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KP_fan wrote:

msp83 wrote:So India is getting back on the field tonight, kicking off their WTC campaign. Rohit has already confirmed Jaiswal will open, and Gill drop down to 3. When all the talk of Yashasvi taking over from Pujara at 3 was going on, I felt he should open, particularly since the team views Gill as the eventual successor to Virat Kohli at 4. Going forward, I see a top 4 of Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran/Devdutt Padikkal/Rohan Kunnummal, Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Eswaran has been hard done by......Jaiswal was jumped over him
Mayank Agarwal should not be ruled out...he has batted very well in FC and has a decent test match showing also.

And don't forget the favorite boy of seniors and BCCI in KL Rahul...as soon as he is fit he will walk back into the 11

Its been tough on Easwaran. Think Mayank and KL might find it difficult to now fight their way back in. Particularly if Yashasvi has a good start to his career. KL might still make a comeback when Rohit leaves, but I hope Easwaran, Rohan and even Padikkal will make better cases for themselves.
As for Yashasvi jumping over Abhimanyu, though its tough on the latter, think is the right call. Jaiswal scored hundreds on his Ranji, Duleep and Irani trophy debuts. He's versatile and has shown adaptability as indicated by his IPL success. And, its not much noted these days, but he's a handy parttimer with the ball, he very much was for the U-19s, hope he'll get a few chances right away to work on that secondary skill of his...

And more joy for India as Petersen chops on ! Bumrah on the charge...

Indian seamers have tried too hard to blast off wickets...same problem as I saw them in the last 3 games in seaming conditions 2 in SA and 1 in Eng.

and Prasidh didn't look good...India needs to tighten their line and bowl patiently

So bad light stops play, and guess that'll be it for the day. South Africa 256-5 with Dean Elgar going strong with a fabulous hundred under his belt and he has Marco Jansen for company. Bavuma didn't come out to bat, and may not be available for the match, or at least this innings.
Just before the stoppage, India managed couple of quick wickets. The very impressive David Bedingham, on test debut, got done in by a fine delivery from Siraj after scoring a very watchable half-century, and then the returning Kyle Verreynne edged Prasidh Krishna to the keeper for 4 to just give India a lift.
Didn't watch a lot of the day's play, but from whatever I followed, Indian bowling was far too inconsistent, Shardul Thakur was terrible, Prasidh also didn't offer much and gave away easy runs. Ashwin wasn't able to create much magic in conditions that gave him nothing. Siraj was a bit inconsistent. Bumrah had his moments, didn't give away anything much free, and produced a couple of quick wickets when he got De Zorzy and Peterson in back-to-back overs to bring India back into the game. The impressive Bedingham, in the company of the senior pro Elgar, didn't give India a snif for long after that though.

South Africa can thank Brexit, so that they didn't end up losing Bedingham to England. And they can also thank County Cricket, seems his exploits there, have certainly made him more ready to play top level cricket. Probably it helped that he has had some time in domestic cricket, before entering test cricket. Don't know how good his game against spin is, and bowlers would surely be asking tougher questions of him as he goes on, but the guy does seem a very fine prospect for South Africa.

India will be very frustrated. They beat the bat loads, but 256/5 represents a very good return for South Africa. Elgar's innings top-quality and he had the correct approach on that pitch. Probably agree that India's seamers were trying a little too hard.

Started to see some proper variable bounce in that last session. A few shooting low, then right at the end one unexpectedly rising. So SA's chase on the fourth day is going to be very tricky.

watched in bits today and my takeaways

-Indian bowlers Bumrah & Siraj tried too hard
-Pitch eased for the better part until it started getting uneven
-Ashwin totally ineffective
-Prasidh doesn't know how to bowl test match lengths
-Elgar brilliant

KP_fan wrote:watched in bits today and my takeaways

-Indian bowlers Bumrah & Siraj tried too hard
-Pitch eased for the better part until it started getting uneven
-Ashwin totally ineffective
-Prasidh doesn't know how to bowl test match lengths
-Elgar brilliant

I wouldn't rush to judge Prasidh that harshly on the basis of his first day of test cricket. Ashwin wasn't supposed to run through the lineup and there were no surprises there. Agree Bumrah and Siraj were not at their disciplined best particularly with the new ball though they did keep beeting the bat regularly. The absolute failure of the day was Shardul Thakur. Really all over the place, and a few no balls too. In the absence of Shami, he should have stepped up, taken more responsibility, with his considerable FC experience besides the international exposure he has had.
Hardik isn't going to play much test cricket. The likes of Raj Bawa are yet to even develop as a decent domestic all-rounder. Perhaps they should look to someone like Shivam Mavi. The guy has pace, and can use the long handle too. Played as a bowling all-rounder at U -19 levels though hasn't quite replicated it at FC level. Shardul is a really desperate option.

The thing about Shardul is that while he has punched above his weight with the bat, he hasn't delivered of late, with the ball, his primary responsibility. He has only one outstanding performance with the ball after that tour of Australia. If anything, it came in South Africa. Hopefully, we can see more of that, rather than the rubbish he has served up today. Shardul has that ability to really surprise people. He's a fighter, a character... Hopefully, he can channel all that, and justify his place in the side not just with some fight at 8 with the bat, but with some wickets, or some discipline and support to the new ball operators.

Another delayed start here as Melbourne "enjoys" the damp and cloudy morning that seems to have become the unseasonable norm this year...but into action now , and Rizwan has started brightly , picking up eight from the first two overs with some clean strokes and brisk running. He seems to be prepared to trust Jamal rather than farm the strike - sensible, I think. The latter is just hanging in ; but doing so with determination , on only 3 runs , but from 35 balls. Rizwan will have to make most of the runs , but appreciates the support. 204/6.

I see SA is building a strong position thanks to Elgar - though with Bavuma OOA he's going to need a bit of help from the tail as there isn't much batting left after Jansen. Went for some sleep so didn't see the Bedingham innings but it sounds like a very promising start for him - something SA will welcome as their batting stocks have really become depleted lately. India might be disappointed with their back up bowling and failure to take full advantage of seaming conditions ; but with the increasing signs of uneven bounce already and SA having to bat last they certainly aren't out of it yet. Will need a good third innings when they do wrap up this SA effort...a good test for the likes of Jaiswal and Gill in alien conditions : can't leave it all to Kohli , Rohit and Rahul.

Useful stand for Pakistan broken as Rizwan slaps Cummins to Warner in the covers... 215/7 so looking at a solid Aussie lead from here with the danger batsman gone for 42. Four wickets now for Cummins

Lyon on now as the tail is exposed...ball is spinning and the two slips are in again for the left handed Afridi - who has apparently decided no point to trying to prod and poke , lofts him over mid on for four. 222/7

Cummins again with one if those strange fields to Afridi : three deep fielders on the leg side , bowling short. Question whether he needs to do this : it's Shaheen Afridi , not Ben Stokes ! I know he's going after it ; but I reckon Pat should back himself to beat the number nine without any funny stuff.

229/7 now so 89 runs adrift still : Pakistan might have cause to regret those 52 extras conceded . Cummins off now and Starc on , with a more orthodox field.

Afridi's bright little knock ended at 21 with a Lyon lbw...three wickets now for the Aussie spinner. That ball didn't spin , just went on with the arm and trapped him , albeit marginally on height. Jamal might think about having a swing now ? 240/8.

And Jamal has indeed gone on the attack , taking successive boundaries from Starc and lofting Lyon for another . Cummins returns in place of the left armer - with a more orthodox field this time for Hasan. He's nearly got Hasan too with a vicious lifter taking glove and just short of slip...

...but he's got him next ball , through his guard and scatters the stumps . Five for Cummins

255/9

All done at 264. After Jamal smashed Lyon into the stands and then took a single while being dropped in the deep , Mir Hamza unwisely tried to swing at the spinner instead of staying in for his partner...stumped. Four for Lyon to go with the skipper's five.

Only 54 behind so not all bad for Pakistan - Jamal's 33no very important. But batting last they've got it all to do now when Australia bat again.

Great start for Pakistan as Afridi has Khawaja caught behind second ball of the innings ! Late movement drew the edge and Marnus comes in at 0/1. Does well to avoid edging another beauty first up too...Afridi on song here

And right on lunch , Labuschagne tickles one down leg to be caught behind for four...two for Afridi and Australia lunching somewhat uncomfortablely on 6/2...

Bizarre delay to start of the second session : players all ready to go - but the TV umpire is stuck in the lift

All good now - he's made it back to his hutch and away we go ... With Smith and Warner facing a tricky period.

Pakistan should have had a short leg in then : Smith popped his second ball up but no one there to catch it ! Brought one in now but horse has bolted...

Wow ! Warner chops on from Hamza and leaves the MCG for the last time as a Test bat...gone for just 6 , to leave Australia at 16/3 after 31 balls...

And double wow ! Head clean bowled first ball ! 16/4 and Hamza on a hat trick

Game on !

Marsh safely leaves the hat trick ball. But the pressure right on him and Smith , with the lead a slender 70 and the tail only a mistake or two away...

That ball that cleaned up Head was a ripper : late in swing , went a long way...horrible to get first up. Great over from Hamza to back up his senior colleague

Tense at present. Just 11 runs off the bat in nine overs ...make that 15 as Marsh gets off the mark with a firm push down the ground after facing 13 balls for nothing. Smith on 1 after 14. Both bowlers attacking the stumps relentlessly...crowd a bit quiet.

Afridi off after five overs , 2/14. Slightly surprised as he's only bowled three since lunch ? Though Hasan looks on the money already - shaves Marsh's off stump once , then beats him again with an outswinger...

These two bats battling hard - but at least the sun is out again . 27/4.

Smith just starting to work the ball around...may be a feeling that the crisis could pass in the next few overs as the sunshine makes batting a little easier ? But then again , Marsh looks unsettled : one just ballooned off a tentative bat to fall safely in front of cover.
Hamza done after a great spell of six overs , 2/9. Jamal needs to keep the pressure on : but he doesn't ...two rank deliveries to start and a delighted Marsh collects a welcome brace of boundaries through cover point...and now a third ! This has been a shocking start from Jamal : just what Pakistan didn't need...Marsh up and running suddenly at 46/4.

Hundred lead

Hasan still making the ball talk...Smith edges , but I think just short of slip , though it's being checked by the TV umpire. Yes , just short - unsurprising as there was no great excitement by Pakistan. Good bowling though...really only those pies from Jamal have let the bowling side down. Drinks.

Oh dear ! First ball after drinks and Marsh slashes Jamal straight to Shafique at second slip...but dropped ! Pretty standard slips catch - a very bad miss. And could easily have been gathered on rebound by the man next to him but he was asleep...And to add insult the next ball is driven to mid off , missed by Masood and gone for four...

Have to feel for Jamal , coming back from a dreadful first over. Was this the over that decides the Test Match ? 50/4 ... Should be 46/5.

Wonder how Pakistan will regroup after that ? Has the feel of wheels getting detached...

Quite a contrast in batting styles here as Marsh continues to ride his luck , attacking anything remotely there to hit (25 from 45) while Smith is a careful 12 from 36.

This is close : No shot from Marsh , not given ...sent upstairs : Marsh survives on Umpires Call . Very close ! Hasan bowling well without reward .

Jamal despite his bad luck a little earlier just hasn't been doing what his team needs here. Allowing Smith to nibble away singles - partnership fifty now and you sense Australia getting back on top...

Afridi back : a little late perhaps. Now or never for Pakistan I think. And now a dreadful piece of comedy fielding at mid off gifts Marsh a single which isn't encouraging... Does look as if these fielding errors have started to feed on themselves. The bowlers could be forgiven for feeling they're being let down badly by their mates. Some of the body language slipping a bit I think...understandably.

Commentators talking about previous Tests in Australia where Pakistan have let slip strong positions - or had them ripped away. Certainly does seem to have been a bit of a theme over the last fifty years or so. Has their chance gone again now ? I suspect it has , as Marsh is on to 41 and Smith a restrained but sound 19 from 52 balls. Hamza is back in the attack ; and I guess one now could easily bring two or more , with the out of form Carey in next and just bowlers to follow. But you have to wonder if the "one" is going to prove elusive. 24 overs gone , 82/4.

Marsh with a vital 50 , and continues to pick off anything loose. An admirable performance by these two bats to lift Australia from the grim position of 16/4 with a partnership now worth 90. Hamza still bowling impressively ( in his tenth over , 2/12 ) ; but Smith playing calmly , and as the lead crosses 160 you'd imagine Australia will go to tea in a few minutes rather more relaxed than they were a couple of balls after lunch !

And that is indeed tea at 107/4.

No joy for Pakistan since tea ...couple of close lbw shouts - Smith a little lucky to survive a review on Umpires call at one stage. But generally the batsmen have been in command as the bowlers tire ; Smith a watchful and not totally fluent 49 from 142 balls and Marsh the aggressor with 90 from 125. Bit of an air of going through the motions by the bowlers now...no that isn't quite fair , they are trying - just don't look like they have any tricks up their sleeves with a 49 over old ball.

This is one area where they are a a huge disadvantage to the hosts : Australia have Lyon ... Pakistan really don't have a viable spin option to vary the menu. It is hurting them in this session.

Marsh on to 96 ... Score is 169/4 , so a lead now of 223. Big change from 16/4 !

But oh ...suddenly , out of the blue , Marsh edges Hamza low and wide and Salman takes a terrific one handed catch at slip ! Gone for 96 : which will disappoint him I'm sure but he has turned the game for his team

Now : will that spark Pakistan into renewed effort ? Game not quite out of sight yet as the pitch is playing pretty well now ; but they really need more wickets and quickly...

Hamza deserved that wicket...he's been the pick of the bowlers today , 3/21 from 13 overs , and has beaten the bat often enough to have maybe had more. He'd love to add Smith to his bag now as the former captain continues to look for that fiftieth run...he's been stuck on 49 for eleven balls now...but not yet , that's another maiden

Pakistan are fired up indeed...the fielders showing more desperation as they try to keep Carey scoreless ...Jamal hasn't had the best day with the ball but he's certainly putting a lot of energy into this spell. Crowd getting lively now in a good natured way with a lot of waving along with one of the boundary fielders who is conducting the chorus

Another maiden .

At last...fifty for Smith with a glance to leg for a single .

Far from his most assured - bit of a battling performance ; but very valuable for his side. Apparently his slowest ever fifty for Australia , just three boundaries. Fair to credit some good bowling , perhaps. 173/5 as Afridi comes back on...

As we near the close , runs have virtually dried up. Smith still on fifty and clearly has sights on tomorrow , while Carey is just trying to stay in , on 6 from 28 balls.

And we see the spin of Salman now for the first time...which has inspired Carey to loft one down the ground for four ... Bit of a boost to the scoreboard. 60 overs down , 182/5.

Last over coming soon . Just as well as I'm going to suffer from writers cramp.

Salman to Carey who seems happy to be facing this rather than the pace men - another nice drive for four takes him to 16. Maybe two more overs ? 187/5 and Afridi comes in for his 19th - he's worked his socks off today , with bat and ball.

...and Afridi gets his man ! Gets one to jump at Smith , takes the splice and lobs to gully ! Gone for exactly fifty ; and we close day three with Australia 187/6 , leading by 241.

Afridi and Hamza three each in a fine display of bowling. Marsh for Australia the hero , the only man to play with any fluency and a vital 96.

This has been an absorbing match to watch. Lot of credit to Pakistan for fighting back again today , though I suspect they are going to be facing a chase of around 300 - which will be beyond them. But hey : who knows for sure ? Looking forward to tomorrow...

msp83 wrote:The thing about Shardul is that while he has punched above his weight with the bat, he hasn't delivered of late, with the ball, his primary responsibility. He has only one outstanding performance with the ball after that tour of Australia. If anything, it came in South Africa. Hopefully, we can see more of that, rather than the rubbish he has served up today. Shardul has that ability to really surprise people. He's a fighter, a character... Hopefully, he can channel all that, and justify his place in the side not just with some fight at 8 with the bat, but with some wickets, or some discipline and support to the new ball operators.

In his 20 odd inning Shardul has gone wicketless only 3 times and this inning ain't over yet.
He has to show more discipline...at the very least keep it tight...less than 3RPO, else he won't last in the format also.

Pandya is not a test allrounder & not even an ODI allrounder IMO
because he refuses to take responsibility of 10 overs of quota even as 5th bowler...he wants to play as 6th bowler for Ind in ODIs.

On the FC circuit.....Harshit Rana is rising as a bowling allrounder and in List A Ravi Teja of Hyderabad has done quite well.
Someone line Shivam Mavi should be considered in place of Prasidh i.e a specialist bowler who can slog a bit at No. 10

In this game Washington would have made muhc more value insteda of Ashwin.......he is a proper top-6 calibre batsman.
For overseas tours of Aus, SA, Eng and NZ India needs to have Washington as back-up for Jadeja not Ashwin

alfie wrote:...and Afridi gets his man !   Gets one to jump at Smith , takes the splice and lobs to gully !  Gone for exactly fifty ; and we close day three with Australia 187/6 , leading by 241.

Afridi and Hamza three each in a fine display of bowling. Marsh for Australia the hero , the only man to play with any fluency and a vital 96.

This has been an absorbing match to watch. Lot of credit to Pakistan for fighting back again today , though I suspect they are going to be facing a chase of around 300 - which will be beyond them. But hey : who knows for sure ?  Looking forward to tomorrow...

Pak had them on the mat at 16-4 and let them get away again...they have fought and will probably give a scare to Aus when chasing but will lose.
They are getting better as series progresses but not able to close out when on top.
This is why a 5 test series is a real test...as it gives the visitors to acclimatize, keep improving and fight back

Elgar and Jansen taking this away from India this morning. One chance missed by Rahul but with the lead at 67 and no wickets falling India desperately need to wrap it up quickly. Guess there isn't much batting to come ; but even another 40 would put SA in an almost impregnable position , I would imagine ?

New ball spell vital ...

Quite a bit of drama in Melbourne then. Dropping Mitchell Marsh and then watching as he takes the game away from you is very English.

I suppose that last ball dismissal of Smith has just about kept Pakistan in the hunt, but all indications are that 250+ is going to be very difficult to chase down, so Australia are looking fairly safe.

And South Africa's position is looking extraordinary. Crossing 350 on a wicket where 250 looked decent, Jansen on his highest test score, Elgar approaching a first test 200, and a possible innings victory looming into view.

EDIT: Apologies to Elgar.

India's Golden era of overseas test match wins is behind us as we are back to pre-2014 days
As India stares at an innings defeat

Despite Duty managing to jinx Elgar , it appears SA have gained a matchwinning lead already ; and still three - well two , I guess - wickets in hand. Jansen having fun...

India unlikely to enjoy lunch.

Bowling is not steady......when SA bowl we will find the pitch has turned into spitting cobras for seamers

The ability of captain and coaches to get the bowlers to put the ball in right areas with speed, consistency and intensity on the field has vanished.

Rohit plays down the wrong line because his feet did not move.....
and such dismissals look more spectacular than it is.

His feet should have moved forward and then bat would have made contact...he ciuld have edged it and still gotten out.

This is also a sign of slowed reflexes

KPF, this seems more from the 90s, rather than pre-2014. India was always competitive and tough even in SA from the 2006 tour onwards. This feels like one of those 90s tours. Total hell. One one batter to stand up, mostly Tendulkar then, Rahul here in this game. Just the 1 bowler to stand up, mostly Srinath then, Bumrah now. Loads and loads of rubbish around all that!
Thik this will be a oneoff, India does have a much better player pool now, and much better support structures too. I'll be disappointed if they don't fight back next test, but even then, this is tough to watch!

Haven't followed much of Harshit Rana. Cricinfo lists him as right-arm fast! And he has a FC hundred! But even Kuldeep Yadav and Umesh Yadav have Ranji hundreds. Haven't ever watched the lad in action. Any more info than the Cricinfo profile, KPF?

As for Ashwin, think he actually did his job just about OK. Could have done with some magic, but he just didn't give away any easy runs, and actually got a few to turn today.
Shardul and Prasidh were the real disappointments. More in the case of the former, because he has had opportunities, and he has the experience. Prasidh has played only a handful of FC games though impressive is his FC record. He has the physical attributes, he has pace. But if he's to succeed in test cricket, he needs discipline too...

Kohli off the mark of the 12th ball he has faced. Can the King and Prince do something special? At least save some ignominy?

South African catching in this game has been a big letdown. Kohli let off for the 2nd time in the match early in his innings. Jansen the unfortunate bowler, sub Mulder putting down the chance that should have ben taken. Kohli and Gill playing some shots after that.
Jansen comes back by smashing through Gill's defense! Another underwhelming performance from Shubman! Good ball, Gill made it look better...