- Australia close day two 24-0 in reply to India’s 622-7 dec
- Pujara (193) and Pant (159 n/o) put Australia to the sword
- Changes aplenty in Australia’s ODI squad
- David Warner breaks his silence
Related: India break records and Australia’s resolve on day two of the fourth Test
India’s dominance over Australia was reinforced handsomely on day two in Sydney. Over after relentless run-scoring over went by before Virat Kohli finally put his hosts out of their misery with the tourists on a whopping 622-7.
By that point Che Pujara had fallen narrowly short of a double-century, Rishabh Pant had galloped gleefully beyond 150, and Ravi Jadeja had bat-twirled his way to an entertaining 81. Records were obliterated. Australia were ground into the dust.
10th over: Australia 24-0 (Harris 19, Khawaja 5) Khawaja dabs out a maiden from Kuldeep to bring a momentous day for India to a close.
“This is an awful way to wake up,” emails David Kalucy. “Are we just that bad or India just that good?” Bit of both - not having access to the two best batsmen in the country is quite the impediment. “Is the pitch really that dull that there be nothing at all for the bowlers or am I just saying “stupid tool”?.” It is very flat, and the ball very stubborn. “On new year’s day we had a Pirates Of The Caribbean marathon due to circumstances as it were, there is a moment when Kiera and Johnny are stuck on an island and she burns all the rum to attract the Navy who sure enough arrive and he comes out with something like “there will be no living with her now”… in short Kohli is going to be insupportable. Cheers from the dummy spitters end.” Cheers to you too. Although don’t mention Johnny Depp around these parts.
Related: Charges dropped against Amber Heard for bringing dogs to Australia with Johnny Depp
Final over of the day coming up.
9th over: Australia 24-0 (Harris 19, Khawaja 5) Jadeja effectively bowling like a left-arm medium pace away swing bowler this over, finding prodigious drift. The odd one dips the other way and hints at gripping but there is little on offer for the spinners. Khawaja defends resolutely before pinching the strike.
8th over: Australia 23-0 (Harris 19, Khawaja 4) Kuldeep Yadav makes it spin from both ends. Like Jadeja there’s some handy drift through the air but nothing happening off the pitch. Khawaja still gets in a bit of a tangle though, opening his stumps and only just getting bat to one that slides on.
7th over: Australia 21-0 (Harris 18, Khawaja 3) An early look at spin with Jadeja brought into the attack. There’s no rough yet for the bowler to target and consequently there’s little to report from an over largely defended from the crease by Khawaja. Some nice drift away from the left-hander though, implying the ball is exiting Jadeja’s hand in textbook fashion.
6th over: Australia 21-0 (Harris 18, Khawaja 3) A calmer over all round with Australia prioritising defence and Bumrah receiving no assistance in the air or off the pitch to anything full and failing to nail his bouncer.
Today was the 18th time Aus conceded two scores of 150+ in an innings. Last time, WACA Nov 2015, v NZ (Williamson 166, Taylor 290). #AusvInd
5th over: Australia 18-0 (Harris 17, Khawaja 1) Khawaja gets off the mark before Harris continues his counterattack, placing Shami wide of mid-on for a couple, a stroke that prompts Kohli to remove third slip. This is Hayden-like enforcing from the Perth-born Victorian.
India is the only side to declare in three consecutive innings against Australia.
They have done it twice - first in 2008 (in Mohali & Delhi) in India and now in this series #AusvInd#AusvsInd
4th over: Australia 15-0 (Harris 15, Khawaja 0) Khawaja might be struggling but Harris looks in great touch. A couple of solid strokes find fielders before a firm drive to a ball offering a hint of width finds the fence just behind point.
“As a non-Australian,” emails Englishman Mike Vicars, “I don’t mind India batting on and on and reinventing the art of mental disintegration at its spiritual home. However, I am surprised to see that Starc has again had a bit of a disappointing run out, to go with a disappointing series. In your opinion, is he out of form or out of assistance from his fielders in, ahem, preserving the ball? Whilst his new ball overs seem menacing, he seems to have lost his magic in the middle overs. I may of course be completely underestimating the fact that India really know how to bat in a tough test match.” A thought-provoking email Mike. I think it’s a combination of all of the above, but yes, Australia’s inability find reverse swing this summer has been noticeable.
3rd over: Australia 11-0 (Harris 11, Khawaja 0) DROPPED! Oh dear. That was a very catchable chance. Line and length from Shami draws Khawaja into an artless poke outside off that sends an edge flying between keeper and slip. The diving Pant gets both hands to it but they are hard hands and the ball crashes through the gloves.
“Dreading the collective chest thumping of a country only so eager to weave this into some bogus ‘triumph of the nation’ sort of narrative,” emails Abhinav Dutta. “It is slightly more obnoxious than Virat Kohli’s demeanour.” RIP my mentions.
Dropped! Khawaja gets a life #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/V5tQtuHJbM
2nd over: Australia 10-0 (Harris 10, Khawaja 0) Harris has come out with plenty of intent, and he continues his attacking mindset to Bumrah, earning two with a nice clip to the legside and three with a controlled edge down to third-man. Bumrah responds with a slippery short ball that Harris takes his eyes off, and not for the first time this series. This summer has been far from a clinic in how to evade bouncers. Rule one: keep your eyes on the ball at all times, has been broken repeatedly.
Kevin Wilson is scarred. “I know this Australian team is nowhere near as good but if there is one thing I have learned as an England cricket fan it’s that you don’t declare against them on 600-odd.”
Since the start of 2018, 56 batsmen have played as many innings as Rishabh Pant. Only two of those players (Babar Azam and Virat Kohli) have averaged more. #AUSvIND
1st over: Australia 5-0 (Harris 5, Khawaja 0) Australia have ten overs to bat out tonight, India have three and a bit days to take 20 wickets. What are we going to see? Will Australia attempt the improbable? Will individuals simply be playing for their places? Mohammed Shami takes the new ball and he troubles Marcus Harris early with one that cramps him up. A little width later on is punished though, Harris cracking a fierce cut to get his side off and running.
India finally declare on 622-7. Only three times in their history have India made more runs in a Test innings outside of Asia. #AUSvIND
“At what point can India be officially classified as “taking the piss”?” asks Aditya Anchuri. Dan Liebke has the answer.
India should ask for the extra half hour and finish this tonight. #AUSvIND
“Maybe this is Kohli’s way of replying to Labuschagne’s comments yesterday that they were two wickets away from breaking open Indian batting,” emails Mandar Pathak.
Highest individual scores for Asian keepers outside Asia in Tests:
159* - RISHABH PANT, SCG, 2019*
159 - Mushfiqur Rahim, Wellington, 2017
137 - Moin Khan, Hamilton, 2003#AUSvIND
@JPHowcroft I always enjoy watching captains declare - i.e. the specific moment of declaration. There's an underlying element of disdain to the waving that's different to every other kind of cockiness you see on the field.
Lovely detail.
Grant Moss is furious. “Only in Adelaide did we seem to have a pitch that offered something to the bowlers. This is not a test wicket, nor was Melbourne. Our bowlers aren’t that bad - their figures are quite reasonable but the pitch is as flat as a tack. India has played the much better cricket by far and roundly deserve their success. As a cricket follower I am disgusted that we cannot provide a proper surface to ensure a contest. From day one it was clear that whoever won the toss would have a significant advantage. CA is too focussed on their money-spinner of T20 and have sacrificed the real game. Get rid of the lot of them.”
Most overs bowled without a maiden by an Aussie at home since six-ball overs were introduced (1979/80):
26.0: Mitchell Starc v Ind, 2019
20.0: Murray Bennett v WI, 1984
19.0: Mitchell Starc v SL, 2013#AusvInd
Jadeja’s dismissal is the signal for Virat Kohli to invite Australia to bat and bring to a close one of the great Indian innings.
The fun’s over. Jadeja goes for one slog too many and Lyon hits the top of off. What a 204 run partnership that was. Bravo.
167th over: India 621-6 (Pant 158, Jadeja 81) Hazlewood pitches up, Pant tonks him through mid-off for four. Hazlewood drops short, Pant whacks him in front of square for four. Hazlewood lobs down a full toss, Pant stoops and bisects the legside boundary fielders. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous batting.
“The thing to do is to auction the toss,” suggests Andrew Goudie. “Captains would have to bid a number of runs (perhaps in increments of 5 or 10 runs) to get any perceived advantage. If the winning bid is 30 runs, say, then the opposition starts at 30-0. It would be great fun, and exciting too.” I am delighted by how enthusiastically this topic has taken off.
166th over: India 608-6 (Pant 145, Jadeja 81) Nathan Lyon returns for his 57th over. 57th! It’s a tidy one in the circumstances, but still.
“I’m glad someone else also finds this talk about declaration a bit crazy,” emails Sedhupathy. “It’s only the second day. And we are playing in Sydney, not Melbourne. Why not let the Indian bowlers enjoy another day of rest? Last I checked Nathan Lyon was going 150 plus. And it is not like the Indian batsmen are blocking everything.” Oh to be an Indian fan right now...
Drinks.
@JPHowcroft I thought at one point they tried the baseball innings thing in the Australian one day cup. However, there seemed to be no change in dynamic. However, such a system would allow the answer to the question "What's the score?", improving accessibility of the game.
165th over: India 605-6 (Pant 142, Jadeja 81) Three singles from a comparatively sedate Hazlewood over.
Scott Lennard has joined in the fantasy rule change conversation. “Instead of a new ball every 80 overs:
Highest scores by a visiting wicket-keeper in Australia
169 - AB de Villiers (Perth) Nov 2012
140*- Rishabh Pant (Sydney) today#AusvInd#AusvsInd
164th over: India 602-6 (Pant 140, Jadeja 80) Cummins comes on to curtail Starc’s brief new ball spell but he’ll wish he hadn’t. Jadeja lashes four glorious fours, each better than the last, in an over of rare excellence. The first was a swivel pull, the second and fourth legitimate pulls from dangerous lifters right in front of his moustache, while the third was a freely swung fairway wood back over the bowler’s head. Never mind Pant’s ton prompting a declaration, Jadeja is on for a milestone of his own. The over sees India beyond 600, and the partnership to the highest seventh-wicket stand ever in Tests at the SCG.
@JPHowcroft - in response to Lillee, Willey, Dilley... who about this potential lunch order? #SanghaAndARootBeerpic.twitter.com/BJ7frtBNY3
163rd over: India 586-6 (Pant 140, Jadeja 64) Hazlewood into his 33rd over of the match and it contains a Marcus Harris misfield on the boundary to allow four runs to Jadeja. The bowler responds with a vicious bouncer, full of two days worth of pent up frustration, and it crashes into Jadeja’s lid. The batsman is unharmed but a delay is inevitable while the helmet is exchanged.
I like how Frank Breen thinks, but I’m not sure the ICC will. “You could largely neutralise the toss advantage by alternating the batting side every 8 overs or 15 overs or whatever,” he emails. “I’m sure this idea wouldn’t catch on, especially for test cricket.Another possibility would to have two wickets, and let the visiting side choose which wicket.” Has there ever been a cricket-baseball innings style trial?
162nd over: India 579-6 (Pant 139, Jadeja 60) Mitchell Starc does not look like he wants to be out there but he has to share the new ball. At least two runs arrive from the opening four balls of the over, a series that includes a sumptuous Jadeja four that rattles past the non-striker.
“Never mind about Lillee c Willey b Dilley... Where is ‘The batsman’s Holding, the bowler’s Wiley’?” asks David Jenn. Here’s as close as I can get. Apologies, it busts a few myths.
161st over: India 568-6 (Pant 139, Jadeja 51) “Afternoon Jonathan,” afternoon Phil Withall. “Kohli is my brother reincarnated. This is exactly the sort of merciless bullying I was subject to in pretty much every sport we played.” Well, the joke maybe on Kohli (and by extension your brother) because Australia have access to a third new ball and they’re not afraid to use it! Hazlewood has first go and he is adamant he has Pant LBW second ball - it looked plumb - but Richard Kettleborough keeps his finger down. Did he see an inside-edge? If not, that was very giveable, pitching in line, holding its line and... umpire’s call on height. Hmmmm, Kettleborough wins the benefit of any doubt. Paine would doubtless have reviewed that decision had he any left, but it would have been to no avail. Pant rubs salt into the wound with a crunching cover drive to bring up the 150 partnership, a feat achieved at near five rpo.
160th over: India 563-6 (Pant 135, Jadeja 50) 50 to Jadeja, and out comes the sword twirling celebration. Pant allows him a couple of seconds in the spotlight before belting Lyon into the sightscreen for six. Brutal, unforgiving stuff from India.
Jaddu. #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/8If3DdyPJ9
Lots of chat about declarations. If I were Kohli I would bat for 3 days if I could. Why would you declare? #AUSvIND
159th over: India 555-6 (Pant 128, Jadeja 49) Pant reverse sweeps for four in a Head over that contains all the venom of a falling sycamore seed. I’m not even sure all the players are even paying attention any more. Most of the crowd appear busy doing other things. India have every right to grind Australia into the dirt, but for the time being it is far from engrossing sport.
158th over: India 547-6 (Pant 122, Jadeja 47) Just the one run from Lyon’s over. The GOAT has proven awkward to get away in recent minutes. Just over an hour left in the day, surely the declaration will arrive soon. Surely?
“I’m not sure if it’s about winning the toss or more about batting first?” emails Aditya Anchuri. “Maybe batting first is more advantageous these days because sides rarely survive in the fourth innings?”
157th over: India 546-6 (Pant 122, Jadeja 46) Five singles and a dot from Head’s latest offering.
This clip has been doing the rounds recently (and rightly so). Is there a possible contemporary equivalent?
Lillee c Willey b Dilley pic.twitter.com/KrrevV4sLB
156th over: India 541-6 (Pant 120, Jadeja 43) A couple more effortless singles for India with Lyon forced to bowl yet another over. Still no declaration.
“Dear Jonathan, I can only assume Kohli is a Mozart fan and is waiting to run out of Köchel numbers. That would mean declaring at or after 626.” I’ll take your word for that Carl Rosman.
Rishabh Pant is now the only 2nd visiting wicket-keeper to register Test 100s both in England and Australia.
Jeffery Dujon was the first - 100s at Manchester & Perth in 1984 #AusvInd#AusvsInd
155th over: India 539-6 (Pant 119, Jadeja 42) Travis Head’s turn to hurry-up the declaration now but his bowling is more haute cuisine than buffet and India have to make do with three singles.
Since Rishabh Pant made his debut, nobody has made more 90+ scores in Test cricket. #AUSvIND
154th over: India 536-6 (Pant 117, Jadeja 41) More runs for India, more pain for Lyon. The highlight of this run-filled over is a whipcrack sweep for four from Pant. Lyon now has 3/163 from 53 overs.
“Hello Jonathan,” hi Gervase Greene. “Full marks to Pujara, Pant (especially) and the others, but at some point the elephant needs to be shown from the room, having first been acknowledged. This Test match, and this series, effectively ended the moment the coin landed on the deck at about 10:00am yesterday.
Whether it’s drop-in pitches, supposedly TV-friendly ‘roads’ to bat on, the Kookaburra, or the protocol of the toss itself, something must surely be done?
One could almost wish a return to uncovered pitches, at least for the uncertainty that would provide...but global warming renders even that idea somewhat less effective. Congratters to India and all that, but I now find myself in the unfamiliar and uncomfortable position of actually looking forward to an ODI series.”
153rd over: India 528-6 (Pant 111, Jadeja 39) Khawaja’s spell lasts just the one over but he may well do a better job than Labuschagne who returns to little effect. A rank over goes for 11, including a mown four from the centurion.
152nd over: India 517-6 (Pant 104, Jadeja 35) Khawaja’s over was part of a plan to allow Lyon to swap ends. He almost snares a wicket with a mistimed drive almost reaching long-off but otherwise it’s another over of accumulation. The declaration must be soon, surely?
“Eric B is in my top 3 rhymers of all time, along with Biggie and either NAS or Posdnous,” emails Daniel Guidone. “If we asked the Australian Selectors for a rapping line up, what would be get?” I shudder to think.
151st over: India 513-6 (Pant 103, Jadeja 33) Good grief, we’re into junk time now. Usman Khawaja comes on for just his second over in Test cricket (he has one first-class wicket, it must be said) but he begins with a real stinky full toss that is belted to the midwicket sweeper. The remainder of the over is only marginally better but India’s batsman are unable to dish out significant punishment. Rarely have Australia ever been humiliated like this in international cricket.
150th over: India 510-6 (Pant 101, Jadeja 31) Aye aye! Pants wants his ton with a six, but he’ll have to settle for one brought up with a four. Labuschagne’s first delivery goes miles in the air but plugs behind mid-off. The second his hoicked through midwicket and the left-hander raises his willow to generous applause in recognition of his second Test century.
“Not sure about Will McCallum’s assessment,” emails Hugh Bartram. “As good as Pujara is I’m not sure I’d be happy with my painter flicking the brush off the hip like he does.”
149th over: India 503-6 (Pant 94, Jadeja 31) Pant displays his quick thinking at the start of Lyon’s latest over. After first advancing down the track for the big heave-ho only to drill the ball into his boot, he responds next delivery by hanging back on his crease and cutting delicately behind point for three. This pair then exchange singles before a calamity almost befalls India’s gloveman. Pant set off for a single that wasn’t there, Jadeja wisely sent him back, a direct hit would have brought about a declaration but Handscomb failed with his shy and the near-centurion survives. He suffered a scuffed forearm in the process of diving though, which requires a little dressing.
148th over: India 498-6 (Pant 90, Jadeja 30) Labuschagne’s shift extends to a 14th over and he’s fortunate to only concede four runs during a set that includes a wild full toss outside off stump. Pant moves to 90, a new record for an Indian wicketkeeper in Australia.
Before we forget the majesty of James Brown’s Hot Pants, a note that it is one of those tracks that features as a sample in some form or other in a succession of belters, including this masterpiece of early hip hop from Eric B. & Rakim. .
147th over: India 494-6 (Pant 89, Jadeja 27) Play has resumed at the SCG and it’s business as usual for India. Both batsmen piercing gaps for singles during Nathan Lyon’s 50th over.
Session splits in #AusvInd
1. 1-69
2. 1-108
3. 2-126
4. 1-86
5. 1-102
“As someone who has watched India chase leather for session after session when they play in Australia, the players looking plaintively at the pavilion for any sign of a declaration, wickets coming by about as frequently as Halley’s comet, and the constant fear that Lara’s record 375 was probably going to broken any minute now - all I can say is I am enjoying this beyond anything you can believe. Revenge is sweet alright.” It’s safe to say Sankaran Krishna is enjoying himself. And who can blame him, or any Indian supporter right now?
Please keep me company over the next couple of hours, either on Twitter - @JPHowcroft- or by email - jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com.
In the meantime, and in honour of the star of today’s play, here’s James Brown.
It’s been another day of Indian domination. A day that ensures the visitors will depart Australian soil as series victors for the first time in their history. All that remains is whether they fly home with a 2-1 or 3-1 margin.
This evening session promises to be full of entertainment (sorry Adam) as India’s carefree lower order thrashes away before Virat Kohli calls them back to the pavilion. Thereafter Australia will be compelled to score at an ODI run-rate to stand any chance of salvaging a series draw.
Thank you very much Mr Collins, my favourite cricketing Adam since Adam Dale, a man who retired with 245 first-class wickets at an average of 20.75, a feat overshadowed by holding on to one of the all-time great catches.
146th over: India 491-6 (Pant 88, Jadeja 25) Travis Head! A new bowler for the 146th over - sure, why not. There’s not a lot of interest in this set though, singles taken to the sweepers at point, long-on, long-off and backward point. Tea it is. Gosh, that was grim. Usually, I’m a bit flat when my OBO stint is done. Not today. Hopefully, JP Howcroft can oversee something a fraction more lively after the break. Talk to you tomorrow! Bye!
145th over: India 487-6 (Pant 86, Jadeja 23) Might this be the final over? Starc will send it down. He nearly sneaks through the defence of Jadeja, finding his leg stump but not the woodwork. They are up again when he hits Pant’s pad, but more a polite query than a full-blooded appeal. Pant takes one with the clock just on the cusp of 3:10pm local time, but they race around just in time to squeeze another in.
144th over: India 485-6 (Pant 85, Jadeja 22) Why aren’t they trying to put Labuschagne on the moon at every available opportuninity? On the other hand, credit to the young leggie for the way he has bowled in this session. Character building, etc.
From 1-1, this has gone only marginally better for Australia than the 10-11 Ashes
143rd over: India 481-6 (Pant 84, Jadeja 19) Shooooot! Pant nails a cover drive from the very middle of his blade, down to the boundary. Four more then comes off his front pad, deflected to the rope when Starc misfires to the legside. More runs to finish, Pant on the balls of his feet striking beautifully through point, albeit for three this time. He’s entering the 80s faster than Elton John did.
“I find Pujara pretty tedious to watch,” Will McCallum begins, “but the concentration is admirable. I reckon he’d be good at painting a large room or hall without making mistakes.”
I shuddered just now remembering this fever dream from the MCG. @collinsadamhttps://t.co/WYn94at15W
142nd over: India 470-6 (Pant 77, Jadeja 19) Pant reverse sweeps Labuschagne again, albeit for one this time. For reasons best explained by Jadeja, he decides to defend the rest. Mitch Starc takes his hat off ready to bowl the next over, the Richies singing their hymn again about him being the new ball king. “The thing is,” CricViz whiz kid Ben Jones says, “Starc is notoriously better with the old ball.”
141st over: India 469-6 (Pant 76, Jadeja 19) Who hits Pat Cummins for six? Ravi Jadeja does! Clearing the front leg, the southpaw picked his spot in the O’Reilly Stand and nailed it, bringing up the 50-stand between these two in 66 deliveries. That’s the fifth half-century partnership of the innings.
“I know I shouldn’t but am still doing this,” begins Ravi Raman. “But Vedic astrology also believed in a flat earth that rested on a tortoise.” Maybe I’ll hold off on that tea break reading.
140th over: India 458-6 (Pant 71, Jadeja 13) Labuschagne gives Lyon a break, much to the delight of Pant. It takes him a few balls to size up the leggie before launching into a reverse sweep, nailing the placement and timing down to the rope at backward point. “I think India want 500 and to get out of there,” former Australian spinner Gavin Robertson says on SEN’s commentary, predicting a declaration from Kohli just after tea. In turn, Pant needs to move quick to secure a ton. Of that we can be sure.
If Paul Collingwood got an MBE for scoring 7 & 0 at The Oval in 2005, then surely Pete Handscomb gets an Order of Australia or Victoria Cross medal for fielding at short leg to Marnus Labuschagne’s leg spin.
139th over: India 453-6 (Pant 66, Jadeja 13) Jadeja’s turn, making room to slap Cummins over backward point for another resourceful boundary! He has a second pop later in the over but doesn’t make contact. With that, India nowhave 450 on the board. I suspect this is going to get worse before it gets better for Tim Paine.
138th over: India 448-6 (Pant 65, Jadeja 9) Oooh, this might be the start of the explosion, Pant jumping down at Lyon and slapping over cover inside-out for four. The timing wasn’t sweet but the power and intent were enough to get the job done.
137th over: India 441-6 (Pant 59, Jadeja 8) Neither player is too worried about going after the short of a length deliveries this time around from Cummins, Pant cutting twice and Jadeja pulling around the corner, all for risk-free singles. It never ends for Australia.
“Sharing your pain,” wries Siddharth Vaidyanathan of the Pant non-selection in the ODIs. “Oddest prediction and I wonder what the odds are on this - Jadeja gets to 25 + Pant to 75 (both achieved ideally)... and THEN do we see ODI / T20 mode? 10 years from now, with no intent of blasphemy whatsoever, I figure that we will see marathon innings at the pace of a T20 innings in a test match. And it may become more common. For me, Sehwag was the origin of this kind of thinking. He deserves much of the credit, realised or not.”
136th over: India 438-6 (Pant 57, Jadeja 7) Close again from Lyon to start, Pant taking him on down the ground but not getting all of it, just clearing the man at mid-off. The rest of the over is more convincing, three singles taken to the sweepers.
135th over: India 433-6 (Pant 53, Jadeja 6) Pat Cummins’ turn to bang away from the Paddington End, replacing Hazlewood who did his job in helping build the pressure ahead of the Pujara dismissal. He finds the edge first ball to gully, just past where the man is stationed there. Jadeja has to do the usual dancing routine for the rest, getting out of the way of a couple of legit bouncers and another couple below the shoulders but still on track for his chest. He does it well.
A quite outstanding email from Raja Mahraj, which I’m going to reproduce in all its glory (with the exception of one line about September 11).
Australia has made a slight change in its bowling plans to Pujara.@copes9 illustrates Lyon's areas #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/PhEDlwsGmE
134th over: India 432-6 (Pant 52, Jadeja 6) During the break, The Richies were given a big run on the scoreboard singing a Christmas carol saying that Mitch Starc is the ‘new ball king.’ Well, they are only 27 overs from the third new ball, so there is that coming. Lyon to Pant after the breather, who again takes a single from the first ball of a new over, down the ground this time. Jadeja builds on his start, with two more to midwicket.
133rd over: India 429-6 (Pant 51, Jadeja 4) Pant is off strike first ball to cover, Jadeja then popping two into the legside for a couple before leaving the rest, the customary pair of bouncers in there. With that, drinks are called.
The collective gasp and clutching of bossom as Jadeja ran his hand through volumous locks #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/0p7kO5f160
132nd over: India 426-6 (Pant 50, Jadeja 2) Jadeja gives the strike back to Pant early in the Lyon over, who clips one to midwicket to bring up his half-century in 85 deliveries. When he went to his maiden Test ton at The Oval in September, the left-hander exploded after reaching 50. Now, batting with the first of the bowlers (albeit a very good player in Jadeja), he’ll surely do the same again here shortly.
“I realise that Pujara and Kohli are the main game along with the amazing Jasprit Bumrah,” emails Gervase Greene. “But just how good is Rishabh Pant? (Rhetorical, that). He’s barely a grown-up, but whether batting, bantering, baby-sitting or keeping he seems to do it all. And in great spirit. For sheer ‘watchability’ he is a real find.”
Aakash Chopra was just on telly saying that Saha, a much better wicketkeeper at this stage, will struggle to get back into the Indian XI now that Pant has done so well with the bat. Could there be room for both? Having watched Pant play some absurd IPL innings, I can’t believe he’s not in the mix as a specialist bat in the ODI squad.
Job done. Cheteshwar Pujara 193 (373). #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/U474foBQLc
131st over: India 424-6 (Pant 49, Jadeja 1) Pant may have a new partner but his intent has not changed, getting inside a short ball from Hazlewood to help himself to a four to fine leg, taking him to within one of his half-century. Earlier in the over, Jadeja was off the mark with a hard-run single to midwicket. This should be fun.
OUT! Lyon brings an end to Pujara's incredible knock.
193 (373) for @cheteshwar1#AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/TNhL3x56nS
Lyon has done it! After two excellent overs, Pujara advances to the final ball from the spinner and returns a straightforward catch. The end of the most mighty hand across 373 balls, denied a third double against Australia by just seven runs. Stand and applaud.
130th over: India 418-6 (Pant 44)
129th over: India 417-5 (Pujara 193, Pant 43) Hazlewood vs Pujara, starting outside the off-stump before banging in short, hitting Pujara on the elbow. He takes a moment to compose himself - that stung him a bit. Sure enough, Hazlewood bumps him again to finish.
“A Selfish of Adams?” suggests Adam Hirst, neatly linking together a couple of themes. Nicely bowled. I just want milestones, Ads (I’ve never called anyone that before and hate it when people use it for/at me). Welcome to my brain.
128th over: India 417-5 (Pujara 193, Pant 43) Two probing overs in a row from Lyon, Pant unable to get far from his crease in defence. Trying to make something from the final ball, he misses a cut close to his body, similar to the error he brought from Pujara in his previous over.
“This instant Twitter, elegant email malarkey and fast T20 stuff undermines the slow unfolding beauty of Test cricket,” writes Simon Richards. “I shall pen, in cursive, a letter to arrive via boat to reach you approx August 2019. (Spoiler alert: Even with those unsavoury Smith & Warner chaps I would suggest 3 - 1).” It’s going to take a lot to go right for Australia to win an Ashes Test next year.
127th over: India 417-5 (Pujara 193, Pant 43) Hazlewood is back to replace Labuschagne from our press box end and Pant enjoys the extra pace, flicking off his pads and to the rope at fine leg. Can be make it to tea? He grabs another one, also along the ground, his half-century nearing. Pujara deals with the rest in his usual way.
126th over: India 412-5 (Pujara 193, Pant 38) DROPPED CATCH! It’s about as hard as a chance comes for a first slip with an offie bowling, Pujara cutting hard off the edge so Khawaja only had time to throw his right hand at it. It doesn’t stick. In response, Pujara calmly takes a single from the next ball, Pant doing likewise through midwicket. That hurts. Had he pulled it in, comparisons would have been made to this. Related: there will be no Test at Hobart next year as Pakistan aren’t deemed worthy of a third. Sigh.
125th over: India 410-5 (Pujara 192, Pant 37) Pujara creams a Labuschagne long hop to the boundary in front of the members at midwicket, with it moving into the 190s. He defends the rest until the final ball, which he cuts to the sweeper at deep point. Before lunch, I was talking up the prospect of Pujara going to a triple ton in this innings. Selfishly, as I’ve never seen one of those raised in the 109 Tests I’ve attended.
124th over: India 405-5 (Pujara 187, Pant 37) Another three singles through the legside without risk. There’s not a lot going on for Lyon here in this spell after lunch.
Australia are looking listless, have been for an hour or so. The body language is flat. The game looks beyond them.
123rd over: India 402-5 (Pujara 185, Pant 36) Another close call for Pant, this time nearly holing out to Hazlewood at long-on. The big quick, into his fifth session out there bowling, made plenty of territory but he couldn’t quite reach the ball with his dive. Labuschagne is landing his deliveries consistently now, attacking the stumps so he’s in the game, even if the Indian pair are taking relatively easy singles along the way. “If there was ever a time to cash in during a Test Match it is now,” says Ricky Ponting of Rishabh Pant, urging the Indian ‘keeper to kick on.
122nd over: India 398-5 (Pujara 183, Pant 34) Pant gets off strike first ball of the Lyon over, easing a full ball down the ground. Pujara does the rest, playing mostly with his pad outside the line of the off stump.
“G’day Adam, following from chilly Seoul.” Hello Will Arnold, great to have you with us. “Surely it’s got to be an embarrassment of Richies?” Verrrrry good. I was thinking an insufferable, but you’ve nailed it in one. As a nation, we really are no good at this stuff.
121st over: India 397-5 (Pujara 183, Pant 33) Run out chance! Pant was on the way down the track for a single from the final ball but Pujara sent him back. Had the throw been on target from the bowler Labuschagne, he was in real strife. Not to be.
120th over: India 396-5 (Pujara 183, Pant 32) I should say before we get too far into this that, if you are new to the OBO, you can be part of it by dropping me your emails and tweets at any time. Three singles off this Lyon over too, tucked, driven and pushed to the sweepers. Ricky Ponting is talking about the ODI squad on TV and noting that Maxwell is better than a part-time spinner in 50-over cricket. Given he was the man Australia used as their number one tweaker in their successful 2015 campaign, it was always odd how little Steve Smith used him with the ball when he was in charge.
119th over: India 393-5 (Pujara 182, Pant 30) Labuschagne continues his spell from before the break, turning one early in the over in the direction of Pant’s inside edge, which isn’t for nothing with a short leg fielder in place. That straight line of attack does allow easy singles to be taken as well, three of them before the over is complete.
118th over: India 390-5 (Pujara 181, Pant 28) I don’t know why I thought Lyon was bowling from our end. Of course, he’s operating at the Randwick End, as is the custom for tweakers at the SCG. His first over is accurate enough, Pant defending until the final ball when he has enough room to cut one. Between overs, The Richies are singing Waltzing Matilda. Can I get a few collective noun options for The Richies? They were belting out a beer commercial over and over before lunch, which guarantees we’ll have 72 renditions of the national anthem coming our way from them after tea.
[Christopher Walken] The players. Are back. On the field! [/Christopher Walken] One Australia not striding out is David Warner, but he was talking in Bangladesh earlier today about his growth away from the side. There are reports in the paper today that he could be up for a cool million to flog the full Sandpaper story (via book or interview) when the time comes. Won’t that be fun! Back in the middle, it is Nathan Lyon bouncing away from us to begin from the Paddington End, bowling at Rishabh Pant (28) with Che Pujara (181) down the other end. India are resuming on 389-5. PLAY!
Related: David Warner speaks of personal growth after time away from cricket
I arrive with news. Of an Australian ODI squad, announced in the lunch break. I see that Geoff has given you a true Geoffing at the end, numbers everywhere for us to watch in the upcoming session, but back to those in a moment. This is the group of 14 that will attempt to avoid losing by an innings to India in any of their three ODIs this month:
Aaron Finch (c) (Victoria)
Usman Khawaja (Queensland)
Shaun Marsh (Western Australia)
Peter Handscomb (Victoria)
Glenn Maxwell (Victoria)
Marcus Stoinis (Western Australia)
Mitch Marsh (vc) (Western Australia)
Alex Carey (vc) (South Australia)
Jhye Richardson (Western Australia)
Billy Stanlake (Queensland)
Jason Behrendorff (Western Australia)
Peter Siddle (Victoria)
Nathan Lyon (New South Wales)
Adam Zampa (South Australia)
India’s session. India’s day. India’s match. India’s year, so far. And India’s series, surely, inevitably. One wicket in the session, with Hanuma Vihari dismissed, but Pujara has sailed serenely on. Pant has given him faultless support so far (and isn’t that what we all want from our Pants.)
Nathan Lyon and Mitch Starc have already gone for over 100, with two wickets for Lyon and one for Starc. Hazlewood has the best figures with 2-65 but hasn’t looked too dangerous bar the odd beaten edge. Cummins is wicketless thus far.
117th over: India 389-5 (Pujara 181, Pant 27) Labuschagne closes out the session with three singles, and that will be that. SH writes in having noted Harsha Bhogle’s comment that Pujara has now batted more time in the series than a five-day Test. “This amuses me,” writes SH. “Pujara batting for five day just for the hell of it.”
He might just do it here at the SCG.
116th over: India 386-5 (Pujara 180, Pant 25) Lyon continues, and Pujara helps him around the corner for four more. Equals Rahul Dravid’s famous score against Australia from Kolkata in 2001.
This should be a children’s story book from Mahendra Killedar. “I have got a grasshopper theory for Vihari’s misfortune with DRS. You see lot of green between ball as it passes bat. That must be the naughty insect kissing the bat!”
115th over: India 380-5 (Pujara 175, Pant 24) Poor old Marnus Labuschagne. He’s on to bowl nine minutes before lunch. He’s absolutely being used like the classic part-timer, a sneaky over before a break to try to disrupt the batsman’s concentration. Not being treated as a legitimate part of the bowling plans. At least he keeps this over tighter than yesterday, only conceding three.
Pujara has just gone past the all-time record for balls faced in a four-Test series between these countries. In that 2003-04 series where they were so closely matched, Ricky Ponting faced 1201 balls and Rahul Dravid faced 1203. Pujara is at 1208 and counting.
114th over: India 377-5 (Pujara 174, Pant 22) Four runs from Lyon’s over. A belated appeal from the bowler after Pant almost misses a sweep, but he got something on it. And a couple of runs from the ricochet off his pad.
113th over: India 373-5 (Pujara 173, Pant 19) A false shot from Pujara as Hazlewood bowls a slower ball. Spoons it away on the off side, but it lands safely for two runs.
Tom Cameron is in our inbox with a worthy discussion point.
112th over: India 371-5 (Pujara 171, Pant 19) Lyon to Pant, cut away for a single. Lyon has dropped short a fair bit this morning. Pujara helps one around the corner for three. That double hundred is looming. “Borrowing a phrase I first came across in context of Welsh rugby in the late ‘80s,” writes Paddy Davies, “watching Australia play cricket is like intruding on a nation’s private grief.”
111th over: India 367-5 (Pujara 168, Pant 18) Hazlewood on for Starc, who just wasn’t right this morning. There’s a weary and jaded tread to Josh H, I have to say. He looked sore and tired chasing to the boundary earlier. No surprise given the long shifts at Melbourne and the short turnaround into another two days of bowling here. Bouncer, yorker, ball past the edge, and no love. The Hazlewood 2018-19 story.
110th over: India 367-5 (Pujara 168, Pant 18) Three singles from the Lyon over, comfortably collecting without trying to overdo it. Pant is still keeping his cool.
“They’ve been brilliant, haven’t they?” writes SH of the umpiring. “Don’t remember too many decisions getting overturned.” True, and they’ve got some very skinny ones correct.
109th over: India 364-5 (Pujara 166, Pant 17) Starc tries the yorker again, but only hits Pant’s pad and flies away for four leg byes. A couple of singles follow. The runs keep coming.
“Geoff, I must apostrophise your pant pun with apostrophe. Not possible if misused.”
A demonstration of the importance of punctuation, by my mother:
Boris said, "Theresa may resign".
"Boris", said Theresa, "may resign".
Boris said, "Theresa May: Resign!"
"Boris," said Theresa May: "Resign".
108th over: India 358-5 (Pujara 165, Pant 16) Pujara is making it look so easy. Works the ball to leg a couple of times, straight to the field, but the last ball of the over Lyon gives him width, and Pujara immediately changes his line of attack to cut behind point for four.
107th over: India 353-5 (Pujara 161, Pant 15) Starc attempts the yorker at 151 kph. Just overpitches. Pant is doing the hornpipe to get his feet out of the way of the very low full toss, but gets enough on it to send it down the ground. It rolls and rolls and teases Hazlewood all the way into the rope.
106th over: India 346-5 (Pujara 160, Pant 9) Huge appeal, and Australia will go upstairs again. Pant swishes outside off stump and Lyon’s ball misses the top edge. There was a noise, you can hear a click as the ball goes past on the stump mics. “I didn’t hear anything. You guys know,” says Lyon. Khawaja at slip says “That’s out.” Paine reviews. But there’s nothing on DRS or Snicko, and it seems like a sliver of daylight between ball and bat. The noise must have come from somewhere else.More frustration, and Australia have now lost both reviews.
105th over: India 345-5 (Pujara 160, Pant 8) Mitchell Starc, ladies and gentlemen, is getting smashed. Pujara is the more attacking player right at the moment, and cover drives gorgeously for four. Starc comes over the wicket to the left-handed Pant, and produces the same result in mirror image, that ball so well struck it flew to the rope where plenty of others have limped. A single to each batsman means 10 from the over.
104th over: India 335-5 (Pujara 155, Pant 3) A maiden from Nathan Lyon to Rishabh Pant. Now I’ve seen everything. (“Oh really? Have you ever seen a man eat his own head? Well then you haven’t seen everything.”) Pant plays a couple of shots to the field, but otherwise defends and leaves. Wonder if he made a New Year’s resolution to stop holding out for 24 from 18 balls.
Ruth wishes to clarify that her former post was indeed satirical, and she’d like to wager that Pujara will be the not-out batsman. Safe shout.
103rd over: India 335-5 (Pujara 155, Pant 3) Right. Pants on, everybody. Pant’s on. Off the mark immediately as he deals with Starc’s yorker. Then dabs a single. Pujara adds another couple on the glance. Now it’s time for drinks.
102nd over: India 329-5 (Pujara 152) Down the track he comes to Lyon, shimmying as he did all yesterday, and drives with a flourish out through cover for four. The tumbling save out on the rope saves nothing. And another milestone comes up for Pujara, his biggest hundred of the series by a distance now. But when he swaps strike, Vihari is out to the last ball of the over.
Finally the breakthrough for Lyon. Vihari goes for the sweep, gets the faintest top edge, into his bicep, and flexed away to short leg. Vihari didn’t think he hit it, and reviewed immediately, but Snicko found the faintest flicker.
More evidence that “you always know when you’ve hit it” is self-confirming tosh.
101st over: India 324-4 (Pujara 147, Vihari 42) Starc on to complete a double change. Did I mention that Che likes the cut shot? Short, wide, dross, boshed. Starc gets the line better, and later in the over almost has Vihari playing onto his stumps. Got his legs in the way, luckily for the batsman.
100th over: India 319-4 (Pujara 142, Vihari 42) Lyon on for a trundle. Vihari blocks out the over watchfully. Checking for any turn or bounce from this surface. Doesn’t look threatening yet.
Abramowitz tips Pujara for 253.
Geoff Wignall for 177.
And the pool is closed.
99th over: India 319-4 (Pujara 142, Vihari 42) Pujara has been sharp on the threes today. Gets another from Hazlewood off his pads, thereby sadly knocking Josh (not Hazlewood) out of the running for the pool before even getting started.
“Pujara to fall for 139 top edging a reverse sweep. It’s later revealed this was part of a bet with fellow jokester and bloke who thinks it’s important to remember cricket’s just a game, Virat Kohli.”
98th over: India 315-4 (Pujara 139, Vihari 41) Pujara finally takes a run from Cummins via a cut shot. Moves his score on to 139. So then.
Pujara Party. Pool Party. Pujara Pool Party.
97th over: India 314-4 (Pujara 138, Vihari 41) Another maiden, as the waiting game continues. Vihari has not yet decided that he’d rather play Hungry Hungry Hippos. He has to play at four Hazlewood deliveries, but all defensive strokes.
“Hi Geoff. These guys need to be bounced out methinks.” I do hope that’s satirical, Ruth, after what we saw yesterday morning.
96th over: India 314-4 (Pujara 138, Vihari 41) Another Cummins maiden to Pujara. Jono Maher has a very interesting question.
“I wonder if that list of top visiting run-scorers against Australia warrants some unpacking? By my reckoning all 15 entries come exclusively from England or India. Is that simply a function of the number of series played, or the effect of a few stand-out individuals, or something else perhaps? India in particular have never won a series in Australia, yet claim 7 of the top 15 highest spots, whereas the West Indies I believe have won 4 series here, and don’t feature at all...”
95th over: India 314-4 (Pujara 138, Vihari 41) Both batsmen are starting to drive Hazlewood confidently. Can he use this against them? Vihari picks up two and then one, Pujara another three.
What’s the pool on Pujara’s score today? I’m tipping 232. Nominations close after the 100th over. Closest to the pin.
94th over: India 308-4 (Pujara 135, Vihari 39) Cummins in contrast takes the Route 1 approach, attacking the body. He’s got that leg gully in again, trying to replicate the dismissal of Pujara from Melbourne. Slightly different circumstances though this time around, and Pujara is happy not to score.
We might as well crack into the politics of the day, via Bill May.
93rd over: India 308-4 (Pujara 135, Vihari 39) Hazlewood, first thing in the morning, with a ball that’s still fairly new. This is how he did in England in Adelaide a year and a bit ago. How much longer it seems... He beats Vihari with a good ball, but Australia’s bowlers have done a lot of that this series, and far less dismissing anyone. Hazlewood can’t change that, even as he chisels away just outside off stump. Vihari’s discipline holds.
92nd over: India 308-4 (Pujara 135, Vihari 39) Pat Cummins will start the day: Simon Atkinson will be happy. “Long time reader, first time caller. Having a particularly busy morning at work and knocked up this masterpiece (attached) for a group chat, but hoping it’s an omen for Cummins bring the spice (cumin?) to India today. Not sure I’ve got the meme right, but... I’m too old to understand memes. Thanks for the commentary yesterday, looking forward to a good morning of cricket for either team.”
Pujara blocks out the over tamely enough, bar two runs off his pads.
91st over: India 306-4 (Pujara 133, Vihari 39) And we’re away. Hazlewood with the first ball, defended, then the second ball, driven nicely by Pujara through covers for three. The bat twisted on impact there, but it was nice decisive footwork from the overnight batsman to get to the line of that ball. Vihari is tucked up on his stumps and tries to punch into the gap at point, but can’t beat the field.
It’s Day 2, so the Richies are out in force. Gathering at the pub across the road before the game as I walked in. Already in good voice. Though drunkenly yelling at passing cars at 9:30 in the morning wasn’t exactly the vibe that the great man exuded, if I’m bluntly honest. Let’s see how they go in the stands today.
And while we finish our morning Pujara Party, why not take some of the 25 minutes before play to read my piece from last night, in which I got to cite some beautifully accidental modern Australian poetry from South Australia bowler Nick Benton.
Related: Cheteshwar Pujara stands tall to earn Australia’s grudging respect | Geoff Lemon
While Ric Finlay is doing the business (he’s the ABC statto, and one of the best in the world), how’s this for a number?
CPujara has now batted for over a 1000 minutes more than any Australian batsman this series #AusvInd
This gives a good sense of Pujara’s series. Dominant in terms of decent scores per innings, but nothing gargantuan. Currently 15th on this list, though he could vault up a fair few places today. Plus a second innings if necessary.
Most runs by visiting bats in the first 4 Tests of an Aus series:
851 WHammond
712 HSutcliffe
692 VKohli
619 RDravid
588 AFaulkner
585 JHobbs
577 ACook
566 EBarlow
560 JHobbs
494 VLaxman
493 STendulkar
482 MVijay
464 VSehwag
464 CBroad
458* CPujara#AusvInd
As always, drop me a line. We’ve had a fair bit of fun with the readers this series, who’ve come out of the woodwork more and more as the Tests have gone on. Find me on Twitter if that’s your bag, or use the old and elegant email: geoff.lemon@theguardian.com.
Good morning, good evening, good crepuscular stroll, good whatever time of day or night it is in your locale. Perhaps you’re orbiting in a satellite and the very concepts of day and night are now irrelevant? In which case, welcome, space family! And a salute for your post-atmospheric bravery.
It is Cheteshwar Pujara day at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Three hundreds so far in this four-Test series, but he hasn’t made a monster. And he, like Dr Frankenstein before him, loves making monsters. Then suggesting to us by reflection that perhaps the real monster was within us all along?
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