Cricket Test Series 2014: Australia v India

[QF WP]

Yes, first wicket down. 1/30

7.4Harris to Dhawan, OUT, he's dragged it onto his stumps! It is one of his weaknesses, the itch to drive a ball on the up with a bat face that is not quite straight. His front foot was not across far enough as well and the ball cannons through onto off stump. Good tight bowling from Harris, but was he relaxing a touch too soon?

S Dhawan b Harris 25 (36m 24b 5x4 0x6) SR: 104.16

 

[QF WP]

Not sure if we're not bowling well or India's batsmen are playing well, but Vijay just got 50 and just before lunch it's 1/109

 

[Pushka]

Not sure if we're not bowling well or India's batsmen are playing well, but Vijay just got 50 and just before lunch it's 1/109

It takes a very special type of bowler to do well at Adelaide Oval.

 

[QF WP]

Oh excellent, checking for the lunch-time score gave me some unexpected joy:

30.1Johnson to Vijay, OUT, 145kph, edged to the keeper! Shouldn't have stayed on the back foot there. Adelaide was trying to will Johnson on with claps and cheers and it seems to have done it. Pats his chest and looks up at the sky with his first wicket of the series. And it was a good one too. With that constant threat of his short ball keeping the batsman deep in his crease, he bowls it fuller and shapes it across to lure the nothing poke. End of a promising innings from Vijay

M Vijay c †Haddin b Johnson 53 (88b 3x4 2x6) SR: 60.22

So next ball Johnson raps Kohli on the helmet with a bouncer Due concern shown by all Australians but Kohli is okay.

Lunch 2/119 (Pujara 34, Kohli 3)

 

[QF WP]

It takes a very special type of bowler to do well at Adelaide Oval.

Definitely this morning then, because the comments by lunch are:

12.30 pm An easy-paced pitch, lack of swing

One would think that some former swing bowlers should be chewing on the ears of the current players, telling them how to bowl at Adelaide. We need to get them out twice to win.

 

[QF WP]

Back from lunch and ominously, Kohli has hit a 4 in each of the first 3 overs. 2/142 (Kohli up to 17, off 15 balls)

 

[JohnK]

We need to get them out twice to win.

Not if India declares.

 

[Pushka]

Not if India declares.

They won't.

 

[QF WP]

Phew, mountain of work now a molehill....

Notice that the pitch is playing into the hands of the batting side (or the Aussies bowling attack has been blunted), as they're up to 3/287 (Kohli 73 and Rahane 57). Pujara was the most batsman out, bowled by Lyon for 73.

Looking like heading for a draw...wishful thinking JohnK

 

[JohnK]

They won't.

It is a possibility. More so the longer India is out there batting.

 

[Pushka]

It is a possibility. More so the longer India is out there batting.

They won't declare unless they know they can't lose the Test.

 

[QF WP]

Back to the cricket after some more work and see the Aussie have got a 4th wicket. Rahane for 62, c Watson b Lyon. Interesting to see the wicket taking spin on Day 3. Now 4/306 (Kohli 78, Sharma 9).

New ball has been taken. Now to see if Harris, Johnson & Siddle can get through the middle order.

 

[QF WP]

84.2
Marsh to Kohli, FOUR, beautiful stroke and that's the century for Kohli!

Bound to happen - Johnson just giving him balls on a platter that he has been dispatching for 4's. Now 4/333

He only has a highest score in Tests of 119. Think that will go soon.

 

[QF WP]

From one of the cricinfo commentary team:

Remember, India is not out of the woods yet. This is the last recognised pair. There is no Bhuvi or Ash, so forget the tail wagging. We need to bat till tea tomorrow to draw the test, else India will be praying for the rain."

 

[JohnK]

They won't declare unless they know they can't lose the Test.

I hate to say it but there's a possibility India may declare to win the match.

Can someone plase confirm some useless trivia? Johnson had 0/33 off 5 overs against England last year in first test and bowling poorly and then a flukish wicket got him back on track and was player of the series.

He started off 0/34 off 5 overs in his first spell today and although taking a wicket is going for 6 runs an over. Looks scared. Looks to be afraid of hitting someone. Comment on cricinfo was "Scared. Not scary." Must be tough going through what they are going through now.

 

[Pushka]

I hate to say it but there's a possibility India may declare to win the match.

Can someone plase confirm some useless trivia? Johnson had 0/33 off 5 overs against England last year in first test and bowling poorly and then a flukish wicket got him back on track and was player of the series.

He started off 0/34 off 5 overs in his first spell today and although taking a wicket is going for 6 runs an over. Looks scared. Looks to be afraid of hitting someone. Comment on cricinfo was "Scared. Not scary." Must be tough going through what they are going through now.

No team would declare to win the match when it's their first innings. You give full control to the opposition doing that.

 

[Awesom Andy]

No team would declare to win the match when it's their first innings. You give full control to the opposition doing that.

Most teams would usually bat on, and let the opponents worry about the declaration in their second innings. Most day 3-ish pitches tend to be quite good for scoring runs, so it's best to make use of it rather than trying to do a large 4th innings run chase on a day 5 pitch.

 

[QF WP]

Did I hear directly that Kohli got out for 115?? if so

 

[Awesom Andy]

Did I hear directly that Kohli got out for 115?? if so

Yes, he did. Probably kicking himself in the locker room as we speak. Seems a bit of a waste from his point of view given there were only a couple of overs left in the day.

 

[Pushka]

Apparently he has a reputation of getting out at the end of the day.