The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket

Message Board Archives

Australia vs India, 3rd Test

 
Narper 2018-12-25 17:28:39 

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

India (Playing XI):
Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah


Australia (Playing XI):
Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine(w/c), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

 
Narper 2018-12-25 18:03:00 

Pitch Report by Alan Border:
There is a nice covering of grass on this pitch. The pitch curator has experimented with the playing surface a lot and eventually he has left 15mm of grass on it. There is a bit of moisture present on the deck too. This pitch doesn't crumble a lot and captain should elect to field first.

 
Narper 2018-12-25 18:04:32 

India have won the toss and have opted to bat

Virat Kohli:
We will make the first use of this surface. This pitch looks like a nice surface but it looks bit dry. So, it is going to be slower and slower. We are taking this Test as the last Test of this tour. We want to be at our best for this match. We have made three changes to the team.

 
Narper 2018-12-25 18:11:10 

Tim Paine:
I wasn't too sure what to do so I am happy to be bowling. We have a pretty inexperienced group so a win certainly helps. I would have laughed if someone would have told me last year that I will be the skipper for the Australian team in the next Boxing Day Test. Archie wanted to bat 100% but I told him that I was not entirely sure.

 
BeatDball 2018-12-25 18:20:11 

Is Cummins related to GMcGrath?
big grin

 
Narper 2018-12-25 18:32:02 

Hanuma Vihari and Agarwal are at the crease.

Hanuma Vihari is on strike.

Starc will open the attack

 
shivnotout 2018-12-25 18:34:48 

In reply to Narper

Virat Kohli's record when he WINS the toss:
Tests: 21*
Won: 17
Draw: 3
In eight away Tests he won the toss, India went on to win seven and draw one (vs Ban, Fatullah, 2015).


hope santa good to them lol

 
Narper 2018-12-25 18:35:28 

IND 0/0 (1.0 Ovs) CRR: 0

Hanuma Vihari 0(6)
Agarwal 0(0)

 
Narper 2018-12-25 18:39:45 

1.4
Hazlewood to Agarwal, 3 runs, Agarwal is off the mark in Test cricket! It was very full and on the stumps, not a lot of movement off the deck, Agarwal plants his front foot forward and pushes it wide of cover. The outfield at the MCG is massive and it will be stopped inside the ropes. They will take three

 
Narper 2018-12-25 18:46:24 

3.3
Hazlewood to Agarwal, 3 runs, this is a good start for Agarwal!

 
Narper 2018-12-25 18:53:20 

IND 13/0 (5.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.6

Agarwal 13(15)
Hanuma Vihari 0(15

 
Narper 2018-12-25 18:59:19 

6.3
Starc to Agarwal, FOUR, to third man first rash shot of the morning! It will fetch Agarwal first boundary!
6.4
Starc to Agarwal, byes, FOUR

 
Narper 2018-12-25 19:01:39 

IND 21/0 (7.0 Ovs) CRR: 3

Agarwal 17(21)
Hanuma Vihari 0(21)

Starc
4-1-11-0

 
Narper 2018-12-25 19:04:59 

7.4
Lyon to Hanuma Vihari, 1 run, Relief for Hanuma Vihari as he is finally off the mark after 25 balls! He drives it wide of mid-on

 
Narper 2018-12-25 19:05:18 

7.6
Lyon to Agarwal, FOUR, second four for Agarwal! He plunges forward, uses a lot of bottom hand and creams the drive wide of cover for a boundary

 
Narper 2018-12-25 19:24:36 

12.3
Pat Cummins to Hanuma Vihari, leg byes, 1 run, gee! That's a snorter from Pat Cummins! And he has jolted a serious blow to Hanuma Vihari. He identifes the length late, gets in a horrible position and turns his head at the last moment. It hits him right at the center of the helmet and deflects to the on-side. Pat Cummins immediately goes up to Hanuma Vihari to check whether he is fine. The phsio, Patrick Farhart is out. He is having a close look at Hanuma Vihari who seems to be fine.

 
Narper 2018-12-25 19:33:49 

14.3
Pat Cummins to Agarwal, no run, nasty delivery! Not that short to duck, Agarwal takes an evasive action. It hits his shoulder and deflects back to the keeper. Beaten for the pace again!

 
Narper 2018-12-25 19:35:17 

Day 1: 1st Session

IND 31/0 (15.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.07

Agarwal 23(41)
Hanuma Vihari 3(49)

Pat Cummins 2-1-1-0
Lyon 4-2-6-0
Hazlewood 5-2-8-0
Starc 4-1-11-0

 
Narper 2018-12-25 19:41:26 

15.6
Lyon to Agarwal, FOUR, tossed up temptingly, Agarwal plants his frontfoot forward, gives himself room, and swats it through the covers - nails the whip-drive and runs his hands through the ball to help himself to yet another boundary. He's having a fantastic bedut so far...

 
Kay 2018-12-25 19:44:42 

Vihari looks like a master painter at present....

 
Narper 2018-12-25 19:50:50 

Score after 18 overs IND 38-0

Stat this:
The last time Indian openers outlasted 20 overs in a Test outside Asia: V Sehwag & G Gambhir, Centurion, Dec 2010
.

 
Narper 2018-12-25 19:52:03 

In reply to Kay

18.5
Pat Cummins to Hanuma Vihari, out Caught by Finch! He has manufactured that wicket, has Cummins! Cummins 1 - 0 Pitch. The fables tell us that Courtney Walsh would get the ball to rear off placid tracks, and we have Pat Cummins now, who has got this one to skid in from a length, catch Vihari off-guard after already having pinged him on the helmet, and an apprehensive Vihari takes his eye off the ball only for it to take the glove and loop towards the cordon where Finch takes it at 2nd slip

Hanuma Vihari c Khawaja b Pat Cummins 8(66)

 
Narper 2018-12-25 19:55:25 

Day 1: 1st Session

IND 40/1 (19.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.11

Pat Cummins 4-1-4-1

 
Narper 2018-12-25 20:13:15 

IND 50/1 (23.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.17

Pujara 4(13)
Agarwal 33(59

 
Narper 2018-12-25 20:17:32 

23.4
Mitchell Marsh to Agarwal, no run, oh, if there's no bat, that looks out! Nope, huge inside edge! Toe-end of the stickerless bat, as the short of length ball stays low, seams in, and thuds off the bat into the pads. Massive appeal, but sensible enough to not review...

 
Kay 2018-12-25 20:24:03 

Pujara tek ova the painting job now ….

 
BeatDball 2018-12-25 20:31:48 

Anything familiar of Hazelwood's bowling style? Just asking.
confused

 
Narper 2018-12-25 20:34:35 

Day 1: Lunch Break

IND 57/1 (28.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.04

Pujara 10(34)
Agarwal 34(68


MA Starc 6 1 14 0 2.33
JR Hazlewood 6 2 11 0 1.83
NM Lyon 6 2 12 0 2.00
PJ Cummins 5 2 4 1 0.80
MR Marsh 5 1 11 0 2.20

 
Narper 2018-12-25 21:16:27 

28.1
Hazlewood to Agarwal, FOUR, lovely shot, floaty half-volley outside off and Agarwal creams it through cover, leant into the drive and placed it into the gap as well, a long and a teasing chase for Lyon, but the ball just beat him to the ropes

 
Narper 2018-12-25 21:49:08 

35.2
Lyon to Agarwal, FOUR, beautifully played, good use of the feet, gets close to the ball and then lifts it over mid-off, couple of bounces and over the ropes

 
Narper 2018-12-25 21:49:29 

35.6
Lyon to Agarwal, FOUR, to long-off

 
Kay 2018-12-25 21:49:38 

Nice 50 on debut Agarwal... bat fuh de 100 now

 
Narper 2018-12-25 21:50:11 

IND 80/1 (36.1 Ovs) CRR: 2.2

Agarwal 52(95)
Pujara 14(55)

 
Narper 2018-12-25 21:51:40 

In reply to Kay

The chap looks good

he has a 50 ave in FC cricket with 8x100 and 20x50

A prolific opening batsman since his Under-13 days with Bishop Cotton Boys' School, Bangalore, Mayank Agarwal modelled his style of batting on Virender Sehwag. Agarwal struck 432 runs at an average of 54 in five matches in the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy in 2008-09 and hit a match-winning 160 for India Under-19s, in a one-dayer against Australia Under-19s in Hobart in 2009.

 
Kay 2018-12-25 21:59:20 

In reply to Narper

Yep … one of the brightest prospect and he does like to play shots instead of dat pokey pokey stuff...

 
Khaga 2018-12-25 22:01:25 

Lavde ke balls are commenting about Vihari..but not much about Mayank..

 
anandgb 2018-12-25 23:00:24 

In reply to Khaga

Vihari is the man of the moment
lol lol lol lol

 
Kay 2018-12-26 00:11:16 

OK... tings picking up now. RR shot up to 2.5 in no time...

 
Narper 2018-12-26 06:07:35 

Day 1: Stumps

IND 215/2 (89.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.42

Kohli 47(107)
Pujara 68(200)

MA Agarwal c †Paine b Cummins 76


MA Starc 16 6 32 0 2.00
JR Hazlewood 18 6 45 0 2.50
NM Lyon 21 4 59 0 2.80
PJ Cummins 19 6 40 2 2.10
MR Marsh 15 3 23 0 1.53

 
Narper 2018-12-26 18:19:47 

So Agarwal laid the platform well, Pujara toiled it out and Kohli was his usual sublime self. The track looked slow at the start, two-paced, but then with the sun beating down, seems to have quickened up significantly.

It took Starc three spells to find his mojo, Lyon too couldn't do a Perth or an Adelaide, and Cummins was the pick with his hard lengths and effort deliveries.

But Australia could draw hope from the fact that the ball is still new and from India's history with lower-order collapses.

 
Narper 2018-12-26 18:36:30 

Day 2

89.6
Pat Cummins to Kohli, 3 runs, fifty for Kohli, his 20th in Tests, raises his bat as the Indians in the MCG appluad, too straight from Cummins, Kohli gets inside the line and clips it in front of square on the on-side, a long chase for the fielder at mid-on and Kohli comes back for the third run

 
Narper 2018-12-26 18:37:51 

90.3
Starc to Pujara, FOUR, to third man, the partnership between Pujara and Kohli is now

 
Narper 2018-12-26 18:59:15 

Day 2: 1st Session

IND 235/2 (95.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.47

Pujara 77(223)
Kohli 55(120)

Partnership: 112(242)

 
Narper 2018-12-26 19:08:41 

96.2
Starc to Pujara, FOUR, nicely played by Pujara, this was full and well outside off, Pujara wasn't fully forward on the drive, but the width meant he had control over the sliced glide, behind square on the off-side and rolls away to the fence

 
Narper 2018-12-26 19:22:46 

100.2
Hazlewood to Kohli, FOUR, edged and four, more luck for Kohli, full and wide of off, drew Kohli into a poke - played well away from his body, the edge flew wide of Finch - who was very close at second slip. Had he been at his normal position, he might well have had a chance

 
Narper 2018-12-26 19:36:41 

Another slow but steady hour for India. They added 31 runs in the 14 overs that were bowled. Starc and Cummins bowled their hearts out, but all the luck was reserved for the Indians - particularly Kohli. The hosts have kept a lid on the scoring rate though with the visitors unable to force the pace


Day 2: 1st Session - drinks

IND 246/2 (103.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.39

Pujara 83(252)
Kohli 60(139

 
Narper 2018-12-26 19:47:19 

105.3
Lyon to Pujara, 3 runs, fantastic manipulation by Pujara, comes down the track and drives a full ball against the turn towards deep extra cover for a treble - not only is the pitch a sham, the outfield isn't the best either

 
Narper 2018-12-26 19:54:43 

106.6
Hazlewood to Kohli, FOUR, no nonsense, all class - the half-volley presents itself as the game drags on for the Aussies, and Kohli lays into another fantastic punchy, checked on-drive to the long-on fence for four

 
Narper 2018-12-26 19:55:05 

107.3
Lyon to Pujara, FOUR, offers him some flighted bait outside off, but Pujara feasts on it - comes down the wicket and whip-drives it against the turn towards the deep extra cover fence for four

 
shivnotout 2018-12-26 20:01:29 

In reply to Narper

IND 259/2 (109.0 Ovs)

australia need ah partnership breaker like we devendra Bishoo lol

 
Narper 2018-12-26 20:03:23 

109.4
Lyon to Pujara, 3 runs, a bit of air, and the nimble-footed ChePu spots the opportunity to come down the track, drag-whips it away with a strong bottom-hand towards deep mid-wicket for a treble

 
Narper 2018-12-26 20:12:22 

Day 2: 1st Session

IND 265/2 (112.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.37

 
Narper 2018-12-26 20:18:00 

113.1
Lyon to Pujara, FOUR, and he's got it! A more animated celebration than you'd usually associate with him. Waves his bat around in a slightly more controlled way than his Saurashtra teammate, but he is delighted as the helmet comes off. 17th Test hundred for Pujara. The ball?to long-off,

 
Narper 2018-12-26 20:30:17 


Boxing Day Test 100s for India at the MCG:
116 S Tendulkar, 1999
195 V Sehwag, 2003
169 V Kohli, 2014
147 A Rahane, 2014
100*C PUJARA, 2018

 
shivnotout 2018-12-26 20:35:01 

In reply to Narper

you have any sandpaper to gave Aus.it look like them sk get hugens tek sun bun lol lol

 
Narper 2018-12-26 20:35:29 

Day 2: Lunch Break

IND 277/2 (117.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.37

Pujara 103(294)
Kohli 69(182

 
navindesigns 2018-12-26 20:46:15 

Dam test cricket is boring

 
camos 2018-12-26 21:11:43 

In reply to navindesigns

lol

 
Narper 2018-12-26 21:25:28 

119.4
Pat Cummins to Kohli, 3 runs, very full and on the pads, Kohli absolutely loves anything on the pads. He gets in a good position and flicks it using his wrist, finds the gap wide of mid-wicket. The outfield is dreadful and it will be stopped inside the ropes. Kohli wanted to flaunt his fitness and come back for a fourth, Pujara is a normal human being and he says no

 
Narper 2018-12-26 21:37:26 

Kohli is really struggling with his back. He was down at the non striker's end. But knowing the fighter Kohli is, he is not going to give away that easily.

 
Narper 2018-12-26 21:38:05 

122.1
Starc to Kohli, 3 runs, Kohli has enough of this short stuff from Starc. He goes after this short ball, fails to time the pull as well as he would have liked and it will be stopped inside the ropes

 
Narper 2018-12-26 21:39:22 

122.4
Starc to Kohli, FOUR, he has made up his mind that he is not going to fend anymore. Gets on top of this short of length delivery and powers the pull to long-on for a boundary

 
Narper 2018-12-26 21:40:25 

122.5
Starc to Kohli, out Caught by Finch!! Well, Kohli misses out on a hundred. That's a rare thing for the Indian skipper, may be his back has a role in it. As he was looking is some serious discomfort. It was a short of length delivery wide of off, Kohli gets on top of it and upper cuts it. He gets it too squarer than he wanted and it ends up at third man where Finch takes an easy catch. That brings an end to another brilliant innings from Virat-run-machine-Kohli. Is there a more consisent batsmen on the planet right now? If Yes, that guy only plays backyard cricket.

Kohli c Finch b Starc 82(204) [4s-9]

 
Narper 2018-12-26 21:43:51 

Day 2: 2nd Session

IND 293/3 (123.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.38

Rahane 0(1)
Pujara 105(307)

 
Narper 2018-12-26 21:54:32 

Stat: This is the first time Kohli has not reached three figures after reaching 50 in 1st innings in Tests in Australia (5 X 100s)

 
Narper 2018-12-26 21:59:34 

125.4
Pat Cummins to Pujara, out Bowled!! From where this has come? That has kept so low and of all people Pujara had no answer to it. He looked rattled with those short stuff from Pat Cummins. He got some medical attention from the Physio too. This one was much fuller, it might have hit in one of those intendations on that pitch. Pujara did his best to counter it, it breaches his defence sneaked past his willow and clatters the stumps. A marathon innings from CHE comes to an end

Pujara b Pat Cummins 106(319) [4s-10]

 
Narper 2018-12-26 21:59:55 

Day 2: 2nd Session

IND 299/4 (126.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.37

Rohit 0(2)
Rahane 5(5)

Pat Cummins 29-10-52-3

 
Narper 2018-12-26 22:07:14 

126.3
Hazlewood to Rahane, byes, FOUR, this pitch is beginning to show its character! It bounced sharply off the deck, completely surprised Rahane who fends, it misses Paine, clips his fingers and goes for four byes through fine leg

 
Narper 2018-12-26 22:18:06 

128.6
Hazlewood to Rahane, FOUR, top shot! Rahane, you beauty! There was hardly any width on this delivery, Rahane almost manufactures it and executes the steer to perfection. The placement was key to this shot, it beats gully and races along the turf for a boundary

 
Narper 2018-12-26 22:19:02 

Day 2: 2nd Session

IND 313/4 (129.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.43

Rahane 14(17)
Rohit 1(8

 
Narper 2018-12-26 22:34:50 

132.4
Hazlewood to Rohit, FOUR, he's there because he knows to pull the bouncers. And Hazlewood gives him a sitter - around the chest and Rohit is quick to swivel on it and flat-bat it through mid-wicket

 
Kay 2018-12-26 23:28:52 

At this rate they will end up at around 430 at the end of day 2. That is not enough so they will continue batting on day 3

 
shivnotout 2018-12-27 00:50:18 

In reply to Kay

IND 397/5 (161.0 Ovs)

CRR: 2.47

Day 2: 3rd Session

 
shivnotout 2018-12-27 01:30:48 

In reply to navindesigns

India fell sorry for Australia and declared

india 447/7 lol

 
Narper 2018-12-27 02:04:17 

Day 2: Stumps

IND 443/7 decl

AUS 8/0 (6.0 Ovs) CRR: 1.33

Australia trail by 435 runs

 
Narper 2018-12-27 18:37:46 

Day 3: 1st Session

AUS 12/0 (7.0 Ovs) CRR: 1.71

Finch 4(27)
Marcus Harris 7(16)

 
VIX 2018-12-27 18:42:31 

Dis done. Easy india win

 
Narper 2018-12-27 18:55:49 

0.3
Ishant to Finch, out Caught by Agarwal! Out - of - nowhere! Nope, it's not a no-ball. Kohli figures out Finch's tendency for uppish flicks, places the rookie at short midwicket, and draws the false shot. Ishant pitches this one on a length, and seemingly lures him into the leg-side rat-trap.

Finch c Agarwal b Ishant 8(36) [4s-1]

 
Narper 2018-12-27 19:12:37 

13.3
Bumrah to Marcus Harris, out Caught by Ishant! He's the new-generation Boom Boom! Deserved that wicket. Banged in another effort ball, the bouncer, and Marcus Harris, blinded by the ghost of his past, just swivels into a pull - he's late on it and the timing is completely off.

Marcus Harris c Ishant b Bumrah 22(35) [4s-2]

AUS 36/2 (13.3 Ovs) CRR: 2.67

 
Narper 2018-12-27 19:43:05 

19.5
Jadeja to Khawaja, out Caught by Agarwal!! Jadeja you beauty! That is the reason you were massively missed in Perth. He has a beaming smile on face and why not he has given Australia a serious blow here. It was a flatter delivery around off, it hits one of those indentations on the pitch and jumps off the deck. Khawaja fails to control his block,

Khawaja c Agarwal b Jadeja 21(32) [4s-3]

 
Narper 2018-12-27 20:03:24 

Day 3: 1st Session

AUS 71/3 (25.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.84

Australia trail by 372 runs

Shaun Marsh 14(36)
Head 5(12)

 
Narper 2018-12-27 20:32:10 

32.6
Bumrah to Shaun Marsh, out Lbw!! Bumrah you are a gem, an absolute gem! He is such an astute cricketer and his smartness on the final ball was too hot to handle for Shaun Marsh. A dipping slower delivery yorker on the stumps, Shaun Marsh was a week late in picking it up. He doesn't pick it off the hands, fails to get his bat down. It raps him on the pads and was dead as a dodo. Umpire Ian Gould raises his finger and Indians are thrilled.

Shaun Marsh lbw b Bumrah 19(61) [4s-1]

 
Narper 2018-12-27 20:39:37 

Day 3: Lunch Break

AUS 89/4 (33.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.7

Australia trail by 354 runs

 
Narper 2018-12-27 21:14:20 

Most wickets in debut calendar year for India:
41 J Bumrah (2018 ) *
40 Dileep Doshi (1979)
37 V Prasad (1996)
36 N Hirwani (1988 )
35 S Sreesanth (2006)

 
Narper 2018-12-27 21:25:08 

36.4
Bumrah to Head, out Bowled!! Cleaned up! This was coming, Bumrah was targetting those stumps and he has blasted through Head's defences with a very full one. Full and shaping back into the left-hander, Head was rooted to the crease as he played an ambitious whip, doesn't cover for the angle, the ball grazed the inside edge and clattered into the middle-stump. A sorry sight for the Australians, but Bumrah is enjoying himself at the 'G'.

Head b Bumrah 20(48 ) [4s-2]

 
Narper 2018-12-27 21:34:51 

Day 3: 2nd Session

AUS 94/5 (39.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.41

Mitchell Marsh 2(20)
Paine 1(3)

Bumrah 14-4-32-3

 
Narper 2018-12-27 21:51:42 

43.3
Jadeja to Mitchell Marsh, out Caught by Rahane!! That's a soft dismissal and Australia continue to flounder at the MCG. Confusion reigned around after Rahane took the catch, RJ was celebrating, but the rest weren't. But Marsh knew he had got an inside edge on that and kept walking away. A very full ball from RJ, sliding onto Marsh's pads, he was looking to whip it through the on-side, the ball brushed the inside edge and then lobbed off the pads to slip - a simple take and the Indians are into the lower-half of the hosts' batting

Mitchell Marsh c Rahane b Jadeja 9(36) [4s-1]

 
Narper 2018-12-27 21:58:16 

Day 3: 2nd Session

AUS 105/6 (45.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.33

Australia trail by 338 runs

 
anandgb 2018-12-27 23:55:14 

Oz all out for 151.

 
pichalpack 2018-12-28 01:10:36 

Dumbest decision by Kohli to bat again. Just WHOOPDIES like brainfart.

 
mikesiva 2018-12-28 02:43:06 

In reply to Narper

Cricket Australia warns the Australian crowd over verbal abuse of Indian players and spectators which cross the line.

 
Narper 2018-12-28 08:13:41 

Day 3: Stumps

AUS 151

IND 443/7 decl, 54/5 (27.0 Ovs) CRR: 2

Fall of Wickets28-1 (Hanuma Vihari, 12.6), 28-2 (Cheteshwar Pujara, 14.2), 28-3 (Virat Kohli, 14.6), 32-4 (Ajinkya Rahane, 16.1), 44-5 (Rohit Sharma, 22.5)

India lead by 346 runs

 
runout 2018-12-28 10:15:49 

In reply to Narper

Look for some acceleration from Pant and Jadu tonight. That said, that Agarwal is a very good find for Team India. Would be interesting when Shaw comes back into the side.

 
Narper 2018-12-28 18:42:55 

29.4
Lyon to Agarwal, SIX, it's checked now, but checked bigger. Agarwal isn't staying put, rushes down the pitch again, and when the world goes over mid-wicket with these whacks, Agarwal goes straight down


29.2
Lyon to Agarwal, SIX, what's the fuss, eh?! He runs down, gets close and can free up his hands to go inside-out, flat, over long-off

 
Narper 2018-12-28 18:57:48 

32.6
Pat Cummins to Agarwal, out Bowled!! There's the five-for. Vihari, Kohli, Pujara, Rahane -- and now Agarwal has his name on the illustrious list. And Pat Cummins has all of them in his back pocket. Agarwal continues staying deep in his crease, the ball continues staying low and seaming in. He wafts his bat down in desperation, flush off the toe of the bat to ricochet into timber.

Agarwal b Pat Cummins 42(102) [4s-4 6s-2]

 
Narper 2018-12-28 19:00:04 

Day 4: 1st Session

IND 84/6 (34.0 Ovs) CRR: 2.47

India lead by 376 runs

 
Narper 2018-12-28 19:16:58 

36.3
Pat Cummins to Jadeja, out Caught by Khawaja!! Cummins, fresh from the insult of of being pulled, corrects himself with a cramped bouncer. And there's no way Jadeja was getting out of this, surely not with the way he played at it -- meekly in looking to fend it away. Gets turned in, squirts out the leading-splice and Khawaja, at gully, does well in adjusting to the dip in this balloon of a catch in diving forward.

Jadeja c Khawaja b Pat Cummins 5(6) [4s-1]

 
Narper 2018-12-28 19:18:01 

Day 4: 1st Session

IND 100/7 (36.4 Ovs) CRR: 2.73

- India lead by 392 runs

 
Narper 2018-12-28 19:22:18 

37.2
Hazlewood to Pant, SIX, smashed straight down. In the slot, and why bother moving your feet when your hands move the way they do, and it's been smoked flush into the sightscreen. Kohli's waiting at the boundary to declare, and he can't resist his admiration either

 
Narper 2018-12-28 19:24:17 

37.3
Hazlewood to Pant, out Caught by Paine!! The typical short response, Hazlewood's ego forces him to bump it in, bend his back in further and get some further bounce out of this one. Pant arches behind, looking to upper cut it over the cordon, runs it off the face, but doesn't get the elevation. Paine, after messing up a couple of low one-handers, compensates with a high jumping one-hander. Right hand.

Pant c Paine b Hazlewood 33(43) [4s-3 6s-1]

 
Narper 2018-12-28 19:25:27 

Day 4: Innings Break

AUS 151

IND 106/8 (37.3 Ovs) CRR: 2.83

OZ need 399 runs to win

 
Narper 2018-12-28 19:41:18 

1.2
Bumrah to Finch, out Caught by Kohli!! 'That's a poor shot', says Sunny Gavaskar on air. A nothing shot really, the knives will be out for Finch after this innings. Forget about the previous non-review, short of a length and just outside off, too close to be playing the cut, Finch was cramped for room and ended up stabbing at that, thick edge and it's gobbled with glee by Kohli at second slip. Bumrah is having a Test to remember, wicket in his first over and he has set the tone for this chase.

Finch c Kohli b Bumrah 3(4)

 
Narper 2018-12-28 19:41:39 

AUS 6/1 (1.2 Ovs) CRR: 4.5

 
Runs 2018-12-28 19:42:23 

Oz batting is extremely weak

 
Narper 2018-12-28 19:46:36 

AUS 8/1 (2.0 Ovs) CRR: 4

Khawaja 2(4)
Marcus Harris 3(4)

Bumrah 1-0-2-1

 
Narper 2018-12-28 19:54:25 

3.3
Bumrah to Khawaja, FOUR, streaky and four, on a good length and a hint of late shape away from middle, the initial angle made Khawaja play across the line, closed the bat-face, the ball straightened to take the edge, in the gap behind square on the off-side for a boundary

 
Narper 2018-12-28 20:03:33 

5.3
Jadeja to Khawaja, FOUR, lovely, good aggressive cricket from Khawaja, comes down the track, didn't get close to the ball, but went ahead with the lofted off-drive, cleared mid-off comfortably and rolled away to the fence

 
Narper 2018-12-28 20:05:22 

5.6
Jadeja to Khawaja, no run, appeal for a catch at slip and India want a review. It's a fair delivery, think it went straight off the pads and then lobbed to slip. There's nothing on HotSpot and RTS confirms it. Poor review from India and they have lost their first. Overexuberant appealing from RJ and he has burned India's first review, bounce on offer as this one spat from a length outside off, Khawaja was way down the track in defence, the ball lobbed off the pads and then brushed his trousers before lobbing to Rahane at slip

 
Narper 2018-12-28 20:11:01 

7.3
Jadeja to Khawaja, FOUR, this is good cricket from Khawaja, not allowing Jadeja to settle, gets down low, reverses his stance and then sweeps it past Rahane at slip, no need to run for those

 
Narper 2018-12-28 20:16:11 

9.2
Jadeja to Marcus Harris, out Caught by Agarwal!! Mayank has been everywhere in this Test, straight into his hands and he holds on to a sharp catch. A bit lucky on this occassion, but the key was he stood low and hence had a second bite at the cherry.

Marcus Harris c Agarwal b Jadeja 13(27) [4s-1]

 
Narper 2018-12-28 20:16:29 

AUS 33/2 (9.2 Ovs) CRR: 3.54

 
Narper 2018-12-28 20:26:04 

11.1
Jadeja to Khawaja, SIX, lovely, excellent use of the feet from Khawaja, comes down the track, gets close to the ball and then lifts it nonchalantly over mid-off, sailed over the ropes for a maximum

 
Narper 2018-12-28 20:34:39 

Day 4: Lunch Break

AUS 44/2 (14.0 Ovs) CRR: 3.14

Australia need 355 runs

Shaun Marsh 2(1cool
Khawaja 26(35)

 
Narper 2018-12-28 21:46:33 

20.6
Shami to Khawaja, out Lbw!! Khawaja has been given out LBW! Not the best spell by Shami, but he has a sudden burst. Pitches this on a short of length gets it to straighten towards the off-stump. goes past the ill-advised backfoot defence. Ball-tracking: Impact in-line, wickets hitting, three reds, and Khawaja departs! The Indian contingent in the crowd goes berserk before as the virtual bails are flicked off. Australia's batting lynchpin departs, and India are well and truly bossing this now.

Khawaja lbw b Shami 33(59) [4s-4 6s-1]

 
Norm 2018-12-28 21:51:33 

Looks like the only question now is if the match will go to Day 5.

 
Norm 2018-12-28 22:04:45 

Cricinfo:

26.5 Bumrah to Head, no run,

Darn, Bumrah. Bowl to the stumps, man! smile

 
Narper 2018-12-28 22:27:34 

32.2
Bumrah to Shaun Marsh, out Lbw!! Shaun Marsh has been given out LBW! He has decided to review it. It looks adjacent to me. At worst umpire's call. There is no inside edge for sure. It is just clipping the leg-stump. Australia won't lose their review. That man, Bumrah provides the breakthrough again. Isn't he a special cricketer.

Shaun Marsh lbw b Bumrah 44(72) [4s-4 6s-1]

 
Narper 2018-12-28 22:39:02 

Day 4: 2nd Session

AUS 120/4 (34.0 Ovs) CRR: 3.53

Head 21(38 )
Mitchell Marsh 2(4

Australia need 279 runs

 
Norm 2018-12-28 23:30:46 

Last session about to begin. Will this be the last session for the match?

176-7 in 61.3 overs, as a faint edge by Cummins is caught behind, off Jadeja.

 
Norm 2018-12-29 02:10:45 

51 to Cummins! Keemo, are you watching?

Drives Ishant straight back, all along the ground, for 4 more, with the straightest of bats! Big smile on his face, as the crowd applauds!

 
WICFan 2018-12-29 07:23:09 

In reply to Runs

Other than Khawaja the rest are probably playing for their places.

Smith should automatically come back at 4 when available, I'd play Jake Lehmann at 5 & Maxwell at 6.

 
sgtdjones 2018-12-29 09:08:16 

India
443/7d & 106/8d

Australia
151 & 258/8 * (85 ov, target 399)

PJ Cummins*(rhb) 61

NM Lyon(rhb) 6


Day 4: Australia require another 141 runs with 2 wickets remaining

 
Narper 2018-12-29 18:13:54 

Day 5

AUS 258/8 (85.0 Ovs) CRR: 3.04

Australia need 141 runs to win

Pat Cummins 61(103)
Lyon 6(38

 
Conorboy 2018-12-29 18:31:44 

In reply to Narper

Could be a copy of 1993 in Adelaide. Remember Courtney

 
Conorboy 2018-12-29 18:31:45 

In reply to Narper

Could be a copy of 1993 in Adelaide. Remember Courtney

 
Narper 2018-12-29 18:38:06 

10:22 Local Time, 04:52 IST: The covers are back on. It's got dark as well. Should be passing showers.As of now, the start will be delayed

 
Kay 2018-12-29 18:48:58 

If two sessions get wash out OZ can hold on for a draw...

 
Narper 2018-12-29 18:50:27 

10:45 AM Local Time: Good news, the shower has passed and the covers are coming off. If there is no more rain, play will start at 11:00 AM

 
Narper 2018-12-29 19:07:04 

In reply to Kay


10:55 AM Local Time Oh dear! There is a sudden burst of heavy squall and more covers are coming on. The Australian batsmen who were sitting in the dug-out have rushed back to the dressing room. Play will definitely not start at 11 AM
wink

 
Kay 2018-12-29 19:32:47 

In reply to Narper

smile

 
Narper 2018-12-29 19:35:01 

In reply to Kay

If this match ends in a draw men will cuss India for batting too slow big grin

 
Narper 2018-12-29 19:51:30 

11:20 AM Local Time: We have some live pictures and it's a gloomy looking MCG at the moment. The rain is still spitting and the square remains covered.

 
Narper 2018-12-29 21:17:41 

88.2
Bumrah to Pat Cummins, out Caught by Pujara!! Edged and caught! It has taken Bumrah 8 balls to find the exact line and length, a terrific outswinger, pitched on off and nipped away ever so slightly, the length made Cummins play at it, pushes forward and gets a thick edge, carried nicely to Pujara at first slip who holds on. A terrific reception for the batsman as he walks back, made sure that this Test went into the fifth day.

Pat Cummins c Pujara b Bumrah 63(114) [4s-5 6s-1]

 
Narper 2018-12-29 21:18:18 

Day 5: 2nd Session

AUS 261/9 (89.2 Ovs) CRR: 2.92

Australia need 138 runs

 
Khaga 2018-12-29 21:19:45 

All done..Border Gavaskar trophy retained..

 
SnoopDog 2018-12-29 21:19:56 

In reply to Narper

Congrats to Mindia.

Excellent Test match.

 
Narper 2018-12-29 21:20:35 

89.3
Ishant to Lyon, out Caught by Pant!! All-over! India win by 137 runs and will go to Sydney with a 2-1 lead. This is also the 150th Test victory for the men in blue, making them the fifth team to do so. Jubilant scenes at the 'G', the Indian supporters are making merry, Kohli is chuffed to bits and you can't blame him. Coming to the ball, it was banged short and just outside off, was climbing onto Lyon who fancied the pull, gets a top-edge and Pant did the rest.

Lyon c Pant b Ishant 7(50)


IND 443/7 decl, 106/8 decl

AUS 151, 261-all out (89.3 Ovs) CRR: 2.92

India won by 137 runs

 
granite 2018-12-29 21:21:41 

Let us celebrate the Indians win,we mustn't forget that we are also Indians,West Indians. lol lol lol

 
Narper 2018-12-29 21:21:47 

In reply to SnoopDog

Dem bearded injuns bad like crab smile

 
SnoopDog 2018-12-29 21:24:20 

In reply to Narper

They’ve finally found bowlers who can out bowl the Aussies in OZ.

That Bumrah kid is good.

 
Norm 2018-12-29 21:25:46 

India proving themselves true world Test champions.

 
Narper 2018-12-29 21:29:38 

Kohli gives his pads to young indian OZZie fan

 
Narper 2018-12-29 21:36:54 

In reply to Norm

Kohli praises the FC system in India for the development of the 3 prong pacemen

 
Narper 2018-12-29 21:43:06 

Tim Paine:
It's a bit disappointing. With an inexperience batting line-up you are bound to have an innings like we did in the first innings. The guys are working really hard and we have a huge challenge ahead of us in Sydney. The conditions will be different in Sydney. The pitch was very good. After watching the wicket for 2 days, I knew pitch will crumble. Pat (Cummins) has been superb all series. We all know what quality he has. He has been fantastic for us. We want more guys to perform like him. It's been an interesting year, a difficult year. In the next few months, some world class players will be available. We have to work really hard to win the new year Test.


Virat Kohli:
We are not gonna stop here. This will give us more confidence and we play more positively in Sydney.We want to win last Test match as well, if an opportunity comes our way. We don't want to be complacent. It's good thing that I don't read any comment. We were pretty clear that we will bat third on this pitch as pitch was only getting worse. Jasprit has been brilliant for us, The three seamers have broken a record for the highest number of wickets in a calendar year. Jasprit was unlucky not top get wickets in Perth. Team management calmed him down and he won us the test match. Agarwal was amazing. His composure was outstanding. Pujara was outstanding too. It is all about taking pride in your roles which are given. We have to play good cricket to be in the position right now. We have never been in this position and now is the time to express even more.

 
Narper 2018-12-29 21:44:05 

Jasprit Bumrah, Man of the Match:
It is a great feeling. I always wanted to play Test cricket. I am really happy to contribute to team's success. I always focus on consistency. My aim is to always focus on inconsistency, We train very hard and we are used to bowling a lot of overs in Ranji Cricket so body is doing well. It was always a dream to play Test cricket. I started learning slowly, hopefully, the start has been good. I hope it will keep getting better.

 
Khaga 2018-12-29 21:50:03 

In reply to granite

Not real Indians..but,we will consider you to be Indians.. lol

 
Narper 2018-12-29 23:08:50 

Most Test wickets in debut calendar year:
54 T Alderman (1981)
49 C Ambrose (1988 )
48 J BUMRAH (2018 )
46 S Finn (2010)
44 R Tattersall (1951)
43 Ted McDonald (1921)

 
Narper 2018-12-29 23:09:41 

** Best figures by an Indian pacer in Australia:

9/086 J BUMRAH, MCG, 2018
8/109 Kapil Dev, Adelaide, 1985
8/160 A Agarkar, Adelaide, 2003

 
Narper 2018-12-29 23:11:15 

[

b]** Most dismissals by a WK in his debut calendar year:[/b]
42 Brad Haddin (200cool / Rishabh Pant (201cool
36 Peter Nevill (2015)
35 Kevin Wright (1979)

 
Narper 2018-12-29 23:12:17 

** Virat Kohli's record when he wins the toss:
Tests: 21
Won: 18
Draw: 3
In nine away Tests he won the toss, India went on to win eight and drew one (vs Ban, Fatullah, 2015).

 
Narper 2018-12-29 23:13:10 

** Most wins in overseas Tests as captain (India):
11 V Kohli (24)
11 S Ganguly (28 )
06 MS Dhoni (30)
05 R Dravid (17)

** Four wins for India outside the sub-continent in 2018 (Johannesburg, Trent Bridge, Adelaide & Melbourne) - the most for them in a calendar year surpassing three in 1968 ( all three in New Zealand).

 
Narper 2018-12-29 23:13:58 

** Most wickets for India in Tests:

619 A Kumble
434 Kapil Dev
417 Harbhajan
342 R Ashwin
311 Zaheer Khan
267 ISHANT SHARMA *
266 Bishan Bed

 
djdrastic 2018-12-30 05:46:14 

In Affectionate Remembrance of Australian Cricket, which died at the MCG on 30th December, 2018, deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances.
R.I.P.

N.B.—The body will be cremated and the ashes sent to the BCCI.

 
Khaga 2018-12-30 06:12:42 

In reply to djdrastic

Bruh! It's not so big..this has been an extremely competitive series. While I celebrate India's victory at the MCG and cherish the series lead, Australia clearly miss Smith and Warner.

 
djdrastic 2018-12-30 10:34:25 

In reply to Khaga

Was just joking . But it's too much fun seeing Australia be this terrible at home big grin Poor old Richie Benaud must be turning in his grave.


All Australia need to do is select 10 Pat Cummins' and 1 Nathan Lyon for the next test and they could win the next game.


Btw : Third consecutive year with 2500+ runs(2595,2818,2735 runs in 2016,2017,2018 ) in International Cricket for Virat Kohli

 
runout 2018-12-30 11:02:46 

Let’s hear it from the boys.

Fake number one, until they win overseas. lol lol lol

Flat track bullies, until they bossed it in Australia

Now they are saying they don’t like VK’s behavior. Even the Aussies are in awe of the man. And this series would have been wrapped up if India didn’t persist with Rahul and Vijay at the top in the first two tests.

I guess the criticisms have been stifled and the critics stuffed.

Go Team India!!! lol lol lol

 
Khaga 2018-12-30 11:21:06 

In reply to runout

Fcuk Aussies and India hating West Indians..India players don't need any fans anywhere.. lol

Add to the list..they said IPL will ruin India test team..

 
VIX 2018-12-30 11:38:38 

Once again i called it early big grin

Spare a thought for the always overlooked and ever consistent Pujara. Lemme see if Kohli going to continue trying to get him off the team!

 
runout 2018-12-30 11:42:08 

In reply to VIX

Che is a boss. VK realizes it.

 
djdrastic 2018-12-31 07:38:23 

Rohit Sharma to skip fourth Test in Sydney; Flies down to be with wife and newborn