| 0.0 : December is the most festive time of the year, and it's a rather special one this time around - on top of it being my birthday month, Liverpool are top of the table and we have Boxing Day upon us... doesn't get much better than this, does it? A massive crowd, like every year, is expected to swarm in. The holiday season continues for the regular folk, but not for these warriors. It's long past for them and it's time to prepare for battle. There are three Tests today, but there's just something m |
| Boxing Day brings a bittersweet feeling along with it. It will be the first time Australia have an all-Victorian opening pair in 45 years. Mayank Agarwal finally gets his call-up and what better time to make your debut. There's talk he and Hanuma Vihari will open the innings for the Indian side, and this will be the 6th opening pair for the visitors in 2018. But, along with all the good and positive news, it will be the first time in 40 years we won't have Bill Lawry on air to liven things up fo |
| After producing rather stale affairs on a couple of occasions, it's been said that the MCG surface is going to produce a ripper for this one. Something in it for everyone, and that's what everyone wants to see. India took the first Test in Adelaide, but Australia made a fighting comeback in Perth. Momentum means nothing here, it all comes down to who can hold their nerve on the day. There are going to be changes on both sides, more so in the Indian camp, so it will be interesting to see what com |
| Pitch report - Allan Border out in the middle feels that there is a pretty good grass covering and the conditions overhead are perfect for some Test cricket. He says that if he were the skipper of either team, he might just lean towards bowling first as the MCG wicket is traditionally known to play well and there aren't usually many terrors while batting last too. |
| TOSS - India win the toss and elect to bat first! |
| India skipper, Virat Kohli, feels that it is a nice hard surface under the grass covering, so would like to bat really well as it might get tougher in the 3rd and 4th innings with the surface getting slower. Doesn't feel that there is any worry about the past and is focused on the present. About the team changes, he says that they will open with Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari and wishes the former all the best for his Test debut. Regarding Rohit Sharma, he feels that Sharma could be lethal whi |
| Australia skipper, Tim Paine, says that he is happy that they will be bowling. Feels that they are happy to come in with a win and feels that it was a reward for the hard work. States that he is really proud to be captaining his country in a Boxing Day Test. Regarding the Mitchell Marsh selection, he feels that it will help the bowlers share the workload better towards the end of the series. Ends by saying that Aaron Finch is a 100 percent fine and ready to go. |
| Time for the national anthems. Both teams are lined up side by side and we will begin with the visitors'. |
| The MCG crowd is ready, we're ready, and we hope all of you out there keeping up with us and the match are too. A wonderful day with the sun shining, as Hanuma Vihari and debutant Mayank Agarwal stride out to bat. Mitchell Starc as always will take the new ball first up. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : M Starc to Vihari, Fires a wide full toss outside off, Vihari reaches out to it and gets an edge which goes to the slip cordon on the bounce. |
| 0.2 : M Starc to Vihari, Second full toss in a row from Starc. This one swings back in on middle and leg, Vihari works it in front of square leg. |
| 0.3 : M Starc to Vihari, Better. Keeps it full and manages to bounce it before it reaches the batsman, Hanuma Vihari defends it in front of cover by coming forward. |
| 0.4 : M Starc to Vihari, Nice shape on this as the left-arm pacer bowls it in the channel outside off, on a length, it's left alone. |
| 0.5 : M Starc to Vihari, Length delivery close to the off stick, defended solidly from inside the crease. |
| 0.6 : M Starc to Vihari, Hurls it outside off, pushed away towards mid off with hard hands. |
| Josh Hazlewood will bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Marginally ahead of a length, on off stump, Agarwal defends it with the full face of the bat. |
| 1.2 : J Hazlewood to M Agarwal, Hazlewood goes full and attacks the stumps, Agarwal is well forward in defense. |
| 1.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Nice carry for Hazlewood. He serves it outside off on a length and it rises off the deck, Mayank makes a watchful leave. |
| 1.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, First runs of the morning and this Test match. First runs for Mayank Agarwal in Test cricket and the huge Indian support in the crowd gives him a big round of applause. Full and outside off, Agarwal takes a good stride forward and plays a punchy-drive through the covers for three runs. |
| 1.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Nice and straight from Hazlewood, Vihari can't do much more than block it out. |
| 1.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Rising off the deck once again, outside off, left alone to end the over. |
| 2.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Well played. Safely kept out by Mayank Agarwal. Looks quite confident, which is good to see. Starc fires in a yorker on the stumps, Mayank brings his bat down and keeps it at bay. |
| 2.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Short of a length into the body, nudged fine down the leg side for a single. |
| 2.3 : M Starc to Vihari, Quite full again, in line of the stumps, blocked back down the track solidly. |
| 2.4 : M Starc to Vihari, Moving away late from around off, a good length delivery, Hanuma covers the line and lets it be. |
| 2.5 : M Starc to Vihari, Oooooh! There is a short leg in place and Vihari almost falls prey to it. Starc bangs it in short and into the body, Hanuma awkwardly fends it away and it falls just short of the close-in fielder. |
| 2.6 : M Starc to Vihari, On the shorter side of the length, Vihari remains on the back foot as he deals with it well. |
| 3.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Fullish in length, just around off, Mayank defends it from the front foot. |
| 3.2 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Lands it a bit wide of off stump, the batsman makes a safe leave. |
| 3.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Lovely timing on that. Mayank Agarwal waits for it as the ball comes in full and too straight in line, he flicks it through mid-wicket with good balance. Marsh chases it down, but the batsmen get three runs. |
| 3.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Outside off on a good length, arms are shouldered to this one. |
| 3.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Just beaten. That's a good delivery. Angles in at first but then nips away ever so slightly off the seam. Vihari is drawn forward and he almost nicks it. |
| 3.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Full, straight and on the stumps, hit straight back in the bowler's direction. |
| 4.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Full in length, outside the line of off stump, driven to the man at cover. |
| 4.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Fraction straight in line, Mayank works it away behind square leg and comes back for the second. |
| 4.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, That's a ripper from Starc, equally well played by Mayank Agarwal too. It's short, sharp and accurate, going away from the batsman. Agarwal is on the front foot initially, goes back and does well to drop his hands to avoid that. |
| 4.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Too straight in line once more, not much swing for Starc, it's turned through backward square leg for a brace. |
| 4.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Another confident shot from Agarwal. He's looking fearless here. He comes forward to this full ball and offers a firm punch through the covers. Gets two more to his name. |
| 4.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Back of a length on middle and leg, worked down in front of short leg to end the over. |
| 5.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Angling in on off, fullish in length, Hanuma works it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 5.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Vihari isn't off the mark yet, but he's doing a fine job of sticking it out in the middle. Important for him not to lose his cool in search of that run. He drives this full delivery back to Hazlewood. |
| 5.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Shortish delivery on off stump, defended back out off the back foot. |
| 5.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Bumper in line of the stumps, angling in, Vihari gets right behind the line and blocks it down on the leg side. |
| 5.5 : J Hazlewood to H Vihari, Hazlewood comes from wide of the crease and spears it in full on the stumps, Vihari takes a step forward and drives it, only to find mid on. |
| 5.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Excellent timing but still no run for Hanuma Vihari. He drives it down the ground, but mid on moves to his left and cuts it off with a dive. |
| 6.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Angling away from a length, around off, Mayank moves a step across, gets behind the line and blocks. |
| 6.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Short but way down the leg side, no reason for the batsman to go after it. |
| 6.3 : M Starc to M Agarwal, FOUR! Goes after this one and almost pays the price for it. Just away from Mitchell Marsh at gully. Couldn't resist the temptation this time as Agarwal reaches out for this full delivery wide outside off, gets a thick edge and it flies inches over a diving Marsh. It races away to the fence for a boundary. |
| 6.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, FOUR BYES! No bounce at all on this once. Wow. It was a bit short down the leg side, but it almost goes along the turf and past Tim Paine for another boundary. |
| 6.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Brings it in closer, but still down leg, Agarwal looks to flick but misses. |
| 6.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Good length delivery, aiming the top of off stump, guarded out safely from within the crease. |
| Already spin introduced. Nathan Lyon is brought into the attack in the 8th over itself. |
| 7.1 : N Lyon to H Vihari, Tossed up outside off, Vihari drives but straight to the man at cover. |
| 7.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Spinning in on middle and off, driven back down the track for nothing. |
| 7.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Tossed up outside off, it's the straighter one, Hanuma takes a big stride forward and defends. |
| 7.4 : N Lyon to H Vihari, And Hanuma Vihari is off the mark after 24 balls. He drives this tossed up ball down towards deepish mid on and gets to the other end. He will be relieved with that. |
| 7.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Good stop from Travis Head. Agarwal drives it firmly, looking to find the gap in the covers, but Head dives to his right and stops it. |
| 7.6 : N Lyon to M Agarwal, FOUR! Shot. That's well in the gap this time. Too full and too wide outside off, Agarwal drills it through the covers for a boundary. |
| Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood. |
| 8.1 : Hazlewood to Vihari, Cutting back in off the seam, a good length delivery, goes off Vihari's pads and falls on the leg side as he misses his flick shot. |
| 8.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Full in length, on middle and off, blocked from the front foot. |
| 8.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Full again, Vihari presents a straight bat in defense and keeps it out. |
| 8.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Sharp bouncer from Hazlewood, on middle, Hanuma keeps his eyes on the ball and arches back to let it sail over his head. |
| 8.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Drives this one to the covers, can't find the gap though as the fielder moves swiftly to his left to cut it off. |
| 8.6 : J Hazlewood to H Vihari, Josh keeps it full once more, Vihari positions himself behind the line and drives it with the full face to the man at mid on. |
| 9.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Quicker one on off from around the wicket, met with a straight bat in response. |
| 9.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Some flight on this, it's spinning in on leg, Agarwal safely deals with it. |
| 9.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Plants his front foot forward and drives it straight to the mid off fielder. |
| 9.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Darts it across the right-hander, it's pushed into the covers. Dot ball. |
| 9.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, The off break on middle and off, defended well off the front foot by the batsman. |
| 9.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, A bit quicker through the air, on off stump, Agarwal defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 10.1 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, This full length delivery is driven down the ground towards mid off. |
| 10.2 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Bumper outside off, Hanuma picks up the line early and sways away from the ball. |
| 10.3 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, More runs for Vihari. Angling in on off, Hanuma plays it with the angle as he flicks it wide of short mid-wicket. Easy two for him. |
| 10.4 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Straightening up after landing on off, guarded out from within the crease. |
| 10.5 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Hanuma opens the face of the bat, waits for it to come to him before dabbing it to gully. |
| 10.6 : J Hazlewood to Vihari, Targets the top of off stump, the batsman gets behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 11.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Drifting away from around the wicket, Agarwal plays it off the outer half towards cover-point. Both batsmen are alert and change ends easily. Well done. |
| 11.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Full and straight, on the stumps, kept out by coming well forward. |
| 11.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Moving away from around off, pushed off the outer half on the off side. |
| 11.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Another defensive shot. No run taken. |
| 11.5 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Hanuma gets his front leg out of the way and defends. |
| 11.6 : N Lyon to Vihari, Good stop from Lyon. Vihari offers a full-blooded drive towards mid on, but the offie moves to his right and stops it well. |
| Second change for Australia. Pat Cummins is called into action. |
| 12.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Full delivery on off stump, driven hard by Mayank but straight to mid off. |
| 12.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Angles this full ball into the batsman, Agarwal flicks it wide of mid on and crosses over. |
| 12.3 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, That's nasty! Cummins has caught Vihari on the helmet. That was a big noise as the ball struck the helmet. Not that short as Vihari looks to duck, looks to get under it but it goes off the helmet and bounces towards square leg. The batsmen take a leg bye. |
| The physio is out to have a look at Hanuma Vihari. He looks okay, but you never want to take any chances with head injuries. A new helmet has been called for too. He seems fine, which is a good sign. Nice to see. |
| 12.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Zipping off the deck, a length ball outside off, Mayank covers the line and lets it go through. |
| 12.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Coming in at first but then it straightens off the seam, around off, played off the outer half square on the off side. |
| 12.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, In much better control of this one. Agarwal taps this length ball down in front of cover-point to end the over. |
| 13.1 : N Lyon to H Vihari, Looped up around leg, Vihari uses his feet to come down the track. Looks to flick but is caught on the pads. |
| 13.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Quicker one outside off, shorter in length too, the batsman goes on the back foot and defends it down on the off side. |
| 13.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Touch short in length again, on middle and leg this time, Vihari goes back and turns it to short leg. |
| 13.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Is well forward to this tossed up ball as he pushes it away defensively to covers. |
| 13.5 : N Lyon to Vihari, Floated in line of the stumps, kept out with a straight blade. |
| 13.6 : N Lyon to Vihari, Just behind a driving length, on off, Vihari lunges forward, gets close to the pitch and blocks it out well. |
| 14.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, On a good length on off, Agarwal is a bit squared up as he defends it from within the crease. |
| 14.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Sharp. Cummins is generating some good pace here. Angling in on leg and it shoots off the deck a bit, Agarwal is caught high on the thigh pad as he looks to play at it. |
| 14.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Another cracker from Cummins. It's not that short again, but he hits the deck hard at 143 clicks, Agarwal makes the mistake of taking his eyes off the ball and cops a blow on the shoulder. |
| 14.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Marginally behind a length, on middle and off, defended from inside the crease. |
| 14.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Slightly short again, another easy block from Mayank. |
| 14.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Shaping away from outside off, tapped away towards cover-point. |
| Drinks are on the field. And India haven't lost a wicket so far. This is by far their best opening show in the series. Agarwal has looked positive on debut and Vihari is as solid as you'd expect him to be, so the move to start things off with these two has paid off for India, so far. The Australians, the pacers in particular, need to better their lengths. Should be going fuller instead of bowling short on this opening day of the Boxing Day Test. Pretty sure Justin Langer will have sent that mess |
| 15.1 : N Lyon to Vihari, Looped up outside off, Vihari plays his 50th ball into the ground on the off side. |
| 15.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flatter ball on middle, Vihari comes down the ground to defend. Seems to have hit his pad first and there is a huge appeal. The Aussies think about the review but decide not to, in the end. |
| 15.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Quicker, drilled in on middle, Hanuma comes ahead and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 15.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Shorter in length, pushed away to long on off the back foot for a single. |
| 15.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Fuller in length and slightly flighted, driven to mid on. |
| 15.6 : N Lyon to M Agarwal, FOUR! Terrific shot to end the over. Similar to the first boundary he hit off the spinner. Wide outside off, Agarwal frees his arms and drives it hard in the gap and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 16.1 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Short of a length ball outside off, kept out by Vihari on the back foot. |
| 16.2 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Length delivery served just outside off, Hanuma is confident in defense. |
| 16.3 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Bouncer! Well down the off side though. The batsman sways out of the way. |
| 16.4 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Overthrows here and unnecessary from the Aussies. Length ball on off stump and Vihari kept it out to mid-wicket. Finch fires in a wild throw back to Paine that the keeper can't collect and the batsmen can run through for an overthrow. |
| 16.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Bouncer going down leg, Agarwal wants nothing to do with it. |
| 16.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Length ball at the hips, Mayank flicks it away but it goes straight towards short mid-wicket. |
| 17.1 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flatter ball angling down the off stump from around the wicket, Vihari defends it into the ground. |
| 17.2 : N Lyon to Vihari, Slightly looped up, Vihari comes down the wicket and pushes it towards mid-wicket. |
| 17.3 : N Lyon to Vihari, Another quicker one with the angle, HV dead-bats it. |
| 17.4 : N Lyon to Vihari, Flatter ball at the pads, Vihari gets inside the line and whips it away for a single to deep square leg. |
| 17.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter delivery outside off, Agarwal defends watchfully. |
| 17.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Another dot to end the over, the ball is looped up on middle. Mayank takes a stride forward and defends. |
| 18.1 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Length ball outside the off stump, Vihari is half-ahead in defense. |
| 18.2 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Slightly short of a length outside off, he pushes it towards short cover. |
| 18.3 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Drifting onto middle and leg, Vihari turns it around the corner towards deep square leg. Picks up a comfortable couple. |
| 18.4 : Pat Cummins to Vihari, Back to the off stump line and Hanuma is content to push it to cover this time. |
| 18.5 : Cummins to Vihari, OUT! Caught! The first one is gone and the short ball has done the trick! That was the only ball that was causing trouble so far. Cummins had hit the batsmen twice so far and the bouncers were well-directed. This one was perfect too. Vihari who took his eyes off the ball and was trying to duck couldn't get his gloves out of the way. The ball lobs up to Finch, who runs to his right from second slip and takes a very easy catch. Good effort bowling that from Cummins, need t |
| Cheteshwar Pujara is in at number 3, replacing Hanuma Vihari. |
| 18.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A bouncer to welcome Pujara, the batsman just lets it go. |
| Mitchell Marsh has been called onto bowl for the first time today. |
| 19.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Fuller on the pads to start off with, flicked away by Agarwal for a couple. |
| 19.2 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Length ball outside off stump, defended off the back foot on the off side. |
| 19.3 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Another short of a length delivery to which Mayank just presents a straight bat from within the crease. |
| 19.4 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Length ball on middle and off, Agarwal defends it into the ground. |
| 19.5 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Goes full again and drifts onto the pads. Agarwal flicks it wristily towards deep mid-wicket for another couple. |
| 19.6 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Length ball on middle to end the 20th over. Agarwal keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 20.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Very full on middle and Pujara tries to turn it around on the leg side but finds the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 20.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off stump on a length, Che defends the ball with soft hands. |
| 20.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on off, Pujara comes ahead and defends it back down the ground. |
| 20.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good ball just outside off and slightly short of a length, Pujara lets the ball go pretty late. |
| 20.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer, angling down leg. Che adjusts well and sways out of the way of the delivery. |
| 20.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off, kept out pretty comfortably. Maiden over. |
| 21.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Short of a length and aimed at the hips, Mayank fends it away towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 21.2 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Short seems to be the length to be bowling on, on this surface. This ball suddenly rises just the extra bit and gets Mayank on the glove. Thanfully for him, it just falls onto the ground. |
| 21.3 : M Marsh to Agarwal, On middle again, he stands tall and defends this with a straight bat. |
| 21.4 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Angling down on the pads, worked away to the fine leg fielder for a single. |
| 21.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Outside off on a length and Pujara gets off the mark with a good shot towards deep backward point. The ball is wide enough for Che to cut and he plays it very late after getting on top of the bounce. Three runs till the ball is thrown back. |
| 21.6 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Short of a length ball on off and middle, Agarwal pushes it back to the bowler. |
| Mitchell Starc is back for his second spell. A very fine third man is place. |
| 22.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Bouncer first up, but Pujara moves out of the way easily. |
| 22.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Almost a half-tracker but aimed at the body this time. CP stands tall and plays it with very soft hands. |
| 22.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Short length for the third ball in a row, Pujara hops and turns it around towards fine leg for a run. |
| 22.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Definite plan this! Another short length ball on middle, Agarwal turns it away on the leg side towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end. 50 up for the visitors. Has been a good sedate start this. |
| 22.5 : M Starc to Pujara, 5th straight short of a length delivery. This is wide outside off stump and Pujara decides to let it go. |
| 22.6 : M Starc to Pujara, 6 out of 6. The batsman just fends it off towards the backward square leg fielder. Dot ball. |
| 23.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, A single down to deep point to begin the over. Length ball outside off, pushed by Agarwal for a run. |
| 23.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Length ball on middle, Pujara is half-ahead and pushes it to short mid on. |
| 23.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, Drifts onto the pads and there is an easy single on offer as the batsman works it away to deep backward square leg. |
| 23.4 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Loud appeal! This one has kept low and the Aussies are asking the question. A length ball on middle and Agarwal jumps to defend it. The ball keeps low and Mayank almost misses his defensive push. But the ball has come off the under part of the bat and then gone on to hit the pad. The umpire is unmoved and the home team decide not to go upstairs. |
| 23.5 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Length ball on middle, Agarwal shows the full face of the ball and defends. |
| 23.6 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Outside off and kept out towards the point fielder to end the over. |
| 24.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Bouncer which is wide down the leg side, left alone. |
| 24.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Short of a length again but this doesn't bounce that much. Pujara defends towards mid-wicket. |
| 24.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Another bouncer that comes in slightly after landing, Che moves away from the line of the ball. But his eyes are always on the ball at all times. |
| 24.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Dropped with soft hands on the off side with soft hands and a quick single is taken to this length ball on off. |
| 24.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Bouncer to Agarwal, he climbs on top of the bounce and defends it back down the ground. |
| 24.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Short length ball outside off, played well defensively by Mayank towards cover. |
| 25.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Length ball going down leg. Pujara misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. But the Aussies know that the ball was well down leg stump and don't appeal. |
| 25.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Beaten! Good ball outside off and Che who was trying to feel the ball is beaten as the ball moves away slightly after landing. |
| 25.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, On off and middle, flicked away towards mid-wicket but no run available. |
| 25.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full and wide outside off, Pujara is not drawn into a shot. |
| 25.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, At the hips and on a length, turned away for a single to deep square leg. |
| 25.6 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Good end to the over from MM, Agarwal keeps out the length ball towards point. |
| Josh Hazlewood to replace Mitchell Starc. |
| 26.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short of a length on middle, Pujara misses his flick and gets hit on the thigh pad. The ball is too high to be hitting the stump and the fielding team don't appeal. |
| 26.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Well outside off and coming in slightly late, left alone by Che after he gauges the line and length. |
| 26.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller outside off, defended into the ground on the off side. |
| 26.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller outside off, Pujara comes ahead and drives with an open face of the willow. The ball runs in the gap to the left of point. It doesn't reach the fence but the batsmen can pick up three runs. |
| 26.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Ouch! Another one on the body for Agarwal. Short of a length and coming in. Mayank tries to sway away but can't get out of the line of the ball and gets hit. Lots of bruises but that cannot cause you to lose concentration. |
| 26.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Fuller this time, defended on the front foot towards cover. |
| 27.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Length ball on off stump, pushed towards cover. |
| 27.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Another length ball, this time on middle. Che defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 27.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, On middle and leg once more, Pujara with a straight bat gets it towards the same fielder. |
| 27.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Very full on this occasion, the batsman comes ahead to keep this ball out. |
| 27.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Length ball on middle and shaping away slightly. Pujara has no difficulty defending towards the off side. |
| 27.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Another dot ball to end the over and it is a maiden. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 1 OF THIS THIRD TEST. INDIA ARE 57/1! |
| A good session for India. Would have been even better if they hadn't lost the wicket of a very patient Hanuma Vihari, who played 66 balls for his 8 runs. He could argue that he did the job of seeing the new ball out but there was a great chance to get a big score out there with not too many demons in the wicket. Cheteshwar Pujara, who came to replace him, has looked really solid so far. But the man of the session will definitely have to go to Mayank Agarwal, who in his debut in a Boxing Day Test |
| For the hosts, the stand-out bowler will have to be Pat Cummins. Actually he has been the only one to have extracted some help from the wicket, albeit by bowling short and aiming the bouncers well. He picked up the only wicket to fall as well. The rest have looked a bit rusty and will have to come back better after Lunch. That being said, they haven't given too many runs away and won't be entirely disappointed. The pitch does look a good one to bat on and one would suppose it could be a good tos |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| The two batsmen are followed by the bowling team as they make their way back onto the field of play. Should be an intriguing session of play, Mayank Agarwal to take strike first up. Josh Hazlewood to bowl the first over after Lunch. |
| 28.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, FOUR! Lovely shot to begin the session. Full and a half-volley outside off from Hazlewood, Agarwal leans into the booming drive and gets it in the gap. The ball is a little slow as it is about to reach the fence but eventually just makes it. Good start for the visitors in the second session. |
| 28.2 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short of a length ball on middle, kept out off the back foot towards mid-wicket. |
| 28.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Cut him in half there! The length ball outside off, comes in with the angle and Agarwal was a bit late to bring down his willow. The ball goes right through and luckily for him, also above the off stump. |
| 28.4 : J Hazlewood to M Agarwal, Fuller and pushed wide of mid on. Agarwal has a loud call of no as he sends Pujara back. |
| 28.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Fuller and outside off, Mayank comes ahead and punches it towards cover. |
| 28.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Bouncer going down leg, left alone. |
| Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end after Lunch. |
| 29.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller length on middle, Pujara turns it away towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 29.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and wide outside off and it is left alone by the batsman. |
| 29.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and making the batsman play yet again, Che pushes it out towards cover-point. |
| 29.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball outside off, the batsman is not tempted. |
| 29.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Such a straight bat offered in defense! Lovely to watch. Full ball and pushed right back down the ground. |
| 29.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Wider outside off to end the over, left alone by the batsman. Good over by Cummins, a maiden. |
| 30.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Length ball coming into the body, Agarwal keeps the ball out towards the mid on fielder. |
| 30.2 : J Hazlewood to M Agarwal, Good ball! Takes the outside edge after bouncing off a length outside off. Agarwal does well to remove his bottom hand and ensure the ball does not carry to Aaron Finch at second slip. Finchy dives to his right and stops the ball. |
| 30.3 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Solid defensive shot this time to a length ball on middle. |
| 30.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket keeper. |
| 30.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Good length ball outside off and coming in after landing. Agarwal gauges the line, length and movement before he leaves the ball. Good cricket all around. |
| 30.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Fuller to end the over, Mayank pushes it to cover. Dot ball and a maiden. Second on the trot. |
| 31.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and just outside off, Pujara comes ahead and defensively pushes it back to mid off. |
| 31.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full yet again, Che doesn't time his front foot drive too well as he tries to beat mid off to his right. |
| 31.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Down the leg side, Pujara must've felt like he missed out there as he doesn't connect his flick. |
| 31.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer aimed at the head of the batsman, he just shrugs and moves out of the way of the cherry. |
| 31.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara gets the ball ping off the middle of the bat and back to mid on. |
| 31.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on middle that is watchfully defended. Another maiden over. |
| 32.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Length ball on middle and Mayank stands tall as he defends this. |
| 32.2 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short and outside off, Agarwal is on top of the bounce as he keeps this out on the off side. |
| 32.3 : J Hazlewood to M Agarwal, Wide outside off, pushed on the front foot towards the left of cover. The fielder moves to the left and stops it, preventing the single. |
| 32.4 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Well outside off, Agarwal pushes this ball off the back foot and in the gap to the left of point for a couple. Gets into the 40s. |
| 32.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short length ball on middle and leg, the batsman gets inside the line and tucks it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 32.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Dot to end the over. The ball is on a length outside off and Pujara plays it with delicate hands and drops the ball on the pitch. |
| 33.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Outside off and left alone by the batsman. |
| 33.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Bouncer! Agarwal ducks underneath the ball and lets it go. |
| 33.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Length and outside off, once more Mayank prods ahead and uses the pace of Cummins to push this ball in the gap between point and gully. Lyon, who gives chase, fumbles the ball while picking it up and allows the batsmen to collect three runs. |
| 33.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off on a length, Pujara defends it holding his shape. |
| 33.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Slightly fuller this time, Che pushes it softly towards the point fielder. |
| 33.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, FOUR! The patience of Cummins seems to have gotten over here. He overpitches and Pujara latches onto it in a flash. He drives it beautifully all the way for a boundary through the covers. First runs for Pujara after Lunch. Good over for India, 7 runs off it. |
| 34.1 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short length ball at the hips, nudged towards fine leg off the thigh pad. A leg bye is taken. |
| 34.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball on top of off stump, Pujara keeps it out towards mid-wicket. |
| 34.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller length ball on middle, CP comes ahead and defends it back down the ground. |
| 34.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shorter ball outside off, Pujara stands tall and defends it into the ground. |
| 34.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Wider outside off and left alone by the batsman. Good carry on this one to Paine. |
| 34.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Bouncer but the line is well outside off, left alone by the Indian number 3. |
| Nathan Lyon is back into the attack. |
| 35.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flighted on off and turning slightly after landing, Agarwal comes ahead and defends the ball. |
| 35.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, FOUR! Catch it is the call but the ball is well above the head of mid off and goes all the way for a boundary. Flighted ball on middle, Agarwal dances down the track and lifts the ball above mid off. Moves to 49! |
| 35.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter outside off this time, Mayank pushes it to cover. |
| 35.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Shorter in length, Agarwal rocks back and pushes it to short leg. |
| 35.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball on middle, Agarwal defends it back down the ground off the back foot. |
| 35.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, FOUR! There's his fifty! Maiden fifty and on debut in a Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Couldn't be better. Fuller ball and Agarwal hops down the track and hits it to the left of Lyon, all the way to the long off boundary. It has been a good innings so far but he needs to continue, there is a big one waiting for him out there. |
| 36.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length delivery on off stump, Pujara responds with a straight bat in defense. |
| 36.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Keeps it close to off, on a length, blocked from within the crease. |
| 36.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, In the channel outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 36.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Picked off by Pujara. Bread and butter stuff for him. On the pads, he just flicks this through backward square leg and takes three. |
| 36.5 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, Short ball on middle and off, Agarwal rises on his toes and defends it down with gentle hands. |
| 36.6 : J Hazlewood to Agarwal, A bumper from Hazlewood, it's sharp and accurate on middle. Agarwal just about manages to evade it. |
| 37.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Over the wicket, looped up outside off, Pujara comes down the track and flicks it away to deep square leg for a single. |
| 37.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball on middle, Agarwal stands in his crease and tries to work it away on the leg side but finds short leg. |
| 37.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Around the wicket now, pushed back to the bowler on the front foot. |
| 37.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball on off and middle, Mayank comes ahead to defend and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat on to the leg side. |
| 37.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Fuller ball on middle, pushed to long on and Agarwal gets to the other end. |
| 37.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter ball from over the wicket, Pujara takes a big stride ahead and he keeps it out towards the point fielder. |
| Mitchell Starc is back into the attack. Will begin from around the wicket. |
| 38.1 : M Starc to Agarwal, Fuller outside off, Agarwal comes ahead and drives but the ball finds the cover fielder. |
| 38.2 : M Starc to Agarwal, Shorter outside off, Agarwal pushes the ball to point off his back foot. |
| 38.3 : M Starc to Agarwal, Another length ball on top of off stump, compact looking defensive shot from Mayank towards cover. |
| 38.4 : M Starc to Agarwal, Very full and slightly wide outside off, Agarwal pushes the ball to the cover fielder on a bounce. |
| 38.5 : M Starc to Agarwal, Bouncer! The batsman sways out of the way and evades the ball. |
| 38.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Another short length delivery coming in with the angle, Agarwal defends it from within his crease. |
| 39.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Looped up outside off, Pujara has his dancing shoes on as he works this away to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| 39.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter ball from around the wicket, Agarwal misses his flick and gets hit in line it seems. The ball may have just pitched outside leg and that is what makes the umpire say no. The Aussies appeal for a lot of time but do not go upstairs. The Ball Tracker confirms that the ball was pitching outside leg. |
| 39.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Full ball on off, defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 39.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter delivery on middle, Agarwal drives it back to Lyon. |
| 39.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Shorter this time, Mayank in his crease keeps it out with the straight bat. |
| 39.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Flatter and quicker to end the over, Agarwal comes ahead and dead-bats. |
| 40.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 40.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Short of a length ball outside off, Che pushes it towards the cover fielder. |
| 40.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Inside edge! But safe as it goes onto the pads. Fuller length outside off, Pujara goes for a drive but the ball takes the inside edge and goes onto the pads. |
| 40.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Effort delivery outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 40.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Short length ball outside off, Pujara keeps it out on the off side. |
| 40.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Beaten! Short ball on off stump that just reverses a tad bit after landing. Pujara who was looking to play at it, is just beaten on the outside in the end. Good way to end the over from the left-arm quick. |
| Drinks have been summoned by the umpires. A clean hour for the Indians, frustrating the Aussie bowlers. Lyon is on from one end now, but hasn't looked the Lyon of the first two games so far. Can this Indian pair continue, or will the Aussies break this stand in the next hour? |
| 41.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Darted on leg, Mayank picks it off his pads and works it away on the leg side. |
| 41.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Quicker and shorter on leg stump, defended down with soft hands. |
| 41.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Agarwal moves inside the line and nudges it towards short fine leg. |
| 41.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Plants his front foot forward and presents the full face of the bat. |
| 41.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Drifting away from around off, fuller in length, Agarwal defends without any trouble. |
| 41.6 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Pushes this tossed up delivery to the left of the bowler, but Nathan Lyon moves swiftly and stops the ball. |
| 42.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Comes running in and lands it on a length outside off, Pujara covers the line and leaves it alone. |
| 42.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Sprays it on the pads, easily flicked away by Pujara for a couple of good runs. |
| 42.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Fires this in full and on off, drilled straight to mid off. |
| 42.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Back of a length ball angling in on off, Che stays perfectly behind the line and blocks it out. |
| 42.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Back of a length delivery outside off, Pujara stays on the back foot and slaps it through the gap in the covers. Takes three runs and that brings up the 50-run stand between these two. Been a very good one till now. |
| 42.6 : M Starc to Agarwal, Shaping back in on middle and leg, worked away square on the leg side. Dot ball as it's straight to the fielder. |
| 43.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker and straighter outside off, full in length, Pujara defends it off the inner half towards square leg. |
| 43.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up outside off, Pujara uses his feet to skip down and drives it through the empty spaces in the covers. Three runs are collected. |
| 43.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 43.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Darts this one on middle and leg, Mayank goes on the back foot and clips it into the leg side. A single is taken. |
| 43.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Played that very late and the timing on that is superb. Pujara hangs back to this shorter ball outside off, waits for it, uses the pace and unleashes the cut behind point for a boundary. |
| 43.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Seeing Pujara give the charge, Lyon fires it full on the stumps. Che somehow manages to keep it at bay. |
| Mitchell Marsh replaces Mitchell Starc. |
| 44.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Length delivery outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 44.2 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Just behind a length, close to the off stick, Mayank keeps it out from the back foot. |
| 44.3 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Too straight in line, Agarwal clips this in front of square leg and gets to the other end. The 100 comes up for India with this. |
| 44.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Stays right behind the line of this one and blocks it out. |
| 44.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Marsh keeps it marginally short once more, Pujara once more is rock solid in defense. |
| 44.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Defended off the back foot by the batsman and that will be the end of this Mitchell Marsh over. |
| 45.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Floats it right up there, on middle and leg, wristed away towards wide mid on. |
| 45.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Quite straight in line, full in length, worked away gently on the leg side. |
| 45.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, This one kept low. Lyon bowls it shorter in line of the stumps, Agarwal does well to deal with the low bounce. |
| 45.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 45.5 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Agarwal comes forward and pushes it back down the track. |
| 45.6 : N Lyon to M Agarwal, Flighted delivery and it's driven towards deep mid on for a single. |
| 46.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Room offered outside off as Marsh lands it on a good length. Agarwal opens the face and dabs it towards the tumbling gully fielder. |
| 46.2 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Angling in on middle and leg, pushes to the man positioned at mid on. |
| 46.3 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Keeps low again, a length ball on off, Agarwal does well to defend it with a straight bat. |
| 46.4 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Full and straight, driven back in the bowler's direction. |
| 46.5 : M Marsh to Agarwal, On the fuller side of the length, guarded out safely from the front foot. |
| 46.6 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Agarwal uses the angle into him and flicks it to deep square leg for one run. |
| 47.1 : N Lyon to Agarwal, SIX! The first one of the innings and Agarwal has decided to go after Lyon. Probably the best way to play against the GOAT. Tossed up on the stumps, Mayank gives the charge, goes with the spin and slogs it over the cow corner for a biggie. |
| 47.2 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Some drift away, fuller in length, Mayank is well forward in defense. |
| 47.3 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Fullish in length again, kept out solidly. |
| 47.4 : N Lyon to Agarwal, Leans ahead into the full ball and knocks it wide of mid on for a run. |
| 47.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 47.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Makes use of the feet, gets close to the pitch and pushes it away. |
| Pat Cummins returns to the attack. |
| 48.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Quick single taken, good running between the wickets. Agarwal pushes this fuller length ball towards mid off and takes off. There is a shy at the bowler's end which misses, but Mayank would have been in even if a direct hit would have been scored. |
| 48.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Rising from the surface as it's landed on a length, Cheteshwar is watchful as he keeps it out safely. |
| 48.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Touch straight in line, slightly fullish in length, it's flicked through the vacant mid-wicket area for a double. |
| 48.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short ball banged in, Pujara ducks and evades. |
| 48.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Some extra bounce off the surface, a length ball on off, Pujara takes his bottom hand off as he blocks it. |
| 48.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On the fifth stump line, Cummins giving little room as it's coming back in, the batsman defends with a straight blade in response. |
| Change of ends for Mitchell Marsh. |
| 49.1 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Marsh keeps it nice and tight as he bowls a length ball on off, Mayank with a defensive shot in response. |
| 49.2 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Outside off this time, Mayank pushes it tamely in front of covers. |
| 49.3 : M Marsh to Agarwal, Brings his wrists into play as he flicks this one angling into him through square leg for a single. |
| 49.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Back of a length on the stumps, blocked. |
| 49.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, On a length this time, some extra bounce on offer, the ball is met with the full face of the bat. |
| 49.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Short of a length in line of the stumps, Pujara goes on the back foot and punches it past the bowler. Mid on moves to his left and cuts it off. |
| 50.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Length ball on the fourth stump line, Agarwal can only defend it away towards gully. |
| 50.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Short of a good length on off, tight line again, the batsman gets on top of the bounce and blocks. |
| 50.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Cummins isn't giving anything away easily. Keeps it on off and it cuts back in, Mayank defends from inside his crease. |
| 50.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Four dots in a row. Short and on off, Agarwal rises up on his toes and defends it with soft hands on the off side. |
| 50.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Well played. There wasn't much room on offer once more, but Agarwal managed to find the gap. Placed this behind point with a little dab and came back for the second. |
| 50.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Almost... almost. That was close. Cummins makes this go away late after serving it on a length around off, Agarwal fishes for it and nearly nicks it behind. |
| 51.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full ball on off stump, defended from the inner half in front of square on the leg side. |
| 51.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Straighter in line, worked away on the leg side. |
| 51.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, Big chance goes begging! Big chance. Pujara survives a massive scare. First sign of some life for the Aussies. Marsh brings it back in on middle and Pujara hangs his bat out to play. It takes the inside edge, lobs off the thigh pad and falls agonizingly short of Usman Khawaja at gully who comes running in and dives forward to try and take it. |
| 51.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, On a length on the stumps, blocked out solidly from within the crease. |
| 51.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full ball on the stumps and it is driven to mid on. |
| 51.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Slightly behind a good length, Pujara ends the over without any damage. |
| 52.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Coming in at first and then shaping away late, Agarwal is a little squared up as he defends it under his nose. |
| 52.2 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, FOUR! The timing on it is fantastic. Full ball outside off, Agarwal nicely leans into the shot and drives it through the covers. Lyon chases after it, tries to pull it back in with a dive but just can't. His hand touches the rope while doing so and he himself signals to the umpire that it's a boundary. Fair play to him. |
| 52.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Well outside off, no way the batsman troubles himself with that. |
| 52.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, That wasn't exactly far away. Pat with a length ball around off and it jags back in, Agarwal leaves it alone but it's a little too close for comfort. |
| 52.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Fullish delivery, just outside off, a punchy-push is played as the ball finds cover-point. |
| 52.6 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Cummins attacks the stumps, but the opener drives it to mid on by bringing down a straight bat. |
| 53.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Good length delivery on middle and off, Che stands firm and blocks it under his nose. |
| 53.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Keeps a little low as Marsh pitches it on middle, Pujara defends from the inner portion in front of square leg. No run taken. |
| 53.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, This full delivery outside off is driven to the left of mid off. Wanted the single at first but is then sent back. |
| 53.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Opens the face slightly and ends up driving it a bit square towards cover-point. |
| 53.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Stays very, very low. Well done, Pujara, for keeping that at bay. Length ball which goes at knee height, the batsman defends it from the toe end. |
| 53.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Works it off his pads but finds the fielder on the leg side. |
| 54.1 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, A little short, kept out safely by the batsman. |
| 54.2 : Pat Cummins to M Agarwal, Edged and FOUR! First false shot from Mayank all day. Full and well outside off, he's just drawn into it and a thick edge is induced. Much to his fortune though, it flies wide of the slip cordon and races away to the third man boundary. Frustration for the Australians. |
| 54.3 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Wide outside off, it is left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 54.4 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, Back of a length and on off, Agarwal is up for this as he taps it down on the off side. |
| 54.5 : Pat Cummins to Agarwal, OUT! GOT 'EM! Pat Cummins has struck gold. It's his second of the innings and it's the short ball which does the trick once more. Short ball a bit down the leg side, Agarwal looks to fend it away awkwardly, but the ball brushes the gloves and Tim Paine behind the stumps takes it well by moving to his left. Initially Mayank doesn't walk, stands there as the Australians appeal, but eventually umpire Ian Gould raises his finger and gives him his marching orders. A good |
| A tiring session for Australia, but that late wicket of Mayank Agarwal will have given them much to smile about. 66 runs were scored in 26.5 overs, with the Aussies having to toil hard, but Pat Cummins' late breakthrough has sort of brought them back into this game. Agarwal was playing well, scoring a finely-crafted fifty on debut, but was eventually undone by the short ball. There's plenty of batting left to come from the Indians, but the hosts would feel they can use this opportunity to make f |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| The players and umpires are back for the final session of play. About 35 overs are left to be bowled today. Virat Kohli joins Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle. Kohli will be on strike facing Pat Cummins, who has one delivery to go in this over. |
| 54.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Kohli off the mark straightaway, fuller length and on middle. He takes a huge stride down and pushes the ball to the left of mid on for a couple. |
| Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end. |
| 55.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on off stump, Pujara pushes the ball to mid-wicket. |
| 55.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off this time, Che tries to defend from within the crease. He gets a thick inner edge that goes onto his pads. |
| 55.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Defends this length one off the middle of the bat this time onto the leg side. |
| 55.4 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Fuller in length and slightly coming in after landing, Pujara comes ahead to defend. Again catches the inner half of the bat and the ball rolls onto the leg side. |
| 55.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Wider outside off, the batsman mistimes his attempted cut to gully on the bounce. |
| 55.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short length ball on middle and leg, Pujara keeps it out to mid-wicket. Maiden over. |
| 56.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Fullish in length and shaping away from outside off, left alone. |
| 56.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, In the off stump channel from Cummins, no shot offered by the batsman. |
| 56.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Too far outside off, Kohli takes a step outside, covers the line and leaves it alone. |
| 56.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Plays it very late. Length ball on off, Kohli hangs his bat ahead of him and blocks. |
| 56.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Almost dragged it on! Pat Cummins is on fire. Could have has his third, that too of the Indian skipper. Good length delivery with some good pace on it, Kohli looks to defend but there's some slight nip inside. It takes the inside edge and whiskers past the leg stump. A couple of runs are taken. |
| 56.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Fuller length ball and it's pushed towards short extra cover for no run. |
| 57.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length delivery which rises off the surface, Pujara hangs back and pushes it towards the cover area. |
| 57.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, FOUR! That's a well-earned boundary for Cheteshwar Pujara. Overpitched delivery around off, right in the slot for Pujara who doesn't think twice about whacking it away. Hammers it past mid off all the way to the fence. Super shot. |
| 57.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Sharp bouncer, the batsman ducks comfortably under it. |
| 57.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Keeps it in the channel outside off, Che stands firm and keeps it out on the off side. |
| 57.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Gets right behind the line of this one, hangs a straight bat out and defends it in front of short mid-wicket. |
| 57.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Pujara takes the pull shot on and ironically, to his good fortune, that saves him, because there's a man in the deep. Short ball angling in, it's pulled over backward square without much timing. It falls well short of the fielder in the deep and a single is taken. |
| 58.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery in the off stump channel, blocked with soft hands on the off side. |
| 58.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Big shout for a leg before, but it's turned down. Height the issue? Probably going down leg too. Replays confirm the same, so good call from Ian Gould. Pat Cummins though, he's been excellent. Bending his back and troubling the Indian batsmen. He lands it on middle and leg and it keeps going down, raps Pujara high on the thigh pad as he fails to put bat on ball. |
| 58.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fraction straight in line, defensively pushed on the leg side. |
| 58.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bumper from the pacer, ducked and evaded. |
| 58.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Stays back and keeps it out with the full face of the bat. |
| 58.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 59.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, On the sixth stump line, coming back in, Kohli walks a step across, covers the line and shoulders arms. |
| 59.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Stays a little low as Hazlewood serves it outside off on a length, Kohli taps it off the bottom half of the bat towards cover-point. Wants the run but doesn't decide to take it in the end. |
| 59.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Cutting back in from outside off, met with the full face of the bat. |
| 59.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Off the inside portion of the bat. Kohli uses the angle into him to flick, does so and places it just wide of short mid-wicket. A single is collected. |
| 59.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Bouncer angling down leg, no way Pujara has anything to do with that one. |
| 59.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Nice carry on that. Good length delivery in the zone of apprehension, Pujara withdraws his bat, covers the line and makes a watchful leave. |
| 60.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, Kohli opens the bat face and dabs it to gully. |
| 60.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Full just outside off, defended in front of the covers. |
| 60.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, FOUR! Overpitched from Cummins and he pays the price. Just around off, Virat Kohli beautifully drives it through mid on. Head gives it a chase and makes a lazy attempt to pull it back inside the rope. Ends up conceding a boundary. Should be doing better. |
| 60.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 60.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, it's dabbed down to third man for a comfortable single. |
| 60.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Shortish delivery on middle and off, Che is right behind the line as he defends it right beside him on the leg side. |
| Mitchell Starc replaces Josh Hazlewood. |
| 61.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Back of a length delivery angling across, Virat dabs it wide of point and jogs across to the other end. |
| 61.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Touch fuller in length, on off stump, Cheteshwar meets it with the full face. |
| 61.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Comes from around the wicket on this occasion and angles in a fuller ball outside off, left alone. |
| 61.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Comes from wide of the crease and angles in a full delivery on off, Pujara remains watchful as he defensively pushes it out in front of covers. |
| 61.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Starc keeps firing it full, outside off, one more defensive shot presented by the batsman. |
| 61.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Short ball angling in, on middle, Pujara has no intention to play at it so tries to duck under it. But the ball doesn't rise as much and it goes off his shoulder and lobs towards fine leg. Two leg byes taken. |
| Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood. |
| 62.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, FOUR! Good balance on that shot. Nice and still from Virat Kohli. Extremely full on off, the Indian captain drives this ever so well through mid on and finds the fence. |
| 62.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Gets on top of the bounce and dabs this wide of point. Kohli runs the first one hard and comes back for the second. |
| 62.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Too far outside off, easy enough for VK to leave it alone. |
| 62.4 : J Hazlewood to V Kohli, Edgy FOUR! It falls short of the slip fielder, but credit to Kohli as he plays it by taking his bottom hand off. Length ball outside off, Kohli hangs his bat and the edge is induced. It falls short of a diving Shaun Marsh and goes through him for a boundary. The 150 comes up for India with this. |
| 62.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Full length delivery quite close to off, blocked with the full face of the bat. |
| 62.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Too straight in line, allows Kohli to pick it off his pads and clip it through square leg for a double. |
| 63.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara gets this in the gap through the covers but the timing isn't that great. The batsmen come back for two. |
| 63.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Length delivery on the pads, worked away to the square leg fielder. |
| 63.3 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! Width offered and gleefully accepted by Pujara. The ball was short and well outside off, Cheteshwar chases after the ball and lifts it over point for a boundary. Easy pickings for someone who has played more than 130 balls. |
| 63.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Almost carries! Good comeback from Starc. Gets this bumper on target, Pujara who was trying to fend it away isn't fully in control and the ball is played in the air away on the leg side. It lands just short of square leg. Lucky for the batsman. |
| 63.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 63.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Down the leg side on this occasion, the batsman isn't interested. |
| Mitchell Marsh comes back for another spell. |
| 64.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, Short ball outside off, Kohli stands tall and punches it wide of point. Gets an easy run. |
| 64.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Nice and tight from Marsh, a length ball close to off, Pujara defends. |
| No sign of Nathan Lyon yet. The fact that he's not coming on, against two batsmen who he's had good success against, can only indicate that he's injured. Earlier, on a fielding attempt, he jarred his knee and that seems to be the only logical explanation as to why he hasn't been brought on yet. |
| 64.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, Coming back in on middle and leg, worked away with gentle hands on the leg side. |
| 64.4 : M Marsh to C Pujara, Short ball into the body, it's pulled off the splice towards mid-wicket. Won't get any run for it. |
| 64.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 64.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full length delivery attacking the stumps, kept out safely to end the over. |
| 65.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Shaping away from around off, pushed to the covers for nothing. |
| 65.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Angling away, a good length delivery around off, kept out by getting behind the line. |
| 65.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Back of a length delivery on off, shapes away late, Virat Kohli covers the line and lets it go. |
| 65.4 : M Starc to Kohli, Unnecessary from Kohli. Starc is playing on his only weakness. He likes to feel the ball on his bat and the pacer is trying to exploit it. Full and wide outside off, Virat goes after it and mistimes it in front of point. |
| 65.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Bouncer on leg, ducked and evaded by the batsman. |
| 65.6 : M Starc to Kohli, FOUR! Edged and away! Starc is unlucky, unlike the batsman. It moves away late off the seam as Kohli reaches out for it. Plays away from his body and gets a thick edge which goes between first slip and gully. It runs away to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 66.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Nicely worked away. On the pads, Pujara glances it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 66.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Length ball just outside off, Virat walks a step down the track, goes a little across and taps it down in front of gully. |
| 66.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Standing a long way out of the crease, it allows him to get close to the pitch and defend right under his eye-line. |
| 66.4 : M Marsh to Kohli, Quite full and just outside off, drilled straight to the cover fielder. |
| 66.5 : M Marsh to Kohli, Lands close to off and seams away late, VK gets close to the pitch with a big stride forward and pushes it to mid off. |
| 66.6 : M Marsh to Kohli, Full and straight from Mitchell Marsh, it's wristed straight to the man at short mid-wicket. |
| Finally.... Nathan Lyon comes on to bowl. A little too late, maybe? He can still make all the difference, mind. Let's see how he goes. |
| 67.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Looped up on off stumps, wristed down towards mid on. The batsmen take off and complete the quick run with ease. |
| 67.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Virat eases this down the ground, towards long on and rotates strike. |
| 67.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Spinning in from outside off, Pujara waits for it to come to him before defending it down with soft hands. |
| 67.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes forward once more and blocks it out. |
| 67.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Che goes with the spin and turns it away on the leg side. |
| 67.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Just behind a driving length, Pujara uses his feet to skip down and block it by getting close to the pitch. |
| 68.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, Hurled too far outside off, no shot offered by the Indian captain. |
| 68.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Fullish in length and on off, defended by coming forward and with the full face of the bat. |
| 68.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Waits for it to come, plays really late as he uses the pace and dabs it behind point for one. |
| 68.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Hangs on the back foot and defends it rather solidly. |
| 68.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full length delivery attacking the stumps, it's driven with a straight bat to mid on. |
| 68.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, On a length, on middle and off, Pujara positions himself well behind the line and blocks. |
| 69.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Slower through the air, spinning in from outside off, Kohli lunges forward and leaves it alone. |
| 69.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Quicker through the air, flatter around off, pushed back to the bowler from the back foot. |
| 69.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter once again, coming back in, kept out from the back foot. |
| 69.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 69.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quite full and well outside off, Pujara comes close to the pitch and defends. |
| 69.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, No spin this time and Lyon lands it short outside off, Pujara rocks back in a jiffy and slaps the cut through covers. It won't go all the way, but it's enough to fetch him three runs. |
| 70.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Shaping into the batsman, worked away on the leg side. |
| 70.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, 21st Test fifty for Cheteshwar Pujara! A fine knock from the no.3 once more. Toughening it out there when his side needs him the most. He just dabs this behind point and takes a single. Brings up the 50-run stand as well. |
| 70.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Outside off, the batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 70.4 : M Marsh to Kohli, Places this behind point with an angled bat and changes ends. |
| 70.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Full and straight from Mitchell Marsh, it's played right back to the bowler. |
| 70.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Fuller and angling back in, pushed to the right of the bowler, where short mid-wicket comes and cuts it off. |
| 71.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter and quicker outside off, Kohli wrists it away but straight to the fielder at square leg. |
| 71.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball on the pads, again flicked to the fielder. |
| 71.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball on middle, pushed back to the bowler on the back foot by VK. |
| 71.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter ball outside off, defended from within the crease. |
| Kohli has been rapped on the pads, Lyon and the Aussies go up in a huge appeal. The umpire is unmoved but the hosts want to go upstairs for another look. |
| 71.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, NOT OUT! The impact is well outside off. The ball was landing outside off stump and the Indian skipper is well ahead to play this one. Gets beaten by the turn and hit on the pads. The Aussies go up for a review after the umpire shakes his head. The replays show us that the impact was well outside the line of off stump. Australia lose a review. Actually a waste of a review. Looked pretty obvious to the naked eye as well. Seems like the decision was taken in a bit of despera |
| 71.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Fuller and flatter ball on off, pushed to mid on using the wrists by Virat. |
| Drinks break in the final session. Has been another good hour and a bit for the visitors. A couple of close calls but otherwise they have looked comfortable. The run scoring hasn't been too fast from Pujara's end but Kohli seems to be on the move. Should be a really interesting final hour of play. |
| Pat Cummins comes on to bowl, replacing Mitchell Marsh. |
| 72.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer! Pujara sways out of the way of the ball and lets it go. |
| 72.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller on off stump, Che comes ahead and defends it into the ground. |
| 72.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Ouch! This one has rared off a length and the ball has got his fingers. Must be hurting him as he moves away from his stumps and removes his gloves to have a look. |
| The physio is out in the middle to have a look at Pujara's fingers. Hopefully it isn't anything serious and he should be okay to continue. |
| 72.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Overpitched and Pujara drives it beautifully down the ground wide of mid on for an easy couple. |
| 72.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short length ball aimed at the ribs, Che defends gingerly. He seems a little worried about getting hit on his fingers again, looking at the way he played that one. |
| 72.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer, going down leg. Left alone by the batsman. |
| 73.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Well outside off, Kohli shoulders arms. |
| 73.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter on middle and leg, VK flicks it away to deep square leg and gets to the other end. |
| 73.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Good looking shot for a couple from Pujara. Flighted ball on off, Che has his dancing shoes on as he comes down the wicket and whips it away to deep mid-wicket for two runs. |
| 73.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker one on middle, pushed down the ground from within the crease. |
| 73.5 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Another faster one that holds its line outside off, Pujara hangs his bat out and drops the ball wide of slip. The batsmen pick up another two. |
| 73.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Shorter delivery on middle, the batsman covers the line and defends easily. |
| 74.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Short of a length ball on top of middle, Kohli works it away on the leg side for a single. |
| 74.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller on good length, played back to the bowler with soft hands. |
| 74.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Similar delivery and even softer hands from Pujara this time. |
| 74.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Another ball on good length, defended into the ground easily. |
| 74.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer! Pujara ducks and evades the ball going down leg. |
| 74.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on middle, safely played away towards mid-wicket. 5 overs more before the new ball is available now. |
| 75.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter and outside off, Kohli tries to find the gap through mid-wicket with a whip off the back foot but fails. |
| 75.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flighted ball outside off, VK comes ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 75.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Fuller and quicker at the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for a single. |
| 75.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Looped up on off or just outside, Pujara comes down the ground and pushes it to mid on. |
| 75.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Another ball to which Che dances down the ground and flicks it away to deep square leg for one run. |
| 75.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Looped up generously outside off, Kohli absolutely smothers this one after taking a big stride ahead. |
| 76.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Cummins has got to be appreciated a lot for his efforts today. Here again, he got the ball to get some extra bounce by bending his back. Pujara though, isn't troubled as he pushes this one on middle to the square leg fielder. |
| 76.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A ball on middle and leg, Pujara stands tall and pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 76.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller on off stump, Che comes ahead and defends it into the ground. |
| 76.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Ouch! Off the shoulder yet again today. Cummins bowls the bouncer at such a good length, the batsman is confused and tries to duck under it. The ball hits him on the shoulder and goes to the keeper. |
| 76.5 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Length ball on off, Pujara tries to defend the ball a little away from the body. It goes off the inside edge and onto the pads. |
| 76.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on off and middle, defended with a straight bat. |
| 77.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball outside off, Kohli defends it with soft hands towards point. |
| 77.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, FOUR! Gorgeous! Very full outside off, Kohli drives this into the gap wide of mid off and the ball races away to the fence. These cover drives are an absolute treat to watch. |
| 77.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball outside off, defended coming ahead. |
| 77.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, Another quicker ball on middle, whipped towards mid on. |
| 77.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, Outside off stump and with a little loop, Kohli comes ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 77.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Around the wicket and flatter drifting outside off, Virat is satisfied in defending the ball off the back foot. |
| 78.1 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, FOUR! Wide outside off and cut away by Pujara through the gap to the left of point. The fielder has no chance to stop it. |
| 78.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer! Going down the leg side and Cheteshwar ducks out of the way and evades the ball. |
| 78.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller length on the pads, CP flicks it away but to the square leg fielder in the circle. |
| 78.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer, going down the leg side and Pujara shoulders arms to this one. |
| 78.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Another bumper on top of middle, Cheteshwar ducks under the delivery and lets it fly through. |
| 78.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, 3 bouncers on the bounce! Pujara has let all 3 go. 1 over to go before the new ball will be available. |
| 79.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball on middle, Kohli plays it with soft hands toward square leg. |
| 79.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Quicker ball on middle, VK drives this to mid on off the front foot. |
| 79.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, Another flick played off the flatter delivery on middle. But straight to the fielder. |
| 79.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, Quicker one holding the angle, Kohli comes ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 79.5 : N Lyon to V Kohli, Fuller looped delivery on middle, pushed straight towards the mid on fielder. |
| 79.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Finally finds the gap and a single is taken as the over comes to an end. Fuller on the pads, flicked away to square leg for a run. 1 run off the over. THE NEW BALL IS AVAILABLE NOW! |
| Mitchell Marsh is on to bowl with the new ball due. |
| 80.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, Short of a length outside off, left alone by the Indian skipper. |
| 80.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Another length ball outside off, defended from within the crease on this occasion. |
| 80.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Length ball outside off that holds its line. Kohli shoulders arms to it. The ball goes on two bounces to the keeper. |
| 80.4 : M Marsh to Kohli, Fuller length ball outside off, Kohli defends it into the ground with a big stride ahead. |
| 80.5 : M Marsh to Kohli, FOUR! And every now and then, there is a show of brilliance from the number 1 batsman in the world. Full and on middle, effortlessly driven away wide of mid on for a boundary by Kohli. No stopping those. |
| 80.6 : M Marsh to Kohli, Good yorker by Marsh after the four, but Kohli is upto it and keeps it out towards cover. |
| 81.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Outside off and flatter delivery, Pujara prods ahead and pads it away. |
| 81.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter ball again on off stump, Che comes down the wicket and blocks the ball. |
| 81.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker ball on middle, CP flicks it but the ball goes straight to square leg in the circle. |
| 81.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, This time the flick is in the gap and Pujara gets to the other end. |
| 81.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball from around the wicket to Kohli, he takes a stride ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 81.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter, quicker ball at the pads. Worked away to the deep square leg fielder for a single. India move onto 199 now. |
| Mitchell Starc is back into the attack and the new ball is taken immediately. |
| 82.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Beaten! On the money straightaway! Just outside off, draws Kohli onto the front foot to play at this one and gets it to hold its line. Beats Virat on the outside and the ball goes through to Paine. There is an appeal that ensues but the umpire is unmoved. |
| 82.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Well outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 82.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Outside off once more, VK shoulders arms once more. |
| 82.4 : M Starc to Kohli, The batsman prods ahead and pushes this ball towards point. |
| 82.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Fuller and at the pads, Kohli flicks it away in the gap towards deep square leg and comes back for an easy two. 200 up for the visitors. |
| 82.6 : M Starc to Kohli, Excellent bouncer to end the over! It keeps rising after crossing the batsman and Paine jumps but can't collect it cleanly. The ball rolls behind for a bye. |
| Josh Hazlewood to share the new cherry. |
| 83.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Wide outside off on a length, Kohli wants nothing to do with it and lets it go through. |
| 83.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Another similar ball that shapes away outside off, Virat lets it go again. |
| 83.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, There is swing but the ball is well wide outside off again, the batsman has no interest to play at these. |
| 83.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Bowled from wide of the crease, lands the ball on short of a length and gets the ball to straighten. But Kohli lets it go seeing it is well outside off again. |
| 83.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Another ball that has gone on two bounces to the keeper. Outside off and VK shoulders arms to it as the ball keeps pretty low. |
| 83.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, A length ball and closer to the off stick. Kohli has to play at the ball and he keeps it out towards cover-point. |
| 84.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Quick! 144 plus clicks. But the line is outside leg and Pujara misses his flick and the ball goes for a bye as Paine can't collect the ball properly. Is it a set plan to get Pujara caught down leg? Like in the second Test. |
| 84.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Short and wide outside off, left alone by Kohli. |
| 84.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Another ball outside off, Virat lets the ball go through. |
| 84.4 : M Starc to Kohli, Had him all beaten there! Wonderful ball from Starc as it comes in late and beats Kohli on the inside. Could have gone onto the stumps. Lucky, very lucky for the Indian skip there. |
| 84.5 : M Starc to Kohli, On the pads, and goes off the pad fine on the leg side for a couple of leg byes. There is an appeal for LBW but the ball seemed to be missing leg. |
| 84.6 : M Starc to Kohli, Fuller length on the middle, Kohli defends this ball into the ground. |
| 85.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, FOUR! Great adjustment and control from the Indian number 3 bat. Short outside off and Pujara hangs the bat outside off from within the crease and places it beautifully for a boundary through the gap between slip and gully. |
| 85.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 85.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Another ball closer to off stump this time, Che opens the face of the bat and pushes it to point. |
| 85.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shorter length ball on middle, Pujara stands tall and defends. |
| 85.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Left alone by the batsman as the ball is well outside off. |
| 85.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A solid back foot defense to end the over. |
| 86.1 : M Starc to Kohli, A loud appeal but Gould says no. Looked like height was an issue there. Brilliant bowling late on in the day from Starc, getting the ball to come in. The ball beats Kohli on the inside as he tries to drive the ball. Gets rapped on the inner thigh and there seems to be too much height so the Aussies drop their appeal. |
| 86.2 : M Starc to V Kohli, DROPPED! Wide outside off after the ball coming in, Kohli goes chasing and gets an edge on this. This looks like it won't carry to Paine behind but it does just about. The keeper dives to his right and tries to take it but can't hold on. Very tough chance this but these are the ones if taken, that can change the course of matches. |
| 86.3 : M Starc to V Kohli, What happened there? The ball on a length has taken off out of nowhere. Slightly fuller on good length and coming in, the ball rares off and swings wildly after passing Kohli. Paine has no chance to catch this one and the ball runs away for four byes. What bowling this, at the fag end of the day. |
| 86.4 : Starc to Kohli, Loud appeal and the umpire says no yet again. Down the leg side by Starc, Kohli wants to flick it away but misses the ball. The ball comes off the strap of the back pad and Paine takes the ball on the full before appealing. Good umpiring. Terrific bowling and a great contest late in the day. |
| 86.5 : M Starc to Kohli, What a yorker! 150.4 kph! Kohli does equally well to dig it out towards the leg side. |
| 86.6 : M Starc to V Kohli, Starc is spitting fire here suddenly and the ball is full and swinging in. Kohli does really well to drive this well towards mid on. End of a terrific over from one of the best left-arm pacers in the world. Just showed his class after being on the field for more than 85 overs. |
| 87.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Cutting back in from a good length, on middle and leg and there's some extra bounce. Pujara is caught on the thigh pad as he fails to play at it. Height an issue, so no real appeal made. |
| 87.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Too straight in line, flicked away into the leg side for a double. |
| 87.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Good length delivery on the fourth stump line, Che gets an inside edge onto his pads as he looks to play at it. |
| 87.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Serves it on a length again, outside off, tapped down on the off side with soft hands. |
| 87.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shortish ball which doesn't climb as much as it should, Pujara takes his eyes off the ball while trying to duck and cops a blow on the glove. |
| 87.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Well outside off, left alone comfortably for the keeper to collect. |
| 88.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Could be the last over of the day. Starc starts off with a ball on a length outside off and holding its line. Left alone by Kohli. |
| 88.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Another one outside off, closer to the stick this time but VK gauges the length well and lets the ball go. |
| 88.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Wider and full outside off, Virat pushes the ball to the cover fielder. |
| 88.4 : M Starc to Kohli, Short of a length ball outside off, Kohli gets his bat out of the way at the last moment and lets the ball fly through. |
| 88.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Length ball on middle, Kohli keeps it out watchfully. |
| 88.6 : M Starc to Kohli, Last ball of the day, huge cheer as Starc charges in to bowl it. Bowls a 147 kph ripper full outside off, almost too full. Kohli tries to put bat on ball but fails to do so. That brings an end to a great day of Test cricket. STUMPS ON DAY 1, INDIA ARE 215/2! |
| What a wonderful day of Test cricket. Definitely, India will head into the pavilion as the happier side but Australia will not be too disheartened. They have bowled wonderfully and restricted the scoring rate to less than 2.5 rpo. The pitch has looked demon less so far and the batsmen who are willing to spend time at the crease, will surely find a way to score runs. All the Indian batsmen so far have played more than 60 balls. Mayank Agarwal on debut, made a pleasing 76, especially considering t |
| Pat Cummins looked the best out of all the bowlers used today and he has been rewarded with both the wickets that fell. The rest of the bowlers haven't looked like picking wickets but have done well to stop the runs. Surely the injury to Nathan Lyon has affected them a bit and helped the visitors' cause a bit more. Mitchell Marsh was a good selection as bowling with just 4 bowlers on this wicket would have been really exhausting and considering the small turnover time between this Test and the n |
| So, 215/2, then! A terrific Day 2 beckons on Thursday. Will the Indian mainstays of Kohli and Pujara continue their stay and push India towards a mammoth first innings score? Or will the Aussies come hard at them in the morning and have a say of their own on an MCG wicket that looked pretty lifeless and with some variable bounce on Day 1? Join us to find out all. Stay tuned for the coverage of the action from Melbourne which will begin at 10.30 am local (2330 GMT, previous night). Cheers! |
| ... Second Day, Morning Session ... |
| Hello and welcome for Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. It's quite nicely poised as things stand. At the end of Day 1, you could argue India have their noses slightly ahead in this Test, but the fact that Australia didn't let them motor away with the runs will give them enough reason to believe they can very much come back in this contest. A couple of early wickets and things become interesting again. |
| The opening day saw Mayank Agarwal score a fifty on debut, while Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli took things further from there. The pitch isn't exactly providing much assistance, but the Australian pacers showed some signs of life towards the end of day's play on Day 1. Pat Cummins was their best bowler, but some concerns remain over Nathan Lyon who picked up a slight knock while on the field. He should most likely be fine for today, the Aussies will surely hope that, otherwise that puts a hu |
| Pitch Report - Allan Border feels that the pitch has dried out well and become harder than yesterday. He says that the surface should start assisting the spinners, and especially Ravindra Jadeja would be happy to bowl later on in the game with some rough patches being formed outside the left-hander's off stump. Also adds that the weather is pretty sunny and will aid in becoming the pitch becoming better for batting. He signs off by saying that Day 2 should be the best day for batting and India w |
| We are all set to begin. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli walk out under the shining sun, and the duo will attempt to put on a big score on the board. Pat Cummins is handed the ball first up. Early wickets is the need of the hour for the hosts. Three slips and a gully in place for Cummins. Let's get this show on the road. Here we go... |
| 89.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Pujara leaves it alone. The ball actually died down a bit before it made its way to Tim Paine. Interesting... |
| 89.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller in length and just outside off, blocked out from the front foot. |
| 89.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, First run of the day down to fine leg. Fuller and angling down the pads, Pujara flicks it away for a single. |
| 89.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Right on the money to the Indian skipper first up, on off stump. Kohli comes ahead and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 89.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Outside off stump and left alone on this occasion. |
| 89.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, FIFTY for Kohli! 20th in Tests. A full ball on middle that is flicked away to deep mid-wicket and the batsmen have enough time to come back for three. Good innings so far and the Indians would love for it go on long. 4 runs off the first over. |
| Mitchell Starc to bowl from the other end. |
| 90.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Angling down the pads first up, flicked away to deep fine leg for a single. |
| 90.2 : M Starc to Pujara, This ball is on a line outside off and slightly comes in, Pujara plays it towards point with soft hands. |
| 90.3 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! Streaky, Australia won't mind this. Very full and on target, with the ball swinging inward. Pujara tries to dig the ball out but it takes the outside edge and runs away to the fence through the gap between the slip cordon and gully. The 100-run stand also comes up between these two. |
| 90.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Full again but this time a little off target, on the pads and easily flicked away through mid-wicket. The ball doesn't reach the fence but the batsmen come back for 3 runs by the time Marsh retrieves the ball. |
| 90.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Well outside off, left alone by Kohli. |
| 90.6 : M Starc to Kohli, Good shot on the off side but straight to the cover fielder. 8 runs off the second over of the day. |
| 91.1 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Length delivery outside off, Pujara hangs his bat out in defense. The ball comes off the thick inside edge and goes onto the pads. |
| 91.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, This time the defense is out of the middle of the bat. |
| 91.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Fuller length on middle and Che is slightly ahead as he defends with a straight bat. |
| 91.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer! Pujara ducks and evades the ball. The ball seems to have bounced a bit more today. From the same length on Day 1, the ball did not bounce so much and hit the batsmen. |
| 91.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Well down the leg side, Pujara tries to flick the ball but misses it. |
| 91.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off and this is the second time today that the ball has gone on two bounces to the keeper. Length delivery that Pujara fails to connect his willow on. |
| 92.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Beaten! Full ball outside off and Kohli is dragged into the drive but the ball holds its line and beats him on the outside. |
| 92.2 : M Starc to Kohli, This time he is much more ahead and leans into his drive through the covers. Just a mere push and the batsmen pick up three runs. |
| 92.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Well outside off again on length and Pujara unlike Kohli, is not drawn into playing a shot. |
| 92.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Left alone again outside the off stump. |
| 92.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Short of a length and the ball is closer to the sticks this time. Pujara stands tall and defends the ball back towards the bowler. |
| 92.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Quick! 147.4 kph! But the ball is well outside off and the patient Indian number 3 lets the ball fly through to Paine. |
| 93.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Well left! Say this because it was Kohli and not Pujara on strike. The ball was on a length and not too far away from off stump and the Indian skipper prevented himself from going for the drive, something that comes naturally to him. |
| 93.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball again on off stump, Kohli comes ahead to defend but the ball takes the inside half and runs to deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 93.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Straying onto the pads, Pujara misses his flick and the ball runs behind square on the leg side for a leg bye after going off Che's pad. |
| 93.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Beautiful delivery! On a length just outside off and straightens a tad bit after landing. That beats Kohli who was looking to play it straight back down. Inches from the outside edge. Really good ball from Cummins! |
| 93.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Wide outside off, left alone by VK. |
| 93.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Full and angling down the leg stump, Kohli tries to flick but misses and gets hit on the pad. Slight appeal but it's only from the bowler. The replays confirm that the ball was clearly going down leg. The batsmen, meanwhile run through for a couple of leg byes. |
| 94.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Wide outside off and full, left alone by Pujara. The ball almost never rose off the ground there and went on a couple of bounces to Paine. |
| 94.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Well outside off and on a shorter length this time, but Che doesn't need to play because of the line of the ball. |
| 94.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Outside off and away from the stumps, Pujara shoulders arms once more. |
| 94.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Short length ball on middle and leg, Straying onto the pads, the batsman fends this off on the leg side awkwardly. Maybe a bat-pad fielder should come in for this bouncer type delivery. |
| 94.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Outside off on a length and Pujara defends it with soft hands and the ball falls into the pitch. |
| 94.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Length ball aimed at the hips, CP tucks it away towards deep square leg for a single and retains strike. |
| 95.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery around off, Pujara hangs his bat close to his body and defends it down on the off side. |
| 95.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Similar length and quite close to off again, Pujara dabs it wide of point for a single. |
| 95.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Beaten! That's the line Pat Cummins should be hitting more. Bowls it a tad fuller, just outside off and it nips away ever so slightly. Virat Kohli is drawn forward and he pushes away from his body, only to get beaten. |
| 95.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Hits the deck hard and bangs it in shorter, Kohli gets behind the line and defends. |
| 95.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Way outside off, no way Kohli chases after it. |
| 95.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Short ball angling in on leg, Kohli initially wants to play at it but ducks at the last second. |
| 96.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Another ball aimed at the ribs, good ball that. Equally well kept out by Pujara towards square leg, dropping his bottom hand at the last moment and keeping the ball down. |
| 96.2 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! Catch it was the call but the ball was well in control of the batsman. Full and outside off, Pujara comes ahead and drives the ball with an open face through the gap to the left of point. No third man and an easy boundary. |
| 96.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Way outside off stump, left alone. |
| 96.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Good solid defense from Che to this ball on top of off. |
| 96.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Length ball on off stump, Pujara defends it back with a straight bat from within the crease. |
| 96.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Bouncer! Pujara sways out of the line of the ball and wants to go for the ramp but decides against it in the end as he lets the ball fly through. |
| 97.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball outside off, left alone by Kohli. |
| 97.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Good leave this time. There was a similar length delivery just outside off in the previous Cummins' over that Kohli was drawn into a drive by but this time he restrains himself from going for the shot. |
| 97.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Shorter in length outside off, VK gauges the line and length as he shoulders arms. |
| 97.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Way outside off and not a ball that makes the batsman play. |
| 97.5 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Bouncer! Good bumper aimed at the head of the batsman, but Kohli ducks under and lets the ball go through. |
| 97.6 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Beaten once again! Must be the third or fourth time that Cummins has not got the edge of the batsman. Length ball just outside off, Kohli comes ahead to defend and the ball moves away very slightly to beat the outside edge. |
| Josh Hazlewood replaces Mitchell Starc. |
| 98.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball on the pads, Pujara works it towards square leg. |
| 98.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller length ball on the pads, Pujara flicks it but the ball finds the square leg fielder again. |
| 98.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Well outside off and Che doesn't offer a shot this time. |
| 98.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A loud appeal but the ball seems to be going down leg! Length ball that lands on off and jags back in after landing. Pujara who was looking to defend, misses the ball to get rapped on the thigh pad of his front foot. The ball seems to be doing too much and missing leg stump, hence the appeal dies down. |
| 98.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Outside off stump on a length and the batsman leaves the ball through to the keeper. |
| 98.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short length ball above off stump, Che gets on top of the bounce and defends the ball onto the ground. |
| Nathan Lyon replaces Pat Cummins. |
| 99.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flighted delivery outside off, Kohli comes ahead and smothers the ball onto the ground. |
| 99.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Shorter in length, VK rocks back and pushes it to long on for a single. |
| 99.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter delivery on off, Pujara turns the ball towards short mid-wicket. |
| 99.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Another flatter one on middle, Pujara has a bit more time on this one as he works it towards square leg this time. |
| 99.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, On middle, CP runs down the track before defending this one. |
| 99.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker ball outside off, Pujara comes ahead and dead-bats this. 1 run off the first Lyon over of the day. |
| 100.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Good carry here! The ball is on length outside off and Kohli lets it go. |
| 100.2 : J Hazlewood to V Kohli, EDGED AND FOUR! The trap was set with an unconventional second slip who was wearing a helmet and a little more ahead than where a normal second slip would have been. Maybe that's what made him not dive for the catch. The ball goes just where a normal second slip would have been and the Australians can't believe their luck or Virat's. Length ball outside off to which Kohli comes ahead to drive but the ball takes a genuine outside edge and runs away wide to the right |
| 100.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, The edge has immediate rearguard action as Kohli leaves this one outside off. |
| 100.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Another ball outside off to which Virat shoulders his arms. |
| 100.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Left alone again as the ball is quite far outside off. |
| 100.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Four leaves in a row after the edge to end the over. |
| 101.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Probing length from Lyon. Pujara has come ahead to this one and tries to turn it away onto the leg side but the ball turns just enough to beat the bat and lob off the pad onto the off side. |
| 101.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the wicket again and pushes this ball towards mid-wicket. |
| 101.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter ball on off and middle, defended to the mid-wicket fielder again. |
| 101.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Another flighted ball to which Che comes down the ground and defends. The pressure is building. |
| 101.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Shorter in length and Pujara is let off the hook and he goes to the other end with a single towards cover-point courtesy a back foot push. |
| 101.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Flatter ball outside off, Kohli comes ahead and defends it. |
| 102.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short one outside off, Pujara looks to play the ramp shot but doesn't connect. |
| 102.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Defended off the back foot with a straight bat. |
| 102.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller good length ball on off stump, solid yet watchful defense from Che to this. |
| 102.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short length ball outside off, Pujara stands tall and defensively punches this one to mid off. |
| 102.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball on top of off stump, chanceless defense from the batsman. |
| 102.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shortens the length, Pujara immediately rocks back and defends the ball. |
| Drinks have been summoned by the umpire. Another hour of play that India will be pleased with. Slow going but no wicket lost and the visitors will know it is all helping in building a launch pad for the batsmen to come in later. Australia need wickets, and quickly at that. Else, they could be staring at a long day on the field. |
| 103.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Spinning down the leg side, Virat attempts to flick but misses. Paine moves to his left, collects and whips the bails off. To no avail though. |
| 103.2 : N Lyon to Kohli, Some decent flight on this, around off and coming in, Kohli taps it down on the off side with soft hands. |
| 103.3 : N Lyon to Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 103.4 : N Lyon to V Kohli, Pushes this towards the vacant mid on area and scampers across to complete the run. Nicely done. |
| Two close-in fielders now for Cheteshwar Pujara. Good thinking by Tim Paine, trying to put some pressure on the batsman now. |
| 103.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Goes with the spin and works it down in front of short mid-wicket. |
| 103.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Some flight on this one, around off, Pujara comes out to get to the pitch and blocks. |
| 104.1 : J Hazlewood to V Kohli, Full length delivery attacking the stumps, driven straight to the man at mid on. |
| 104.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Kohli is standing well out of his crease, so it becomes easier for him to deal with the movement. He comes forward and defends the length ball around off comfortably. |
| 104.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Just behind a length, on the fourth stump line, Kohli shifts his weight on the back foot and runs it down to gully. |
| 104.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, it's left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 104.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Slightly fullish in length and outside off, VK is half-forward as he keeps it out. |
| 104.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 105.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated well outside off, Cheteshwar Pujara dances down the track and pushes it a bit square to cover-point. |
| 105.2 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Down the track again, this time it's wristed towards mid on. |
| 105.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Straighter one outside off, driven through the gap in the covers and the batsmen take three. The 250 comes up for India. |
| 105.4 : N Lyon to Kohli, Quick, flat and short outside off, the Indian captain goes back and offers a firm punch into the covers. |
| 105.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, Uses the depth of the crease to go back and works it to short mid-wicket. |
| 105.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Tossed up off break on middle and off, eased down to long on for a single. |
| 106.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Rising off the surface after landing in the off stump channel, on a length, arms are shouldered. |
| 106.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Too far outside off, Kohli leans across, covers the line and lets it go. |
| 106.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Serves it on a length on the fifth stump line, Kohli does well to play with soft hands. Gets an edge which falls well short of Finch at that modified second slip position. |
| 106.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Wide outside off, another leave from the batsman. |
| 106.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 106.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, FOUR! As sweet as cotton candy. Beautiful shot from Virat Kohli, they don't get any better than this. Overpitched delivery on off, the Indian captain just presents the full face of the bat and times the drive through mid on perfectly for a boundary. Magic. |
| 107.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Sees the flight on the ball and then charges out to push it away. |
| 107.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Once again makes use of the feet and defends. |
| 107.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Lovely shot from Pujara. He gets his dancing shoes on and skips down, gets close to the pitch and hammers it through the covers to find the fence. |
| 107.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Steps out of the crease once again, it's blocked away comfortably. |
| 107.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Pujara has given the charge to Lyon on all five deliveries so far. Works this one towards the bowler. |
| 107.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Wristed away with the spin, from within the crease this time, but straight to the fielder. |
| 108.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Hazlewood hurls it in the channel outside off, Kohli watches the ball and then lets it go. |
| 108.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Too far outside off, another leave from Virat. |
| 108.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 108.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Bumper from the pacer, ducked and evaded. |
| 108.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Hazlewood serves it in the zone of apprehension, Kohli doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 108.6 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Wide outside off and on a length, no shot offered. |
| 109.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker delivery on the stumps, Che goes on the back foot and defends it well. |
| 109.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Lyon pushes this quicker again, short and around off, Pujara is on the back foot once more as he keeps it out. |
| 109.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Just outside off, this time Che stands his ground and meets it with the full face. |
| 109.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Good use of the feet again. Very good shot as he comes out and whips it through mid-wicket for three runs. |
| 109.5 : N Lyon to Kohli, Around the wicket to Kohli, shorter and on the hips. It's nudged to short fine leg. |
| 109.6 : N Lyon to Kohli, Looped up on middle and leg, Kohli presses forward and blocks it away on the leg side. |
| Mitchell Marsh to bowl for the first time today. |
| 110.1 : M Marsh to Pujara, Hits the good length area in the off stump channel, run down to gully for no run. |
| 110.2 : M Marsh to Pujara, Touch short in length and on off stump, Pujara hangs back inside his crease and blocks it out. |
| 110.3 : M Marsh to Pujara, Stands firm once more, doesn't move much and defends it safely. |
| 110.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Length ball on off, Pujara slightly opens the face and pushes it to cover-point. |
| 110.5 : M Marsh to C Pujara, Comfortably done. This full delivery outside the line of off stump is driven through the covers for a couple of runs. |
| 110.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Fraction straight in line, a length ball on middle, Pujara gets inside the line and turns it in front of square leg. |
| 111.1 : N Lyon to Kohli, Tossed right up there, on the stumps, it's driven to long on for a run. |
| 111.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Lyon continues from around the wicket and floats it up again, Pujara works it away, but straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 111.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Some drift away, around off, Che jumps out of his crease and blocks it in front of square leg. |
| 111.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Goes deep inside the crease and works it to the man at square leg. |
| 111.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 111.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Pujara comes out of his crease yet again and pushes it just wide of short mid-wicket. |
| 112.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, Full delivery outside off, driven but straight to the man at cover. |
| 112.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Drags his length back shortly, outside off again, left alone by the batsman. |
| 112.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Goes a bit square as Kohli places this through point and gets to the other end. |
| 112.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Too straight in line, easy enough for Pujara to clip this down to fine leg. He rotates strike without any trouble. |
| 112.5 : M Marsh to Kohli, Shaping away late from around off, on a good length, Kohli strides forward and blocks by reaching out. |
| 112.6 : M Marsh to Kohli, A length ball once more, wider of off on this occasion, VK lets it through to the keeper. |
| 113.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! Hundred for Cheteshwar Pujara, his 17th in this format. Take a bow, maestro. Another gritty knock. Has to be up there with one of his best knocks. He's played Lyon so well and continues to do so even now. Gives the charge and drills it through mid off to find the fence and get to the milestone. |
| 113.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Short and flat, pulled away on the leg side. |
| 113.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flat and on the stumps, worked to square leg but straight to the fielder. |
| 113.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 113.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Takes a step out of the crease and defends it with the full face. |
| 113.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Stays back and keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 114.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, Rising off the deck as it lands on a length wide outside off, Virat Kohli leaves it alone. |
| 114.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Marginally ahead of a length and just outside off, it's kept out by coming half-forward. |
| 114.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, Too far outside off, some shape away and not much bounce on it. Kohli makes an easy leave. |
| 114.4 : M Marsh to V Kohli, Full and straight from Mitchell Marsh, Kohli drives with the full face of the bat but finds mid on. |
| 114.5 : M Marsh to Kohli, Fires it full, keeps it outside off, Virat drives but straight to the mid off fielder. |
| 114.6 : M Marsh to Kohli, Needs to bring it in a touch closer. Marsh once again serves it around off, Kohli leaves it alone. |
| 115.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted delivery on middle stump, defended stoutly towards short mid-wicket. |
| 115.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, The 150-run partnership is up between these two. Around leg, Pujara helps it fine down the leg side and comes back for the second. |
| 115.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floats it across, around off and fuller in length, Che blocks with a straight blade in response. |
| 115.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman is out of the crease and blocks the ball before it can turn. |
| 115.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Bit quicker through the air, on middle and leg, defended off the inner portion towards the square leg area. |
| 115.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Cheteshwar Pujara has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 116.1 : M Marsh to Kohli, No ball! The first one of this Test match. Marsh oversteps as he lands it on a length outside off, Kohli defends it on the off side. |
| M Marsh to Kohli, Short of a good length around off, moving away from the batsman off the seam, Kohli stands tall and punches it to short extra cover. |
| 116.2 : M Marsh to Kohli, Well wide outside off, an easy leave for the batsman. |
| 116.3 : M Marsh to Kohli, In the air and it's just wide! Too far outside off and it's moving away, Kohli reaches out for it and gets it off the outer half towards point. Finch, with his helmet on for some reason, dives low to his right but can't reach the ball. The batsmen take a single. |
| 116.4 : M Marsh to Pujara, Wide! Way outside off, it goes across the other side of the tramline, so the umpire signals a wide. |
| M Marsh to Pujara, Seaming away from a good length, left alone. |
| 116.5 : M Marsh to Pujara, Pujara keeps his eyes on the ball, watches it land well outside off and doesn't bother himself with it. |
| 116.6 : M Marsh to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, Pujara opens the face of the bat and runs it past the man at gully for a single. LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| One more session in India's pocket. The runs might have not come in bulk, but the visitors did not lose a single wicket. Pujara scored his ton, while Kohli has cautiously been going about his business as well. There were a couple of nervy moments, especially for the Indian skipper, but luck seems to be with him today. Australia needed early wickets but they failed to get any. The surface today is the best one for batting, and the second session is only going to get better under the baking sun. T |
| ... Second Day, Afternoon Session ... |
| We are back for the 2nd session on Day 2. Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and the fielders make their way to the middle along with the umpires. Pujara will take strike, bowling to him will be Pat Cummins. |
| 117.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short of a length ball on top of off stump, Pujara pats it back calmly to the bowler. |
| 117.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on top of off again, straight bat presented once more. |
| 117.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, At the hips, turned around towards square leg. |
| 117.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Another short of a length delivery at the hips, worked to a backward square leg in the circle. |
| 117.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and outside off, Che comes ahead and defends to the cover fielder. |
| 117.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A length ball to end the first over after Lunch. Pujara plays it towards mid on. Maiden over. |
| Mitchell Starc to bowl from the other end. |
| 118.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Short ball down the leg side, Kohli goes for the hook but misses his shot. Looks like a set plan. |
| 118.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Short of a length ball on top of middle, VK defends back to the bowler. |
| 118.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Very short and some width outside off, Kohli gets on top of the bounce and cuts towards covers and gets off strike. |
| 118.4 : M Starc to Pujara, The ball lobs up in the air but lands in no man's land. Bouncer to Pujara, climbs up a lot on him and he isn't in control as he tries to fend it off. The ball hits the glove and lobs onto the leg side in the vacant area. Single taken. |
| 118.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Another effort ball just outside off, Kohli controls this one beautifully as he taps it down wide of point for a single. |
| 118.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Down leg side and almost halfway down the track, Pujara tries to play the ball but misses. |
| 119.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball on off stump, Kohli comes ahead and defends it towards cover. |
| 119.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Good length ball outside off, comes in slightly after landing. VK lets it go after gauging the line and length. |
| 119.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball on top of off, Virat just defends this onto the pitch. |
| 119.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Overpitched and too straight, Kohli flicks it beautifully into the vacant mid-wicket area. Three runs taken, Kohli wanted the fourth but Pujara was not ready for it. The field is predominantly off side for the Indian skipper and thus, Cummins can't afford to stray onto the pads. |
| 119.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer aimed at the head, CP ducks under it. |
| 119.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball just outside off, Pujara defends towards point. |
| 120.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Good bouncer! Well-aimed but Kohli does well to duck and leave it. |
| 120.2 : M Starc to Kohli, Inside edge! Short length ball and Kohli looks to pull this one. Seems like he is into his shot too early and he gets an inside edge into the pads. Or maybe the ball held up a bit in the pitch. |
| 120.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Bouncer! Another duck from Virat. |
| 120.4 : M Starc to Kohli, Almost a similar ball and a similar reaction from VK. |
| 120.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Length ball outside off, Kohli pushes it back defensively to the bowler. |
| 120.6 : M Starc to Kohli, Single to end the over. Short ball pulled away by the Indian skipper to deep square leg as he retains strike. |
| 121.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball outside off, left alone by Kohli. |
| 121.2 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Well outside off, VK isn't drawn into the shot. |
| Between the last over and the beginning of this one, Virat Kohli was seen with the physio. Maybe a stiff/sore back which he felt during that pull shot. Seems okay though, looks fine to continue. |
| 121.3 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Length ball just outside off, defended towards cover. |
| 121.4 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, No carry there and it is difficult for Paine to collect it. The ball on a length outside off, bounces awkwardly in front of the keeper as Kohli shoulders arms. A bye is taken. |
| 121.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball defended with a straight bat back to Pat. |
| 121.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A play and a miss! Pujara tries to cut a length ball outside off, misses the ball and it goes to Paine behind. |
| 122.1 : M Starc to Kohli, Short ball on middle, Kohli who was struggling with his back decides to pull it standing tall in his crease. The ball is in the air but safe. Doesn't have legs on it to reach the fence but it is an easy three. |
| 122.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Urgency in the running here! Pujara drops this one on the off side and sets off for a quick single. Quick response from his skipper too. |
| 122.3 : M Starc to Kohli, Short length delivery on middle, nudged towards mid-wicket. |
| 122.4 : M Starc to V Kohli, FOUR! Kohli has had enough of the short ball barrage. He pulls this short ball on middle almost to long on, just wide. No fielder present there and the ball goes all the way to the fence. |
| 122.5 : M Starc to Kohli, OUT! The partnership of 170 has finally been broken. Kohli has guided this straight down the throat of third man. Short of a length again outside off, Kohli goes for the deliberate lift wanting to get it over the fence at third man but doesn't have the pace on this one. It only goes right to a perfectly positioned fielder out there and a breakthrough for the Aussies. In the last two overs, he was looking a little stiff and was going for more shots than throughout the inn |
| Ajinkya Rahane walks in at number 5, replacing his skipper. |
| 122.6 : M Starc to Rahane, Short of a length delivery on middle and leg, Rahane gets on top and defends it watchfully. |
| 123.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery outside off, dabbed wide of point for a single. |
| 123.2 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball, attacking the off stump this time, Rahane gets right behind the line and defends. |
| 123.3 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, On middle and leg, Rahane moves inside the line and works it behind square leg for a run. |
| 123.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short ball angling in on middle and leg, Che ducks and avoids it. |
| 123.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Coming in at first but then straightening up a shade, Pujara gets a safe leading edge back down the track. |
| 123.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full in length, just around off and moving away slightly, it's defended with the full face of the bat. |
| 124.1 : M Starc to Rahane, Cut away beautifully by Rahane. Short and wide outside off, the Indian vice-captain is playing his shots and has placed this well through the covers. The batsmen have taken a triple by the time the ball comes back. |
| 124.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Length ball on off stump, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 124.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Well outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 124.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Shorter and wide outside off, Che climbs on top and tries to cut it away but the ball goes to the point fielder. |
| 124.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Short ball on middle and the batsman stands tall to defend from the crease. |
| 124.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Short ball and wide outside the off stump. Left alone by Pujara to end the over. |
| 125.1 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball at the hips, worked away behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 125.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, This ball rears up from a good length and Pujara does well to remove his bottom hand and ensure that the ball doesn't go in the air. Looks like the ball has pinged off his glove. |
| The physio is out there to inspect Pujara's fingers. The ball seemed to have gone off the glove and Che needs some kind of attention here. Hopefully it will not be a serious injury and he should be good to continue. |
| 125.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on the pads, Pujara looks gingerly as he plays this towards the leg side. |
| 125.4 : Cummins to C Pujara, OUT! Bowled 'em! This has snuck through and Pujara can't believe that he has been bowled. But he will have to go. One brings two as they say. Cummins and the Aussies have struck against the run of play again. This ball on length has kept low and Pujara who was on his toes expecting the ball to rise a bit more is undone by the bounce or the lack of it one should say. Maybe the knock to his finger made him go on his toes initially as a trigger movement. The ball knocks |
| Rohit Sharma is in at number 6. |
| 125.5 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Solid defense to a length ball first up by Rohit. |
| 125.6 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Slightly fuller and on middle, kept out with a straight bat. |
| Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack, replacing Mitchell Starc. |
| 126.1 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Outside off and left alone by Rahane. Came in slightly after landing but it was well judged by Jinks. |
| 126.2 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, This is more outside off and left alone easily. |
| 126.3 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, FOUR BYES! The ball has flown out of nowhere and beaten the keeper too. Effort ball on middle and Rahane sways out of the way. Paine jumps to catch but cannot hold on to the ball as it goes off his glove and to the fence. The 300 also comes up for the Indians with these extra runs. |
| 126.4 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Shorter ball at the hips, worked on the leg side. |
| 126.5 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Short again, Rahane brings out the pull for a single to deep square leg. |
| 126.6 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Well outside off and Rohit shoulders arms to end the over. |
| 127.1 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball to which Rahane comes a bit ahead and defends with soft hands. |
| 127.2 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Fuller length ball outside off, Jinks comes ahead and defends it towards cover. |
| 127.3 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, In the air but safe! This ball on a length has got stuck in the pitch again it looks like. It climbs a bit more as well and Rahane who was into his shot early gets the ball high on his bat. The ball lobs up but luckily for Ajinkya, it is short of the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 127.4 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Fuller ball and this time it is driven with some good timing through the covers for a couple. |
| 127.5 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Short ball on middle and Rahane brings out the pull on this occasion towards deep mid-wicket for another two. |
| 127.6 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Dot ball to end an eventful over. Some excitement suddenly in the match. Length ball on leg stump is worked away on the leg side. |
| 128.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Outside the off stump, well left by Rohit. |
| 128.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Defended on the front foot towards the mid off region. |
| 128.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the ball. |
| 128.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Fuller length outside off, Sharma comes ahead and defends it onto the ground on the off side. |
| 128.5 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Short of a length aimed at the head again, Rohit takes it on this time as he swivels and pulls it away behind square on the leg side. He is in control of the shot, getting off the mark with a single. |
| 128.6 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, FOUR! Wonderfully played late cut! Almost off the off stump. Short of a length ball on top of off stump, Rahane rocks back and cuts it away very late and in the gap through point and gully for a boundary. Lovely shot to end the over. |
| Drinks break. Australia's hour after a pretty long time in the game. They have managed to see the back of Pujara and Kohli. The Indians are still slightly ahead at 313/4 and Rahane looking good in the limited time he has been out there but, the Aussies surely have got an opportunity to come back strongly if they pick up a couple more quickly. Nathan Lyon to resume after Drinks. |
| 129.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flatter ball on middle, Rohit rocks back and works it away to deep square leg for a run. |
| 129.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flighted ball outside off, Rahane comes ahead and defends this one. Close to the pad but Jinx does well to get outside the line of off stump. |
| 129.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Another forward defensive shot to this looped ball outside off. |
| 129.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Charges down the wicket and defends this flatter ball. |
| 129.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Shorter ball that keeps straight, Rahane waits on the back foot and cuts it very fine and late. He picks up an easy couple. |
| 129.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flatter ball on middle, Rahane whips it away to deep square leg for another run. |
| 130.1 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Length ball on middle and leg, Rahane gets inside the line of the ball and works it around the corner for a single. |
| 130.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Short of a length ball outside off, Rohit stands tall and dead-bats. Rahane was looking for a quick single but is sent back sensibly by his partner. |
| 130.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Short length ball on the pads, tucked towards mid-wicket. |
| 130.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Beaten all ends up! Outside off on a length, Rohit covers his off stump and tries to defend but the ball straightens and beats his outside edge on its way through to the keeper. What was also noticeable is that the ball keeps low to Paine and goes on a bounce. |
| 130.5 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Length ball at the pads, nudged away in the gap towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 130.6 : J Hazlewood to Rahane, Bouncer! Rahane lets the ball fly through. |
| 131.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Quicker and straighter around off, Rohit is well forward in defense. |
| 131.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, Fuller and outside off, Rohit prods forward and blocks it out. |
| 131.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Slower through the air, spinning in from around off, another front foot block from the batsman. |
| 131.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Tossed up on off stump, it's played back down the track to the bowler. |
| 131.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Goes with the spin and works it to short mid-wicket. |
| 131.6 : N Lyon to R Sharma, The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total. |
| 132.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Length delivery targeting the top of off stump, Sharma stays behind the line and defends. |
| 132.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 132.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Too straight in line, it's defensively pushed away on the leg side. |
| 132.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, FOUR! That's the first boundary for Rohit Sharma. Superbly played. Sees the ball landing short, so he rocks back and decides to take the pull shot on. Places it through mid-wicket and finds the fence. |
| 132.5 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Attacks the stumps, blocked with a straight blade in response. |
| 132.6 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Slightly fullish in length, on off stump, Sharma is rock solid in defense. |
| 133.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, The off break around off, spins in, Rahane turns it away on the leg side for no run. |
| 133.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Uses his feet to skip down and ease it to long on for one. |
| 133.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Quite slow through the air as it's landed outside off, Rohit pushes it gently in front of covers. |
| 133.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Rohit taps this square on the off side and takes off. Harris from short cover rushes to his left and throws it to the keeper, but Rahane dives well before there's any danger. |
| 133.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Too straight in line, worked off the pads carefully. |
| 133.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Floats it up on off, spins a touch with some extra bounce, catches Rahane on the pads as he presses forward to defend. |
| Mitchell Starc returns to the attack. |
| 134.1 : M Starc to R Sharma, Full in length from around the wicket, outside off, it's driven to the covers but straight to the fielder there. |
| 134.2 : M Starc to Sharma, Angling in from around off, it's run down to gully from inside the crease. |
| 134.3 : M Starc to Sharma, Starc comes from wide of the crease and angles in a fullish length ball, Sharma defends with the full face. |
| 134.4 : M Starc to Sharma, Spears it in full once more, on middle, Rohit plays it around his pads as he works it in front of square leg. |
| 134.5 : M Starc to Sharma, Shortish delivery pounded in, on off and angling back in. Rohit is on his toes as he defends it down right under his nose. |
| 134.6 : Starc to Sharma, Shouts of a leg before, but turned down. Height seems to be the issue. Starc generates some extra pace and serves it on off, it beats the outside edge of Rohit's bat and catches him high on the thigh pad of the back leg. Good call from the umpire. |
| 135.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Around the wicket, flatter in length, Rahane pushes it back to Lyon. |
| 135.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, FOUR! Rocks back and handsomely cuts this away! Short and outside off, Rahane uses his back foot brilliantly to make room and put this away to the point fence. Gets into the 20s with this boundary. |
| 135.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flatter ball and Rahane defends from within the crease. |
| 135.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Fuller in length outside off, Rahane prods ahead and dead-bats. |
| 135.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Shorter in length, Rahane stands tall and defends with a straight bat. |
| 135.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Looped up on middle, a front foot defense to end the over. |
| 136.1 : M Starc to Sharma, Full and outside off, Rohit Sharma leans into the cover drive and places it nicely in the gap through point and cover. Comes back for three runs. The score is now 333. |
| 136.2 : M Starc to Rahane, Rising off the deck, well outside off. Rahane has room to work with so he throws his bat at it. Fails to make connection though. |
| 136.3 : M Starc to Rahane, Fullish in length on the off stick, driven back down but to the man at mid off. |
| 136.4 : M Starc to Rahane, Nicely done. Shortish and just outside off, Rahane with an angled bat steers it past the diving gully fielder. Two runs are taken. |
| 136.5 : M Starc to Rahane, This full ball is pushed tamely towards the mid off fielder. No run taken. |
| 136.6 : M Starc to Rahane, At 146 kph, Starc angles in a length ball close to off, Jinx positions himself well behind the line and defends it on the off side. |
| Mitchell Marsh is called back on. |
| 137.1 : M Marsh to Sharma, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 137.2 : M Marsh to Sharma, Touch straight in line, on a length, Rohit moves inside the line before clipping it behind square leg for one. |
| 137.3 : M Marsh to Rahane, Bowls it down the leg side, the batsman has nothing to do with it. |
| A silly mid on is in place. |
| 137.4 : M Marsh to Rahane, Fuller length delivery very close to off, Rahane responds with a straight bat in defense. |
| 137.5 : M Marsh to Rahane, Doesn't give much room, pitches it on a length on off, it's kept out from within the crease. |
| 137.6 : M Marsh to Rahane, With the keeper up to the stumps now, Marsh bowls it on leg. It goes off Rahane's pads who misses the flick. A leg bye is collected. |
| Change of ends for Nathan Lyon. |
| 138.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Looped up off break around off, pushed away to the covers. |
| 138.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Comes down the track, takes it on the full and knocks it to long on for one run. |
| 138.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flights it up on off, Rohit is well forward in defense. |
| 138.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Quite slow through the air, around off, kept out from within the crease. |
| 138.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Rohit goes deep inside the crease, goes with the turn and works it to short leg. |
| 138.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Lyon nicely tosses it up around off, Rohit plants his front foot forward and meets it with the straight bat. |
| 139.1 : M Marsh to Rahane, Back of a length coming in on leg, Rahane works it off the hips behind square leg for a single. |
| 139.2 : M Marsh to Sharma, Too straight in line, flicked to the man at square leg for nothing. |
| 139.3 : M Marsh to Sharma, Some movement in the air as Marsh bowls it on middle, comes back in, defended right under the batsman's nose. |
| 139.4 : M Marsh to Sharma, Tight line as Marsh keeps it on a length just outside off, Sharma pats it down square on the off side. |
| 139.5 : M Marsh to Sharma, Fires this full and on the pads, flicked straight to square leg. |
| 139.6 : M Marsh to Sharma, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 140.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Quicker and straighter, full outside off, Rahane comes ahead and defensively punches it towards point. |
| 140.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Short and flat outside off, he goes back again and taps it down square on the off side. |
| 140.3 : N Lyon to A Rahane, Flighted ball on off, Rahane gets close to the pitch and wrists it to wide mid on before the ball can turn. |
| 140.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Quicker through the air and shorter in length, Ajinkya presents a defensive bat in response. |
| 140.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Knocks this down the ground to long on and crosses over. |
| 140.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Some nice air on this as Lyon pitches it on a driving length around off, Rohit comes forward and defends it solidly. |
| 141.1 : M Marsh to Rahane, On a length and it shapes back in, Rahane places the flick through square leg and comes back for the second. |
| 141.2 : M Marsh to Rahane, FOUR LEG BYES! Poor line and he pays the price for it. Going down leg, Rahane looks to flick it fine, does so but off the pads. It races away to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 141.3 : M Marsh to Rahane, Length ball outside off, Rahane comes half-forward and blocks off the middle of the bat. |
| 141.4 : M Marsh to Rahane, Well outside off, on a length once again, one more defensive shot offered. |
| 141.5 : M Marsh to Rahane, Keeps a little low as it's on the pads, worked to square leg. Dot ball. |
| 141.6 : M Marsh to Rahane, Angling back in on middle and leg, Rahane adjusts inside the crease before blocking it down on the track beside him on the leg side. |
| 142.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Looped up on the stumps, blocked from the front foot. |
| 142.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, Keeps it full and straight, pushed away by coming forward. |
| 142.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 142.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, A lot of loop on this, Sharma meets the ball with the full face. |
| 142.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flighted ball served on off, pushed to the cover area. |
| 142.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Stays right behind the line of this one and blocks it out. TEA ON DAY 2! |
| Probably for the first time in this Test match, that a session has been shared by both teams, to a certain degree at least. Starc and Cummins dismissed the two set batsmen, Kohli and Pujara respectively, and gave their side some hope. But since then, Rohit and Rahane have taking things under their control and even accelerated somewhat, especially the latter. 69 runs were added in this session, out of which 47 have come between the current pair. Maybe the Australians could take advantage in the f |
| ... Second Day, Evening Session ... |
| We are back for the final session of the day. Rohit and Rahane take their positions as do the fielders. Rahane will face the first ball to be bowled by Pat Cummins. |
| 143.1 : Pat Cummins to A Rahane, Fuller length ball on off, Rahane is ahead and drives this to Starc at mid on. |
| 143.2 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball outside off, kept out watchfully towards cover. |
| 143.3 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Drifting onto the pads, Rahane flicks it beautifully but just for a single to deep square leg. |
| 143.4 : Pat Cummins to R Sharma, Luck favors Rohit here! Three men out there and ther ball has gone right between the two gullies. Length ball wide outside off, Rohit with absolutely no foot movement whatsover just hangs his bat out at this one. The ball takes an edge and flies in the gap. Single taken down to third man. |
| 143.5 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Short length ball that keeps a tad bit low, Rahane stays low and keeps it out. |
| 143.6 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, At the pads, Rahane drops it on the leg side and the batsmen scurry through for a quick single. |
| Nathan Lyon to bowl from the other end. |
| 144.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Full and Rahane uses his feet to drive it down the ground. Lyon moves quickly to his right and stops the single. |
| 144.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flatter ball on middle, kept out on the leg side. |
| 144.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Another quicker one on middle, worked away on the leg side. |
| 144.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Jinx is down the track and blocks the ball. |
| 144.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Shorter length ball, Rahane has time to defend from within the crease. |
| 144.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Comes down the wicket again to this flatter ball but defends it in the end. Maiden over. |
| 145.1 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Outside off and left alone by Rohit. |
| 145.2 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Fuller length outside off, Sharma is half ahead as he defends the ball. |
| 145.3 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Shorter length ball and Rohit defends from within the crease. The batsmen pick up a quick single as well. Brings up the 350 for India. |
| 145.4 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length delivery that Rahane has to keep low to defend. The ball had kept low once more. |
| 145.5 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball on off stump, Jinx defends towards cover on the back foot. |
| 145.6 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length delivery on middle, defensively pushed to mid on. |
| 146.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Beaten! The arm ball from Lyon foxes Rohit who was playing for the spin and he is beaten as he is late on the cut. |
| 146.2 : Lyon to Sharma, Loud appeal there! The ball seems to be doing a little too much there and might have missed leg stump. Ian Gould is unmoved. Looped up on off and Rohit who was trying to work it on the leg side misses and gets rapped on the pads. The Aussies decide not to go upstairs. Replays show the ball would have missed the stumps. |
| 146.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Fuller outside off, Rohit comes ahead and defends. |
| 146.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Another tentative defense from Rohit to this one looped up around off. |
| 146.5 : Lyon to R Sharma, DROPPED! The 12th man, Siddle has put down a sitter here. The ball was looped up around off and Rohit who was looking nervous defending the ball goes for a sweep but only manages to top edge it towards the leg side. Peter Siddle who moves to his right seems to lose the ball and drops an easy catch. The ball rolls down and the batsmen cross ends. Lyon should have had his first one there. |
| 146.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Almost got him! Lyon gets this ball to bounce off a good length and spin as well. Rahane who was trying to flick it gets a slight feather on it and the ball goes on the pad and lobs towards Travis Head at short leg who can't react quick enough to grab the ball. Maybe the after effects of being on the field for 5 sessions. Lyon has every right to feel disappointed here. |
| 147.1 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, FOUR! Shot. Width on offer and shorter outside off, Sharma gets on top of the bounce and punches it square through point for a boundary. |
| 147.2 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. |
| 147.3 : Pat Cummins to R Sharma, Short ball into the body, Rohit rides the bounce and pulls it through the vacant square leg area. It won't go all the way, but it's enough to fetch him three runs. |
| 147.4 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Works it away into the leg side for a single. |
| 147.5 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Bit fullish and outside off, patted away to the covers for no run. |
| 147.6 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Good length delivery on the fifth stump line, Sharma pants his front foot forward and pushes it in front of covers. |
| 148.1 : N Lyon to A Rahane, Flighted one outside off, Rahane comes down the track and pushes it to long on for a single. |
| 148.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, Oooh! Rohit is looking very uncomfortable against Lyon here. Comes down the wicket and tries to adjust while defending this flatter one outside off, takes a feather, goes onto the pad and lobs towards short leg but just short of him. Lucky for Rohit yet again. |
| 148.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Outside off, kept out towards point by Sharma. |
| 148.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Outside off and Rohit plays it wide of the slip fielder for a single. |
| 148.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Short and Rahane pulls this ball but straight to the square leg fielder in the circle. No single available. |
| 148.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, OUT! Keeps low yet again and that is as plumb as it gets! Lyon has his first of the match and his first LBW of the series. Flatter ball on off and turns in while not even rising off the ground. Rahane who was stuck in the crease to play off the back foot is helpless and can't get bat on ball. The ball raps him bang in front and it is a very easy decision for the umpire. Rahane doesn't even consider reviewing as he walks off. 62-run stand between the two R's has been brok |
| Rishabh Pant walks out to the middle next. |
| 149.1 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Lovely looking shot from the Hitman to begin the 150th over. The ball on length is pushed into the vacant cover region off the front foot. The batsmen pick up an easy three. |
| 149.2 : Pat Cummins to Pant, First ball to Pant, well outside off and left alone. |
| 149.3 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Pant shoulders arms to this one once more. |
| 149.4 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Short of a length ball that rears up a lot more than expected. Pant manages to fend this away on the leg side after jumping on his toes. |
| 149.5 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Short and outside off, Pant is off the mark with a cut towards the deep point region and a single is taken. |
| 149.6 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Good ball to end the over! On a length and straightens after landing. Rohit adjusts and defends it towards point in the end. |
| 150.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on off, Pant tries to cut but gets an under edge that bounces and goes to Paine. |
| 150.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Outside the off stump and left alone by Rishabh. |
| 150.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Left alone outside the off stump once more. |
| 150.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted delivery outside off, Pant comes ahead and defends it towards the off side. |
| 150.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Shorter ball to which Pant plays a defensive push from within the crease. |
| 150.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Another quicker ball outside off, Pant pushes this powerfully towards cover. No run though. Maiden over. |
| Josh Hazlewood into the attack now. |
| 151.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Fuller length outside off to start, Rohit drives it in the gap on the off side towards cover and gets another three. |
| 151.2 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Length ball outside off stump, Pant reaches out and defends. |
| 151.3 : Hazlewood to Pant, Yorker length outside off, taken on the full by Pant as he digs it out towards mid off. |
| 151.4 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Short of a length outside off, Pant pushes the ball towards cover-point. |
| 151.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Another short length ball on top of off stump, Rishabh defends from within the crease. |
| 151.6 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Length ball on the pads, Pant gets a nudged single towards mid-wicket and retains strike. |
| 152.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on off, Pant defends by bringing the bat down just in time. |
| 152.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Short and wide outside off, cut away to sweeper cover by the southpaw for a single. |
| 152.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Arm ball outside off and Rohit pushes it towards cover-point for a run. |
| 152.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Quicker ball outside off, Pant keeps it out on the off side. |
| 152.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Another ball on a length and off stump, kept out by the wicket-keeper bat. |
| 152.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Short of a length and Pant stands within his crease as he punches it towards mid on but the fielder moves quickly to stop the ball and prevents the single. 2 runs off this over. |
| 153.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, FOUR! Short and outside off, Rohit dabs it down through slip and gully for a boundary. Indian move to 375 and Rohit moves to 35. |
| 153.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Another similar ball and this time Sharma taps it to the other side of gully and picks up a couple. 6 runs off the first two balls of this over. |
| 153.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Bouncer aimed at the head, Rohit gets on his toes and pulls it away to deep fine leg for a single. |
| 153.4 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Length ball outside off, Pant pushes this ball to mid off. |
| 153.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Wide outside off and left alone by the left-hander. |
| 153.6 : J Hazlewood to R Pant, Short ball aimed at the head of Pant, the batsman takes it on and pulls it away to deep square leg for a single. Keeps the strike. 8 runs off the over. |
| 154.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 154.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Quicker one full outside off, Pant comes ahead and defends it to cover. |
| 154.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Shorter length and Rishabh rocks back and pushes this towards long on, slightly in the air but well away from the fielder at short mid-wicket. Single taken. |
| 154.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flatter ball outside off, Rohit come ahead and dead-bats this ball. |
| 154.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Another flighted one outside off, Sharma defends comfortably. |
| 154.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Looped up outside off, Rohit comes ahead and smothers the ball onto the pitch. |
| 155.1 : M Marsh to Pant, Wide outside off on a length, Pant lets it go. |
| 155.2 : M Marsh to Pant, Length ball on off stump, Pant tries to whip it away on the leg side but mistimes the ball to mid-wicket. |
| 155.3 : M Marsh to Pant, FOUR! Full and outside off and Pant goes for the lofted drive over cover this time. Gets the placement right and the ball has enough on it to just trickle over the rope in the end. |
| 155.4 : M Marsh to Pant, Loud appeal! There certainly looked sounded like some noise there. The Aussies go up but the umpire doesn't bulge. Length ball outside off, Pant tries to drive this one but there is daylight between bat and ball as the replays show. The fielders have a talk and decide not to review. |
| 155.5 : M Marsh to Pant, Left alone outside off this time. |
| 155.6 : M Marsh to Pant, Length ball outside off, Pant pushes this to point and brings an end to the over. The second new ball will be available in 4 overs. |
| 156.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flatter delivery outside off, Rohit comes ahead and pushes the ball to the bowler. |
| 156.2 : N Lyon to R Sharma, Fuller and outside off, Rohit comes down the track and pushes the ball to long on for a single. That's the hundred, for Lyon. |
| 156.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter outside off, pushed to cover. |
| 156.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Another quicker ball outside off stump, the ball is pushed towards cover again. |
| 156.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Looped up outside off, Pant comes ahead and defends on the front foot to the fielder at cover. |
| 156.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Shorter length and fired in at the pads, Pant works it away behind square on the leg side for a single and keeps strike. |
| 157.1 : M Marsh to Pant, A flashy cut and a miss from Pant! The length ball outside off and straightening slightly after landing, the batsman tries to cut but misses the ball. |
| 157.2 : M Marsh to Pant, Outside off, Pant stands in his crease and pushes it to point. |
| 157.3 : M Marsh to R Pant, FOUR! 'That's the way to play', yelps Michael Clarke on air. Short and on length at Marsh's pace, easy pickings for Pant as he swivels and hoicks this over square leg for a boundary. Good batting this. |
| 157.4 : M Marsh to Pant, Short of a length outside off, punched towards the covers. |
| 157.5 : M Marsh to Pant, Beaten! The ball is on a short length outside off and Pant goes for the cut yet again without foot movement and is beaten on the outside. Unlucky Marsh has beaten the outside edge on multiple occasions today without success. |
| 157.6 : M Marsh to Pant, Length ball on off, Pant tries to defend it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls onto the off side and the batsmen take a quick single. |
| 158.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball outside off, kept out easily. |
| 158.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Another ball that is well outside off, Pant comes ahead and defends the ball. |
| 158.3 : N Lyon to Pant, Quick, fired in on middle and leg. Pant is not outfoxed by the speed and pushes it out. |
| 158.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter outside off, defended on the front foot. |
| 158.5 : N Lyon to Pant, DROPPED! Straight into the hands and out! Flighted outside off and Pant goes for the big one over long on. Doesn't connect properly and the ball goes straight to Cummins positioned there. He just can't hold on to the catch. Single taken. Lyon cannot believe his luck here. The Aussies are looking a pretty tired unit. Can't afford to be loose now. |
| 158.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Fuller and pushed down to long on for a single. Rohit moves into the 40s. Keeps strike for the next over. |
| 159.1 : M Marsh to Sharma, Angling back in on middle and leg, worked down on the leg side with gentle hands. |
| 159.2 : M Marsh to Sharma, Fraction straight in line, on a length again, turned away on the leg side once more. |
| 159.3 : M Marsh to Sharma, Rohit closes the face of the bat and finds the fielder positioned in front of square leg. |
| 159.4 : M Marsh to Sharma, Some room on offer outside off, Sharma pushes it square to point and gets to the other end. |
| 159.5 : M Marsh to Pant, Good length delivery, shaping away from around off, Pant moves a step across and blocks it out. |
| 159.6 : M Marsh to Pant, Yorker outside off, Pant digs it out in front of covers to end the over. |
| 160.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flighted on middle, pushed down the ground for a single to long on. |
| 160.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on off, pushed towards point. |
| 160.3 : N Lyon to Pant, The ball is quicker and fired at middle, Pant pushes it back to Lyon. |
| 160.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter delivery outside off, punched down to long off for a single. |
| 160.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Another misfield, this time by Travis Head at short leg. Flighted ball on middle, Rohit works this on the leg side. Head, at short leg doesn't react quickly enough and allows the ball to go through. Single taken. |
| 160.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Flatter ball on off stump, defended watchfully towards cover. |
| Drinks break. A long period of play after Tea. Australia picked up the wicket of Rahane and could have had Rohit, as well as Pant, had they held on to the chances that came their way. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and India have moved on to 397, having added 51 runs in the session so far. What will be interesting is to see if India will want to have a go at the Aussie openers for a few overs before Stumps or will they continue batting and pile on as much as they can. |
| 161.1 : M Marsh to Sharma, Length ball outside off, Rohit drives this well off the back foot for a single wide of mid off. |
| 161.2 : M Marsh to Pant, Outside off and Pant pushes it away towards cover and gets to the other end. |
| 161.3 : M Marsh to Sharma, Length ball at the hips, worked away but Rohit doesn't want the run as the ball is too close to the fielder. |
| 161.4 : M Marsh to Sharma, Fuller length on off stump, Rohit drives this off the front foot to mid off. |
| 161.5 : M Marsh to Sharma, FOUR! Half-tracker from Marsh and at his speed, Rohit will always pounce on this length. Sharma pulls this away in the air and no fielder out there in the deep. The ball runs away to the fence and Rohit moves onto 48. 400 comes up for the visitors. |
| 161.6 : M Marsh to Sharma, Length ball on middle, pushed away back down the ground. |
| 162.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Slower through the air from around the wicket, on middle, it's worked on the leg side from the back foot. A single is collected. |
| 162.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, Over the wicket now, it's turning in from outside off, Sharma meets the ball with the full face. |
| 162.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Comes down the track and wrists this tossed up ball to long on for one run. |
| 162.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Back to around the wicket, it's darted full and on the stumps, played back to the bowler. |
| 162.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Flat and short around off, Pant backs away and places the punch to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 162.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Tad straight in line, it's worked off the pads for no run. |
| Aaron Finch is brought into the attack. |
| 163.1 : A Finch to Pant, Half tracker around leg, Pant defends it down on the leg side. |
| 163.2 : A Finch to Pant, Goes on the back foot and flicks it straight to the man in front of square leg. |
| 163.3 : A Finch to Pant, Walks down the track to this short ball and punches it to long on for a run. |
| 163.4 : A Finch to Sharma, Fifty for Rohit Sharma, his 10th in this format. Well-deserved too. He was surely feeling a lot of pressure, will definitely take some off from his shoulders. He walks down the track and knocks it to long off for a single. |
| 163.5 : A Finch to Pant, Pant skips down the track and blocks it. |
| 163.6 : A Finch to Pant, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 164.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Spinning in on middle and leg, blocked. |
| 164.2 : N Lyon to Pant, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 164.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Rohit walks down the track and meets the ball at its pitch. |
| 164.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Stays right behind the line and blocks it out. |
| 164.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Picks it off his pads and turns it away with the spin into the leg side. |
| 164.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Rohit Sharma shows the full face of the bat as he defends from the back foot. |
| 165.1 : A Finch to Pant, Fuller ball outside off, driven down to long off for a single. 50-run stand is up between these two. |
| 165.2 : A Finch to Sharma, Flatter ball outside off, Rohit looks to defend but the ball goes towards square leg off the inner half of the bat. |
| 165.3 : A Finch to Sharma, Flatter ball outside off, punched to long on for a single. |
| 165.4 : A Finch to Pant, Flighted and Pant lofts this towards long on for a single. |
| 165.5 : A Finch to Sharma, Another half-tracker from Finch and pushed away to long for another single. |
| 165.6 : A Finch to Pant, Single down to long on to end the over and Pant keeps strike. |
| The third new ball has been taken by Australia and Mitchell Starc will bowl the first over with the new cherry. |
| 166.1 : M Starc to Pant, Shaping back in on middle and leg, Pant picks it off his pads and flicks it through square leg. Big gap out there, a triple results. |
| 166.2 : Starc to Sharma, Yorker fired in on middle and off, Rohit does well to jam it out back down the track. |
| 166.3 : M Starc to Sharma, Wide yorker outside off, fired well across, Rohit gets low, opens the bat face and squeezes it to third man for a run. |
| 166.4 : M Starc to Pant, A full outswinging delivery outside off, Pant leans into the shot and drives it through the covers. He runs the first one hard and manages to come back for the second. |
| 166.5 : M Starc to Pant, Goes for the yorker, ends up dishing out an overpitched delivery outside off. Pant drills it through the covers for two more. |
| 166.6 : M Starc to R Pant, Back of a length coming into the body, Pant looks to take the pull shot on. It goes off the glove and rolls down towards fine leg. One run collected. 9 have come from this over. |
| Josh Hazlewood to share the new ball with Starc. |
| 167.1 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Length delivery angled across, outside off. Pant looks to cut as it keeps a touch low. Finds deep point and gets to the other end. |
| 167.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Some extra bounce as Hazlewood lands it on a length around off, Rohit looks to cut it late down to third man but misses. |
| 167.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Big swing and a miss! Length delivery outside off, Rohit looks to go big downtown. Only ends up connecting with thin air though. |
| 167.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Spills it on the pads, Sharma easily works it past the square leg fielder and three runs are taken. |
| 167.5 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Full ball outside the line of off stump, driven with the full face but straight to mid off. |
| 167.6 : J Hazlewood to Pant, Josh makes it go away from outside off, Pant gets behind the line and defends. |
| 168.1 : M Starc to Sharma, Fires a fuller length delivery well outside off, Sharma uses the angle away from him as he drives it hard to covers. Can't beat the fielder there. |
| 168.2 : M Starc to Sharma, FOUR! He's taking the attack to Mitchell Starc. The Hitman going for it now. Full and wide outside off, Rohit Sharma drives this through the line and finds the gap between extra cover and mid off. The timing on it is so sweet that there's no stopping it. |
| 168.3 : M Starc to Sharma, Angling away from outside off, on a length, Rohit looks to run it past gully. A half stop is made which allows the batsmen to take a single. |
| 168.4 : M Starc to Pant, FOUR! That ball went back as fast as it came to him. Overpitched around off, Rishabh Pant, with absolute disdain, dismisses it out of his sight as he smashes it straight back past the bowler for a boundary. |
| 168.5 : M Starc to Pant, OUT! GONE! The new ball brings about the breakthrough. Partnership of 76 comes to a close. Starc bowls a back of a length delivery and Pant swings hard, looking to clear the leg side. He instead, gets a big top edge which skies towards point. Khawaja there settles himself under the ball, watches it carefully and holds on this time. A bittersweet sight for Nathan Lyon for sure. It was clear the message was to score as fast as possible, so the southpaw's played his part. |
| Ravindra Jadeja is the new man in. |
| 168.6 : M Starc to Sharma, Length ball on the pads, worked away through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 169.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Full delivery attacking the base of off stump, Rohit taps it down on the off side with soft hands and both batsmen cross over. |
| 169.2 : Hazlewood to Jadeja, FOUR! Jadeja wastes no time to get going. Gets off the mark with a boundary. Full and right in his slot, he lofts this cleanly over mid off to find the fence. |
| 169.3 : J Hazlewood to Jadeja, Fuller length ball just outside off, angling away, Jadeja gets low and looks to guide to third man with an open face, but gets beaten. |
| 169.4 : J Hazlewood to R Jadeja, OUT! Hazlewood gets his man! This Test match is livening up now. An accurate short ball on middle and off, completely takes Jadeja by surprise as he can't do much other than hang his bat out. It goes off the glove and Tim Paine behind takes a regulation catch. |
| Well, here comes the declaration. Those quick runs added seem to be enough for skipper Virat Kohli. He's seen coming by the boundary line and calling his boys in. INDIA HAVE DECLARED ON 443/7! |
| After almost two long days of batting, India have decided that what they have on the board is enough. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Agarwal and Vihari provided a solid start, with the former taking charge and scoring a fifty on debut. Kohli and Pujara then saw the first day out, continued in the second and eventually added 170 runs between them. The skipper scored a fine fifty, while Che went on to notch up a gritty ton. Towards the end, Rohit (who also scored a fifty) and Pant scored so |
| The hosts did their best, and maybe could have done better despite the lifeless track, had they held on to the catches. Lyon will be most disappointed as he had at least two dropped off his bowling. The rest did what they could, plugged the runs for as long as possible, till Rohit and Pant started to cut loose. Australia have about 25 minutes to bat, and India will look to milk every ounce of these minutes. A fun final phase awaits. |
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