Agarwal comes down the track and drives it straight back to Lyon who slips while trying to field and concedes a single down the ground. |
| 23.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single. |
| 23.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Outside off, turning in, pushed through the covers for a run. |
| 23.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Action replay of the previous delivery. |
| An appeal. For what is it? Stumped. Looks safe. |
| 23.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, LOOKS SAFE. IS SAFE. SAFE AS A HOUSE, IN FACT. Outside off, Agarwal stayed back to defend but the ball took the bottom edge and went back. Tim Paine gathered it on the bounce and then whipped the bails off. Appealed in excitement as he saw Agarwal losing his balance a touch. It was referred upstairs but one replay was good enough to suggest that Agarwal never left his crease. |
| 23.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Full and around off, watchfully pushed back to the bowler. LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| As has always been throughout this series, the first session of a match has been competitive again. Australia started with a bang, India then eased their way out of trouble before the hosts found some method of quietening them down. However, despite a good second hour, the wickets column still reads 0 in that passage. |
| Clearly a bat-first pitch. Survive the first 2 hours and the next 2 days are yours. Mayank Agarwal is demonstrating the ideal way to see off the new ball while Pujara is showing how comfortable he is getting by bedding in almost every second pitch that he gets. It would have been a terrific session for India had they not lost Rahul but they will take this score for now. |
| To be fair, Australia have not bowled badly. But this is the difference between the two sides. When there is help from the pitch and weather, both have excelled. When there is none, the Kangaroos have struggled to pick up wickets and today was no different. After swinging the ball prodigiously for the first 30 minutes, the hosts simply could not get any of it for the rest of the session. After conceding a few runs, they resorted to their back-up plan - bowl short and restrict the run-scoring. Th |
| The first session goes to India then. Can Australia find out ways to break through this batting line-up? Or will run-scoring get easier after Lunch? Join us for the second session at 1.10 pm (0210 GMT). |
| ... DAY 1, SESSION 2 ... |
| Welcome back. A longgggggggggggg day awaits us. 66 overs left in the day. With the way the Aussies are bowling, reckon that those might not get bowled even with an extended 30 minutes of play at the close. Out come the players. Will Australia continue the short-ball barrage? Pat Cummins to start the session to Cheteshwar Pujara... |
| 24.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On a good length outside off, punched towards point. |
| 24.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Around middle, helped wide of leg gully towards fine leg for a single. The stand moves to 60. |
| 24.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Back of a length outside off, Agarwal plays that really well, getting right behind the line to defend. |
| 24.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, A length ball again, helped towards leg gully. |
| 24.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, IN THE AIR... JUST WIDE! Almost into the trap. A short ball, at the body, Agarwal gets across and looks to fend but is not on control. The ball flies but finer than leg gully, towards fine leg. A run taken. |
| 24.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and around off, well blocked out. |
| Mitchell Starc it will be from the other end. 9-0-27-0 so far. |
| 25.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Outside off, punched towards cover. |
| 25.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Pushes this straight to point. |
| 25.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, Stays back in his crease and blocks it. |
| 25.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, A short ball, around off, Agarwal gets on top of the bounce and punches it wide of cover for a single. |
| 25.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Lovely shot. Fractionally short of a length outside off, punched behind point. Three runs taken as the ball stops near the ropes. Pujara moves to 20. |
| 25.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 26.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A rare full ball in the last hour or so. But Pujara is not surprised. He is ready for it. Leans and flicks it through mid-wicket. Gets three runs. |
| 26.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Back to a bouncer length, outside off, Agarwal hops and defends. |
| 26.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, FIVE WIDES! This is really short, right in the middle of the pitch, Mayank does not even bother ducking. No way Tim Paine could have got to that even with his highest leap. That just took off. |
| Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Around off, on a length, watchfully blocked out. |
| 26.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Fuller than the previous one, Mayank is brilliant in his defense. |
| 26.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, A wild bouncer down the leg side, Agarwal ducks. |
| 26.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Another bouncer down the leg side, barely any reaction from Agarwal. |
| 27.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Around off, defended from his crease. |
| 27.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Full and tempting, outside off, inviting the drive, Pujara resists. |
| 27.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 27.4 : M Starc to C Pujara, Looking for that back of a length, is Starc, Cheteshwar looks to punch but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 27.5 : M Starc to Pujara, On middle and leg, tucked off his hips through square leg. Two runs taken. |
| 27.6 : M Starc to Pujara, A good bouncer, right at the body, CP ducks and wears it on the arm. |
| 28.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Sweet timing again. Full and outside off, Agarwal leans and drives it through the covers. Gets a couple. |
| 28.2 : Pat Cummins to M Agarwal, A short ball, around middle, Mayank swivels and pulls it through long leg. The ball races to the fence but Mitchell Starc hares to his right and slides to stop the ball. Just a single. |
| 28.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Around off, pushed to the off side. |
| 28.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 28.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Around off, pushed towards mid on. |
| 28.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Around off, coming in, pushed towards mid-wicket. |
| 29.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, A bouncer around middle, ducked under. |
| 29.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, FOUR! ELEGANT! SECOND TEST FIFTY FOR MAYANK AGARWAL! Full and outside off, Agarwal leans and drives it through the covers. Substitute Peter Siddle races after it, slides and then returns the ball. But replays show that while trying to push the ball back, his foot touches the ropes. Well played, young Mayank. Looking confident and hungry. |
| 29.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, Gets a bit straighter and MA promptly pushes it through the vacant mid on region. By the time mid off can get across, two runs are taken. |
| 29.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Outside off, punched off the back foot. |
| 29.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, The batsman does well to stand tall and play that short delivery. |
| 29.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Peter Siddle in action again. Outside off, short in length, Agarwal gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers. Substitute Siddle gets to the ball and manages to stop it before crossing the ropes. Or does he? The umpire wants to check it upstairs and replays show that it is touch and go. From one angle, it seems like when Peter has tried to stop the ball, his left foot has touched the rope. But another angle seems to indicate that when the foot has touc |
| 30.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, FOUR! That is a terrific shot! 100 UP FOR INDIA! A short ball, around off, Agarwal swivels and pulls. The good thing about that shot is that he keeps it all along the ground. Long leg has no chance as the ball races through square leg. |
| 30.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 30.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Full and around off, Mayank drives this through mid on and gets a couple. |
| 30.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, A bouncer now, MA ducks. |
| 30.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, The batsman does well to stand tall and play that short delivery. |
| 30.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Another short ball, this is pulled beautifully all along the ground through square leg for a single. |
| Nathan Lyon is back on. 2-0-6-0 so far. |
| 31.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, SIX! Attacking the spinner! Flighted outside off, Agarwal is straightaway off the blocks. Gets to the pitch of the ball and sends it sailing over long on. There is Mitchell Starc stationed over there and he tries taking a one-handed leap to his left but cannot even touch the ball. |
| 31.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, ALMOST A RETURN CATCH! Lucky escape for Agarwal. Around off, Mayank punches this back to the bowler and it is nearly a caught-and-bowled chance. However, luckily for the batsman, Lyon is moving to his right and the ball is to his left. Cannot react in time and it slips through. A single to long off. |
| 31.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara comes down the track and eases it through the covers for a couple. 100-RUN STAND IS UP! |
| 31.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the track again and thrusts his pad forward, pushing the ball towards cover. |
| 31.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Plenty of TURN on that, the ball spinning in, Cheteshwar stays back and defends. |
| 31.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Josh Hazlewood returns. 8-3-17-1 so far. |
| 32.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single. |
| 32.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 32.3 : J Hazlewood to C Pujara, FOUR! Cracking shot! Short and wide outside off, Pujara rocks back and lashes a cut behind gully! |
| 32.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Around off, pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 32.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Landed outside off, let through. |
| 32.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Dabs this behind gully for a run. |
| 33.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Landed outside off, worked with the turn towards mid on. |
| 33.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Huge, massive, roaring appeal for LBW. Not out. Full and outside off, Pujara comes down the track and looks to defend, with his bat behind the pad. Is hit on the pads and technically, he is not offering the shot and impact does not matter. However, it might not have done enough to hit the stumps. |
| 33.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 33.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, SIX! Top quality shot. Flighted outside off, Agarwal jumps down the track and looks to go over mid off. Does so and clears the ropes with ease as well. |
| 33.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 33.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, OUT! Caught! Greediness... gets the better of Agarwal. This is what confidence can do sometimes. Nathan Lyon has the last laugh. Or shall we say - the GOAT has the last bleat? Having been hit for two sixes in 2 overs so far, Lyon invites Agarwal for another challenge. 'Hit me if you can, again.' Mayank accepts the invitation and jumps out once more. This time though, he is not to the pitch of the ball. Looks to clear long on but gets more height than distance. Mitchell S |
| 'BOO! BOO! BOO!' goes the crowd. Any surprises for whom? Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, is in at number 4. He might have a message or two for the ones booing... watch out Australia... |
| 34.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, On a length outside off, left alone. |
| 34.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Full and just outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 34.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Full again, but a bit wider outside off, shouldered arms to. |
| 34.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, FOUR! FABULOUS! Just 4 balls to get off the mark. Too full in length, outside off, Kohli leans and places this beautifully past a diving short extra cover for a boundary to get going. That will boost his confidence, as if he was short of it. |
| 34.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Tighter line, watchfully defended outside off. |
| 34.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, A bouncer outside off, Virat sways away. |
| 35.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full on middle, Pujara comes down the track and whips it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 35.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Around off, worked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 35.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Goes back to defend this one to the off side. |
| 35.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, Full and around off, worked uppishly, just wide of short leg, towards short mid-wicket. |
| 35.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, Quicker one, pushing this through, outside off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 35.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Around off, spinning in, Kohli goes back and carefully turns it past leg gully for a couple through fine leg. |
| 36.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and straight, pushed towards mid on. |
| 36.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A short ball outside off, Pujara lets it be. |
| 36.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full again, blocked back to the bowler. |
| 36.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 36.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Hitting that Hazlewood length in the corridor of Josh, pushed towards point. |
| 36.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A bouncer to end the over, Pujara ducks. |
| 37.1 : N Lyon to V Kohli, Full and outside off, Kohli leans and pushes it towards long on for a single. |
| 37.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Around off, watchfully flicked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 37.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Fuller in length, pushed towards point. |
| 37.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the track and flicks but cannot beat short mid-wicket. |
| 37.5 : N Lyon to C Pujara, On middle, once again use of the feet from Che, pushed straight to mid on this time. |
| 37.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! FANTASTIC! Finally Pujara finds the gap. Tossed up outside off, Che comes down the track and drives it through mid off. Calls Kohli though for a quick single but he need not bother. The fielder dives to his right but misses. The stand moves to 12. |
| 38.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Full and outside off, Kohli looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 38.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Outside off, left alone. |
| 38.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Outside off, Virat looks to defend but gets a bottom edge towards gully. |
| 38.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, A bouncer now, VK ducks. |
| 38.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Full and outside off, well watched out. |
| 38.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 39.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full on middle, Pujara comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket but Pat Cummins dives to his left to stop the ball. |
| 39.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Close. Quicker one outside off, Che initially looks to pad it away, then tries to defend but in the end, does neither. Is beaten. |
| 39.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full and around off, worked in front of short leg. |
| 39.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Jumps down the track and pushes it towards cover. |
| 39.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, This time he stays in his crease, allows the ball to turn and works it with the spin through fine leg for a single. |
| 39.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Full and outside off, a bit of flight, watchfully worked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 40.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, On a good length around off, defended watchfully. |
| 40.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and just outside off, carefully blocked towards point. |
| 40.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A bouncer now, Pujara ducks. |
| 40.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 40.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Holds his length back again, Che stands tall and pushes it towards cover. |
| 40.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and just outside off, solid as ever is Cheteshwar as he pushes this right under his eyes towards mid on. |
| 41.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Full and outside off, worked wristily back to the bowler. |
| 41.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Similar ball, this is flicked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 41.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Goes back and across and helps it with soft hands through square leg for a single. |
| 41.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Around off, turning in, worked in front of short leg. |
| 41.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the track this time and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 41.6 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Once again Pujara is out of his crease, pushing the ball towards mid on once more. |
| Pat Cummins is back on. 9-1-37-0 so far. |
| 42.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, On a good length around off, watchfully defended. |
| 42.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Full and around off, solidly defended. |
| 42.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Landed on a length outside off, Kohli shoulders arms. |
| 42.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Action replay of the previous delivery. |
| 42.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Fuller in length, watchfully let through. |
| 42.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, A touch wider than the previous one, VK lets it through again. |
| 43.1 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Short and outside off, turning in a mile, Pujara goes back and punches it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 43.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the track this time and blocks it towards short mid-wicket once more. |
| 43.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Natural variation. Tries to bowl the off spin, hits the crack and then straightens past the outside edge of Che's bat as he looks to defend. |
| 43.4 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Once again he is down the track to defend the ball towards mid on. |
| 43.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 43.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Fuller in length, CP is down the track to meet the ball, pushing it towards mid on. |
| 44.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Outside off, Kohli shoulders arms. |
| 44.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, A short ball outside off, Kohli looks to pull but is a tad early into the shot. The ball goes off the bottom edge through mid-wicket and he runs back for the second. |
| 44.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Full and outside off, Virat is watchfully behind this one on the front foot, to defend. |
| 44.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Outside off, the skipper gets a good stride forward to push it towards cover. |
| 44.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Full and outside off, VK walks into the shot and pushes it towards point. |
| 44.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Full and around off, well blocked out. |
| 45.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, A short ball outside off, spinning in, Pujara goes back and plays it against the turn through the covers for a single. |
| 45.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 45.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Around middle, flicked uppishly, wide of short leg for a single. |
| 45.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, A touch short, pushed uppishly, but well wide of the bowler towards mid on. |
| 45.5 : Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the track and keeps his bat behind the pad, thrusting the ball away, Another LBW appeal from Lyon, turned down. |
| 45.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Once again Pujara is out of his crease, looking to pad-block but misses. The ball flies off the pad over a leaping short leg. |
| 46.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, FOUR! Not totally convincing. A short ball, around middle, Kohli swivels to pull but is too early into his shot. The cherry goes off his gloves, past Paine and trickles into the fine leg fence. The stand moves to 22. |
| 46.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 46.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 46.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Around off, watchfully kept out. |
| 46.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Outside off, left alone. |
| 46.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, A wide ball outside off, short in length, Virat gets across but then lets it go. |
| 47.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full and around off, Pujara comes down the track and flicks it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 47.2 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Short and outside off, cut through point but Pat Cummins does extremely well to slide to his left to sop. |
| 47.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 47.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, watchfully kept out. |
| 47.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! IMPERIOUS! A short ball, on middle, Pujara rocks back and pulls it through square leg. 150 UP FOR INDIA! |
| 47.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated outside off, Cheteshwar comes down the track and defends. |
| 48.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, On a good length outside off, Kohli shoulders arms. |
| 48.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, A shorter ball, outside off, left alone. |
| 48.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Full and outside off, Kohli gets forward and defends towards cover. |
| 48.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, EDGED, FOUR! Indecision from the skipper. On a length outside off, Kohli's initial thought is to try and defend. But then, he tries to withdraw his bat. Is late and the ball runs off the middle of the bat past the lone slip to the third man fence. The stand is worth 30 now. |
| 48.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Outside off, left alone. |
| 48.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Fuller in length outside off, Virat shoulders arms. |
| 49.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara comes down the track to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 49.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Plays that very deftly and late, allowing the ball to come in and then working it through fine leg. Two runs taken. |
| 49.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Outside off, nice late cut from Che. He gets it past Josh Hazlewood at backward point and runs towards the other end. But Kohli is not running! He is walking in the middle of the pitch, doing some gardening before he looks up in time to see that Hazlewood has got to the ball near the ropes. Now he starts to run and completes two swiftly. |
| 49.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, On middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 49.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 49.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Full and around off, wristed towards short mid-wicket. |
| Interesting. With 6 minutes to go to Tea, Tim Paine has gone to Marnus Labuschagne, the leggie. |
| 50.1 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Not a bad start. Floated around middle, very full, watchfully defended. |
| 50.2 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, FOUR! HALF CENTURY FOR PUJARA! His 21st in Tests, 8th against Australia. Gets a free gift, a long hop, Che rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket! Another watchful innings and his good form continues... |
| 50.3 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Full and around off, pushed towards cover. |
| 50.4 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, FOUR! Another half tracker. In the middle of the pitch, Pujara goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket. Result is the same! |
| 50.5 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 50.6 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, FOUR! Third boundary in the over! A long hop again, Pujara has all the time in the world to rock back and pull it through mid-wicket! |
| 51.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket. |
| 51.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 51.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Full and around off, worked towards short mid-wicket again. |
| 51.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, FOUR! FLAMBOYANT! Full and wide outside off, Kohli reaches out and drives it through the covers for a boundary! 50 OF THE PARTNERSHIP COMES UP! |
| 51.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, Full and around middle, worked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 51.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Around off, watchfully defended. TEA ON DAY 1! |
| Wonderful session for India. Lost only Mayank Agarwal and accumulated 108 runs in 28 overs. The only positives for Australia were the wicket and the over-rate. |
| It will be harsh to say that the Aussies did not try hard. They kept the Indians quiet with some relentless short pitched bowling but the visitors were quite up to the task. And later, when the heat started to get onto the bowlers, the runs came. |
| Full marks to Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli. It would have been so easy to get carried away on a nice sunny afternoon and a flat-looking deck. But both batsmen have held their composure and done the basics right. Time now for them to bed in and make this a near-fruitless day for the Aussies. |
| What can the hosts do? Well, just try and be relentless and hope that they get a wicket from somewhere and then try to force a collapse. Looks like another long and tiring session awaits. 38 overs left. Join us back at 3.30 pm local (0430 GMT). |
| ... DAY 1, FINAL SESSION ... |
| The Indians are already out in the middle. The Aussies, not quite yet. Waiting outside the boundary not sure for whom. Eventually, they tread out. It will be Josh Hazlewood to start off proceedings to Cheteshwar Pujara. 13-6-27-1 so far. |
| 52.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length delivery on off, Pujara looks to defend but gets an outside edge past slips. It goes towards third man. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 52.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length delivery on leg, Pujara flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 52.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, On middle, Kohli blocks it well. |
| 52.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Length delivery on middle, Kohli pushes it to short mid-wicket. |
| 52.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, OUT! Massive wicket for Australia. And it has come in the form of a bonus. Short of a length delivery on leg, Kohli looks to help it through the leg side and a boundary was around the corner. |
| Ajinkya Rahane walks in at number 5, replacing his skipper. |
| 52.6 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Bowls a bouncer, Rahane does well to duck under it. |
| Nathan Lyon to continue. |
| 53.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted delivery on middle, Pujara comes down the track and defends it. |
| 53.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Poor delivery from Nathan Lyon. Bowls short, Pujara latches onto it and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 53.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted delivery on off, Cheteshwar comes down the track and blocks it. |
| 53.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated on middle, Pujara gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 53.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Wide outside off, the batsman lets it go. |
| 53.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up on leg, Cheteshwar nudges it towards fine leg. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 54.1 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 54.2 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 54.3 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, A bouncer outside off, left alone. |
| 54.4 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 54.5 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, A bouncer outside off, Rahane sways away from the pull. |
| 54.6 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, On middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 55.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Short on off, Rahane cuts it towards point. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 55.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Tossed up on off, Rahane offers a forward defense on this one. |
| 55.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flighted delivery on middle, Ajinkya blocks it well. |
| 55.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Floated on middle, Rahane looks to pull but gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 55.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Loopy delivery on off, Rahane defends off the back foot. |
| 55.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Tossed up on off, Ajinkya keeps it out. |
| 56.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, THAT WAS CLOSE! Good length delivery outside off, Pujara looks to defend but it kept low on him and missed the off stump by a whisker. |
| 56.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length delivery on off, Cheteshwar defends off the back foot. |
| 56.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length delivery on middle, Pujara nudges it towards the leg side for a run. |
| 56.4 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, FOUR! Amazing shot from Rahane. Easy pickings for him. Short outside off, Ajinkya cuts it over point for a boundary. |
| 56.5 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Length delivery on middle, Ajinkya flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 56.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Good length delivery on middle, Cheteshwar keeps it out. |
| 57.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Tossed up around middle, punched back to the bowler. |
| 57.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Fuller again, outside off, Rahane defends watchfully. |
| 57.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Full again, pressed towards cover. |
| 57.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Landed outside off, Jinx comes forward and dead-bats it. |
| 57.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, In the same line and the same channel, Ajinkya shows the same reaction. |
| 57.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 58.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A bouncer on middle, Pujara ducks. |
| 58.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 58.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, On middle and leg, flicked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 58.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 58.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 58.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 59.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Tossed up on off, Rahane defends off the front foot. |
| 59.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flighted delivery on off, Rahane goes back and defends off the back foot. |
| 59.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Floated on off, Ajinkya blocks it well. |
| 59.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flighted delivery on middle, Rahane keeps it out. |
| 59.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Floated on middle, the batsman defends off the back foot. |
| 59.6 : N Lyon to A Rahane, Tossed up on middle, Rahane looks to defend but the ball spun in sharply and he got an inside edge onto the pads. It goes to the leg side. Second consecutive maiden over from Nathan Lyon. |
| Pat Cummins is back. 13-2-47-0 so far. |
| 60.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On a good length around off, defended watchfully. |
| 60.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, watchfully kept out. |
| 60.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and around off, Pujara looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 60.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 60.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 60.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 61.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Floated on off, Rahane defends off the back foot. |
| 61.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Tossed up on off, Rahane comes down the track and plays it towards the bowler. |
| 61.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flighted delivery on middle, Rahane flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. That is a single after 14 dots against Nathan Lyon. |
| 61.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up on off, Pujara blocks it well. |
| 61.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated on off, Pujara comes down the track and pads it away. |
| 61.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Loopy delivery on middle, Cheteshwar defends off the back foot. |
| 62.1 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Full and outside off, Rahane leans into the drive and eases it wide of mid off, through the covers. Two runs taken. 200 UP FOR INDIA! Still 167 balls scheduled for the close. |
| 62.2 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Landed outside off, moving away, watchfully pushed towards cover. |
| 62.3 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 62.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bowls a bouncer, Pujara does well to duck under it. |
| 62.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length delivery on middle, Pujara flicks it towards square leg for a single. |
| 62.6 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length delivery on middle, Rahane tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 63.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Good shot from Pujara. Floated on off, Pujara comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Finally he gets that shot right. |
| 63.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated on off, Cheteshwar keeps it out. |
| 63.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Second boundary in this over. Tossed up on middle, Pujara comes down the track and flicks it through mid on for a boundary. This is good batting from him. |
| 63.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted delivery on leg, Pujara nudges it to the leg side. |
| 63.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up on middle, the batsman pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 63.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated on middle, Pujara flicks it to mid-wicket. Good over for India. 8 runs of it. |
| 64.1 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, A bit too straight, flicked towards long leg for a single. |
| 64.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery on middle, Pujara keeps it out. |
| 64.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery on middle, Pujara looks to defend but gets extra bounce on this one and is hit on his glove. |
| 64.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bowls a bumper down leg, Cheteshwar ducks underneath it. |
| 64.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length delivery on middle, Pujara flicks it to the leg side. |
| 64.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 65.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Full and outside off, Rahane comes down the track and works it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 65.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flighted delivery on middle, Rahane flicks it towards short leg. |
| 65.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Tossed up on off, Ajinkya comes down the track and plays it to point. |
| 65.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Floated on off, Ajinkya defends off the back foot. |
| 65.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Tossed up on middle, Rahane offers a forward defense on this one. |
| 65.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Outside off, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 66.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On a length outside off, defended to the off side. |
| 66.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length delivery on off, Pujara taps it towards point. Two runs taken. |
| 66.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length delivery on off, Pujara defends it out. |
| 66.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery on off, Cheteshwar defends off the back foot. |
| 66.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery on off again, Pujara keeps it out. |
| 66.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bowls it down the leg side, the batsman lets it go. |
| 67.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Tossed up outside off, Rahane comes down the track and plays it to covers. |
| 67.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Floated on off, Ajinkya blocks it off his back foot. |
| 67.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Tossed up on off, Rahane defends off the back foot. |
| 67.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flighted delivery on off, the batsman blocks it well. |
| 67.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Short outside off, Rahane cuts it to covers. |
| 67.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Loopy delivery on middle, Rahane easily keeps it out. |
| 68.1 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! Good start to the over. Full on middle, Pujara flicks it through mid on for a boundary. |
| 68.2 : M Starc to C Pujara, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Pujara. He moves into the 90s. Short outside off, Pujara cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 68.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Good length delivery on off, the batsman defends off the front foot. |
| 68.4 : M Starc to Pujara, JUST MISSES THE STUMPS! Length delivery on off, Pujara looks to punch but gets an inside edge which goes past the off stump. It goes towards fine leg. The batsmen cross ends. Nervous 90 moment for Cheteshwar Pujara. |
| 68.5 : M Starc to Rahane, Full on off, Ajinkya plays it towards point. The batsmen get two runs. |
| 68.6 : M Starc to Rahane, Good length delivery on off, the batsman keeps it out. Big over for India. 11 runs off it. |
| 69.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted on middle, Pujara comes down the track and flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 69.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Outside off, a touch slower, defended from the crease. |
| 69.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 69.4 : N Lyon to A Rahane, Short and outside off, Rahane cuts and gets an outside edge. It is in the air but in the gap between cover and point. Two runs taken. |
| 69.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 69.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Around off, Pujara gets across and nudges it towards square leg. |
| 70.1 : M Starc to Rahane, Full on middle, Rahane drives it straight back towards the bowler where he gets a hand to it and hits the stumps at the non-strikers end. |
| 70.2 : Starc to Rahane, OUT! Beauty of a delivery from Mitchell Starc. Ajinkya Rahane departs! First real good delivery today to get a wicket. Outside off, short of a length delivery, it rises off the deck, Rahane looked to fend at it but it keeps on rising. He is no position to play that ball as both his feet are in the air and gloves it. It goes towards Tim Paine who jumps and takes a very good catch. Starc gets his first wicket of the day. Timely one for Australia with the second new ball arou |
| Hanuma Vihari comes in at number 6, replacing Rahane. |
| 70.3 : M Starc to Vihari, On a good length around middle, tucked towards square leg. |
| 70.4 : M Starc to Vihari, A short ball around off, Vihari sways away from the line. |
| 70.5 : M Starc to Vihari, FOUR! Confident shot to get off the mark! Back of a length outside off, Vihari gets on top of the bounce and punches it with beautiful timing through the covers! |
| 70.6 : M Starc to Vihari, Wide down the leg side, Hanuma lets it go. |
| 71.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full and outside off, Rahane looks to defend and does so nicely. |
| 71.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 71.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Outside off, spinning in, watchfully blocked. |
| 71.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the track and pads it towards short leg who shows great anticipation to throw it back to Paine. Pujara gets back in though. |
| 71.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, That's hit the batsman on his pads. |
| 71.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total. |
| 72.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Bowls a bouncer outside off, Pujara does well to let it go through him. |
| 72.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Length delivery on off, Pujara taps it towards point for a single. He moves to 96. |
| 72.3 : M Starc to Vihari, Length delivery on middle, Vihari pushes it to mid on. |
| 72.4 : M Starc to Vihari, Outside off, Vihari shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 72.5 : M Starc to Vihari, Length delivery on middle, the batsman flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 72.6 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! 100 for Cheteshwar Pujara. 18th hundred for him. What an innings from him. Full delivery on leg, Pujara flicks it through square leg where Lyon dives but in vain. It races away to the boundary. |
| 73.1 : N Lyon to Vihari, Tossed up on off, Hanuma defends off the back foot. |
| 73.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, GOOD RUNNING BETWEEN THE WICKETS! Full on off, Vihari drives it through covers. The fielder chases it and stops it comfortably. The batsmen get three runs. |
| 73.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated on middle, Pujara flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 73.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Tossed up on off, the batsman defends off the back foot. |
| 73.5 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flighted delivery on off, Vihari keeps it out. |
| 73.6 : N Lyon to Vihari, Floated on off, the batsman blocks it well. |
| Marnus Labuschagne is back. 1-0-12-0 so far. |
| 74.1 : M Labuschagne to C Pujara, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single. |
| 74.2 : M Labuschagne to Vihari, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 74.3 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 74.4 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Full and just outside off, well blocked out. |
| 74.5 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Full and just outside off, well blocked out. |
| 74.6 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara comes down the track and drives it through the covers but Shaun Marsh at short extra cover dives to his right and takes some sting off the ball. Just a single. |
| 75.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! 250 up for India. What a shot! Full on middle, Pujara dances down the track and drives it through mid on for a boundary. |
| 75.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up on off, Pujara defends it out. |
| 75.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman offers a forward defense on this one. |
| 75.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up on middle, Pujara flicks it to the leg side. |
| 75.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated on off, Cheteshwar keeps it out. |
| 75.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Loopy delivery on off, the batsman defends off the front foot. |
| 76.1 : M Labuschagne to Vihari, Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a single. |
| 76.2 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, FOUR! That is a very poor ball and Pujara takes full toll. A high full toss, around middle, the centurion dispatches it out of his presence with a pull over mid-wicket! |
| 76.3 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. |
| 76.4 : M Labuschagne to Vihari, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 76.5 : M Labuschagne to H Vihari, Outside off, eased through the covers for a run. |
| 76.6 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Outside off, punched through the covers for one more. |
| 77.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up on middle, Pujara flicks it to square leg. |
| 77.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted delivery on middle, Pujara comes down the track and flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 77.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Tossed up on middle, Vihari flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 77.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated on off, Cheteshwar comes down the track and flicks it to short mid-wicket who makes a good stop and saves runs for the team. |
| 77.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman dances down the track and hits it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 77.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated on off, Pujara comes on the front foot and looks to defend but gets hit on the pads and it lobs to Tim Paine. A muted appeal from the keeper but it came off the pads. |
| 78.1 : M Labuschagne to Vihari, Tossed up outside off, Vihari reaches out and pushes it towards point. |
| 78.2 : M Labuschagne to Vihari, On middle, pushed down to long on for a single. |
| 78.3 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Around off, punched towards cover. |
| 78.4 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Well tossed up outside off, eased towards point. |
| 78.5 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Floated outside off, turning away, left alone. |
| 78.6 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Works this through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 79.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up on off, Pujara comes forward and pads it away. |
| 79.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated on middle, Pujara flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 79.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Tossed up on leg, Vihari flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 79.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted delivery on leg, Cheteshwar nudges it to the leg side. |
| 79.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated on leg, Pujara flicks it to the leg side. |
| 79.6 : Lyon to Pujara, Massive appeal for LBW! Not out! Close, was it? |
| Time for the second new ball. Will Australia take it? YES. THEY DO. Josh Hazlewood to make the first use of it. 17-7-37-2 so far. |
| 80.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Good length delivery on off, Vihari plays it to covers. |
| 80.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Down the leg side, helped through fine leg for a single. |
| 80.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 80.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and outside off, the tempter, Pujara does not fall for it and lets it go. |
| 80.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, FOUR! Easy pickings. Half volley and that too, on the pads. Help yourself. Flicked to the mid-wicket fence. |
| 80.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| Mitchell Starc to bowl from the other end. |
| 81.1 : M Starc to Vihari, Landed outside off, tight line, angling away, Vihari watches it closely and lets it go. |
| 81.2 : M Starc to Vihari, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 81.3 : M Starc to Vihari, Around off, defended from the crease. |
| 81.4 : M Starc to Vihari, Full and outside off, Vihari leans and drives it wide of mid off. The fielder gives it a good chase and manages to save a run for the side. |
| 81.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Around off, defended from the crease. |
| 81.6 : M Starc to Pujara, On middle and leg, flicked through square leg for a couple. |
| 82.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, A bouncer around middle, Vihari sways away. |
| 82.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, FOUR! Sensational batting. On a good length outside off, Vihari punches it behind point and gets a boundary! Moves to 22 from just 28 deliveries! 50-RUN STAND IS UP AS WELL! |
| 82.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Full and around off, watchfully played out. |
| 82.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Full again, driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 82.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 82.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Around off, driven straight back to the bowler once more. |
| 83.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Down the leg side, clipped through square leg for a couple. |
| 83.2 : M Starc to Pujara, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 83.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 83.4 : M Starc to Pujara, On a good length around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 83.5 : M Starc to Pujara, A short ball outside off, Pujara takes his eyes off the ball as he looks to fend and gets hit on the gloves. |
| 83.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Around off, ducked under that bouncer did Pujara. |
| 84.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, FOUR! Classic timing! On a length outside off, Vihari punches this behind point and gets a boundary! |
| 84.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper. |
| 84.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 84.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Landed outside off, a touch short, Vihari sways away from the line. |
| 84.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 84.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Outside off, steered through point for a single. |
| 85.1 : M Starc to H Vihari, FOUR! That second new ball is fetching runs. Short and outside off, Vihari gets behind the line and punches it behind point for a boundary! |
| 85.2 : M Starc to Vihari, Down the leg side, tucked through square leg for a single. |
| 85.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 85.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Around off, played straight to point. |
| 85.5 : M Starc to Pujara, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 85.6 : M Starc to Pujara, On middle, flicked straight to square leg. |
| Pat Cummins to have a go now. 17-2-56-0 so far. |
| 86.1 : Pat Cummins to H Vihari, IN THE AIR... FOUR! Cummins nearly strikes first ball! Full and outside off, Vihari pushes at this away from his body but is not able to control it. The cherry flies but there is no one to take it. There is a man at deep point but he barely has time to move. Sweet timing. |
| 86.2 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Smart batting. Quietly pushes this towards cover with soft hands and crosses over. |
| 86.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On middle and leg, helped through square leg for a single. |
| 86.4 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, A bouncer outside off, a tired one, just 133.1 kph, Hanuma sways away. |
| 86.5 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Back of a length outside off, punched back to the bowler. |
| 86.6 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Slower ball outside off, HV is early into the shot and spoons it back to the bowler. |
| Nathan Lyon to bowl too. 27-5-83-1 so far. |
| 87.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Around middle, helped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 87.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 87.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 87.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Down the leg side, helped straight to short fine leg. |
| 87.5 : N Lyon to H Vihari, A short ball, on middle, pulled straight to short fine leg where Pat Cummins fumbles and concedes a single. 300 UP FOR INDIA! This is the first time in this series that 300 has been scored on the opening day! |
| 87.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, On middle and leg, helped towards short leg. |
| 88.1 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, A bouncer on middle, Vihari ducks. |
| 88.2 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Down the leg side, Hanuma tucks it to the leg side but is not in control. The ball flies uppishly but does not carry to leg gully. |
| 88.3 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, A bouncer around off, HV ducks. |
| 88.4 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, A short ball but wide down the leg side, left alone. |
| 88.5 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Effort ball from Patrick. Bangs it around middle, right around that left arm-pit of Vihari. The batsman has no clue as he tries to fend it. Gets a thick inside edge and luckily for him, the ball hits his body. Else short leg was ready to have India 5 down. |
| 88.6 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Outside off, on a length, Hanuma feels for it but misses. End of Cummins for the day. Not the best one for him. Tried hard but found no success. |
| 89.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, On middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 89.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 89.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Outside off, punched off the back foot. |
| 89.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 89.5 : N Lyon to Vihari, Full and well outside off, Vihari gets a long way across and pads it away. Lyon appeals for LBW but that was not coming back enough. |
| 89.6 : N Lyon to Vihari, Full and straight, flicked to Marnus Labuschagne at short mid-wicket. STUMPS ON DAY 1! |
| India's day. Lokesh Rahul's wicket on the 9th ball of the morning seems to be a lonnggggg time ago and Pujara has deflated the Aussies again. |
| The reaction of Tim Paine after losing the toss said it all. He was frustrated that he could not make the first use of the wicket and opined that the Aussies had two sessions to make the pitch count after being asked to bowl first. Josh Hazlewood started well, getting Rahul cheaply but after that, it has just been another grinding day for them. |
| No swing, then Starc is not the king. He was brilliant in the first over of the match - swinging the ball like a banana - but then it seemed like the fruit salad had disappeared. The Aussies barely found any movement on this benign pitch and the Indians profited. All the bowlers looked tired after a gruelling series and a forgetful year and that showed in their bowling. The pace was up in the first session but after that, the speeds started to go up and down. Tired bodies. Typical Hazlewood pitc |
| Win the toss, win the match. That has been the mantra in the first three games of this series. Looks like the fourth is heading the same route. India made good use after getting an opportunity to bat with Mayank Agarwal doing well against the new ball again. And Pujara - well, he reminds me of my luck when I used to play business games or monopoly in my childhood. I used to have a lot of money and build a house in every city or town. Che is doing something similar. Owned Adelaide, won the MCG ov |
| 100 runs is all India need then, one believes, to pocket this series. With the pitch already starting to deteriorate, batting is just going to get tougher. Even if Australia do bat well, overhauling 400 and then getting into a winning position with thunderstorms forecast is going to be a monumental effort. The cards are with India. Just a matter of declaring 'SHOW.' Maybe, if the first session on Friday sees a collapse, the visitors will have a chance. Join us on Friday at 10.30 am local (2330 G |
| ... Day 2, Session 1 ... |
| Hello and welcome to Day 2 of the final Test between Australia and India. We had a Day 1 where the visitors' batting dominated what looked like a tired Aussie bowling line up. 303 scored in the day, the fastest they have played all series gives a testimony to that fact. Yet again, the Indian number 3, Cheteshwar Pujara has been a thorn in the hosts' plans and given them a really long day. He was first given company by the 2-Test youngster Mayank Agarwal and then towards the end of day, by Hanuma |
| As for the hosts, the second ball is still new and that gives a glimmer of hope. Every batsman needs to come back and start afresh on a new day and the best time to dismiss someone is early on in the day. There might just be a little moisture for the first half an hour on the surface as well. That said, Nathan Lyon did get the ball to talk and the pitch is deteriorating quite rapidly. Early wickets are the key, else the prospect of India winning their first ever series Down Under looks imminent. |
| Pitch Report - Brendon Julian feels that there will be invariable bounce from the surface on Day 2. Expects the cracks to widen under the hot sun and cause a little problems for the batsmen. Feels that India did really well to score 300 plus on the first day and batting will just become more difficult from here on. Signs off by saying it is very hot out there. |
| The batsmen and the fielders are out in the middle. Josh Hazlewood to bowl first up and Cheteshwar Pujara to take strike. Let's go... |
| 90.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball just outside off first up, defended coming half-ahead by Pujara. |
| 90.2 : J Hazlewood to C Pujara, First runs of the day! Full and outside off, Pujara pounces on the ball and drives it through cover on the front foot. 3 runs are taken. |
| 90.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Bouncer first up to Vihari. The batsman sways out of the way after ducking. |
| 90.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Length ball on middle, Hanuma pats it back. |
| 90.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Slightly short outside off, Vihari tries to push the ball in the gap and get a single. Pujara sends him back as the ball is close to the fielder at cover-point. |
| 90.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Another bouncer to end the over, HV lets it go. |
| Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end. |
| 91.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length ball just outside off, Pujara stands tall and defends. |
| 91.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On a length outside off, defended with soft hands. |
| 91.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short of a length above off stump, a nice back foot defense from Che. |
| 91.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Drifting onto the pads, Pujara flicks it through the square leg region and comes back for a couple. |
| 91.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good ball! Hit the deck hard here and the ball seems to have come in slightly, maybe hitting a crack. Pujara pushes it back towards the bowler. Post playing the ball, the batsman goes and taps the pitch where he feels the ball bounced to settle it down. |
| 91.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball outside off, keeps a bit low. Defended from within the crease. |
| 92.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Play and a miss! Perfect line and length outside off, Vihari plays a loose shot outside off and the ball cuts in a bit beating him on the inside. |
| 92.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Another play and a miss! This one looks like it's landed on the seam or on a crack and taken off. Vihari who is hanging back goes nowhere with his footwork as he tries to push this through covers. Is beaten comprehensively on the outside this time. |
| 92.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Lets the ball go outside the off stump this time. Much better to watch the ball and take some time early on in the day. |
| 92.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Outside off and left alone once more by the batsman. |
| 92.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Really well aimed bouncer this time, Hanuma sways out of the way and lets the ball go. |
| 92.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Outside off on a length, HV shoulders arms and lets the ball go. Maiden over, a testing one. |
| 93.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Slightly fuller length outside off, Pujara takes a stride ahead and defends on the front foot. |
| 93.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Well outside off, on a good length. Pujara gauges and then lets the ball go. |
| 93.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer! Ducks under it and evades the ball. |
| 93.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball outside off, Che comes ahead and dead-bats. |
| 93.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Hurled in outside off, calmly defended by Pujara back down the ground. |
| 93.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Goes on to the pads, the batsman tries to turn it away behind square on the leg side but finds the fielder. Maiden over, second in a row. Building pressure from both ends. That's more like it from the Aussies. |
| 94.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Short of a length and coming in slightly with the angle, Vihari pushes it back to the bowler off the back foot. |
| 94.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Fuller length outside off, Vihari gets this punchy-drive through the gap in the covers. Double taken. |
| 94.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Strays onto the pads on this occasion, Hanuma misses his flick and the ball rolls off his pads towards fine leg. Runs through for a leg bye. |
| 94.4 : J Hazlewood to C Pujara, Good fielding! Excellent dive from Nathan Lyon, considering he has done the bulk of the bowling yesterday. Saves a run for his team. Fuller length ball outside off, Pujara drives and finds the gap through the covers. The outfield seems a bit slow and the ball doesn't have the legs to reach the fence. Would have just trickled over if not for Lyon's effort. He pulls it back and then Head, who has also run in from widish mid off, sends the ball back in play. |
| 94.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Bouncer! Vihari ducks under it. |
| 94.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Short length ball going down the leg side, Hanuma chases after it but doesn't connect. Paine makes a good take down the leg side with a dive to his left. |
| 95.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer first up! Pujara lets it go over his head as he ducks. |
| 95.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball outside off, Che pushes it towards point off the back foot. |
| 95.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Goes for the really full ball this time, Pujara is ahead as he drives this to mid on. |
| 95.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Another effort ball from Cummins. Well aimed but equally well adjusted to by the batsman as he sways and leaves. |
| 95.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short of a length outside off, defended calmly from within the crease. |
| 95.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A little outside off, Pujara hangs his bat out in defense. Maiden over, second in a row for Cummins. |
| 96.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Good ball, on the off stump line and on a good length. Vihari doesn't seem too bothered as he pushes it away defensively towards mid on. |
| 96.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Good bowling! On the money again on off stump and slightly fullish than the last time. Hanuma gets his bat down in time and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 96.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, This one is well outside off, left alone. There is also excellent carry on this ball outside off, almost flew through after landing. |
| 96.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Bouncer! HV ducks under it as the ball goes down leg. |
| 96.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Fuller length outside off, Vihari comes ahead and defends this ball with a straight bat. |
| 96.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Good ball to end the over. On the off stump and middle stump line once more and a perfect length too. Vihari prods ahead to it and comfortably defends. |
| 97.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball outside off, Pujara is ahead in defense. |
| 97.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Very full outside off, Che walks into this drive down the ground to mid off. |
| 97.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short of a length outside off, Pujara rocks back and cuts it through the cover-point region. Gets a single. |
| 97.4 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Bouncer, well-aimed. Vihari keeps his hands nice and low as he ducks out of the way. |
| 97.5 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Another bouncer, ducks under it again. |
| 97.6 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Length ball outside off to end the over, a solid defense towards cover-point with the bat a bit away from the body. |
| 98.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball outside off, slightly coming in. Pujara makes a good leave. |
| 98.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short of a length aimed at the rib cage, fended down into the ground on the leg side by Che on his toes. |
| 98.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball and drifting on to the hips, Pujara mistimes his flick towards the square leg fielder. No single available hence. |
| 98.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Really full this time and straight, Pujara flicks it away beautifully through mid-wicket and gets three runs till the ball comes back. Good shot! |
| 98.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Outside off on a slightly shorter length, Vihari stands in his crease and punches this one. The ball goes to point. |
| 98.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Pushes this one a little further ahead, Vihari is ahead as he places his drive through covers and gets to the other end. Also, keeps strike for the next over. |
| Nathan Lyon is the first bowling change of the morning. |
| 99.1 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flatter ball outside off, Vihari pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 99.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Some air on this outside off, Vihari comes ahead and plays it along the ground towards short leg. |
| 99.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flatter one outside off, Hanuma gets forward and defends it to cover. |
| 99.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Another front foot defense to this one outside off stump. |
| 99.5 : N Lyon to Vihari, HV stays back and defends this one with a little air outside off. |
| 99.6 : N Lyon to Vihari, Maiden over to start off for Lyon. Full and outside off, Vihari presses forward and dead-bats. Done with 100 overs, India continue to be on top! |
| Change at both ends. Mitchell Starc replaces Josh Hazlewood at this end. |
| 100.1 : M Starc to C Pujara, FOUR! Thank you says Pujara. Short and wide outside off, a loosener to start off with. Che just rocks back and lofts it over the head of point. All the way to the fence. Moves to 146. |
| 100.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Good batting this! The very next ball on length on top of off is played with soft hands towards point who is a bit deep on the circle. A quick single taken. |
| 100.3 : M Starc to Vihari, Outside off, left alone by Vihari. |
| 100.4 : M Starc to Vihari, Oohh! Almost played on there! Wide outside off, Vihari goes for a cut without much footwork. The ball gets the inside edge and luckily for him, goes back onto his pads. |
| 100.5 : M Starc to Vihari, Quick, at 144.1 kph outside off. Left alone this time by the batsman. |
| 100.6 : M Starc to Vihari, Length ball outside off, even quicker this time. 147.3 clicks. Well defended from within the crease though by HV. |
| 101.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Lots of air outside off, Pujara comes down the track and hits it back towards the bowler. |
| 101.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Great use of the footwork as he drives this one against the spin towards cover. Good timing, the fielder chasing it almost stops it but unfortunately, the following hand pushes the ball into the ropes. That brings up the 150 for Pujara, his 7th 150-plus score in Tests. Also brings up the 100-run stand between these two. |
| 101.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter outside off, Che comes ahead and pads it away. |
| 101.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Shorter one outside off, cut away in the gap for a single by CP. |
| 101.5 : N Lyon to Vihari, Defended off front foot by Vihari. |
| Hanuma Vihari has been given out caught at short leg. He takes the DRS and walks up to his partner gesturing that it came off his left arm. Looking quite confident. Even Lyon is seen gesturing the same. Let's see... |
| 101.6 : N Lyon to Vihari, OUT! The third umpire spots a spike as the ball goes past the bat. He asks the on-field umpire to remain with his decision and Vihari has to walk off. It was an airy ball just outside off and spinning in, Vihari went for the sweep. The ball bounces a bit more than normal, and catches Hanuma on the bicep and lobs to short leg who takes it easily. The Aussies appeal and umpire Gould raises his finger immediately. The batsman is surprised and signals the 'T' instinctively. |
| Rishabh Pant, the wicket-keeper batsman and also a part-time baby-sitter of Tim Paine's kids, is in next. Remember that pic? |
| 102.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Good length ball on off, it's defended off the front foot by Pujara. |
| 102.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Sliding down the leg side, Pujara closes the face and works it behind square leg for a run. |
| 102.3 : M Starc to Pant, Spears in a fullish ball on middle and leg, Pant whips it off his pads through backward square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 102.4 : M Starc to Pant, Gets behind the line of the delivery and bunts it towards mid off for a quick run. |
| 102.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Pujara has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 102.6 : M Starc to Pujara, A bit short in length around middle and leg, Pujara turns and works it fine down the leg side. He returns for the second run and Paine after collecting the throw from the deep hits the stumps. More in frustration it seems. |
| Drinks break. The first hour of the morning session has been a sedate one but India will be really happy with the way things have panned out. Although the debatable decision against Hanuma Vihari will be the talking point at the moment. Australia clearly looking clueless with their plans as the touring team is slowly but steadily heading towards their desired first innings total. |
| 103.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Around the wicket to Pant, flatter ball outside off. Pant mistimes his cut shot towards point. |
| 103.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Airy one on off stump, RP comes ahead and defends. |
| 103.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Another flighted one on middle and off, defended with soft hands. |
| 103.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 103.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on middle, patted away on to the leg side by Rishabh. |
| 103.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Short and flat outside off, pushed to cover off the back foot by Pant. |
| 104.1 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! Pujara making it look all too easy. Around the wicket to Che, too full outside off. The ball is driven through the covers and it runs away from the mid off fielder due to superlative timing. |
| 104.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Fuller outside off again, this time the drive goes straight to the cover fielder. |
| 104.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Another one outside off, looked as if stuck in the surface a bit and Pujara is into his drive a little early. The ball goes in the air wide of cover for a moment but it is safe. A single is taken. |
| 104.4 : M Starc to R Pant, FOUR! Left-handers do look good when they play shots like those! The ball was full and outside off stump, Pant leans onto his front foot and drives it beautifully wide of mid off and for a boundary. No stopping those, and he holds the pose as well. Excellent shot! |
| 104.5 : M Starc to Pant, Short of a length on top of off stump, Pant taps it on the off side while on his toes. Gets to the other end with a quick single. The fielder at point has a shy at the striker's end but Pujara was well inside. |
| 104.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Length ball outside off, Pujara pushes it on the front foot towards mid off to end the over. |
| Appeal for a caught behind, not given. Nathan Lyon is not convinced but his skipper is. Tim Paine take the DRS. Here we go again... |
| 105.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Not out! Nothing on the Ultra Edge or the Hot Spot! Lyon bowls it slower through the air and lands it outside off. There is some away spin there as Pant after getting forward tries to play through the line. Fails to middle his shot and Paine appeals after collecting the ball. Lyon is not too sure while Khawaja at first slip also backs his skipper. The DRS is taken but to no use. Australia's turn to lose a review now. Only one successful review out of 11 for the hosts in th |
| 105.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted and outside off, left alone. |
| 105.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Tossed up and outside off again, Pant offers no shot. |
| 105.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Drags his length short and bowls it on off, Pant punches it down to long on for a run. |
| 105.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Walks forward and helps it with the spin to the leg side. |
| 105.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Pujara has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. End of an eventful over. |
| 106.1 : M Starc to Pant, Back of a length delivery on off, Pant gets back and punches it in the gap at extra cover for a run. |
| 106.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Full and on the pads, Che flicks but finds the square leg fielder. |
| 106.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Runs in from 'round the wicket and serves a full and wide ball outside off, Pujara reaches out for it and drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a run. |
| 106.4 : M Starc to Pant, FOUR! Good cricket all around! First up a great inswinging yorker, approaching the batsman on the full at 150.6 kph. Pant does well to keep his eyes on the ball and pushes it back with a straight bat. It finds the sweet spot and hurries down the ground for a boundary, beating the effort of the mid on fielder. |
| 106.5 : M Starc to Pant, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 106.6 : M Starc to Pant, Pant has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total. |
| 107.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted and full around off, Pant defends it off his front foot. |
| 107.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter and shorter around off, turning away, Pant moves back and punches it down to long on for a run. |
| 107.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Allows the ball to spin back in from around and then works it softly to square leg. Finds the fielder. |
| 107.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Fuller and flatter on the pads, Pujara works it off his pads again, this time straight to the fielder in front of square leg. |
| 107.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Loopy and full around off, Che draws forward in defense. |
| 107.6 : N Lyon to C Pujara, FOUR! Shot! He does play that stroke superbly. Only slightly short around by Lyon, Pujara picks it early. He immediately goes on the back foot, superb transfer of weight and then cuts it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 108.1 : M Starc to Pant, Four leg byes! Starc looks for a full yorker length ball but gets it all wrong. It goes down the leg side, Pant fails to flick but still it clips his pads and speeds past the keeper to the fine leg fence. |
| 108.2 : M Starc to Pant, Sliding down the leg side, Pant flicks it through square leg for a run. An interesting spot from the on-air commentator. Pant's back leg moves back as his trigger movement rather than his front leg getting forward and that's the reason he becomes a prime contender for an lbw. Starc seems to have spotted that and hence working over it. |
| 108.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 108.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Hurls it in the channel outside off, Pujara watches the line closely before making a leave. |
| 108.5 : M Starc to C Pujara, Angles in a length ball on off, Pujara hits it firmly back to the bowler who makes a good stop in his followthrough. |
| 108.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Once again a length ball has been angled into the batsman, Che is on the front foot as he pushes it off the inside half to mid on for a brisk run. |
| 109.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes from 'round the wicket for the right-hander. Bowls it full and around off, Pujara gets forward and defends it on the leg side. |
| 109.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up ball on middle, Pujara turns it off his pads but finds square leg. |
| 109.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Gentle hands on this occasion. Pujara works it with the spin to square leg and pinches a single. |
| 109.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Short in length and outside off, Pant gets back and punches it to sweeper cover for one. |
| 109.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Loopy and on off, Pujara hurries down the track and brings his bat and pad together in defense. Pushes it out to covers. |
| 109.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Lets the ball spin back in from around off and then eases it through the gap between backward square leg and the fielder standing in front of square leg for a run. |
| Josh Hazlewood is back on. |
| 110.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A length ball on off, Pujara defends it from the crease. |
| 110.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A rare lapse in concentration for Pujara. Hazlewood bowls it short outside off and manages to lure the batsman into a square cut. But there is some extra bounce as it beats the outside edge of Pujara's bat. |
| 110.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 110.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and angling into the batsman from outside off, Che defends it off his front foot towards mid on. |
| 110.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 110.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Lands it full and around off, Pujara brings down a straight bat and keeps it out off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket. |
| 111.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Tossed up ball on off, Pant gets back and strokes it with the spin through covers for a run. |
| 111.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Poor line. Straying down the leg side, easy pickings for Pujara as he nudges it to fine leg for three runs. The stand now moves to 42 in no time. |
| 111.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Rishabh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 111.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted and outside off, Pant covers his stumps and allows it through. |
| 111.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 111.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter on off, blocked safely from the crease to end another over. |
| 112.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full in length and outside off, Pujara pushes it out to covers. |
| 112.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A defensive shot off the back foot by Pujara. |
| 112.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Back of a length delivery in the channel outside off, Pujara has nothing to do with it. |
| 112.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Nearly deceives the batsman with a slower one. Fuller and outside off, Pujara is early into his shot but luckily for him his chip shot goes safely over covers for a couple of runs. The replays show that it was a knuckle delivery. |
| 112.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Good length ball on off, defended off the back foot by Che. |
| 112.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A touch short around off, Pujara pushes his weight on the back leg as he punches it to covers. |
| 113.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Tossed up ball on middle and leg, Pant fails to keep it out and is hit on the pads. |
| 113.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted delivery, landing full around leg, Pant gets down on one knee and sweeps it down to fine leg. They appeal as the batsmen cross a couple of times. Given as runs. Just a reminder, Australia have no reviews left. |
| 113.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Pant has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 113.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Goes on the back foot and strokes it down through mid off for a run. |
| 113.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Loopy and on middle, Pujara clips it off his pads but finds the square leg fielder. |
| 113.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Advances down the track and flicks it in front of square leg for a single. |
| Labuschagne comes on now to bowl some leg spin. |
| 114.1 : M Labuschagne to C Pujara, Short and wide outside off, cut away to deep point for a single. |
| 114.2 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Slightly shorter on off, Pant opens the face of the bat and pushes it to deep point for a couple. |
| 114.3 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Spinning after landing on middle and leg, going down leg. Left alone. |
| 114.4 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Going down leg and Pant lets the ball go once more. |
| 114.5 : M Labuschagne to Pant, On leg stump once more, Pant misses his flick as the ball goes off his trousers and into Paine's hand. Slight appeal but nothing much there. |
| 114.6 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Flatter and quicker on middle, Pant keeps it out towards mid-wicket. |
| 115.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter ball on middle, defended off the back foot by Pujara. |
| 115.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter one outside off, Che comes down the track and flicks the ball towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 115.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Airy ball on off stump, Pant comes ahead and dead-bats. |
| 115.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball outside off, Rishabh pushes the ball to deep cover for a run. |
| 115.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Starting on off, and spinning down leg. Pujara gets a faint tickle to this ball and it runs away fine on the leg side for a boundary. The fielder at short fine leg seems too tired and does not put in a dive. |
| 115.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter ball on middle, Pujara trudges forward and defends this ball. |
| 116.1 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Flatter ball on the stumps, flicked away to deep square leg for a single. |
| 116.2 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Quicker one fired in full outside off, Pujara drives through covers for another run. |
| 116.3 : Labuschagne to Pant, Starts just outside leg stump and turns a bit. Pant misses his flick and gets hit on the pad but it was outside the line and there is no worry about LBW. |
| 116.4 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Flatter ball on the pads, worked away towards square leg for another single. |
| 116.5 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Slightly airy outside off, Che stands back and pushes this one back down the ground. |
| 116.6 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Flatter ball on off stump. CP Calmly defends this one from within the crease back to the bowler. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| 27 overs, 86 runs and 1 wicket. It has been all too easy for the Indians in the opening session of Day 2. Pujara has looked solid as ever and I can only recall a single false shot played by him, that too because of a clever knuckle-ball bowled late on in the session by Hazlewood. The runs have flowed, he has moved on from 130 to 181 and the Aussies look lost for ideas. The only wicket to fall was that of Vihari and that too for a debatable decision. The Snicko-RTS technology proved him to be out |
| Since the fall of Vihari's wicket, Rishabh Pant joined arms with the 'New Wall of Indian cricket' and has taken India to a place where they can dictate terms in this match. Ideally, they'd look to score some quick runs and play for maybe a session and a half more before looking to declare. For the Aussies, they will still have to keep their heads up and try to bowl out the Indians to find a way back in here. Easier said than done. There is no help off the pitch and though there is quite some tur |
| ... Day 2, Session 2 ... |
| Welcome back, the players and umpires are making their way back to the field. Nathan Lyon to start proceedings. Rishabh Pant on strike. |
| 117.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Looped up on off, Pant defends with soft hands. |
| 117.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball drifting on leg stump, pushed out towards mid-wicket. |
| 117.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball again, on middle, defended back down the ground on the front foot. |
| 117.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Outside off, once more in the flatter trajectory, pushed towards cover by the southpaw. |
| 117.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Quicker one fired in on leg stump, Pant keeps it out to mid-wicket. |
| 117.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Wide outside off, Rishabh cuts it away for a single to deep point. |
| Marnus Labuschagne to continue from the other end. |
| 118.1 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Flatter ball on the pads, Pant misses his flick and the ball goes off the thigh pads towards short leg. |
| 118.2 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Flighted a little outside off, Rishabh comes ahead to defend but misses the ball as it rears up and gets him on the pad. No appeal though. |
| 118.3 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Shorter one on the pads, worked away along the ground to square leg for a single. |
| 118.4 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Flatter one on middle, turned away towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 118.5 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Slower through the air on middle, Pant pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 118.6 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Flighted once more on middle, RP turns it away for a single to deep square leg and keeps strike. |
| 119.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Quicker and fired in at the pads, no fuss as Pant just pushes it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 119.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Slightly short outside off, Che rocks back and pushes it through point for an easy single. |
| 119.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Airy on off and middle, Pant defends it coming forward. |
| 119.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter outside off, Rishabh pushes ahead and drives this to cover. |
| 119.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Short this time, the batsman goes back and cuts it away to deep point for a single. |
| 119.6 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Slower through the air outside off, Pujara comes down the ground but hits his drive straight to mid off. |
| 120.1 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Fuller length one on the pads, pushed away to mid-wicket. |
| 120.2 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Flatter outside off, plays it to cover on the back foot. |
| 120.3 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Full toss, on leg stump. Pant calmly pushes it down the ground to long on for a single. |
| 120.4 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Flatter ball on middle and leg, pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 120.5 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Quick one outside off, Che drives the ball down the ground where the bowler moves to his left and makes a good save. |
| 120.6 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Oooh! Would surely have been close there. The ball is patted away on the leg side and Pant wants a quick single. Lambuschagne goes after the ball quickly and hence, Pujara sends his partner back. Pant seems to be stranded as he turns back a little slowly. The throw from the bowler was off target else it would have been mighty close, possibly even curtains for the Indian keeper-batsman. |
| 121.1 : N Lyon to R Pant, Slower loopy full ball on middle, Pant gets forward and bunts it down to long on for a run. |
| 121.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up ball outside off, a gentle off spinner, Pujara takes his front leg outside the line and pads it away. |
| 121.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted and wide outside off, Pujara gets across and defends it softly to the off side. |
| 121.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Loopy one wide outside off, turning back in a bit, Che allows it through to the keeper. |
| 121.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Goes on the back foot and blocks it safely. |
| 121.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter and fuller outside off, Pujara pads it away on the off side. |
| 122.1 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Slightly flighted outside off and turns in a bit. Pant pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 122.2 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Falls short of Hazlewood! For some reason, Pant has lost his patience. He goes for the lofted shot over mid on to this loopy one on middle. The ball isn't timed well and luckily for Pant and India, it does not carry to Josh in the deep at long on. Single taken. The Indian keeper would have had his heart in his mouth for some time there. |
| 122.3 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Flatter one on middle and leg, Che works it towards mid-wicket and after some confusion, the batsmen take a single. It brings up the 400 for the visitors. In a very strong position now. |
| 122.4 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Flatter ball on the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for a run. |
| 122.5 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Quicker on middle with a slightly shorter length. Pujara defends it back down. |
| 122.6 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Looped up a little quicker on the pads, CP turns it away towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 123.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Lets the ball to spin back in and eases it off his pads to square leg. |
| 123.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Walks down the track to a full ball and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 123.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Goes slower through the air and drops it on a fuller length around off, Pant leans forward in defense. |
| 123.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Fullish and on middle, Pant rotates his wrists and pushes it down through mid on for a run. |
| 123.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Use of the feet again by Che. He walks forward and clips it in front of square leg for an easy run. |
| 123.6 : N Lyon to Pant, From over the wicket this time. Flatter and on off, punched from the crease to the right of the cover fielder. Dot ball to end the over. |
| 124.1 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Hurled in on middle and off at 101 kph, Pujara pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 124.2 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, FOUR! Short and treated with disdain! Pujara rocks back and pulls this over mid-wicket for a boundary. Into the 190s now. |
| 124.3 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Comes down the track this time and Che pushes it to the extra cover fielder. |
| 124.4 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Flatter ball outside off, pushed to the cover-point fielder. |
| 124.5 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Another quicker one outside off, Pujara opens the face of the bat towards backward point. |
| 124.6 : M Labuschagne to Pujara, Another one outside off, pushed away towards backward point. A slight misfield allows for a single. |
| 125.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Well outside off and left alone by Pujara. |
| 125.2 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Dropped! Pujara has been dropped on 192. The ball was well outside off and on a shorter length. He has played the late cut before and got it wide of slip on occasions yesterday. This time though, he gets a thick edge and it goes very close to Khawaja at slip. Usman puts out his right hand in the air and gets to the ball but cannot hold on. Really went very quickly to him. Tough chance but it has come and gone. A very good effort though from Usman Khawaja to get a hand |
| 125.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the track and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Gets to the other end after that scare. |
| 125.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Fuller ball on middle, pushed down to long on with a straight bat for a single. |
| 125.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker one on the pads, pushed to the mid-wicket fielder on the front foot. |
| 125.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Well outside off, similar to the dropped catch earlier this over. This time though, Che lets it go through. |
| Josh Hazlewood is back on. |
| 126.1 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Starts the spell by angling across a full ball outside off, Pant is on the front foot as he pushes it to mid off. |
| 126.2 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Good length this time, on off and angling away, Rishabh punches from the crease to point. |
| 126.3 : J Hazlewood to Pant, FOUR! Beautiful shot! A length delivery straighter in line, Pant flicks it with nice timing through mid-wicket and it just races away. Head gives the chase but the ball wins the race. |
| 126.4 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Short and around leg, it's pulled behind square leg for one. |
| 126.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Wide outside off, on a shorter side, Pujara drops his wrists and sways away from the line easily. |
| 126.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Drops it on a good length and gets it to shape in towards off, Pujara blocks it from the middle of the bat. |
| 127.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on off stump, Pant defends it towards cover. |
| 127.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Quicker one once more on middle, watchfully played back to Lyon. |
| 127.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Fuller outside off, pushed towards cover but there is no single available as the fielder moves quickly to the ball. |
| 127.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter one hurled in at the pads, Rishabh works it to square leg. |
| 127.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Another quicker ball on middle, the southpaw defends it with a straight bat. |
| 127.6 : N Lyon to Pant, BEATEN! Turn and bounce! This would make the Indian spinners happy. The ball is short and outside off. Rears up off the length and bounces a lot more than Pant expects it to, beating him as he tries to cut. Paine appeals but then goes silent. Lyon has his hands on his head. |
| 128.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Bouncer towards the rib cage, Pujara gets on top of the ball and plays it down towards the leg side. |
| 128.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Outside off and coming in after landing. Well left after gauging the movement and length. |
| 128.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short length ball on middle, Pujara just defends it back down onto the ground. |
| 128.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Seems like the ball got stuck in the wicket there. Hazlewood attempted the short ball and Pujara was early into his pull. He gets hit on the right shoulder when the ball comes through. |
| 128.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Another bouncer at 134.4 kph, this is pacy and Pujara ducks under it to let it go. |
| 128.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball on top of off stump, played back down the ground by Che presenting a straight bat. |
| 129.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Short and slow outside off, cut away for a single to deep point. |
| 129.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Well outside off with some air, Che comes ahead and pads it away. |
| 129.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Another flighted one outside off, Pujara comes down and pushes the ball to mid-wicket. |
| 129.4 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Full outside off, driven hard but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 129.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter one outside off, CP comes ahead and dead-bats this one. |
| 129.6 : Lyon to Pujara, OUT! No 200 for Pujara! A very soft dismissal to what has been a stellar knock. Lyon has his 3rd and he takes a simple catch of his own bowling to deny the Indian number 3 a double century. Pujara had not got runs off the last few overs and was looking a little scratchy post the dropped catch. This one was a flatter one on length and Che gave charge to it trying to get to the pitch of the ball and flick it away towards mid-wicket. He did not manage to get there and also fa |
| Ravindra Jadeja walks in next. |
| 130.1 : J Hazlewood to Pant, A length ball outside off, Pant gets forward and taps it down to the off side. |
| 130.2 : J Hazlewood to Pant, The line is straight and Pant turns it through square leg for a run. |
| 130.3 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Greets the new batsman with a bouncer, Jadeja ducks at the last second. |
| 130.4 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, A touch short around off, Jadeja moves across and plays it down to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 130.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Outside off, an easy leave. |
| 130.6 : J Hazlewood to R Pant, FOUR! Easy-peasy! Short and down the leg side, Rishabh stands back inside the crease and helps his pull shot down to fine leg for a boundary. Moves to 49! |
| Some sightscreen issue. Jadeja does not seem too happy. The cloth covering the roller placed there has flown and is distracting the batsman. It is sorted out though and now we are ready to go. |
| 131.1 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter ball outside off, pushed away to deep cover for a single. |
| 131.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Quicker ball on middle, defended back down the ground towards the bowler off the front foot. |
| 131.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Beats the diving short mid-wicket fielder to his right and gets a single to long on. That will bring up the FIFTY for Pant! His 3rd in Test cricket. Good innings this, curbing his natural instinct to go for the big shots and played around Pujara. Deserved this too. Well played. Coming to the ball, it's a length ball on middle, Pant stands tall and pushes it past the diving mid-wicket fielder. It travels to long on and the batsmen cross for a run. |
| 131.4 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter one outside off, pushed to the cover region by Jadeja. |
| 131.5 : N Lyon to Jadeja, A front foot defense to this flatter ball on middle and leg. |
| 131.6 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Slightly airy on the stumps, Ravindra comes ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 132.1 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Fullish and outside off, Pant reaches out and drives it crisply to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 132.2 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Back of a length ball around off, Jadeja shuffles across and tucks it in front of square leg. Straightaway calls for two and completes it quite easily. |
| 132.3 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Wide down the leg side, Jadeja shoulders arms to it. |
| 132.4 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Bouncer on middle and leg, RJ ducks under the ball. |
| 132.5 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Wide outside off this time, left alone by the batsman. |
| 132.6 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Another short of a length delivery, Jadeja rides the bounce and pats it back down the ground. |
| Drinks break. The first hour of the second session has been done and the talking point will be the fact that Pujara has been undone by Lyon finally and he did not get his 200. Pant though did get to his half century and it has been easy going for the Indians. The hosts are sitting back and waiting for mistakes from the batsmen. It is up to the visitors' batsmen how they want to go now, whether to play the ball around or go for the big shots. Also, a question would be, how much will be enough? Le |
| 133.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter and on off, punched off the back foot to covers for a run. |
| 133.2 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Looped up on off, Jadeja comes ahead and defends it onto the ground. |
| 133.3 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter one outside off, Ravindra prods ahead once more to defend. |
| 133.4 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Quicker outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 133.5 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter one on the pads, pushed away to deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 133.6 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Lots of air on this one, the southpaw comes ahead and pushes it back down the ground. |
| Pat Cummins has been called on for a bowl. |
| 134.1 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Edged but safe! Short length outside off and angling away from the left-hander, Pant goes for the cut off the back foot. Gets a thick edge that flies wide of backward point and down to third man for a single. |
| 134.2 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Length ball on the hips, worked towards the leg side while on the toes. No run though. |
| 134.3 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Bouncer on middle, Jadeja ducks. |
| 134.4 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Another effort ball and Ravindra ducks under the ball once again. |
| 134.5 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Yet again a shorter ball, Jadeja gets on top of the bounce and pushes it to cover. He comes out for a single but the cover fielder, Labuschagne is quick to the ball and has a shy at the striker's end. Jadeja would have been back in time though. |
| 134.6 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Bouncer to end the over, the southpaw just moves out of the way and lets it go. |
| 135.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Catch it is the shout. But it's safe. Pant advances down the track for a big shot but ends up miscuing it big time over extra cover. The fielder runs in the deep as the ball lands safely. They take a couple of runs. |
| 135.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Gets back and works it through square leg for a run. |
| 135.3 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Leans forward to a full ball and blocks it sensibly. |
| 135.4 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 135.5 : N Lyon to R Jadeja, Quicker and around leg, Jadeja walks forward and eases it down to long on for a run. |
| 135.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Good running between the wickets! Loopy and full around off, Pant pushes it with gentle hands towards cover-point and pinches a run. |
| 136.1 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Stands back to a short ball and punches it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 136.2 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, The line is straight and it's angling down, Jadeja tries working it on the leg side but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. Paine puts in an appeal from behind the wickets, seeing that Pat also turns to appeal but the umpire is not interested. |
| 136.3 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Good length ball on middle and off, Ravindra defends it off his back foot to the off side. |
| 136.4 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Bouncer this time, RJ not in mood to listen to any chin music and hence ducks underneath it. |
| Short leg comes in now along with a leg gully. So, Jadeja will be expecting some short stuff now. |
| 136.5 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Here comes the bouncer. Around leg and Jadeja takes the challenge to play the pull shot. Connects well to send it to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 136.6 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Another half-tracker is pulled through square leg for one. Both the batsmen are at ease. |
| 137.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted and full on middle, Pant is on the front foot as he defends it back. |
| 137.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Short and outside off, Pant goes back and plays it down to point. Paine is quite vocal behind the stumps, trying to lift his players. |
| 137.3 : N Lyon to Pant, FOUR! Pant continues to chance his arms. Advances down the track and tries to play the inside-out shot over covers. But maybe the connection ain't proper and it flies over wide mid off for a boundary. |
| 137.4 : N Lyon to Pant, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 137.5 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter and fuller on the pads, Jadeja gets forward and flicks it past the left side of the square leg umpire for a run. |
| 137.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Shorter around off, skidding back in, Pant hangs back and keeps it out at the last moment at cover-point for a run. |
| 138.1 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Speeds in from 'round the wicket and angles in a length ball on off, Pant defends it off his front foot. |
| 138.2 : Pat Cummins to R Pant, Short and outside off, cut off the back foot to deep cover-point for one. |
| 138.3 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, FOUR! What a shot! Cummins digs in a short delivery as per the plan, it's in line of the stumps, Jadeja picks it early, hops back to create room and whacks it over point. 450 comes up! |
| 138.4 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Bouncer around leg, Jadeja bails out at the last moment as he initially was looking to play the horizontal-bat shot. |
| 138.5 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Bowls length this time, around leg, Jadeja tries flicking but misses. |
| 138.6 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Goes fuller than the last ball and it's down the leg side, Jadeja once again fails to flick and is hit on the pads. Overambitious appealing from Australia. Nothing doing. Pitching outside leg and going down too. |
| Marnus Labuschagne is into the attack with nothing happening for Australia. |
| 139.1 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Tossed up ball around leg, played down to short leg. |
| 139.2 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Walks down the track but fails to connect with his flick shot. Is hit on the pads in the process. |
| 139.3 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Down the leg side, Pant tries pulling but fails to connect. |
| 139.4 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Around off, helped off the front foot to short leg. |
| 139.5 : M Labuschagne to Pant, FOUR! Wow, what a shot! Loopy and full around middle and leg, Rishabh gets down on one knee and reverse sweeps it with authority through point for a boundary. |
| 139.6 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Taps it down on the off side for a quick single. All too easy. |
| 140.1 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Pitches it up and outside off, Pant drives it down the ground but straight in the direction of mid off. |
| 140.2 : Cummins to R Pant, A mistimed shot! Width on offer outside off, Pant throws his bat at it and in the process loses his shape. Fails to middle his shot properly and it flies over point. The sweeper cover fielder runs across to his right to make a sliding stop and they take a couple. |
| 140.3 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Good shot this time. Fuller and outside off, Pant forces it through covers for a brace again. |
| 140.4 : Pat Cummins to Pant, On a length and outside off, left alone that time by Pant. |
| 140.5 : Pat Cummins to R Pant, Quick single. Lands it on a length around off, cutting back in, Pant goes hard at it and gets it away off the inside half to mid on. Rushes across to the other end as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end. |
| 140.6 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, SIX! Jadeja sends it packing over cow corner! 50-run stand comes up! Cummins delivers it on a length around off, Ravindra senses the opportunity to free his arms and dismisses it into the stand. |
| 141.1 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Quicker and flatter down the leg side, Pant fails to flick it. |
| 141.2 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Full and outside off, reverse swept down towards third man for a run. |
| 141.3 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Darts in around middle and leg, Jadeja tries to flick from the crease but misses. |
| 141.4 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Leans forward to a full ball and flicks it to short leg. |
| 141.5 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Goes on the back foot and punches it to mid-wicket. |
| 141.6 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Mitchell Starc runs in... |
| 142.1 : M Starc to Pant, Fuller length delivery on middle and leg, Pant flicks but finds the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 142.2 : M Starc to Pant, Swing and a miss! Starc delivers it on the shorter side outside off, staying low a bit, Pant tries to pull but it goes under his bat. |
| 142.3 : M Starc to Pant, Angling in on a length around off, Pant blocks it to the off side. |
| 142.4 : M Starc to Pant, FOUR! Lovely shot! Moves to 81... A length ball outside off, Pant gets forward and unfurls a delightful square drive for a glorious boundary. |
| 142.5 : M Starc to Pant, Four leg byes! Runs continue to come for India. This time Starc serves a good length ball around leg, angling down, Pant fails to flick and it goes off his pads to fine leg for a boundary. |
| 142.6 : M Starc to Pant, A back foot punch this time, through the gap at covers for three runs. 11 from the over, India are 19 short of 500. |
| 143.1 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Shortish and around off, Pant packs a punch from the back foot and Shaun Marsh at extra cover makes a fine diving stop. |
| 143.2 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Loopy and turning in from off to leg, Pant clips it behind square leg for a run. |
| 143.3 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Strides forward to a full ball and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 143.4 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Gets forward and knocks it down with the spin to long on for a couple of runs. |
| 143.5 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Shortish and on off, turning in, Jadeja punches it back to the bowler. |
| 143.6 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Too full this time, on off, Jadeja eases it down to long on for a run. |
| 144.1 : M Starc to Jadeja, Back of a length ball on off, angling in, Jadeja gets back and plays it down to mid-wicket. |
| 144.2 : M Starc to Jadeja, Wayward! Waste of energy. Starc digs in a bouncer way down the leg side. A comfortable leave for Jadeja and Paine has to stretch to collect the ball to his right. |
| 144.3 : M Starc to Jadeja, Good length on off, Jadeja inside edges his attempted back foot punch and the ball rolls behind square leg for one. |
| 144.4 : M Starc to Pant, Stifled appeal for an lbw! Full and drifting down the leg side, Pant wants to flick but his bat comes down late. He is struck on the pads, they appeal but it's missing leg. |
| 144.5 : M Starc to Pant, A terrific yorker outside off, Pant is beaten by pace as he fails to dig it out. |
| 144.6 : M Starc to Pant, Angled on the pads, it's tickled away to deep square leg for a single. |
| Last over before Tea will be bowled by Travis Head... |
| 145.1 : T Head to R Pant, Short and outside off, cut through to deep point for a single. |
| 145.2 : T Head to Jadeja, Flatter and shorter on off, punched to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 145.3 : T Head to Pant, Lunges to a full ball and dead-bats it back to the bowler. |
| 145.4 : T Head to Pant, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 145.5 : T Head to Pant, Stands back to a short ball and slaps it to deep cover for one. |
| 145.6 : T Head to Jadeja, Quicker and fuller on off, forced down the ground to long on for a single. That will be Tea on Day 2. |
| Another grinding session for Australia. With very little to no help from the surface, their bowlers failed miserably as India continued their march towards a big first innings total. Cheteshwar Pujara was unlucky not to get to his 4th double century as he was hunted down by Nathan Lyon. But as has been the norm in this innings, fall of a wicket has not hampered the touring team's momentum much. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja are now amidst a 73-run stand and it appears that Virat Kohli might d |
| ... Day 2, Session 3 ... |
| The umpires and the players make their way back to the middle. How many overs more will they bat? Jadeja to face the first ball from Nathan Lyon who is bowling his 50th. |
| 146.1 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Shorter one to start off, Jadeja backs off and pushes it back down to long on for a single. |
| 146.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter one outside off, Pant wants to drop it towards point and run through but is sent back. |
| 146.3 : N Lyon to Pant, On the pads this time, flicked away towards square leg and Pant moves on to 89 with a single. |
| 146.4 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Airy outside off, Jadeja comes ahead and defends this one. |
| 146.5 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Short this time and Ravindra cuts the ball hard towards deep point for a single. |
| 146.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Hurled in on off stump, defended from within the crease by Pant. |
| Marnus Labuschagne to bowl from the other end. |
| 147.1 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, A juicy full toss outside off, but hit straight to cover-point. Jadeja must not have expected that gift to come his way. |
| 147.2 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Flatter ball on middle, pushed towards mid-wicket. |
| 147.3 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Another quicker one on middle and leg, Jaddu pushes it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 147.4 : M Labuschagne to R Jadeja, Flighted outside off, driven to mid off for a single by RJ. |
| 147.5 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Another loopy one outside off, driven down the ground for a single by Pant. Moves into the 90s. |
| 147.6 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Flatter one outside off, Jadeja cuts but it goes straight to the point fielder who makes a tumbling stop. |
| 148.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Lots of air given there, Pant comes dancing down the ground and wants to smash it over long on but the ball gets the inside half off the bat and onto his pads. Not the time to lose your head when you are so close to a landmark. |
| 148.2 : N Lyon to R Pant, Much better! The ball is shorter this time and Pant rocks back to place it behind backward point. Three runs taken, good running that! |
| 148.3 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter one on middle and leg, Jadeja jams it away on the leg side for a quick single. |
| 148.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Short and outside off, cut away to deep point for a single. |
| 148.5 : Lyon to Jadeja, Miscommunication! Luckily the throw isn't a direct hit and Pant gets in with a dive. The ball was a flatter one on middle and Jadeja pushed it towards the leg side and Pant wants a single. He is sent back by his partner and has to make it back in time with a dive. |
| Rishabh Pant dives to make his ground in time as he is sent back by Jadeja but it looks like he has hurt his hand in the process. The physio is on the field to have a look. Should be okay to continue. |
| 148.6 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter one, kept out off the front foot. |
| 149.1 : M Labuschagne to Pant, In the air... Catchhhhh is the shout!!! Pant wants to do a Sehwag probably, reach his hundred with big blow. But after coming down the track, he miscues his big shot badly. The ball goes in the air and just clears mid off for a couple of runs. |
| 149.2 : M Labuschagne to Pant, FOUR! Hundred for Pant! His 2nd in Test cricket. Also becomes the first Indian wicket-keeper to score a hundred in Australia. Short and on middle, Pant pulls this away and the fielder in the deep seems to have missed it as he fails to move. Maybe a lapse of concentration. It doesn't matter though as Pant gets to his landmark. Got his previous one in England, this is in Australia. Well done. Time for him to go blast now! |
| 149.3 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Flighted outside off, defended into the ground. |
| 149.4 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Straight bat presented in defensed to this flatter one. |
| 149.5 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Hurled at the pads, flicked away to the square leg fielder. |
| 149.6 : M Labuschagne to Pant, This is a flatter ball on the pads once more, this time he gets the flick in the gap for a single. |
| Usman Khawaja to have a go now... |
| 150.1 : U Khawaja to R Pant, How on earth did he miss out on this one? A friendly full toss on middle, Pant swings his bat a bit early and it goes off the inner half to deepish mid on for a run. |
| 150.2 : U Khawaja to R Jadeja, Too full and on middle, Jadeja drives it down to long off for a single. |
| 150.3 : U Khawaja to R Pant, Loopy and on off, it's stroke from the front foot to long off for another run. |
| 150.4 : U Khawaja to Jadeja, Flighted and outside off, left alone. |
| 150.5 : U Khawaja to Jadeja, Another mistimed shot as Jadeja tries to go big. Fails to middle and it rolls to mid-wicket. |
| 150.6 : U Khawaja to Jadeja, Uses his feet and forces it back to the bowler who deflects it towards short mid-wicket. They cross and steal a single safely. |
| Nathan Lyon comes back on. |
| 151.1 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter one on middle, Jadeja comes ahead and pushes the ball back to the bowler. |
| 151.2 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Quicker one on the pads, Ravindra comes ahead and pushes it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 151.3 : N Lyon to Pant, In the air... but safe. The flighted ball is bowled outside off and Pant comes down the ground, wanting to hit it for a maximum. Does not connect well and the ball goes on a bounce to long off. |
| 151.4 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter ball on middle and Jadeja whips it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 151.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Short and wide outside off, Pant opens the face of the bat towards backward point. |
| 151.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Defended watchfully back to the bowler. |
| Marnus Labuschagne comes from the other end now. |
| 152.1 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Shorter ball outside off, cut away in the gap towards deep point for a couple of runs. The 100-run stand comes up between these two. |
| 152.2 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Flicked away wristily to deep square leg for a single. |
| 152.3 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Short and Pant makes room to cut this ball away in the gap towards point. Takes a couple. |
| 152.4 : M Labuschagne to Pant, FOUR! Flighted ball on middle and Rishabh Pant sweeps this away in front of square leg and all the way to the fence. The fielder in the deep has no chance. |
| 152.5 : M Labuschagne to Pant, Fuller one on middle and leg, driven to long on for a single. |
| 152.6 : M Labuschagne to Jadeja, Fires this in on the pads, Jadeja works it away for a single to deep square leg. 11 off the over, the Australian shoulders are dropping. |
| 153.1 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Short and slow on off, Jadeja cuts it away to deep cover for a single. |
| 153.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted outside off, Pant comes ahead and defends the ball onto the ground. |
| 153.3 : N Lyon to Pant, FOUR! Flighted on middle and Pant just dictates terms here. Goes down on his knee and sweeps this one beautifully in the gap for a boundary to deep backward square leg. |
| 153.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter one on middle, worked towards square leg for a single. |
| 153.5 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Slower one on a length outside off, cut away on the off side. Head at point makes a slight misfield and the ball escapes his grasp as the batsmen steal a single. |
| 153.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Very easy for Pant here, just turns it on the leg side for a run and keeps the strike. 8 off this over. Runs flowing! |
| Travis Head to bowl now. |
| 154.1 : T Head to Pant, Flatter ball on middle, defended towards short mid-wicket. |
| 154.2 : T Head to Pant, Flatter ball on the pads, worked away in the gap towards mid-wicket by Pant for a single. |
| 154.3 : T Head to Jadeja, Fuller one outside off, Jadeja comes ahead and dead-bats this one. |
| 154.4 : T Head to Jadeja, Another defense with a straight bat by Ravindra. |
| 154.5 : T Head to Jadeja, Quicker one on the pads, Jadeja works it away on the leg side for a single. |
| 154.6 : T Head to R Pant, Flighted one on middle, Pant drives this along the ground to long on for a single. |
| 155.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Tossed up ball on middle, Pant gets back and helps it behind square leg for a run. |
| 155.2 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter and fuller on the pads, Jadeja flicks but finds the rushing forward square leg fielder. |
| 155.3 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Leans forward to a full ball and taps it down in front of square leg. |
| 155.4 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flighted and full on middle, RJ draws forward and flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 155.5 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Drops this one short and wide outside off, Jadeja rocks back and slaps it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 155.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Presses forward to a full ball and pushes it in the direction of mid on. Lyon quickly moves across to his left to stop the ball. |
| 156.1 : T Head to Jadeja, Flatter one on middle and leg, Jadeja rocks back and punches it long on for a single. |
| 156.2 : T Head to Pant, Flighted on middle, Pant goes for a big one but mistimes it and it lands just short of a wide long on. Catch it was the call but no chance there. |
| 156.3 : T Head to Jadeja, Another push down the ground from Jadeja to long on for a single. |
| 156.4 : T Head to Pant, Flighted again to Pant, he comes down the ground but can't get under that one. Hits it on a bounce to long on. Single taken. |
| 156.5 : T Head to Jadeja, Short of a length outside off, Jadeja gets to the other end with a punch down the ground. |
| 156.6 : T Head to Pant, Outside off, Pant angles it towards the third man region but does not get a single. |
| 157.1 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter one on middle, Jadeja pushes it towards mid-wicket. |
| 157.2 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Kept out on the off side from the crease. |
| 157.3 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter one on middle, Jadeja defends it with a straight bat from within the crease. |
| 157.4 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Shorter one on middle, the batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 157.5 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Shorter length, Jadeja stands tall and punches it down the ground for a single. |
| 157.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Slow through the air, Pant misses the pull and gets hit on the thigh pad. Lyon raises his hand in appeal, looks really tired here. |
| 158.1 : T Head to Jadeja, Short of a length on middle, pushed back down to long on for a single off the back foot. |
| 158.2 : T Head to Pant, FOUR! All kinds of mockery. Pant goes for the reverse hit and gets into position early. He lifts it fine on the off side beating backward point who has to go get the ball from the fence. The 550 comes up with the boundary. |
| 158.3 : T Head to Pant, Flighted ball on middle, Pant comes down the track and hits it hard to long on for a single. |
| 158.4 : T Head to Jadeja, Full toss and Jadeja misses out on this ball as he times it straight towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 158.5 : T Head to Jadeja, Flatter one on middle, pushed back off the back foot towards long on for another run. Moves to one shy of fifty. |
| 158.6 : T Head to Pant, Gets to the pitch of the ball and flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 159.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Full and floated on off, Pant tries to play straight but it takes the inside edge and rolls to mid-wicket. |
| 159.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Fires this one, following the batsman down the leg side, Pant steps back and force it towards the cover fielder. |
| 159.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Short and wide outside off, Pant camps back and slaps it through point for a run. |
| 159.4 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter ball on middle, pushed down the ground and JADEJA GETS TO HIS 10th TEST FIFTY! Well played but in all honesty, it was served on a platter to him. The sword celebration comes out. |
| 159.5 : N Lyon to Pant, SIX! Smashed! Flighted one on off, Pant dances down the track and lifts it over the head of long on for a maximum. Lyon has a puzzled look on his face. The Aussies seem like they have had enough but the visitors are relentless. |
| 159.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on middle, defended from within the crease. |
| The third new ball is available and has immediately been taken and handed over to Josh Hazlewood. |
| 160.1 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Full delivery on the pads, Jadeja misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. The ball runs down to fine leg for a leg bye. |
| 160.2 : J Hazlewood to Pant, How is that not out? Hazlewood was pleading for an LBW. Good length ball on middle and shaping back in, Pant gets beaten and rapped on the pads. The umpire says not out and Hazlewood cannot believe it. But the reviews are exhausted too. The only thing that could have saved the batsman there is the height. And replays show that the ball would have been clipping the top of middle. Not a wrong decision one would have to say but looked really close to the naked eye. |
| 160.3 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Woah! That ball has carried beautifully through to Paine behind. Pant lets a length ball go outside off. |
| 160.4 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Wayward! Wide down the leg side and Pant lets it go through. |
| 160.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, FOUR! Classy shot! Full and outside off, driven beautifully through the covers by Pant all the way to fence. Timing and placement were magnificent. 150-run stand comes up between these two. |
| 160.6 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Defended watchfully on the front foot to end the over. |
| Mitchell Starc to operate from the other end. |
| 161.1 : M Starc to Jadeja, Wayward from Starc first up, the ball is hurled well down leg. Paine cannot collect it cleanly and the ball runs fine on the leg side for a couple of byes. |
| 161.2 : M Starc to Jadeja, Short of a length outside off, cut away in the gap through covers for a couple. |
| 161.3 : M Starc to R Jadeja, Excellent ball! Good length delivery, seaming away late. Jadeja who was on the back foot looking to play with a straight bat gets a thick outside edge towards gully. Khawaja misfields there and the batsmen pick up two runs. |
| 161.4 : M Starc to Jadeja, FOUR! Shot! Full and Jadeja smashes it right back down the ground to the left of mid off for four runs. |
| 161.5 : M Starc to Jadeja, Short of a length ball on the hips, turned away to the leg side for a single. |
| 161.6 : M Starc to Pant, Yorker! Well dug out by Pant. |
| 162.1 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Short of a length delivery on middle and Jadeja rises with the bounce to keep it down on the off side. Quick single taken. |
| 162.2 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Length ball outside off, played with soft hands to the off side and the batsmen steal a single. Tired fielders all around. |
| 162.3 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Wayward outside off stump, left alone by the batsman. |
| 162.4 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, FOUR! Hazlewood isn't impressed! Short of a length ball at the hips, Jadeja swivels and pulls it away fine on the leg side. Deep square leg comes around but Harris cannot stop it as he misfields it and allows it to go for a boundary. Hazlewood is not impressed. |
| 162.5 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Fuller length ball outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 162.6 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Short and quick! Jadeja is in a very awkward position as he tries to fend this away. The ball lobs off the glove but falls in no man's land. Single taken. Nothing going the hosts' way here. |
| Pat Cummins comes on to bowl now. |
| 163.1 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, FOUR! At the hips, whipped away by Jadeja to the vacant deep square leg fence. All too easy here. |
| 163.2 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, At the thigh pad once more, flicked away to the square leg fielder. |
| 163.3 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, Slower ball this time and Jadeja is too early into his pull. The ball misses his willow and hits him on the thigh pad. |
| 163.4 : Pat Cummins to Jadeja, FOUR! Pulled away nonchalantly. Short of a length and Ravindra Jadeja pulls it away hard and behind square on the leg side for a boundary. No stopping those. Went like a rocket. |
| 163.5 : Cummins to Jadeja, FOUR! Third boundary of this over. Stand and deliver stuff this. Fuller length ball and the southpaw smashes it right back over the head of the bowler for a boundary to the long on fence. 12 off this over so far. |
| 163.6 : Pat Cummins to R Jadeja, FOUR! Make it 16! Slapped away in front of square this time. Short length ball at pace but Jadeja is seeing the ball like a hawk now. He rocks back and lifts it over the head of mid-wicket for a boundary. 4 fours in this over. 600 comes up for India! |
| 164.1 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Length ball outside off, guided towards third man by Pant. |
| 164.2 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Short and wide outside off, Jadeja cuts hard but straight to the point fielder. |
| 164.3 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Length ball and Jadeja wants to clear his front leg and smash it but the ball is bowled wide outside off. Ravindra can only just reach the ball as it goes off the under part of the bat to slip. |
| 164.4 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Bouncer on the middle stump, pushed away to deep mid-wicket by Jadeja. The batsmen want two but then decide against it. |
| 164.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Beaten! Good ball! Length ball outside off and angling away, Pant tries to cut but misses the ball. |
| 164.6 : J Hazlewood to R Pant, Short ball on the leg side, Pant turns it away to fine leg for a single. Keeps strike. |
| Drinks break. This has just been carnage from the Indians. They are driving home the point that they are here to dictate terms over the hapless Aussie bowlers. The hosts are just going through the motions and would be dreading facing a few overs at the fag end of the day after two long days in the field. That is, if India decide to declare. There is no real reason why they must though, as they lead the series 2-1 now. Last hour of play on Day 2 coming up! Nathan Lyon to bowl now. |
| 165.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted outside off, Pant comes down the ground to smash it over long on but gets an inside edge that runs past the leg stump and fine on the leg side. Gets a couple. |
| 165.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted outside off again, pushed to deep cover for a single. |
| 165.3 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter ball on middle, defended towards mid-wicket by Jadeja. |
| 165.4 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Flatter one on off and middle, punched off the back foot. |
| 165.5 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Fuller ball on off and middle, Jaddu comes ahead and defends. |
| 165.6 : N Lyon to Jadeja, Another front foot defense to end the over. |
| 166.1 : J Hazlewood to Pant, FOUR! Fuller length ball outside off, Pant lifts it over cover and the ball runs away for a boundary. 149 now! Highest score for an Indian keeper in away Tests. |
| 166.2 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Down the leg side and Pant doesn't connect bat on ball. |
| 166.3 : J Hazlewood to Pant, FOUR! 150 for Rishabh Pant! It comes up in style as he smashes the short of a length ball in front of square leg for a boundary. Removes his helmet and celebrates in style. |
| 166.4 : J Hazlewood to Pant, This is atrocious now! Pant attempts the reverse hit off a bowler of Hazlewood's pace. Misses the ball though and the crowd gets into it. |
| 166.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, FOUR! What an incredible shot. Was in no position to play this one and has managed to hit it away for a boundary. Full toss way down leg side and Pant lifts it away in front of square on the leg side for a boundary. Incredible shot! Also brings up the 200-run stand between these two. |
| 166.6 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Short of a length outside off, Pant cuts it away for a single to deep point and keeps strike. |
| 167.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Single taken down to the third man region off this flatter one outside off. Pant gets to the other end. |
| 167.2 : N Lyon to Jadeja, OUT! Bowled 'em! The 204-run stand has finally been broken. And with that, INDIA HAVE DECLARED ON 622/7. A flatter one aimed at the off stump, Jadeja dances down the wicket and misses his lofted shot over long on. The off stump is disturbed and Jadeja has to go for a well played 81. Virat Kohli says the total is enough and calls his players back. The crowd is happy and so are the tired Aussie players. |
| A gigantic total posted on the board by India! What an effort by their batting unit. Cheteshwar Pujara led the charge on Day 1 and formed crucial partnerships. This morning, he continued and forged substantial stands with Vihari and Pant as he got to 193. Was unlucky to miss out on a double century but he had done his job. If the Aussies thought that once Pujara departed the Indians would relent they couldn't have been more wrong. Ravindra Jadeja joined Rishabh Pant in the middle and forged a 20 |
| 0.1 : M Shami to Harris, Around the wicket to Harris, he pushes this good length ball to mid on. |
| 0.2 : M Shami to Harris, Almost chopped on second ball! Harris is tired and does not move his feet to this length ball as he tries to push it through the covers off the back foot. The ball takes the under edge and bounces just next to the off stump and behind. |
| 0.3 : M Shami to Harris, FOUR! Good shot! That will give the batsman some confidence. Short of a length ball outside off, Harris is on the back foot and punches it away to deep point for a boundary. First runs for both Marcus and Australia. |
| 0.4 : M Shami to Harris, Length ball outside off, pushed towards cover. The batsmen pick up an easy single. |
| 0.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, Shorter length outside off, Khawaja defends from the crease onto the off side. |
| 0.6 : M Shami to Khawaja, Fuller length this time, Usman defends it onto the leg side towards short mid-wicket. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to share the cherry. |
| 1.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Around the wicket, fuller outside off and angling away slightly. Harris tries to push it down the ground but gets the thick outer half of the bat and the ball rolls towards point. |
| 1.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Very full and on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 1.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, Very straight this time and nicely tucked away by Harris towards the square leg region. The ball doesn't reach the fence and the batsmen pick up two. |
| 1.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Short of a length ball on middle, Harris gets on top of the bounce and defends the ball. |
| 1.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, Short of a length ball, doesn't bounce as much as Harris expects. Looks to duck under it but leaves the bat up there. Could have been risky. |
| 1.6 : J Bumrah to M Harris, Outside off on a length, takes the outer half of the bat of Harris who was looking to push at this one and runs wide of point towards the fence. Rahane gives chase and manages to scramble it inside. 3 runs taken. |
| 2.1 : M Shami to Harris, Short of a length ball outside off, Harris pulls this away to deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 2.2 : M Shami to Khawaja, Well outside off this time, left alone by Khawaja. |
| 2.3 : M Shami to U Khawaja, Dropped! Pant has put Khawaja down! A regulation catch, goes in and out of the gloves. Full length ball outside off and slightly shaping away. Khawaja pokes at it without much foot movement. The ball goes at a good height to Pant who dives to his left to take this one. Seems like he was a little late to start there. Khawaja gets a life! Let's see how much this will come to haunt the Indians. |
| 2.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, Outside off and this time Usman leaves it very late. |
| 2.5 : M Shami to U Khawaja, Fuller one on the stumps, driven down the ground but straight to mid on. No run available. |
| 2.6 : M Shami to Khawaja, Oooh! Another leave outside off and trust me, the ball wasn't far away from the off stump. Around the wicket and the ball was coming in. Khawaja gauges the swing and lets it go. Decent leave but could have been risky. |
| 3.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Short length ball outside off, defended on the back foot towards the bowler. |
| 3.2 : J Bumrah to M Harris, Fuller length ball targeted on off stump, pushed on the front foot towards mid on. |
| 3.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, Bouncer! Harris ducks under this one. |
| 3.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Length ball outside off, driven towards Jadeja at mid off. |
| 3.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, FOUR! Gorgeous shot! This wicket is a batting beauty but you have to play good shots to get your runs. Outside off on a length this time, Harris times this wonderfully wide of a diving point for a boundary. |
| 3.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Length ball on the pads, kept out towards square leg. |
| 4.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Angles in a length ball on middle, Usman works it wide of mid on and gets off the mark on the 8th ball he faces. |
| 4.2 : M Shami to Harris, Digs in a short delivery around off, Harris goes on his toes and taps it down safely on the off side. |
| 4.3 : M Shami to Harris, Fullish and around off, angling in, Harris gets forward and flicks it with nice timing through mid-wicket. Will get two for this shot. |
| 4.4 : M Shami to Harris, This time Harris solidly gets behind the line of a good length ball and defends it watchfully. |
| 4.5 : M Shami to Harris, Pitches it up outside off and invites the drive. Marcus gets forward and plays the stroke but all along the ground to the cover fielder. |
| 4.6 : M Shami to Harris, A touch short in length on off, Harris punches it firmly off his back foot to covers where Vihari dives to stop the racing ball. |
| 5.1 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Angles it into the batsman, Khawaja plays it close to his body, closes the face of his bat and bunts it wide of mid on for a quick run. |
| 5.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Full and on off, Marcus gets forward and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 5.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, A bouncer, around leg, Harris comfortably sits underneath it. |
| 5.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Back of a length delivery on top of off stump, Harris stands back and defends it down. |
| 5.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, A 145 kph short delivery, around middle and leg, Harris tries fending at it and the ball goes off his gloves towards square leg. A run taken. |
| 5.6 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Fullish and on off, Khawaja drives it in the gap at covers for a single. |
| Here comes the spinner! Ravindra Jadeja it is. A slip and short leg in place. |
| 6.1 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Fuller outside off to start, driven towards mid off. |
| 6.2 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Flatter one on off and middle, kept out by the batsman. |
| 6.3 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Well outside off this time, keeps a little low. Khawaja defends it well staying low. |
| 6.4 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Quicker one at the pads, turned towards mid-wicket. |
| Will there be spin from both ends? |
| 6.5 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Flatter outside off, defensively pushed towards cover. |
| 6.6 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Jumps out of the crease to a full ball and pushes it towards mid on. A maiden to start with for Jadeja! |
| Indeed, Kohli has opted for spin from both ends. It's time for Kuldeep Yadav. |
| 7.1 : K Yadav to Harris, Wonderful drift first up, the ball on middle is turned away just in time towards square leg for a single. |
| 7.2 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Flighted outside off, defended on the front foot by Khawaja. |
| 7.3 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Flatter one bowled quicker than the previous two. Usman defends it from within the crease. |
| 7.4 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Almost had him! Beautiful drift on that and the ball holds its line. Khawaja tries to defend it but the ball skid on and went onto the bat quickly. It takes the inside edge and goes to the leg side for a single. Lucky escape there. |
| 7.5 : K Yadav to Harris, Fuller one outside off, Harris comes ahead and defends this one onto the ground. |
| 7.6 : K Yadav to Harris, Fuller ball outside off, driven down the ground to mid off. |
| 8.1 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Flighted and full outside off, not much turn, Khawaja gets forward and pushes it with an angled bat to point. |
| 8.2 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Walks forward to a full ball and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 8.3 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Spinning back in from outside off, defended to the off side. |
| 8.4 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Strides forward to a full ball and defends. |
| 8.5 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Flighted and outside off, Usman strides forward to cover the line and then shoulders arms. |
| 8.6 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, A touch short and outside off, Khawaja gets back and hits it square of the wicket on the off side for a run. |
| 9.1 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Kuldeep with what should be the final over of the day. Loops up the first one outside off, driven by Khawaja to a deepish cover. |
| 9.2 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Looped up on middle, defended with a straight bat. |
| 9.3 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Flighted on middle again, UK defends it well back to the bowler. |
| 9.4 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Another one with air on it outside off, Usman defends solidly. |
| 9.5 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Lots of flight outside off, Khawaja prods ahead and dead-bats. |
| 9.6 : K Yadav to Khawaja, This one is well outside off and Usman Khawaja lets it go. Maiden over and THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 2. Australia have done well to end the day unscathed at 24/0 after 10 overs. |
| A good end to the day for the Aussies after what has been a grueling 167.2 overs out in the field for them. Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja have managed to see through the tricky phase before Stumps without any damage and not much trouble. Although, there was a scare for Khawaja when he was dropped on 0 by Pant. The ball is not doing much from the surface either for the spinners or for the fast bowlers, at least so far, so Australia should feel confident and come out positive on Day 3. Whether t |
| As for the remaining part of Day 2, we saw the Indian batting line-up take the hosts bowlers to the cleaners and put up a massive first innings total of 622/7. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant both brought up daddy hundreds and Pant eventually remained unbeaten on 159. The others played around and Australia were deflated. Such was the domination that even Pat Cummins was taken for 16 runs in an over by Jadeja this evening and Nathan Lyon ended up bowling the most number of overs by him in an i |
| Looking forward to the play on Day 3. The pitch still appears to be a really good one to bat on and Australia have no reason why they can't put their heads down and go after this massive total. That said, Jasprit Bumrah and co. have been really good and will always possess a threat too. The dark horse could be Kuldeep Yadav playing his first Test in this series. There are also some thunderstorms forecast for the day and we will have to wait and see how it all pans out. Should be a day of cricket |
| For the action on Saturday, join us at 1030 local (2330 GMT, previous night). Till then, take care and cheers! You can also switch tabs to the Cape Town Test between Pakistan and South Africa where 12 wickets fell on the first day and the hosts are firmly in control. It will begin shortly. Cheers! |
| ... Day 3, Session 1 ... |
| Welcome to Day 3 of the final Test between Australia and India at the SCG. It could be the day which could potentially show us which way this game is going but it is also a very important day for a much more important reason than just cricket. It is also the Jane McGrath Day of the Pink Test. It is an initiative which sees the McGrath Foundation that is a breast cancer support and education charity in Australia, raise money to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia and |
| Coming to the game at hand, India are ahead by 598 runs. That says something, Australia has to surely do something extraordinary to come back in this one. They will have to go score quickly while always believing that they can still win from here as losing hope will be derogatory to their cause. 3 days of cricket is yet to be played and strange things have happened in Tests so just do what is expected currently and then take the game from there. Bat at a good click and bat long will be the agend |
| For the visitors, they are under relatively less pressure having posted that massive 622 on board. They will look to bowl tight lines, keep up the pressure and wait for the hosts to wilt and throw wickets. The weather is expected to be sunny for the first couple of hours and then become cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms towards the evening. As for the surface, it has looked a very good one to bat on so far and is expected to continue that way. Will be interesting to see if Jadeja or Kuldeep |
| Today is the Pink Day at the SCG and the players from both sides are seen handing over the pink cap to the Australian great, Glenn McGrath. Now, the Indian unit is in a huddle with Virat Kohli sharing some words of wisdom. The Australian batting pair is already in the middle. Marcus Harris is taking guard. Jasprit Bumrah to kick off proceedings this morning. All set, let's play... |
| 10.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Runs off the very first ball, nice checked drive down the ground to this full one, to the left of mid off. Easy three taken. |
| 10.2 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Brings the length back to a good length this time and hurls it outside off, Khawaja stands tall and defends. |
| Did you know? Jasprit Bumrah completes one year in Test cricket today. He made his debut on 5th January 2018 against South Africa in Cape Town and has already become the backbone of the Indian bowling attack. |
| 10.3 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, A slight appeal! The ball was on a good length and going on with the angle from around the wicket. The ball seemed to have struck Khawaja's thigh pad as he misses his flick. The umpire says no, looked like the ball was too high. |
| 10.4 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Slightly outside off, Usman has a look and then lets it go. |
| 10.5 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Well outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 10.6 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Another leave outside off from Usman to end the over. |
| Mohammed Shami to bowl from the other end. |
| 11.1 : M Shami to Harris, On a good length outside off, Harris comes ahead and defends this one. |
| 11.2 : M Shami to Harris, A little fuller than the previous ball, slightly outside off. Harris prods ahead again and tries to drive. Gets a thick outside edge that runs to point. |
| 11.3 : M Shami to Harris, Length ball outside off, pushed away wide of point for a single. |
| 11.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, Very full outside off, driven straight to KL Rahul at cover. |
| 11.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, Pulls the length back and puts it outside off, left alone by Khawaja. |
| 11.6 : M Shami to Khawaja, Khawaja is away for the day as he works this length ball through mid-wicket and gets a single. |
| 12.1 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Length ball outside off, defended by Khawaja who was half-ahead. |
| 12.2 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Almost similar length as the previous one and similarly defended by the batsman. |
| 12.3 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Shortens the length outside off, it is left alone by the southpaw. |
| 12.4 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Good length delivery outside off, UK comes ahead and defends this onto the ground. |
| 12.5 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, On the money constantly here Bumrah, this one on off stump is kept out towards cover by the batsman. |
| 12.6 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Another dot ball to end the over. Length ball outside off that is left alone by Khawaja. Maiden over. |
| 13.1 : M Shami to Harris, Fuller length outside off, a solid looking drive to mid off by Harris. |
| 13.2 : M Shami to Harris, Beautifully punched down the ground towards long on by Harris here. Very full and Marcus presents a very straight bat to this ball as he pushes it down the ground. Single taken as Hardik Pandya, the substitute fielder chases and stops this. |
| 13.3 : M Shami to Khawaja, Short of a length ball well outside off, pulled away through mid-wicket for a couple by Khawaja. |
| 13.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, Pushes the length up by a bit, left alone by the batsman. |
| 13.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, Good ball! Keeps a trifle low too. On a length and coming back in, Usman Khawaja does well to stay low and keep it out. |
| 13.6 : M Shami to Khawaja, Delivers this one outside off stump, pushed away to cover defensively by UK. |
| Ravindra Jadeja is the first change this morning. |
| 14.1 : R Jadeja to Harris, Falls just short and Rahul signals immediately that the ball has bounced in front of him! A really good effort that, but the ball just did not carry. Loops this one outside off, Harris comes down the track and looks to loft it over mid on but can only lift it as far as to the right of mid on. |
| 14.2 : R Jadeja to Harris, Fuller one outside off, pushed to cover. |
| 14.3 : R Jadeja to Harris, Short outside off, cut away beautifully by Harris this time. Rocks back and deposits this one for four through point. |
| 14.4 : R Jadeja to Harris, Flatter one on middle, defended back down the ground. |
| 14.5 : R Jadeja to Harris, Looped up outside off, defended on the front foot to Jadeja by MH. |
| 14.6 : R Jadeja to Harris, Shorter one to end the over, Marcus plays it off the back foot towards point. |
| In between the overs... Umpire Ian Gould calls out KL Rahul and praises him for his reaction after the ball dropped in front of him while attempting a catch. Calls him and Says 'Outstanding mate!!' These are the kind of things that help the umpires as well. And also helps the game move on smoothly. |
| 15.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Serves it on a good length and outside off, Khawaja has his front leg forward to cover the line as he makes a leave. |
| 15.2 : M Shami to Khawaja, FOUR! Bumrah tries to go dead straight with his line but the angle takes it down and Khawaja easily deflects it off his pads to the fine leg boundary. |
| 15.3 : M Shami to Khawaja, Pitches it up and outside off, Usman drives it off his front foot to covers. Looking quite good and positive, Khawaja. |
| 15.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, Lovely hands! Shami lands it on a length outside off, Khawaja with a minimum front foot movement steers it past point. Jadeja chases it down and prevents a boundary. Two taken. |
| 15.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, That's the length Khawaja likes. It's a touch short around middle and leg, Usman turns it in front of square leg and picks up a run. |
| 15.6 : M Shami to M Harris, FOUR! Glorious! Slightly overpitched and outside off, Harris strides forward and drives it delightfully past the diving cover fielder for a boundary. 11 from the over, Australia off to a positive start. |
| 16.1 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Flatter one outside off, swept away to deep square leg by Khawaja for a single. |
| 16.2 : R Jadeja to Harris, Fuller one outside off, pushed it down to mid off. |
| 16.3 : R Jadeja to Harris, FOUR! Well adjusted by Harris, brilliant hands! Jadeja drops this one short seeing the batsman come down the ground but the southpaw adjusts and beautifully plays the cover drive instead and gets it in the gap for a boundary. |
| 16.4 : R Jadeja to Harris, Fuller one on middle, flicked away by Harris towards mid-wicket. Kohli does not field it properly and allows for a single as he fumbles. |
| 16.5 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, FOUR! The Aussies are taking the attack to Jadeja here, a definite plan it looks like. Looped up slightly outside off, Khawaja comes down the ground and lifts this over the head of mid off for a boundary. |
| 16.6 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Flatter and quicker on middle, defended back down the ground. |
| Kuldeep Yadav replaces Mohammed Shami in the attack. Both spinners in action very, very early. A slip and short leg in place. A different challenge now for the Aussie openers. |
| 17.1 : K Yadav to Harris, Lots of air on this ball dropped on middle stump line, Harris pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 17.2 : K Yadav to Harris, Slightly quicker and on middle again, pushed to mid on. |
| 17.3 : K Yadav to Harris, Shorter length outside off, Harris cuts this one away square on the off side. The sweeper comes around and cuts the ball to keep it to two. |
| 17.4 : K Yadav to Harris, Loopy ball on off and middle, defended back with a straight bat by MH. |
| 17.5 : K Yadav to M Harris, Draws the batsman ahead with a flighted one outside off, the ball is driven to mid off. |
| 17.6 : K Yadav to Harris, Another short one to end the over, Harris cuts this beautifully square on the off side once more. The ball is in the gap and Shami does well in the deep to cut the ball just in front of the ropes using some footwork. Two taken. |
| 18.1 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Flatter one outside off, Khawaja reverse sweeps this ball but it goes straight to backward point. |
| 18.2 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Fuller one outside off, defended onto the ground by Usman coming ahead. |
| 18.3 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, FOUR! Another reverse sweep but this time it is in the gap! Jadeja is not being allowed to settle here. Lovely innovation from the batsman. |
| 18.4 : R Jadeja to U Khawaja, Flatter and quicker on middle, UK pushes it down to long on for a single. |
| 18.5 : R Jadeja to Harris, Shorter outside off, Harris pushes it towards point and gets to the other end. |
| 18.6 : R Jadeja to Khawaja, Well outside off this time, Khawaja lets this one go. |
| 19.1 : K Yadav to Harris, Fuller one on middle, Harris drives it back to the bowler. Kuldeep moves to his left and stops the ball. |
| 19.2 : K Yadav to Harris, Another loopy one on middle and leg, pushed away through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 19.3 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Slow through the air and outside off, Khawaja prods ahead and defends. |
| 19.4 : K Yadav to U Khawaja, Looped up outside off, driven to cover after coming down the wicket by Usman. |
| 19.5 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Good drift on that one, gets it just on the line of off stump. Khawaja defends it coming a little forward. |
| 19.6 : K Yadav to U Khawaja, Fuller one outside off, pushed to Kohli at cover. |
| Jasprit Bumrah comes back into the attack. |
| 20.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Length ball outside off, pushed defensively to cover off the back foot. |
| 20.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Short of a length this time, Harris is in the crease as he pushes it to cover-point. |
| 20.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, Slower ball! Similar to the one that got Shaun Marsh in the previous game. Well read by the batsman too as he watchfully defends it. |
| 20.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Shorter length outside off, punched towards cover by Harris on the back foot. |
| 20.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, Another short of a length ball on top of middle, Marcus gets on top of the ball and pushes it to mid wicket for a single. |
| 20.6 : J Bumrah to Khawaja, Length ball on middle, Khawaja gets his bat down in time as he pushes it away to deep square leg to get a single and keep strike. |
| 21.1 : K Yadav to Harris, Flighted beautifully on middle and very full. Almost yorker length as Khawaja tries to come ahead and push it back down the ground. |
| 21.2 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Flighted again on middle, worked away to mid on. |
| 21.3 : K Yadav to Khawaja, Flatter outside off, driven wide of mid off for a single. |
| 21.4 : K Yadav to Harris, Flatter ball outside off once more, driven to Jadeja at mid off by Harris. |
| 21.5 : K Yadav to M Harris, This time the drive goes a little to the right of Jadeja at the mid off and gets a single. |
| 21.6 : K Yadav to Khawaja, OUT! One shot too many and Khawaja has hit this straight down mid-wicket's throat. The Aussies came out looking ultra positive today and it had paid good dividends as they scored quick. But the problem with that tactic was that there would always be an odd chance given. Kuldeep gives this air on middle and Khawaja comes down the ground to loft it over mid on for a boundary. But the ball drifts a bit instead of turning. Usman gets it off the inner half and the ball goes |
| Marnus Labuschagne is in next at 3. |
| 22.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Back of a length delivery around off, angling in, Harris gets back and helps it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 22.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Short again, it's outside off, Harris cuts it square of the wicket on the off side for a run. |
| 22.3 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Oohhh... That's a toe-crusher. Bumrah greets the new batsman with a peach. Hurls it in, a terrific yorker, reverse swinging as well, Labuschagne strides forward but his bat comes down late and it strikes him on his right boot. Only thing he does right there was to take his front leg outside the line of stumps. What a delivery! |
| 22.4 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Full and shaping back in from outside off, Marnus defends it by covering the line. |
| 22.5 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Once again Labuschagne covers the line and pushes it back towards mid on. |
| 22.6 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Labuschagne has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Top over by Jasprit! |
| 23.1 : K Yadav to Harris, Flatter ball outside off, looks like the wrong 'un as it comes back in a bit. Harris reads it well and defends from within the crease. |
| 23.2 : K Yadav to Harris, Fuller one outside off, driven to Kohli at cover. |
| 23.3 : K Yadav to Harris, Shorter outside off, Marcus cuts it away through point for a single to the deep. |
| 23.4 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Flatter and quicker on off stump, the ball holds its line as Labuschagne defends on the front foot. |
| 23.5 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Driven through the covers this time as the ball is full outside off. |
| 23.6 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Slower through the air this time, the batsman comes ahead and defends it onto the ground. |
| 24.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, FIFTY FOR HARRIS! 2nd of his Test career. Has looked really good here. Absolutely fluent so far. Length ball outside off is pushed away to deep point by the southpaw and he gets to the other end. Needs to go on and make this a huge score. |
| 24.2 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Angling in outside off as Bumrah delivers from wide of the crease, Labuschagne lets it go. |
| 24.3 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, On the middle stump this time, the batsman keeps it out to mid-wicket. |
| 24.4 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Fuller one outside off, Labuschagne gets the outside edge on this one. The ball runs to the left of point and he is off the mark with a couple. |
| 24.5 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Fuller length outside off, flicked away to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 24.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Yorker! Harris defends it well as he takes it on the full and pushes it back down the ground. |
| Drinks break. A good competitive hour of play. Batting has looked easy out there so far and the only wicket to fall was gifted by the batsman himself. Not much in the pitch and the Aussies should really take advantage of it. Kuldeep has bowled well so far with quite some variety. The attacking approach has also seen the field relatively spread out already so singles are quite easily available. Labuschagne at no. 3 should look to make the most of this opportunity. |
| 25.1 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Lovely shot! Given air on middle, Labuschagne gives himself room and drives this wide of mid off. Picks up a couple as Pandya, the sub gives chase. |
| 25.2 : K Yadav to M Labuschagne, FOUR! Similar shot, even better timing this time. Full and on middle, Labuschagne gets room and drives this again wide of mid off. This time Pandya cannot get to it. |
| 25.3 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Fuller one outside off, defended back down the ground off the front foot. |
| 25.4 : K Yadav to M Labuschagne, Flighted outside off once more, flicked away to mid on by the batsman. |
| 25.5 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Slightly shorter length and Labuschagne keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 25.6 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Oooh! That one turned and kept a bit low. Defended well by the batsman though. |
| Ravindra Jadeja is back into the attack. |
| 26.1 : R Jadeja to Harris, Flatter one on off, defended from within the crease by Harris. |
| 26.2 : R Jadeja to Harris, Fuller this time, Marcus comes ahead and dead-bats. |
| 26.3 : R Jadeja to Harris, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 26.4 : R Jadeja to Harris, Flatter one on middle, Harris defends on the back foot. |
| 26.5 : R Jadeja to Harris, Well outside off, left alone this time by the southpaw. |
| 26.6 : R Jadeja to Harris, Shorter and quicker on this occasion at the pads, worked away to deep square leg for a single. |
| 27.1 : K Yadav to Harris, Lots of air outside off, Harris comes ahead and defends. |
| 27.2 : K Yadav to Harris, Flatter one outside off, pushed away towards point. |
| 27.3 : K Yadav to Harris, FOUR! Air on this one once more and Harris comes down the track and lifts it over mid on. Once it clears the infield there is no stopping that. |
| 27.4 : K Yadav to Harris, Fuller one on middle, pushed to mid off on the front foot. |
| 27.5 : K Yadav to Harris, FOUR! Short of a length and this time Harris rocks back and pulls this through mid-wicket for a boundary. Second of the over. |
| 27.6 : K Yadav to Harris, FOUR! Make it three in the over. Goes for the flighted one outside off once more, and Harris smashes this back down the ground to the long on boundary. Was in the air but well away from the fielder at mid on. Moves into the 60s. |
| 28.1 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Flighted and outside off, turning away a bit, Marnus pushes it out to covers. |
| 28.2 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Full and floated on off, Labuschagne is on the front foot in defense. |
| 28.3 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Once again Marnus lunges confidently to meet the ball and pushes it to covers. |
| 28.4 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Quicker one, fired in on off, driven to the off side. |
| 28.5 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Flatter and on off, forced back to the bowler. Pant shouts from behind the stumps - 'Ek halka daal!' Meaning - Try a slower one. |
| 28.6 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Extra loop this time, full and on middle, Labuschagne defends it by covering the flight. |
| Meanwhile, the overhead conditions have become slightly cloudy and overcast. |
| 29.1 : K Yadav to Harris, Sees the line to be outside off and decides early to leave it for the keeper. Marcus looking very confident. |
| 29.2 : K Yadav to Harris, Full and flighted on middle, driven back to the bowler. A bit strange that Kohli has a long on and long off in place in spite of having so many runs on the board. |
| 29.3 : K Yadav to Harris, Walks down the track and drives it through mid off for a run. 100 up for Australia. |
| 29.4 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, On the pads, it's worked behind square leg for a run. |
| 29.5 : K Yadav to Harris, Extra bounce this time. Flighted and outside off, Harris adjusts well at the last moment to keep it out safely on the off side. |
| 29.6 : K Yadav to Harris, Goes short with his length outside off, Harris punches it from the crease to sweeper cover for one. Pretty much defensive field set here by the Indian skipper for Marcus Harris. |
| 30.1 : R Jadeja to Harris, Loopy and full on off, turning in, Marcus is forward as he shows a straight bat in defense. |
| 30.2 : R Jadeja to Harris, Allows the ball to spin back in and then helps it to mid-wicket. |
| 30.3 : R Jadeja to M Harris, Gets forward to a full ball and drives it to deepish mid off. |
| 30.4 : R Jadeja to Harris, Uses his crease to deal with the shorter one outside off. After that Harris runs it down to third man for a run. |
| 30.5 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Tossed up ball on off, fuller in length, Marnus strides forward and blocks. Pant continues to be very animated behind the stumps. |
| 30.6 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, A textbook front foot defense by Labuschagne to end the over. Rushing through the overs, the Indian spinners. |
| 31.1 : K Yadav to Harris, Slower through the air, wide outside off, trying to tempt the batsman, Harris allows it through to Pant. |
| 31.2 : K Yadav to Harris, Advances down the track to a full ball and drives it down to long off for a run. The field is set deep, probably trying to play on the patience of Marcus. |
| 31.3 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Nicely floated and full on middle, Marnus is on the front foot in defense. |
| 31.4 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Drags his length back a bit, it's around off and Labuschagne gets back to turn it towards mid-wicket, not in the gap though. |
| 31.5 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Tossed up outside off, fuller in length, the batsman is forward as he pushes it to mid off. |
| 31.6 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, FOUR! That's a good stroke to end the over! Loopy one, landing full around leg, Labuschagne kneels and nails his sweep shot through square leg for a boundary. The partnership moves to 36. |
| 32.1 : R Jadeja to Harris, Quicker and fuller on off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 32.2 : R Jadeja to Harris, Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 32.3 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Bowls it around off, slower in pace, Marnus sticks back and defends. |
| 32.4 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Turn and bounce on this occasion, around off, Labuschagne makes a smart choice to let it through to the keeper. |
| 32.5 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Fullish and outside off, Marnus drives it to covers. |
| 32.6 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, On the pads and it has been worked through backward square leg for a single. |
| Mohammed Shami is back into the attack. |
| 33.1 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Starts this spell with a good length ball outside off. Labuschagne stays on the back foot and taps it down on the off side. |
| 33.2 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Good stop by Pant. A length ball sliding down the leg side this time, Marnus fails to flick and it goes behind off his pads. Pant dives across to his left to stop the ball. The bowler puts in a muted appeal for an lbw. Easily going down. |
| 33.3 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Gets behind the line of the delivery and defends it to the off side. |
| 33.4 : M Shami to Labuschagne, On a good length again, outside off and holding its line, Labuschagne watches the line closely and then shoulders arms. |
| 33.5 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Full and reverse swinging, around off, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket. Telling you, had he missed that he was dead plumb in front. Play straight, quips Shane Warne on air. |
| 33.6 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Labuschagne has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Kuldeep back on. A change of ends for him. |
| 34.1 : K Yadav to Harris, Walks down the track to a full ball and helps it down to mid on. |
| 34.2 : K Yadav to Harris, Strides forward to a full ball and defends it to the off side. |
| 34.3 : K Yadav to Harris, Drops it short and wide outside off, Marcus hangs back and slaps it to deep cover-point for a run. India are happy to give a run to Harris, strange! |
| 34.4 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Flighted and full on off, Marnus strides forward and defends it safely. |
| 34.5 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, A touch short around off, Labuschagne gets back and defends it with the spin to the off side. |
| 34.6 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Flatter this time, full and on off, the batsman does well to defend it on the leg side after getting forward. The pitch seems to be on the slower side, so as a spinner you won't like it too much. |
| 35.1 : M Shami to Harris, Beaten! Not sure that has happened before with Harris today. Reverse swing there. Shiny side on the outside and it swerves away after landing around off, Marcus tries playing inside the line and misses. |
| 35.2 : M Shami to Harris, Nicely covers the line this time, Harris. Very solid as he strides forward in defense. |
| 35.3 : M Shami to Harris, Nicely driven! Full and outside off, Harris prods forward and strokes it on the up through cover-point for a couple. This is now Marcus' best Test score. |
| A catcher at short cover now. |
| 35.4 : M Shami to M Harris, The line though is too straight. Length being full assisted the batsman to flick it easily through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 35.5 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Bouncer to Labuschagne. He sits underneath it at the last moment. Pant jumps to collect the ball. |
| 35.6 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Brings a length ball back into the right-hander. Marnus does well to play close to his body and blocks it on the off side. The ball is clearly reversing and India might like to get in Bumrah here. The spinners have not looked too dangerous. |
| 36.1 : K Yadav to Harris, Walks down the track to a full ball, nearly gets beaten in flight but eventually does well to hit it past short extra cover for a run. |
| 0.0 : Kohli is having a chat with his bowler. Regarding some field placement. |
| 36.2 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Ouch! That would have hurt! A tossed up ball landing full outside off, Labuschagne gets down and sweeps it firmly across the line. It strikes Vihari at short leg inside the thigh region. Painful blow and he is down in pain. |
| Physio comes out. Slight halt in play as Hanuma Vihari gathers himself. |
| 36.3 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Another sweep shot. This time it's not clean. Finds the inside edge of the bat, drops on the surface and then loops off the pads. Vihari is seen taking cover at short leg this time as the ball goes wide. |
| 36.4 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Appeal for an lbw! Big turn this time. Kuldeep comes from 'round the wicket and serves a big in-spinning delivery from outside off. Labuschagne tries to defend but misses. They appeal but the point of impact is outside off. |
| 36.5 : K Yadav to Labuschagne, Connects with his sweep shot this time and sends it behind square leg for a run. |
| 36.6 : K Yadav to M Harris, Driven towards the mid on region. One run added to the total. |
| 37.1 : M Shami to Harris, Good length ball on off, Harris defends it nicely by getting half forward. |
| 37.2 : M Shami to Harris, Digs in a short delivery around middle, Harris plays a controlled pull shot down to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 37.3 : M Shami to Labuschagne, This one is in the channel outside off, goes the other way after landing, Marnus notices that and allows it through to the keeper. Shami has a catcher on the leg side and is playing mind games with the batsman. Instead of taking the ball in, he took it out. |
| 37.4 : M Shami to Labuschagne, This one is the in-dipper. Landing on a length outside off, curling back in a shade, Labuschagne covers his stumps and leaves it alone. |
| 37.5 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Fuller and around off, Marnus strides forward and pushes it with gentle hands to covers for one. |
| 37.6 : M Shami to Harris, Switches to 'round the wicket and serves it on a length wide outside off. An easy leave for Marcus. |
| Jasprit Bumrah is back into the attack. Watch out for his reverse swinging deliveries, Australia. |
| 38.1 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Starts a new spell with a gentle loosener. A touch short and too wide outside off. Marnus has nothing to do with it. |
| 38.2 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Angles in a length ball around off, Labuschagne pushes it out with soft hands in the direction of extra cover and sets off for a hesitant single. Jadeja attacks the ball and the Australian batsmen are lucky that he didn't pick it up cleanly. You don't want to take chance with his bullet-arm and accuracy. Risky right before Lunch. |
| 38.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 38.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Angling away from the batsman, on a good length, Harris covers the line and shoulders arms. |
| 38.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, A delivery in the zone outside off, Harris delays his shot a bit and then runs it down to third man for a run. |
| 38.6 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Almost sneaks through. A cracking yorker, right in the blockhole, Marnus does really well here to watch it till the very end as he digs it out. |
| Last over before Lunch... |
| 39.1 : M Shami to Harris, Good length ball on off, Harris stays back and eases it through point for a run. 50-run stand comes up! |
| 39.2 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Oohhh... this one stays low around off as Shami hurls it on a good length. Labuschagne defends it quite well. |
| 39.3 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Goes fuller around off, Labuschagne's front foot gets across as he defends it with a straight willow. |
| 39.4 : M Shami to Labuschagne, This is beautiful bowling. Full and around off, shaping away a touch, Marnus keeps it out safely to covers. |
| 39.5 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Goes straight on, this one. Keeping the batsman on his toes. Guessing game. It's outside off and Labuschagne makes a late leave. |
| 39.6 : M Shami to Labuschagne, A touch fuller and around leg, Marnus does well to defend it out on the leg side. That will be Lunch on Day 3. |
| 98/1 in 30 overs of entertaining cricket. A good session for Australia. Their openers did well to put together a 72-run stand before Khawaja mistimed his shot to gift away his wicket to Kuldeep Yadav. India would have thought to create further inroads but Marcus Harris and Marnus Labuschagne, the two newbies for Australia, dealt with the world class bowling of the touring team with full confidence and authority. The former, in particular, has batted fluently and is nearing his maiden Test hundre |
| India's bowling was accurate as they kept asking tough questions. Their spinners bowled a nagging line while their pacers looked lethal, especially when the ball started to reverse. The deficit is exactly 500 now and the current pair which is amidst a 50-run stand will be hoping to carry on for as long as possible. The afternoon session will test their skills truly with Shami and Bumrah making the ball reverse both ways. Do join us in a short while and let's hope that there won't be any rain del |
| ... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ... |
| We are back after Lunch. It's bright and sunny currently. The players and umpires are out in the middle. Marcus Harris and Marnus Labuschagne are at the crease. Jadeja will start the proceedings. |
| 40.1 : R Jadeja to Harris, Flatter one on off, Harris pushes it back to the bowler off the back foot. |
| 40.2 : R Jadeja to Harris, Quicker outside off stump, defended on the front foot. |
| 40.3 : R Jadeja to Harris, Fuller outside off, driven down towards mid off. |
| 40.4 : R Jadeja to Harris, Fuller outside off, this time Harris drives it in the gap wide of mid off for a single. |
| 40.5 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, Flatter ball outside off, Labuschagne comes ahead and defends this into the ground. |
| 40.6 : R Jadeja to Labuschagne, FOUR! Width outside off and taken advantage of easily. Labuschagne makes room and cuts it away for a boundary through cover-point. Vihari gives chase but the ball beats him in the end. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end. |
| 41.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Very full on middle and leg, Harris works it on the leg side towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 41.2 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Length ball outside off, Labuschagne comes ahead and defends the ball late. |
| 41.3 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Well outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 41.4 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Short of a length outside off once more, shouldered arms to by the batsman. |
| 41.5 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Way outside off, Labuschagne wants nothing to do with it. |
| 41.6 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Outside off and that is the fourth leave in a row to end the over. |
| 42.1 : R Jadeja to Harris, Flatter ball on middle, pushed back down the ground by the left-hander. |
| 42.2 : R Jadeja to Harris, Quicker outside off, punched off the back foot to cover. |
| 42.3 : R Jadeja to Harris, Flatter ball outside off, Harris comes ahead and defends. |
| 42.4 : R Jadeja to Harris, This is flatter and hurled at the pads, turned towards mid-wicket. |
| 42.5 : R Jadeja to Harris, Flighted outside off, Harris comes down and pushes it towards cover. |
| 42.6 : R Jadeja to Harris, OUT! Chopped on! Marcus Harris has dragged the ball back on to his stumps here. 5 dot balls here and Harris wanted to score off this ball, goes for the late cut to this one. The ball wasn't short enough or even wide enough for him to late cut it. Looks like it even kept a tad bit low and spun it as it goes on to take the under edge and bounce back to knock the top of the leg stump. Harris cannot believe his luck and India have got a wicket against the run of play. Huge |
| Shaun Marsh is in next with Australia trailing by 494 runs. |
| 43.1 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, In the region outside off, Labuschagne allows it through easily to the keeper. |
| 43.2 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, False shot! Bumrah serves it short and wide outside off, Marnus has a lazy waft at it and misses. The fall of wicket in the last over has probably disturbed his concentration. He needs to regain his composure. Australia want their set batsman to continue. Cannot afford another wicket here. |
| 43.3 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 43.4 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Diving effort by Pujara. Showing his fitness. No fatigue shown and Bumrah claps. Back of a length ball on middle, Marnus waits on the back foot and then turns it on the leg side. Che at mid-wicket puts in a dive to his right to stop the ball. |
| 43.5 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Bouncer at 132.2 kph! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 43.6 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Keeps his line quite wide outside the off stump. Labuschagne is in no mood to chase it this time. |
| 44.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Flatter one, a bit round-arm this time. Marsh defends from the crease. |
| 44.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Comes ahead and dead-bats this one around off stump. |
| 44.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Subtle change of pace there. A little loop given and Marsh comes down the track and pushes it to mid off. |
| 44.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Another flatter one on middle, SOS prods ahead and blocks. |
| 44.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, FOUR! Off the mark in grand fashion! Slightly wide outside off this time from Jaddu, Marsh comes down the track and drives this wide of a diving mid off for a boundary. Goes all the way to the cover fence. Good shot! |
| 44.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Defensive front foot prod to end the over. |
| 45.1 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, A fuller length ball going down leg, Labuschagne misses his flick and Pant does well to collect this one diving to his left. |
| 45.2 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Length ball on middle, defended back down the ground while being half-ahead by the batsman. |
| 45.3 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Length ball just outside off, a late defensive stroke from Labuschagne. Lets the ball come onto his bat. |
| 45.4 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Bouncer on middle! Marnus ducks under it. |
| 45.5 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Another bouncer there! The batsman ducks under it once more. |
| 45.6 : J Bumrah to Labuschagne, Fuller length ball outside off, driven handsomely by Labuschagne off the front foot but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 46.1 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Fuller one outside off, defended towards the bowler off the front foot. |
| 46.2 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Flatter this time on off stump, pushed back towards mid-wicket by Marsh. |
| 46.3 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Ooh! Some spin there and the ball beats Marsh on the inside as he was trying to come ahead and defend. The ball hits him on the front pad but well outside the line of the stumps. |
| 46.4 : R Jadeja to Marsh, Defended from within the crease. |
| 46.5 : R Jadeja to Marsh, FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Marsh gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it through covers. It is in the gap and runs away to the fence. Lovely shot that! |
| 46.6 : R Jadeja to Marsh, A good front foot defensive shot from Shaun to end the over. |
| Mohammed Shami is back on. |
| 47.1 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Outside off to start off with, Labuschagne pushes it towards cover off the back foot. |
| 47.2 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Fuller length ball this time, Marnus flicks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 47.3 : M Shami to Labuschagne, FOUR! Shot! Holds the pose too. Just tells you how good this pitch is to bat on. Not a half-volley and on a good length outside off. Labuschagne comes ahead and drives this beautifully through the covers all the way for a boundary. Bang of the middle of the bat. |
| 47.4 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Yorker! Good yorker from Shami but equally well kept out by the batsman. |
| 47.5 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Length ball on the pads, Marnus pushes it towards mid-wicket. |
| 47.6 : M Shami to Labuschagne, FOUR! Two mid-wicket fielders were there and yet the ball is pierced through the gap and to the fence. Lovely batting from Labuschagne. Fuller length ball on the pads, flicked away and gets it in the gap. Jadeja tries to chase it but the ball was always winning the race there. |
| 48.1 : R Jadeja to S Marsh, OUT! Caught at slip! Marsh is gone for 8, easy catch for Rahane. It is a flatter ball outside off and the ball doesn't turn much, holding its line. Shaun was playing for the turn that was present in the previous over. The ball though goes straight on and SOS who was playing down the wrong line only manages to get the outside edge on this one. The ball goes into the bucket-like hands of Rahane at slip who pouches it easily. Lazy shot says Michael Clarke on-air. Yes it w |
| 0.0 : Travis Head is the new batsman. |
| 48.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Flighted and full outside off, it's defended off the front foot to the off side. |
| 48.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Short and wide outside off, Head watches the line closely before making a leave. |
| 48.4 : R Jadeja to Head, Loopy full ball on off, Head is forward in defense. |
| 48.5 : R Jadeja to Head, Strides forward and defends it on the bounce to silly point. |
| 48.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Tossed up and outside off, left alone to end a wicket maiden. |
| 49.1 : Shami to Labuschagne, Lovely inswinging yorker on off, Marnus does well to dig it out safely. |
| 49.2 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Full this time, on middle, it's flicked across the line but has gone straight to one of the two mid-wicket fielders. |
| 49.3 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Length ball outside off, slightly slower and going away. Labuschagne defends it off the back foot towards cover. |
| 49.4 : M Shami to Labuschagne, FOUR! Lifted above the slip cordon and helps it towards the third man fence. No fielder in the deep, very safe shot and really good thinking from the batsman. It was a bouncer outside off and with not too much pace on the wicket, it is easy pickings for a well-set batsman to ramp it over. |
| 49.5 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Fuller length this time on the pads, worked to mid-wicket on the front foot. |
| 49.6 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Good looking shot for no run from Marnus. Fuller length on middle, straight driven back to the bowler. Shami fields and throws it back towards the keeper. |
| 50.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter one on middle, worked towards mid-wicket by Head. |
| 50.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Fuller outside off, Travis comes ahead and defends the ball into the ground. |
| 50.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Ooh! That one turns a bit and takes the inside half of the bat of Head who was ahead in defense. No fielder there as the ball rolls on the ground. |
| 50.4 : R Jadeja to Head, Shorter length, the batsman rocks back and defends from the crease. |
| 50.5 : R Jadeja to Head, A little outside off, Head opens the face of the bat towards point. |
| 50.6 : R Jadeja to Head, Fuller outside off, Head comes well ahead and drives this sweetly but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 51.1 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Good length ball outside off, pushed off the back foot towards point. |
| 51.2 : M Shami to Labuschagne, FOUR! Textbook straight drive! Just punches this length ball really straight to the left of mid on. Jadeja is quick but the ball is quicker as it beats him to the fence. Really lovely batting from the newcomer. |
| 51.3 : M Shami to Labuschagne, Length ball on middle, worked towards the bowler. |
| 51.4 : M Shami to Labuschagne, OUT! Brilliant catch by Rahane! Labuschagne has to depart, what a piece of fielding from the Indian vice-captain. Just after the boundary two balls back, the Indian captain Kohli brought himself to a straighter short mid on and moves the short mid-wicket a little squarer. This one is delivered on a length on middle and leg and Marnus goes for the flick. He hits it in the air towards Rahane at a square mid-wicket and Jinx goes low on his right and picks it up inches |
| Peter Handscomb is in next with Australia losing their way. |
| 51.5 : M Shami to Handscomb, Full and tailing into the new batsman, Handscomb picks it off his pads and flicks it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 51.6 : M Shami to Head, Switches to 'round the wicket and slips a full ball on the pads again. Head clips it to deep mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a run. |
| 52.1 : R Jadeja to Head, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 52.2 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Slower this time, full and outside off, Handscomb walks forward and then pushes it with an angled bat to point. That came off the outer half of his bat. |
| 52.3 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flighted one, full and outside off, Peter lunges and blocks it to the off side. |
| 52.4 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flatter this time, full and on middle, Handscomb defends it back with a straight bat. |
| 52.5 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, A real tempter! Bowls it short and wide outside off, Peter watchfully lets it go to the keeper. |
| 52.6 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Arm ball around off, on the shorter side but staying low, Peter pushes himself on the back foot and defends it solidly. |
| 53.1 : M Shami to Head, Around the wicket to Head, served on a good length outside off. Travis defends it back towards a straightish short mid on. |
| 53.2 : M Shami to Head, Short of a length outside off, Head pushes it on the off side but the cover fielder is quick and prevents the single with a diving stop. |
| 53.3 : M Shami to Head, Length ball again and Head seems to have closed his bat a little early as he works this to deep square leg off the inside half of the bat. Gets a single. |
| 53.4 : M Shami to Handscomb, Length ball outside off, defended back towards the bowler off the back foot. |
| 53.5 : M Shami to Handscomb, Length ball outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 53.6 : M Shami to Handscomb, A good length ball served outside off to end the over. Kept out towards the off side. |
| 54.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Looped outside off, defended on the front foot by Head. |
| 54.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Flighted on middle, pushed towards mid on by TH. |
| 54.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Shorter length this time, Travis goes back in his crease and finds the gap through cover-point for a single. |
| 54.4 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Down the wicket to this one even before the ball is delivered, Handscomb tries to drive but gets it off the thick outside half towards backward point. Risky stuff this. |
| 54.5 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Just short of Rahane at slip! A genuine outside edge is induced. Flatter one outside off and Handscomb defends lazily from the crease almost like Marsh. The ball spins a bit and goes off the outside edge towards Rahane at slip. Luckily for the batsman, it does not carry. Peter does well to remove his bottom hand off the willow which caused a little less power in it and hence it didn't carry to slip. |
| 54.6 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, A good front foot defense to end the over, better from the batsman this time to get to the pitch of the ball. |
| Drinks break. What an hour of play for the Indians. The first session saw Aussies play attacking cricket but for some reason after the Lunch break, they played differently and have lost 3 wickets in real quick time. Jadeja seems to have come into his own as well as Shami with some reverse swing. Two new batsmen out there, not going to be easy as the momentum is with the visitors. |
| 55.1 : M Shami to Head, Length ball outside off, Head decides to leave the ball pretty late after judging the line. |
| 55.2 : M Shami to Head, Just short again! Comes over the wicket this time and bowls it on the pads. There is a backward square leg present precisely for that shot and Head plays it right in his direction. The ball just drops ahead of Vihari there. Good bowling this, to the plan. |
| 55.3 : M Shami to Head, On the hips once more, Head pushes it towards short mid-wicket where Kohli makes a tumbling stop and prevents the single. |
| 55.4 : M Shami to Head, Fuller length ball on the pads, flicked away in the gap this time for a single. |
| 55.5 : M Shami to Handscomb, Three catchers on the leg side for Handscomb. Certainly looks like a plan as Shami hurls this on the pads but Peter controls it well as he works it to fine leg for a single. |
| 55.6 : M Shami to Head, Length ball just outside off, defended back down the ground with a straight bat. |
| 56.1 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Ooh! Almost caught him in front there! Jadeja looks to drift this one but it lands on middle and straightens. Handscomb comes ahead to defend and luckily for him, gets an inside edge on to his pads. Appeal from Jadeja but the close-in fielder tells him there was bat on it. Would have been in front had it not been for the bat on it. |
| 56.2 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Defended better this time from Peter coming ahead. |
| 56.3 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flatter one on the pads, worked down on the leg side towards mid-wicket. |
| 56.4 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Shorter one this time, PH rocks back and whips it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 56.5 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Outside off and with a bit of air, well-judged leave by Handscomb to this. |
| 56.6 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Another one outside off, left alone by the batsman to end the over. |
| 57.1 : M Shami to Head, Bouncer, well-directed from 'round the wicket, Head ducks underneath it. He was bounced out by Ishant in Adelaide and looking at the field placement, India seem to be working on the same plan |
| 57.2 : M Shami to Head, Width on offer outside off, Head packs a punch from the back foot but finds the cover fielder. Slight fumble by Rahul but no run conceded. |
| 57.3 : M Shami to Head, This one is on a driving length outside off, Head restrain himself from committing into a shot. Allows it through. |
| 57.4 : M Shami to Head, Slightly short and angling down the leg side, Head glances it off his hips but it goes straight to backward square leg |
| 57.5 : M Shami to Head, Fuller and angling in from around off, Travis closes the face and works it towards the fielder in front of square leg. |
| 57.6 : M Shami to Head, Finds the gap! On a length and outside off, Head drives it on the up and gets it through the gap between extra cover and mid off. A couple. |
| 58.1 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Gets on the front foot and pushes it to covers. |
| 58.2 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Full and flighted on off, Handscomb is drawn forward in defense. |
| 58.3 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Tossed up ball on off, some extra bounce, Peter lunges and defends it off the higher half of his bat. |
| 58.4 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Bowls it slower through the air, full and angling in on off, again it's defended off the front foot. Keeping bowling there, shouts Pant from behind the stumps. |
| 58.5 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. If you are not watching the match and only hearing Pant from behind the stumps, you might be tricked that the batsman is playing everything from the edge of his bat. That ain't the case though, at least for now. |
| 58.6 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Fullish and on middle, Handscomb draws forward and brings his bat down in defense. |
| Time for Kuldeep Yadav. |
| 59.1 : K Yadav to Head, Tossed up ball on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 59.2 : K Yadav to Head, Flatter and wide outside off, hit firmly through the line but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 59.3 : K Yadav to Head, Judges the spin well. Nicely bowled around off, drifting in and spinning away, Head gets forward and then leaves. |
| 59.4 : K Yadav to Head, Head has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 59.5 : K Yadav to Head, Just a bit short around off, Head rocks back to punch it on the off side but fails to beat the diving cover fielder. |
| 59.6 : K Yadav to Head, Full and flighted outside off, driven firmly with the spin but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 60.1 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, FOUR! Bad ball and punished! It's important not to get bogged down. Short and around off, Handscomb goes deep inside the crease and pulls it powerfully past the right side of the mid on fielder. |
| 60.2 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flatter and shorter this time, outside off, it's punched from the back foot but straight to the point fielder. Pant shouts from behind the stumps - 'Aage daalo thoda sa isse!' Meaning - Bowl a little further! |
| 60.3 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Yay! Yay! That's more like it, screams Pant as Jadeja bowls it full and on middle. Handscomb is forward in defense. |
| 60.4 : R Jadeja to P Handscomb, Fuller and on middle, pushed down to mid on. Pant continues to make some comical sound from behind the stumps. |
| 60.5 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Sliding down the leg side, Peter plays it off his pads towards backward square leg. |
| 60.6 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 61.1 : K Yadav to Head, FOUR! Once again the first ball of the over has gone for a boundary! A low full toss on middle, Head gets forward and drills his straight drive past the diving bowler for a boundary. |
| 61.2 : K Yadav to Head, Too full and wide outside off, Head firmly drives it square of the wicket on the off side but finds the point fielder. |
| 61.3 : K Yadav to Head, Fires it flat and full on off, Head digs it out in the direction of mid off. |
| 61.4 : K Yadav to Head, Flatter and shorter outside off, Head tries to flat-bat it but it catches the bottom edge and rolls on the off side. |
| 61.5 : K Yadav to Head, Loopy and full on off, defended back watchfully. |
| 61.6 : K Yadav to Head, Short delivery on off, cut away through cover-point for a single to end the over. |
| 62.1 : R Jadeja to Head, Full and flighted outside off, it's stroked confidently off the front foot but straight to mid off. |
| 62.2 : R Jadeja to Head, Flatter and shorter on off, punched from the crease to covers. |
| 62.3 : R Jadeja to Head, Fullish and on off, Head drives it to covers again. |
| 62.4 : R Jadeja to Head, Leans forward to a full ball and pushes it with soft hands to the cover fielder. |
| 62.5 : R Jadeja to Head, Quicker one, full and on off, Head opens the face of the bat and eases it to the right of the cover fielder. A quick single taken as the fielder misses his shy at the striker's end. Pandya tries to back up the throw and in the process collides with the square leg umpire. |
| 62.6 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, FOUR! Jadeja bowls it in the flatter trajectory on off, Handscomb camps back and forces it in the gap at covers. A tired Shami gives the chase but fails to pull it back. |
| Change of heart for Kohli at the last minute as he brings his pacer. Jasprit Bumrah is back on. |
| 63.1 : J Bumrah to Head, Begins a fresh spell with a fuller length ball on middle, Head eases his flick shot through square leg for a run. |
| 63.2 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Fullish and angling in on off, Handscomb brings down a straight willow in defense. |
| There are a lot of dark clouds that have suddenly encircled the stadium. The floodlights have also been turned on. Now it is more like a 'Pink Test'. |
| 63.3 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Gently pushes a full ball in the gap at covers and crosses for a quick single. |
| 63.4 : J Bumrah to Head, Bumrah speeds in from 'round the wicket for the left-hander. Angles in a full delivery on off, Travis defends it down the ground where the mid on fielder stops the ball. |
| 63.5 : J Bumrah to Head, Good length ball angling into the batsman, Head turns it off his hips to the leg side but finds the square leg fielder. |
| Back to being sunny... some hide and seek here from the Sun. |
| 63.6 : J Bumrah to Head, FOUR! Easy pickings! Bumrah slants in a fuller length ball around off, Head plays it with the angle and flicks it beautifully past the left side of the mid on fielder. No stopping this one. So Australia have managed to score at least one boundary per over in the last 4 overs. |
| Change of ends for Kuldeep Yadav. Jadeja being taken off after a long spell. |
| 64.1 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Big spin for Kuldeep first up! Around middle and turning down the leg side, Peter moves inside the crease and tucks it through backward square leg for a brace. |
| 64.2 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Another delivery spinning back in from outside off, Handscomb flicks but finds the fielder in front of square leg. |
| 64.3 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Walks forward to a full ball and drives it to mid off for a brisk single. |
| 64.4 : K Yadav to Head, Full and flighted on off, Head presses forward and defends it towards silly point. |
| 64.5 : K Yadav to Head, Tossed up and wide outside off, Travis has nothing to do with it. |
| 64.6 : K Yadav to Head, Too full and on off, driven through the line to sweeper cover for a couple. |
| 65.1 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Full and angling on middle, defended from the crease to the mid on region. |
| 65.2 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Turns it off his pads to mid-wicket where Rahul makes a good stop. |
| 65.3 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Solid! Angles in a full ball on off, Peter is solidly behind the line as he blocks it to the off side. |
| 65.4 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Lands it on a good length around off, shaping in, Handscomb once again shows good technique as he covers the line before presenting a straight bat. |
| 65.5 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Drops it on a length and outside off, Handscomb keeps his weight on the back leg and taps it down on the off side. |
| 65.6 : J Bumrah to P Handscomb, FOUR! Boundary to end the over! A yorker wide outside off, Handscomb brings his bat down in time and squeezes it out through the gap between first slip and gully for a boundary. This partnership is worth 40 now with Head and Handscomb looking largely untroubled. |
| 66.1 : K Yadav to Head, Slower through the air, landing full on off and spinning away, Head prods forward and jams it down. |
| 0.0 : Some movement among the groundstaff. It looks like they are readying the covers. It has gotten dark once more. |
| 66.2 : Yadav to Head, OUT! Fine return catch by Kuldeep Yadav and the fifth wicket goes down for Australia. A rank full toss around off, dipping into the batsman, Head shimmies down the track for a big shot probably but it catches the bottom half of his bat and lobs back to the bowler. Kuldeep reacts quickly in his followthrough and goes down to snap a low catch. India celebrate as a disappointed Travis heads back to the pavilion. Soft dismissal really. Still 231 runs away from avoiding the follo |
| Tim Paine, the Australian skipper walks out at number 7. |
| 66.3 : K Yadav to Paine, Tossed up ball outside off, turning back in, Paine strides forward in defense. |
| 66.4 : K Yadav to Paine, Turn and bounce this time, Tim lunges and defends it with a loose bottom hand. |
| 66.5 : K Yadav to Paine, Shout for an lbw! Tossed up again, landing outside off and turning back in, Paine gets forward and across to defend but misses. Is hit on the pads, they appeal but the impact is clearly outside off. |
| 66.6 : K Yadav to Paine, Nervous moment for the Aussie skipper. Fuller and on middle, Paine flicks it across the line and it's more like a check-shot. Goes aerially but it's not carrying to mid-wicket. |
| 67.1 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Handscomb has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 67.2 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Goes searching for the blockhole but it's a full toss on off, Peter pushes it wide of mid on and rushes to the other end. |
| 67.3 : J Bumrah to Paine, On a good length around off, defended off the back foot. |
| 67.4 : J Bumrah to Paine, Digs in a bouncer, Tim evades at the last second. |
| 67.5 : J Bumrah to Tim Paine, FOUR! Helped on its way and should be a boundary. Bumrah loses his radar and slips a short ball down the leg side, Paine turns and does the rest with ease. |
| 67.6 : J Bumrah to Paine, Fullish and on middle at 140.6 kph, it's clipped through square leg for a run. Tea on Day 3. |
| 28 overs, 76 runs and 4 wickets. India's session no doubt. The way Australia had batted before Lunch had inspired a lot of confidence suggesting they could fight in this game and hold their own but somehow when they came back, they lost their concentration. A loose shot from Marcus Harris was what started all of it as he chopped on, playing away from his body to Jadeja. Shaun Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne followed in quick succession with the latter looking good as long as he was there in the middle |
| ... DAY 3, SESSION 3 ... |
| We are back after Tea. The players and umpires are out in the middle. The rain has stayed away but it has been a bit overcast. Tim Paine and Peter Handscomb are at the crease. Kuldeep Yadav will start the proceedings after Tea. |
| 68.1 : K Yadav to Paine, Sharp turn! Looped outside off on a good length, the ball rips in. Paine does well to push it away towards mid-wicket. |
| 68.2 : K Yadav to Paine, Fuller outside off, defended off the front foot this time. |
| 68.3 : K Yadav to Paine, Shortens the length a bit, worked towards the square leg fielder. |
| 68.4 : K Yadav to Paine, Flatter one on middle and off, Paine defends it back down the ground from the crease. |
| 68.5 : K Yadav to Paine, Fuller one outside off, it is the wrong 'un. Well defended on the front foot by the Aussie skipper. |
| 68.6 : K Yadav to Tim Paine, OUT! Bowled 'em! Gone through the gate! The whole over Kuldeep was bowling varying lengths and this one was the most flighted one of all. Gives it a large loop outside off and Tim Paine gets done by the flight. He does not move his feet and goes for the drive away from his body. Huge gap between bat and pad, the ball goes right through. Takes the leg stump on its way. Poor, poor shot from the skipper, very lazy! Kuldeep picks up his third wicket of the innings and Aus |
| In walks the batsman in prime form - Pat Cummins. Jasprit Bumrah will continue from this end... |
| 69.1 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Angles in a length ball on off, Peter gets forward and defends it close to his body. |
| 69.2 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Another one is slanted into the batsman. On a good length and staying low, Peter keeps his eyes glued to the ball and defends it safely to the off side. |
| 69.3 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Slight reverse swing there. On a length and outside off, shaping back in a tad, the batsman makes a watchful leave. |
| 69.4 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Brilliant bowling. Spears in a yorker on off, Peter does well to dig it out on the off side. The Indian pacers have been amazing on this unresponsive surface. Varying their pace and length quite smartly. Something for the Aussie speedsters to learn. |
| 69.5 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, In the channel outside off, it's left alone by Handscomb. |
| 69.6 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Serves it on a length outside off, Peter stays back and reaches out for it as he pushes it towards the cover region. A maiden again! |
| 70.1 : K Yadav to Cummins, Looped up outside off again, Cummins comes ahead and dead-bats. |
| 70.2 : K Yadav to Cummins, Another one slower through the air! This turns a mile and beats Cummins who was trying to defend it coming ahead. The ball gets hit on the pad but it is outside the line of off stump so no reaction from anyone except the bowler. |
| 70.3 : K Yadav to Cummins, Shorter length, ball comes into Cummins. He pushes it away on the leg side and a confusion between the fielders allows him to get to the other end and off the mark. |
| 70.4 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Flighted ball on middle, Handscomb comes down the track and defends the ball. |
| 70.5 : K Yadav to Handscomb, A wrong 'un flighted on middle, Peter reads it and defends it onto the ground. |
| 70.6 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Another flighted delivery on off stump, the batsman prods ahead and dead-bats. |
| Ravindra Jadeja comes on to replace Jasprit Bumrah. |
| 71.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Flatter ball on middle, kept out by Cummins coming ahead. |
| 71.2 : Jadeja to Cummins, Going down leg maybe! Beautiful drift on this ball from Jadeja, gets the ball to come in with the drift and Cummins misses his defense to get rapped on the pad. The ball was just going down leg it seems and the Indians drop their appeal. |
| 71.3 : R Jadeja to Pat Cummins, FOUR! Flighted outside off, crunched away through the covers for a superb boundary. Lovely looking shot! |
| 71.4 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Fuller ball outside off, defended onto the ground. |
| 71.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Angling on to the pads, pushed away to square leg wristily by Pat. |
| 71.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Flatter ball on middle, the batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 72.1 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Flighted outside off, Handscomb comes ahead and works it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 72.2 : K Yadav to Pat Cummins, Wrong 'un there! Cummins comes ahead to defend early and does well in the end to cover the spin and pat it down safely. |
| 72.3 : K Yadav to Cummins, Oooh! Sharp turn again! Flatter one outside off and comes in a long way. Cummins seems to have missed his flick and got hit on the thigh pad. The ball lobs up and falls just in front of a tumbling Rahul at short leg. |
| 72.4 : K Yadav to Pat Cummins, FOUR! Short and lots of time for Cummins to rock back and pull it over mid-wicket for a boundary. The ball just lands inches inside the fence. A poor ball from Kuldeep that one and Pat took full toll. |
| 72.5 : K Yadav to Cummins, Ripper! Flighted well outside off and Cummins is drawn into an expansive cover drive. He misses the ball as it turns a long way to beat him. It misses the stumps also. Very, very lucky that! Terrific comeback after being hit for a boundary. |
| 72.6 : K Yadav to Cummins, Shortens the length, and similar to the third delivery this over, Cummins misses his flick and gets hit on the thigh pad. No chance of LBW though as the ball was doing too much there. |
| 73.1 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Tossed up ball on middle, Peter plays back to a delivery which is fuller and helps it towards square leg. Not a good idea. |
| 73.2 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Leans forward to a full ball and blocks. |
| 73.3 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Full and on off, it's defended back off the front foot. |
| 73.4 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Caught on the crease again. Slower full ball dropping on off, Handscomb rather than getting forward defends it from the back foot. |
| 73.5 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 73.6 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Fullish and on off, defended off the front foot again to end the over. |
| 74.1 : K Yadav to Cummins, Flighted well outside off, Cummins comes well forward to defend it. |
| 74.2 : K Yadav to Cummins, Another one looped up outside off, well defended by Pat. |
| 74.3 : K Yadav to Cummins, FOUR! Shot! The second time he has driven Kuldeep against the turn. Was very full and outside off, Cummins gets a little ahead and drives this in the gap through the covers. Timing is really good and it reaches the fence with ease. |
| 74.4 : K Yadav to Cummins, Shortens the length a bit this time, PC waits back and pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 74.5 : K Yadav to Cummins, Oooh! Inside edge onto the pads and runs down towards fine leg. Length ball outside off and comes in a long way as Cummins tries to defend with a straight bat. Lucky it did not go to short leg. |
| 74.6 : K Yadav to Cummins, Another inside edge as Cummins comes ahead to defend this fuller ball on middle. Onto the pads and drops down on the pitch. Good bowling. |
| 75.1 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Handscomb has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 75.2 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Presses forward to a full ball and offers a dead straight bat in defense. |
| 75.3 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Full and on middle, flicked in front of square leg for a couple. |
| 75.4 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Short and on middle, Peter pushes his weight on the back foot and turns it through square leg for one. |
| 75.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Loopy full on off, Cummins draws forward and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 75.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Full and flighted on middle, Pat defends it on the leg side to complete the over. |
| 76.1 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Flighted outside off and Handscomb comes down the pitch to defend it, smothering the turn. |
| 76.2 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Quicker one on middle and leg, pushed towards short leg. |
| 76.3 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Ooh! Beaten! Wrong 'un there and Handscomb surely did not pick that. Stays back in the crease to defend but the ball goes the other way and Peter is bamboozled. |
| 76.4 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Flatter one on middle, worked away wristily towards mid-wicket. |
| 76.5 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Flatter one on the pads, worked away towards square leg by Handscomb. |
| 76.6 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Lots of flight on this one, PH comes down the ground and takes it on the full as he drives to mid off. |
| 77.1 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Flatter ball on middle, Cummins defends watchfully. |
| 77.2 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Another quicker one on middle, Pat is watchful in defense. |
| 77.3 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Slower this time on off, Cummins is half-ahead to defend this ball onto the ground. |
| 77.4 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Another slower one on middle, Cummins comes ahead once more to pat it down. |
| 77.5 : R Jadeja to Cummins, Flatter ball on the pads, flicked away to the square leg fielder. |
| 77.6 : R Jadeja to Cummins, FOUR! In the air but well away from Jadeja who dives to his right but cannot reach the ball in time. Flighted ball on middle, Cummins lifts it back down the ground slightly in the air but away from Jadeja. No fielder that straight and mid on cannot chase the ball. Boundary for the Aussies. |
| 78.1 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Flighted ball outside off and turns in a long way, Handscomb tries to work it on the leg side. Gets a thick inside edge that runs down fine on the leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 78.2 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Oooh! Keeps low and turns a long way as well. The ball landed outside off and turns in a long way before going off Handscomb's pads fine on the leg side for a couple of leg byes. |
| 78.3 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Leg slip in place now. Works this flatter one on the middle stump line towards mid-wicket. |
| 78.4 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Peter comes down the ground and digs his defense onto the ground. |
| 78.5 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Flatter one on the pads, turned away to square leg with the turn for a single by PH. |
| 78.6 : K Yadav to Cummins, FOUR! Lots of turn on this one flighted on off stump. Pat Cummins sweeps it down the leg side and away from the leg slip fielder. The ball runs away to the fence for a welcome boundary. 9 runs off this over. |
| 79.1 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Fuller one on middle, defended coming half-ahead by Handscomb. |
| 79.2 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flatter one on the pads, worked away to the leg side towards mid-wicket. |
| 79.3 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Fuller and quicker on middle stump, defended back down the ground by the batsman. |
| 79.4 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Another front foot defense to this ball on middle stump. |
| 79.5 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flighted slightly this time, Handscomb comes forward to dead-bat this ball. |
| 79.6 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Slightly outside off, driven down to mid off by the batsman. |
| The second new ball is available now and has not been taken by the Indians. |
| 80.1 : K Yadav to Cummins, Flatter ball on middle, flicked away to the on side wristily. |
| 80.2 : K Yadav to Cummins, A front foot defense after covering the spin on the ball by Cummins. |
| 80.3 : K Yadav to Cummins, Sharp turn from outside off and gets Pat on the pads again but the ball is doing too much so not much of an appeal. |
| 80.4 : K Yadav to Cummins, Cummins comes well ahead to smother the spin on this delivery flighted outside off. |
| 80.5 : K Yadav to Cummins, Spinning down on the pads, worked away towards square leg. |
| 80.6 : K Yadav to Cummins, Another flatter delivery ending up on middle, pushed towards mid-wicket by the batsman. |
| 81.1 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flatter one outside off, pushed towards the cover region by Peter. |
| 81.2 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flatter one on middle, pushed back towards the bowler off the back foot. |
| 81.3 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Fuller one on middle and leg, Handscomb comes ahead to defend this ball. |
| Here is a case. Virat Kohli wanted to take the second new ball but he was told by the umpires that if he brings in his pacers, then they might have to consider the natural light which is fading with every second. It's a bit gloomy out there. India are continuing with their spinners for the moment. |
| 81.4 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flatter ball on the pads, worked away towards the square leg fielder by PH. |
| 81.5 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flighted one on off, Handscomb comes ahead and dead-bats. |
| 81.6 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Very full this time, the batsman moves forward and presses this ball down with his willow. Good over. |
| 82.1 : K Yadav to Cummins, Flatter and shorter on middle, punched off the back foot to mid-wicket. |
| 82.2 : K Yadav to Cummins, Full and around off, Pat gets forward and defends it off the inner half of the bat to short leg. |
| 82.3 : K Yadav to Cummins, Four byes! Right through keeper's legs. Full and floated outside off, turning back in just a little. Cummins tries to defend off his front foot but it beats the outside edge and Pant is late in closing his legs. It hurries behind him to find the fence. |
| Another close-in fielder being brought in, the 12th man comes in with the necessary accessories and helps him on with it. |
| 82.4 : K Yadav to Cummins, FOUR! Delightful shot! He is a treat to watch. Surely needs promotion in the batting order. Full delivery, landing outside off, Cummins takes a big stride forward and crunches a cover drive for a boundary. |
| 82.5 : K Yadav to Cummins, Pat has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 82.6 : K Yadav to Cummins, Slower full ball around off, Cummins defends it closer to his body. |
| 83.1 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flighted on middle and off, Handscomb comes ahead to defend this. |
| 83.2 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flatter one down leg side, flicked away to backward square leg. |
| Review time! Handscomb has been rapped on the pads but the umpire has not entertained the lbw shout from the Indians. Virat Kohli asks his players whether there is bat involved or not before taking the DRS. To be honest, that looked like going down to the naked eye. Let's see... |
| 83.3 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, NOT OUT! The original decision will remain as the Ball Tracker shows the ball to be missing leg stump. Flatter delivery on middle and going on with the angle. Handscomb misses his flick and the ball goes on to hit his front pad which seems to be outside the line of the stumps. It then goes onto the back pad. There is a loud appeal from Jadeja and Kohli consults the close-in fielders asking him - If the ball hit the willow. He then goes upstairs. Replays show that the |
| Update 1627 local - BAD LIGHT HAS STOPPED PLAY! The umpires once again have a chat and are looking concerned about the fading light. This time they have decided that it's not conducive to carry on. Off go the players. The groundsmen are out with the covers. They have put it beside the playing area, not covering it yet. Maybe, not expecting some rain immediately. Stay tuned for more updates. |
| Update 1636 local - Now the groundsmen are covering the pitch as it has started to drizzle at the SCG. Not looking good at the moment. We will be really lucky to get in any more overs today. Stay tuned and be positive. |
| Update 1701 local - The remainder of the day's play has been called off due to poor weather conditions. The rain picked its pace and there would have been no chance of any more play today. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 3! |
| A curtailed day then. We still had around 16 overs to be bowled in the day after the Jadeja one, but the light deteriorated very quickly and play had to be stopped even with only spinners bowling. A day that Indians would be happy with though, having picked up 6 Australian wickets and the fact that the hosts still need another 187 runs to avoid the follow-on. The Indians will have time to reassess and see what their plan of action will be on the last two days of the Test, the main thought being |
| Australia will be disappointed with the way the day panned out, especially after having a brilliant morning session. They lost their way post that and also lost a lot of wickets. Four in the middle session and one early on in the final session saw them 6 down for 198. Since then, Handscomb and Cummins took the responsibility and tried to take the hosts to safer shores when bad light stopped play. |
| Looking forward to Sunday then. The hosts will look to take the first innings total as close to the Indian total as possible. The visitors, on the contrary, will look to clean up the last four wickets quickly before taking a call on the follow-on possibility. The rain is another factor that will be on Virat Kohli's mind with some thunderstorms forecast on Days 4 and 5 of the Test as well. He will also have to consider the workload of the bowlers before taking a decision. As for now, all we know |
| ... Day 4, Session 1 ... |
| Hello and welcome to Day 4 of the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy. A day where we should get a fair idea of what is going to be the result of this game. As things stand, one thing remains clear. India are massive favorites to lift the trophy but the scoreline is yet to be determined. The chances of Australia fighting back and winning this Test has reduced even more after play yesterday, where the Aussies lost track and now still trail by 386, needing 187 to first wipe out the chance of |
| What remains to be seen is the tactic of Virat Kohli, even if India do manage to knock off the remaining 4 wickets early on. Will he be confident enough to put the Aussies in to bat again, without giving his bowlers a break and try to bowl them out? Or, will he opt to bat once more and set a total surely out of the sight of the hosts and then try to bowl them out in the 4th innings in whatever time is left? The forecasted weather for today is for it to remain cloudy throughout the day with a few |
| PITCH REPORT - Brett Lee spots a rough patch on the wicket that he feels Kuldeep will be targeting while bowling today. Still feels that the surface is flat and a good one to bat on. Could have a bit for the seamers too today with the overhead conditions but shouldn't be a hindrance to batsmen if they play well, he says. |
| Update 0955 local - The groundstaff have covered the surface here. The floodlights are on as well with the place being quite dark as of now, and the start will be a delayed one. |
| Update 1010 local - The umpires are out there in the middle, there does not seem to be any rain but the light is still poor to continue. There will be another inspection in 10 minutes. |
| Update 1012 local - Scratch all that, it has now started to rain and there will be a longer delay. The full covers are being laid out too. Stay tuned for more updates. |
| Update 1039 local - The rain has stopped and the light is considerably brighter now. The covers are being taken off and the umpires are in the middle for an inspection. Play will resume at 1100 local if there is no further rain. |
| Update 1051 local - Rain returns. Covers are back on. Repeat the drill. Frustrating. |
| Update 1112 local - The rain has picked up pace, bigger covers are being brought on. A longer delay on the cards. More updates here as and when we get it. Stay tuned. |
| Update 1136 local - The covers are still on along with a slight drizzle. The wait goes on, looks like we are set to lose an entire session here. Pretty dark out there too. |
| Update 1220 local - The rain continues. The wait continues. The word coming in is that Lunch will be at the normal time, which is 10 minutes away from now. Let's be hopeful of some action in the afternoon session. |
| Update 1230 local - LUNCH HAS BEEN TAKEN ON DAY 4 and we have lost the entire morning session to rain. Play will resume post Lunch at 1310 local if there is no more rain. The covers are still on as of now. |
| ... Day 4, Session 2 ... |
| Update 1310 local - The umpires are out for an inspection, there seems to be no rain but the worry is still about the poor light conditions prevailing. Won't be an immediate start post Lunch. And as I type... DRIZZLE IS BACK! Stay tuned for more updates. |
| Update 1330 local - Here comes the most promising news of the day so far. RAIN HAS STOPPED and the covers are coming off. The umpires return to inspect the conditions and if no more rain, the first ball of Day 4 will be bowled at 1350 local time, only 20 minutes more. The Indian players are seen warming up. Get ready, folks. |
| Finally, for the first time on Day 4 the batsmen and the fielders make their way out to the middle. Jadeja to continue, Handscomb on strike. This will be a 2-hour session. A minimum of 58.3 overs shall be bowled today, weather permitting. Session 3 timings - 1610 local to 1800 local, the latest play can go through to is 1830 local. |
| 83.4 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Flatter ball to start off with, pushed towards mid-wicket by Handscomb. |
| 83.5 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Fuller one on middle, defended by the batsman coming ahead. |
| 83.6 : R Jadeja to Handscomb, Another front foot defense to end the over. |
| Second new ball has been taken! Mohammed Shami to steam in now... |
| 84.1 : M Shami to Cummins, False beginning! Hurls it down the leg side, Cummins moves away from the line. |
| 84.2 : M Shami to Cummins, Yet another one down the leg side. Slightly back of a length and moving past the batsman who makes a leave. Pant flies to his left to collect the ball. Shami still warming up. |
| 84.3 : M Shami to Pat Cummins, OUT! Timberrrrr.... the off stump takes a knock. This has kept super low. Unfortunate for Cummins, the second time it has happened to him in this series, the other instance being the second innings in Perth when Bumrah got through his defense. After two balls down leg, Shami gets his line right and lands it in the line of the off stump. The ball doesn't rise at all and Cummins, who was on the back foot, cannot get down in time to keep it out. India pick up their fir |
| Mitchell Starc is the new batsman in. |
| 84.4 : M Shami to Starc, Outside off on a short length, left alone by Starc. |
| 84.5 : M Shami to Starc, Another short length ball at the hips, this time Mitchell Starc helps it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 84.6 : M Shami to Handscomb, Hurled down the leg side, Handscomb shoulders arms to it. |
| Jasprit Bumrah is unleashed from the other end. |
| 85.1 : J Bumrah to M Starc, FOUR! Shot! It went back just as it came! Full and pacy outside off, Starc drives back down the ground with a straight bat. Brilliant timing, no chance for mid off to chase that. |
| 85.2 : J Bumrah to Starc, Short of a length ball outside off, defended off the back foot by Mitchell Starc towards point. |
| 85.3 : J Bumrah to Starc, Another effort delivery angling across the batsman, he chooses to let it go this time. |
| 85.4 : J Bumrah to Starc, FIVE WIDES! A bouncer gone too high and wide! The ball is down leg and almost delivered at halfway down the pitch. Rises so much that even a fully outstretched Pant cannot reach that one. Runs away behind for five wides. |
| J Bumrah to Starc, Length ball outside off, kept out back down the ground by MS. |
| 85.5 : J Bumrah to Starc, Beaten! Outside off, lovely delivery with some late shape on it. Starc goes for a drive without much foot movement, gets beaten on the outside. |
| 85.6 : J Bumrah to Starc, This is on middle and leg and straightens after landing on a length. Starc misses the push on the leg side and gets hit on the sides. |
| 86.1 : M Shami to Handscomb, Length ball outside off, good start from Shami. Handscomb defends it solidly. |
| 86.2 : M Shami to Handscomb, Fuller this time a tad outside off, Peter comes ahead and drives it down the ground towards mid off. |
| 86.3 : M Shami to Handscomb, Short of a length ball outside off, defended off the back foot by PH. |
| 86.4 : M Shami to Handscomb, Well outside off and coming in late. Handscomb judges and leaves it well in the end. |
| 86.5 : M Shami to Handscomb, Oooh! The variable bounce again! Well outside off this time though and Handscomb manages to stay nice and low to defend it. |
| 86.6 : M Shami to Handscomb, Good length ball on off stump to end the over, defended from within the crease by the batsman. Maiden over. |
| 87.1 : J Bumrah to Starc, Fuller one outside off, push-driven to mid off by Starc. |
| 87.2 : J Bumrah to Starc, Just short! A length ball on leg, seems to have stuck in the pitch. Starc who was trying to defend on the leg side gets a leading edge and the ball goes in the air back towards the left of Bumrah on his followthrough. Lands just in front of him. |
| 87.3 : J Bumrah to Starc, On the pads once more, flicked away to the vacant square leg region and a couple is taken. |
| 87.4 : J Bumrah to Starc, Around the wicket here and on a fuller length outside off, pushed back down the ground towards mid on by MS. Wanted a single but it's not available. |
| 87.5 : J Bumrah to Starc, Bouncer this time, Mitchell ducks under it and lets it fly through. |
| Kuldeep Yadav is seen warming up. Will we see him with the new ball? |
| 87.6 : J Bumrah to Starc, Well outside off, left alone by the southpaw. |
| Yes, Kuldeep Yadav is on for a bowl now. |
| 88.1 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Flatter one coming from off stump towards middle, flicked away to the square leg fielder. |
| 88.2 : K Yadav to Handscomb, FOUR! Nice shot from Handscomb! Well controlled sweep to this full one outside off. Peter takes a big stride and sweeps it away square on the leg side for a boundary. |
| 88.3 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Flighted this one beautifully outside off, Handscomb comes down the ground but is beaten in flight. He adjusts well in the end to push it towards mid-wicket. |
| 88.4 : K Yadav to Handscomb, FOUR! What was that? That looked like a helicopter-whip! On a shorter length outside off and turning in, Handscomb stands back in his crease and whips it away wide of the fielder at mid-wicket. Once it beats him, there's no stopping the ball. |
| 88.5 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Back to over the wicket, a wrong 'un to start off. PH is down the ground and pushes it back to Kuldeep. |
| 88.6 : K Yadav to Handscomb, Shortens the length on middle and leg, worked away on the leg side for a single. Handscomb keeps strike. |
| 89.1 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Wide outside off on a length, left alone by Handscomb. |
| 89.2 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, Closer to off stump than the previous one but still not close enough to make the batsman play. |
| 89.3 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, This time it is on a short length and coming in with the angle, defended off the back foot by Peter. |
| 89.4 : J Bumrah to Handscomb, OUT! Chopped on! Handscomb plays on and India have their second of the morning. Bumrah is elated, his first wicket of the innings. A short of a length ball, closer to the off stump than all the previous three, Handscomb is forced to defend from the crease. The ball swings in just a little bit more and takes the inside edge, goes onto the back pad and then onto the stumps. Handscomb can't believe it and smashes his pads with his willow in disgust. Caught on the crease |
| Nathan Lyon walks in next. |
| 89.5 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Oooh! Flies past the outside edge! Give this guy conditions suiting him and he will ensure he does magic with the ball. Lands this on a length and makes this straighten. Lyon, playing his first ball wants to feel the ball but is beaten on the outside. Lovely bowling. |
| 89.6 : J Bumrah to Lyon, Well defended by Nathan this time to end the over. |
| 90.1 : K Yadav to Starc, Full and flighted outside off, spinning away, Starc gets forward to cover the line and leaves it alone. |
| 90.2 : K Yadav to Starc, Bowls the same delivery on the middle stump line, Starc nicely flicks it against the turn to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 90.3 : K Yadav to Lyon, Beauty to beat the bat! Absolute jaffa! Wrong 'un around off, Lyon tries to defend expecting it to spin back in but it turns the other way to beat the outside edge. |
| 90.4 : K Yadav to Lyon, Tossed up and wide outside off, left alone by Nathan. |
| 90.5 : Yadav to Lyon, OUT! Given lbw! Lyon has decided not to review it and walks back. A nicely flighted one by Kuldeep on off, dipping in onto the batsman who goes down on one knee for the sweep shot. But Lyon fails to make any connection and is hit flush on the front boot. The Indians appeal and umpire Gould raises his finger. Nathan, surprisingly, doesn't review it. The replays suggest that it's a conventional chinaman delivery and maybe the impact was a shade outside the line of off stump. S |
| Josh Hazlewood walks in at no. 11. |
| 90.6 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Too full and on off, Hazlewood keeps it out on the off side. |
| 91.1 : J Bumrah to Starc, Around the wicket, on a length outside off. Defended back down the ground. |
| 91.2 : J Bumrah to Starc, Length ball and on middle and leg, flicked away towards mid-wicket by Starc. The batsmen take a couple here, wonderful running putting pressure on the deep fielder. |
| 91.3 : J Bumrah to Starc, Short of a length outside off, Starc rides the bounce and defends the ball. |
| 91.4 : J Bumrah to Starc, Lovely slower ball! Starc just manages to read it in time and keeps it out in the end. A smile on his face after playing it, surely did not pick it up early. Bumrah drops this exactly how he got the wicket of Shaun Marsh in the previous Test, but this time the batsman manages to keep it out. |
| 91.5 : J Bumrah to Starc, FOUR! Cracking shot! Full outside off and Starc gets a small stride forward and plays a smashing cover drive. The fielders were mere spectators there. |
| 91.6 : J Bumrah to Starc, Short of a length, defended back down the ground from the within the crease. |
| 92.1 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Flighted ball on middle and leg, Hazlewood comes ahead and defends this ball. |
| 92.2 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, The wrong 'un! Hazlewood has enough time to read it and keep it out in the end. |
| 92.3 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Very slow outside off and turning away, Josh looks to cut it but mistimes it towards cover. |
| 92.4 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, DROPPED! Sitter put down by Vihari at mid-wicket. Could have been Kuldeep's first fifer outside India. Lots of air on this one outside off, Hazlewood goes for the slog sweep but gets a top edge and the ball goes high in the air. Hanuma Vihari has all the time in the world to come under the ball there but he is not stable till the end. His feet were still moving as he comes under the ball. With his hand above his head, tries to take it the 'Aussie way', but closes his |
| 92.5 : K Yadav to Starc, Slower through the air outside off, Starc comes ahead and defends. |
| 92.6 : K Yadav to Starc, Outside off this time and turning away, left alone by Mitchell. |
| 93.1 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Full and angling in on middle and leg, Hazlewood exposes all his stumps and then pushes it down with a straight bat to mid on. |
| 93.2 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Bumrah bowls fire! Clocks 147.4 kph and it's a terrific yorker in the blockhole. Credit to the number 11 batsman for digging it out safely. |
| 93.3 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Bumrah seems to be setting up Josh here. Delivers yet another cracking yorker at 148.8 kph, Hazlewood probably was expecting it. Does well to block again. Watch out for the bumper! |
| 93.4 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Here comes the bouncer! It's nicely directed also. Around middle and leg, Hazlewood ducks at the last second. |
| 93.5 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Fuller this time, on middle and leg, it's worked by Hazlewood behind square leg for a brace. |
| 93.6 : J Bumrah to Hazlewood, Length ball on off, Josh defends it in the direction of mid on to end a fiery over by Bumrah. |
| 'I can't believe my eyes' says Michael Clarke on air. Poor Kuldeep Yadav had a chance to get five wickets but surprise, surprise. Ravindra Jadeja is into the attack. Maybe a change of ends? Could be the only reason I could think of. |
| 94.1 : R Jadeja to Starc, Too full and on off, Starc gets forward and pushes it to mid off. |
| 94.2 : R Jadeja to Starc, Flatter and on off, defended from the crease to the off side. |
| 94.3 : R Jadeja to Starc, Full and outside off, driven to covers. |
| 94.4 : R Jadeja to Starc, Leans forward and pushes a full ball back to the bowler. |
| 94.5 : R Jadeja to Starc, Allows the ball to spin back in from outside off and turns it in the gap at mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 94.6 : R Jadeja to Starc, Keeps his length short around off, Starc punches it back to the right of the bowler. Jadeja makes the stop. |
| Yes indeed, it is a change of ends for Kuldeep and he has another chance to go for his fifth. Let's see what he can do. What this tells? Virat Kohli is trying to rest his fast bowlers. Clear signs that he want to enforce the follow-on... |
| 95.1 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Flatter ball outside off, Hazlewood comes ahead and defends the ball. |
| 95.2 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Another one with some flight outside off, defended on the off side by Josh. |
| 95.3 : K Yadav to J Hazlewood, Lots of air outside off this time, the batsman drives it hard but straight to Pujara at cover. There is a slight misfield but no run taken. |
| 95.4 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Straighter one this time, pushed down the ground to the right of mid on. A couple of runs are taken. |
| 95.5 : K Yadav to J Hazlewood, Flatter one outside off, goes off the outside edge but along the ground. Runs wide of slip for a single. |
| 95.6 : K Yadav to Starc, Quicker one hurled in outside off, defended back down the ground off the back foot by Starc. |
| 96.1 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Airy ball outside off, coming in after landing. Defended by Hazlewood. |
| 96.2 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Fired in on middle and leg, pushed towards mid-wicket. |
| 96.3 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Slightly slower through the air, Josh comes ahead and dead-bats. |
| 96.4 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Beaten! This one doesn't come in and holds its line outside off to beat the outside edge of Hazlewood's bat who was trying to keep this out. |
| 96.5 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Flatter one on off and middle, Josh prods forward and keeps it out. |
| 96.6 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Another one that beats the bat! Straighter one again which goes past the outside edge as Hazlewood tries to defend. |
| 97.1 : K Yadav to Starc, Nicely flighted outside off, played towards point by Starc. |
| 97.2 : K Yadav to Starc, Good flight yet again, Starc comes ahead and pushes it towards cover defensively. |
| 97.3 : K Yadav to Starc, A flatter one on middle and slightly turning away. The batsman stays back and defends from the crease. |
| 97.4 : K Yadav to Starc, FOUR! Cut away in the gap and for a boundary. Shorter one outside off and slower through the air. Enough time for Starc to rock back and cut it away. |
| 97.5 : K Yadav to Starc, Flatter one to follow the slower ball, Mitchell comes a bit ahead to keep it out. |
| 97.6 : K Yadav to Starc, Shorter one outside off, defended back down the ground from within the crease. |
| 98.1 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, FOUR! Nice shot! Tossed up delivery around off, turning back in, Hazlewood goes down on one knee and plays a lap sweep behind square leg for a boundary. Kohli getting anxious, this stand is eating up some time here. |
| 98.2 : R Jadeja to J Hazlewood, Fullish and on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 98.3 : R Jadeja to J Hazlewood, Gets forward to drive it through wide mid off for a run. |
| 98.4 : R Jadeja to Starc, Flatter and quicker outside off, defended by Starc on the back foot. |
| 98.5 : R Jadeja to Starc, Shorter length outside off, Starc defends after the ball takes its trajectory. |
| 98.6 : R Jadeja to Starc, Another shorter one outside off, punched off the back foot towards cover by the batsman. |
| Drinks Break. Quite a fast moving hour of play there. India will be very happy about picking up 3 wickets but also will know that it could have been all over had they held onto a catch that was put down by Vihari. The last-wicket stand is getting slightly frustrating and they would want to break it quickly. Meanwhile Starc and Hazlewood would look to continue Australia's first innings for as long as possible and put some thoughts into Kohli's mind. Hanuma Vihari to bowl after the break... |
| 99.1 : H Vihari to Hazlewood, Flatter ball outside off, defended back towards cover. |
| 99.2 : H Vihari to Hazlewood, Another quicker one outside off, pushed towards the off side by Hazlewood once more. |
| 99.3 : H Vihari to Hazlewood, Shorter one outside off, cut away to deep point by Josh for a single. |
| 99.4 : H Vihari to Starc, Fuller and quicker outside off, Starc comes ahead and defends this ball. |
| 99.5 : H Vihari to Starc, Goes short this time, cut away to deep cover for a single by Mitchell. |
| 99.6 : H Vihari to Hazlewood, Flatter one on middle, defended back down the ground off the front foot by Hazlewood. We're done with 100 overs in this innings. |
| 100.1 : K Yadav to Starc, Flighted outside off, Starc comes ahead and defends the ball onto the ground. |
| 100.2 : Yadav to Starc, Flighted on middle, Starc lifts it in the air, just wide of Kuldeep. The ball runs down towards long on, doesn't reach the fence and the batsmen get a couple of runs. |
| 100.3 : K Yadav to Starc, Edged and in the air! But lands safe at the point region. Flighted outside off, Starc wants to hit it over mid off but gets a thick outside edge and in the air. The ball luckily goes in no man's land and Starc gets to the other end. |
| 100.4 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Flatter ball outside off, driven through covers for a single by Hazlewood. |
| 100.5 : K Yadav to Starc, Fuller and flighted outside leg stump, Starc misses his flick and gets hit low on the front pad but it is outside the line of leg stump. No worries there. These two have now been together for 10 overs there. |
| 100.6 : K Yadav to Starc, Fuller and quicker this one, driven back down the ground towards the bowler. |
| Change in bowling. Ravindra Jadeja is back on after a one-over experiment with Hanuma Vihari who was seen going off the field after the previous over. |
| 101.1 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Tossed up ball on middle, swept well on the leg side but straight to the fielder. |
| 101.2 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 101.3 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, FOUR! Fine shot! Loopy and full around middle, Hazlewood gets forward and lifts it over mid on for a boundary. |
| 101.4 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Plays with the spin on the leg side, finds mid-wicket. |
| 101.5 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Fuller and on off, defended watchfully by Josh. |
| 101.6 : R Jadeja to Hazlewood, Quicker and flatter on off, Hazlewood defends it with an angled bat. |
| 102.1 : K Yadav to Starc, Flighted outside off and really slow through the air. Left alone as the ball turns wide away. |
| 102.2 : K Yadav to Starc, Lots of air outside off, driven hard through the covers by Starc. Kohli dives and parries the ball but can't prevent a single. |
| 102.3 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Lofted shot for a couple by Hazlewood. Flighted outside off, Josh looks to lift it over cover but checks his shot in the end and the ball goes wide of mid off for a couple. |
| 102.4 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Fuller outside off, Josh comes ahead and defends onto the ground. |
| 102.5 : Yadav to Hazlewood, Lofts the flighted one over the head of mid on this time. The height is more and not the distance so the ball does not reach the fence. A couple taken though. Hazlewood playing some decent shots here. |
| 102.6 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Flighted outside off, driven hard towards cover by Hazlewood. This partnership is getting really frustrating now for the Indians. |
| Virat Kohli is forced here to bring his pacer. It's Mohammed Shami running in from 'round the wicket. |
| 103.1 : M Shami to Starc, Way wide down the leg side, Starc looks to go after it but cannot connect. Rishabh Pant makes a good diving stop to his right. |
| 103.2 : M Shami to Starc, Fuller and outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 103.3 : M Shami to Starc, Length ball on the middle stump, whipped away by Starc through mid-wicket. Agarwal gives chase with his shin pads on and manages to save it inside the fence right at the end. Three runs taken. |
| 103.4 : M Shami to Hazlewood, Good pacy ball on length aimed at middle and leg stump. Hazlewood keeps it out watchfully. |
| 103.5 : M Shami to Hazlewood, Ouch! That would have hurt if there was no arm guard. Short of a length ball aimed at the body, Josh tries to duck but fails to get out of the way. The ball hits him on the arm and luckily he's wearing a guard. |
| 103.6 : M Shami to Hazlewood, Slower ball on middle stump, Hazlewood reads it well and keeps it out. |
| 104.1 : K Yadav to Starc, Slower one outside off, Starc pushes it to mid off from the back foot. |
| 104.2 : K Yadav to Starc, Straighter one and a little quicker on off stump, Mitchell keeps it out from the crease. |
| 104.3 : K Yadav to Starc, Lots of air there, Starc goes to drive but checks it in the end. The ball goes slightly in the air but well away from the fielder at short cover. Single taken as mid off is deep. 300 is up for the Aussies. |
| 104.4 : K Yadav to Hazlewood, Flighted beautifully outside off, left alone by the southpaw. |
| Review time! Josh Hazlewood has been hit on the pads and the finger has gone up after the lbw shout. Is there any inside edge? If not, that looks out. Let's wait and watch... |
| 104.5 : Yadav to Hazlewood, OUT! There is no inside edge and the on-field umpire's decision will prevail as the Ball Tracker shows the ball to be going on to clip the top of leg stump. Kuldeep has five! His 2nd one in Tests and the first in away Tests. He has bowled really nice and deserved this one. Slower ball and this one doesn't turn, holds its line. Hazlewood plays down the wrong line and gets rapped in front of the wickets. The umpire's finger goes up straightaway. Hazlewood reviews but the |
| Now then, will Virat Kohli enforce the follow-on? We're still waiting for the official words. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav takes the ball as a souvenir and is leading his team off the park. Big moment for the young man. Bowled superbly on a pretty much unresponsive surface. Here comes the much-awaited verdict - INDIA HAVE ENFORCED THE FOLLOW-ON! After almost three decades Australia will be following on at home. Great achievement, especially for a team coming from the subcontinent. |
| The Australian innings could be termed as one which went up and down like an alternating current. The first three batsmen all made good contributions and batted really well in the first session on Day 3 but then the hosts lost their path in the second and final sessions. The final session was curtailed by bad light and the same continued today as we lost the first session to bad light and rain. |
| Once India came back onto the field though, they bowled beautifully and also were aided by the conditions as well as some variable bounce on the wicket. Picked up 3 wickets really quickly but the last wicket stand between Starc and Hazlewood frustrated them a bit by adding 42 runs. The runs wouldn't matter as much as the fact that they wasted a good junk of overs when they played. It finally came to an end with Kuldeep finding Hazlewood in front of the stumps and picking up his fifth. Follow-on |
| 0.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Length ball outside off, defended from within the crease by Khawaja. Good start from Shami. |
| 0.2 : M Shami to Khawaja, Slightly fuller this time outside off, pushed away defensively towards cover. |
| 0.3 : M Shami to U Khawaja, Good length once more and the ball straightens a bit. The ball goes off the outside edge but luckily for Usman, along the ground and towards Rahane at gully. |
| 0.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, Oooh! Good ball once more, right on the mark. Khawaja fends this away awkwardly towards the off side. Good bowling this! |
| 0.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, Well outside off stump this time, left alone by the batsman. |
| 0.6 : M Shami to Khawaja, FOUR! Off the mark in style! Drifts on to the pads to end the over, fuller length. Flicked away nonchalantly by Khawaja all the way to the deep square leg fence. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to share the cherry and bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Beaten! Lovely ball first up! Beats Harris on the outside edge. Length ball and slightly moves away, Marcus was trying to push at it without much foot movement and the ball goes just inches past the outside edge. |
| 1.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Short of a length starting on leg and angling away from the left-hander. Harris stands tall and defends it towards the off side. |
| 1.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, Goes back to a good length outside off, left alone by the southpaw. |
| 1.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Short length ball outside off, Harris shoulders arms once more. |
| 1.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, Well outside off this time and Harris comes ahead to drive this time. Times the ball well but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 1.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Closer to the off stump to end the over but Harris judges the line and length as he lets the ball go. |
| 2.1 : M Shami to Khawaja, Good length ball outside off and straightens late once more. Shami is probing away at this length and Khawaja isn't too comfortable as he fends it away on the off side towards backward point once more. |
| 2.2 : M Shami to Khawaja, Goes full this time, much better from Khawaja as he flicks it away towards mid on. He seems more comfortable when the ball is fuller. |
| 2.3 : M Shami to Khawaja, A length ball outside off, left alone this time by UK. |
| 2.4 : M Shami to Khawaja, Well outside off once more and once more Usman raises his arms and lets it go. |
| 2.5 : M Shami to Khawaja, Brings it closer to off this time and gets the ball to straighten late. Khawaja lets it go at the last moment. |
| 2.6 : M Shami to Khawaja, Length ball on off stump, the southpaw comes ahead and defends it towards cover. |
| 3.1 : J Bumrah to Harris, Length ball on off stump, Harris moves inside the line of the ball and flicks it away through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 3.2 : J Bumrah to Harris, Length ball outside off, left alone by Harris. |
| 3.3 : J Bumrah to Harris, Slightly outside off once more and angling away, shoulders arms once more. |
| 3.4 : J Bumrah to Harris, Shot! Times this back foot punchy-cut beautifully but finds the fielder at point. Good shot for no runs. |
| 3.5 : J Bumrah to Harris, A short length ball and it doesn't rise as much as Harris expected it. Marcus had taken his eyes off it and the ball pings off his glove. Luckily for the batsman, it rolls towards point and does not go in the air. The pitch is playing games here. |
| 3.6 : J Bumrah to Harris, Short of a length ball outside off, pushed off the back foot towards cover-point. |
| It has turned gloomy! In fact, the umpires get together and have decided to take the players off the field. Umpire Gould has a word with the Indian skipper regarding that. Tea has been taken! |
| A very good session for India. After the start of play today was delayed almost for four hours, the visitors came onto the field and bowled to a set plan. Australia managed to add 64 runs to their overnight score before being bowled out finally for 300. India immediately decided to enforce follow-on and the bowlers came hard for a four over burst before the light turned bad once more. Australia were 6 for no loss when the play was stopped, also forcing an early Tea on Day 4. |
| We will have to wait and see if the light improves, this could be really frustrating for the Indians but a welcome break for the Aussies. They won't mind time getting killed in this Test match. A win seems impossible here for the hosts and they'd like to save the Test at the least. Hopefully though, we should get action post Tea if the light becomes better. Do join us in a short while for the last session. |
| ... Day 4, Session 3 ... |
| Update 1605 local - The game was supposed to resume at 1603 local but the umpires are walking out and neither do they have their hats on, nor are the players following them. There is a meter to check the light in their hands as well. A certain delay post Tea here, due to bad light. |
| Update 1612 local - The news coming in is that we aren't resuming any time soon. The umpires will have another inspection in about 15 minutes. The current light isn't good enough according to them and the pitch is seen being covered as well for now. No rain but this bad light situation has been really infuriating all day. |
| Update 1646 local - No we haven't slept. It's just that there are no more fresh updates coming from the ground. There was an inspection which was scheduled around 15 minutes back but we have not heard anything from the officials yet. We can't do much here. The wait continues... |
| Update 1715 local - The umpires are out for inspection. The condition of light has not improved much. It appears the final verdict on the day's play will be coming any time soon. Stay with us to know more. |
| CALLED OFF! So that's that. An end to what has been a frustrating on and off day of Test cricket where we have had only a little more than 25 overs of play throughout. The bad light and rain have caused havoc here on the penultimate day, which saw India ending the first innings of the hosts and then enforcing them to follow-on, something which has rather rarely come upon the Aussies, especially at home. But somehow, they now have just a day more to survive to escape this game with a draw and the |
| Believe it or not! The forecast for Day 5 is exactly the same as it was on Day 4 and the hosts will be really happy if it turns out that way. The Indians can only hope that the sun decides to turn up somehow and allow for play on Monday. Whatever happens, what we will be seeing is Virat Kohli receiving the Border-Gavaskar trophy. The start scheduled is an early one again, at 1000 local (2300 GMT, previous night). Join us for all the action from the SCG. Take care and cheers till then. Goodbye! |
| ... Day 5, Session 1 ... |
| Welcome to Day 5 of this magnificent Pink Test at the SCG, also to the last day of action in whites between these two sides in India's tour Down Under. 2-1 and that could be the final scoreline as there is no time left for the Aussies to do anything about this game. The only variable would be 3-1 if India do manage to bowl out the hosts today. That seems far-fetched considering what we went through yesterday and the amount of cricket we got to see. But one thing is for sure, Kohli's boys will be |
| Coming to the cricket on hand, Australia trail the visitors by 316 runs in their second dig, following-on. Forget the runs, they just have to bat for whatever amount of overs India hurl at them today to salvage a draw and bring some respect to the scoreline. No David Warner, no Steven Smith but still this kind of a result is unacceptable to any Australian team. That says a lot about how well India has played throughout the series. Their ability to pick wickets at frequent intervals has really he |
| Today is not about winning and losing anymore. History will be written today by the Indians, that is a given. For the Aussies, it is about resolve and steel. Can they come out today one last time and show what they are made of? Could happen! Their cause could also be helped by the fact that the weather forecast is not looking too promising. It is currently gloomy around the stadium with clouds hovering around. The rain has stayed away but the light is still not so promising. Oh well, just as I t |
| Update 1001 local - We do have a delayed start. Further news is awaited from the SCG. |
| Update 1015 local - Bad news, folks. The rain has picked up its intensity and it's pelting down at the SCG. The fresh images coming from the ground is not looking promising at all. Both teams won't be too bothered currently. India have the trophy and Australia don't have to come out to grind and avoid another Test loss. Should make peace with 2-1. Let's see whether we get any action in this morning session or not. Stay with us. |
| Update 1210 local - News coming in is that the first session has been washed out. Lunch will be taken at 1230 local and play could resume at 1310 local if the rain stops and the light is good enough. It is a big IF... |
| Update 1230 local - It is officially Lunch time on Day 5. A very light drizzle is still on. |
| Tim Paine in an interview earlier this morning with Mark Howard. He felt that it is a great opportunity to get some batting on Day 5 if the weather clears out. Reckons that it was a really good series and even though they were outplayed, he felt they fought pretty hard and will take the positives ahead, is proud of the way they gave their all. Mentions that India is a really tough team to beat right now, no. 1 in the world and a couple of guys really were in form and took the series away. Also a |
| Update 1317 local - The rain has not stopped. There will be another delay post Lunch. India in my opinion, will be already planning the celebrations in the dressing room. |
| Update 1317 local - The rain has not stopped. There will be another delay post Lunch. India in my opinion, will be already planning the celebrations in the dressing room. |
| Update 1417 local - Nothing new to update. But we might get the final verdict any time soon. There will be an inspection at 1430 local and it could be called off. Stay tuned for more updates. |
| CALLED OFF! The game has officially been ended by the captains and officials after consulting the ground staff. The Sydney match ends in a draw but INDIA WIN THE BORDER-GAVASKAR TROPHY 2-1!!! |
| 71 years! And finally India have their first Test series win ever in Australia. Kohli and his boys have re-written history out here, playing brilliant cricket over the last one and a half month. It was quite an anti-climatic end to what has been an entertaining series! This game ends in a draw, a rather damp squib but the series has been anything but that. The visitors went 1-0 up at Adelaide, while the hosts roared back at Perth to make it 1-1, but then began India's dominance. They won at Melb |
| Coming to this game, what promised so much after the first 3 days completely turned out to be one that just promised but did not deliver due to the weather conditions. The Indians batted first after Kohli called right at the coin flip and batted big, scoring 622/7 before declaring. Pujara and Pant came up with massive centuries to propel the score to such a huge one. The Aussies then came out to bat and looked to be going well after the visitors' total at one stage being 122/1 but lost their way |
| If one goes to see, throughout the series, India has been considerably better at all 3 aspects. The fact that Pujara alone had 3 centuries and the Aussies had none underlines their inability to play long knocks which was the need of the hour. India declared their last three innings of the tour whereas Australia found it difficult to bat big with 326 being their highest team score of the series. The Indian openers who started off the tour, KL Rahul and Murali Vijay were both dropped after a poor |
| Even in the bowling department, the Indians were much more dogged in their approach and did not let the hosts off the hook. The pace troika of Bumrah, Shami and Ishant worked relentlessly and played a massive role in the absence of Ashwin post the Adelaide Test. Lyon and to an extent, Cummins were brilliant but Hazlewood and Starc were a mere shadow of themselves on this tour. The fielding was also good at most parts during the series from both teams. What stood out glaringly though was the inst |
| Thus all in all, what started off as a competitive series in Adelaide with the hosts fighting till the end and losing, then coming back in Perth to square the series 1-1, just turned out too easy in the end for India. It felt like Australia ran out of steam mid-way and the visitors took full toll of it. Melbourne was a thrashing of sorts and Sydney could have been worse if not for the weather coming to the hosts' rescue. In the end, a 2-1 result that could have been easily 3-1. The scoreline won |
| Player of the Match and Series, Cheteshwar Pujara walks to the podium with a big smile on his face. The crowd is making a lot of noise. He says that it's a great feeling for them and they have worked hard to win a series, particularly in this country. Adds that he is pleased with the effort. Further says that the Adelaide hundred was really special. Mentions that as a batsman you just need to get used to the pace and bounce, something he has worked on and playing county cricket has helped him im |
| Australian skipper, Tim Paine agrees that India were the better team and it is a huge thing to go overseas and win a Test series, congratulates them for the same. Feels that they were outplayed over the course of the series obviously but also mentions they did fight hard and is proud of his boys. Adds that the visitors played better more often than them and took the series win deservedly. Says there are a lot of positives to be taken out of the series and a learning curve for all the boys, espec |
| Victorious Indian skipper, Virat Kohli walks forward for an interview amidst a huge cheer from the crowd. Says that he has never been more proud to be a part of this team. Says that their transition started here when he became captain and winning the series for the first time in this country. Is delighted to be a part of this team, lead them and he feels honored. Praises all his boys for their outstanding contribution. Of all his achievements, he considers it his best, top of the pile. States th |
| Time for the trophy presentation! The Border-Gavaskar trophy is handed over to Virat Kohli by Allan Border. The whole Indian team as well as the team management comes and joins their skipper on the podium. The newest entrant to the team, Mayank Agarwal holds the trophy aloft, it has been the tradition for some time now. Time for the shutterbugs! What an incredible achievement for Indian cricket, they become only the fifth visiting side after England, Windies, New Zealand and South Africa to win |
| So, after four enthralling games of Test cricket, the red-ball format comes to an end here. India's performance was better than ever before. Australia fought hard but they did feel a notch lower than their opponents. T20Is shared 1-1, Tests 2-1 to India. Over to the final leg of the tour, the 50-over format after a gap of 4 days now. The first game will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the 12th January and will begin at 1320 local (0220 GMT). Join us for the coverage of that! Till then, |
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