text:
Smith, Maxwell lead Australia dominance
Australia 299 for 4 (Smith 117*, Maxwell 82*) v India
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Test hundred number 19, nine of them made overseas, was a measure of the quality Australia's captain Steven Smith has brought to Ranchi to give his team a chance of unseating India at home. Ball number 147, kept out by Glenn Maxwell in the day's final over, was a measure of the resolve he brought to his first Test innings in nearly three years.
Previously, the most deliveries Maxwell had faced in any international innings across all three formats was 98. By stumps, his new personal mark not only showed how much he had steeled himself to contribute alongside Smith, but also put Australia in a very strong position to dictate terms on what is comfortably the best pitch prepared for this Border-Gavaskar Trophy bout.
When Maxwell joined Smith, the day had hung rather more in the balance. Umesh Yadav was reversing the ball sharply, and the 28-year-old Victorian's propensity for batting brainstorms was recalled by many watching. Yet with Smith's counsel, Maxwell was able to avoid his usual rush, so much so that he waited until his 56th delivery to reach the boundary - this from a man whose most significant moment for Australia had been a World Cup hundred off 51 balls against Sri Lanka at the SCG in 2015.
What followed was a certain acceleration, but nothing too outlandish. The day's viral video moment was instead saved for Wriddhiman Saha's attempt to glove a Ravindra Jadeja ball lodged between Smith's padded legs, so desperate had India's search for a wicket become. The attempt proved fruitless, and Smith was soon toasting his century, and with Maxwell, walked off boasting a wicketless final session, an unbeaten stand of 159, and the promise of more to come.
Their concentration and discipline made for a contrast to some of the more wasteful dismissals seen earlier in the day, as the Australian top order failed to make the most of their starts. David Warner and Matt Renshaw would be particularly frustrated to have wasted starts on a surface that played far better than widely predicted.
Peter Handscomb also got established at the crease before being defeated by a fine inswinging yorker from Yadav, the most threatening member of India's bowling attack. Ishant Sharma had a couple of concerted lbw appeals denied, but R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja found far less assistance than they had seen in Pune and Bengaluru. Pointedly they missed Virat Kohli, who left the field for treatment after landing heavily on his right shoulder when trying to stop a boundary.
Ranchi's pitch played far better than appearances had suggested, meaning plenty more runs will be required. But at the very least, Smith and Maxwell have ensured something to bowl at for a team featuring another cricketer making a long-delayed return to the Australian Test team - the fast bowler Pat Cummins.
Kohli conceded the loss of a key toss before play began, and that seemed more so as Renshaw and Warner rattled to 50 in less than 10 overs by taking advantage of the pitch's even pace and a scorchingly fast outfield. Jadeja erred on the full side to Warner, but a full toss found the batsman in two minds about hitting square or straight, and the resultant return catch maintained his mediocre overseas record.
Renshaw had been finding gaps either side of the wicket and looked in full control, so it was a surprise when he fiddled in undisciplined fashion at Umesh and edged to Kohli at first slip. Umesh had created uncertainty by gaining some movement. Shaun Marsh was unable to get established, well caught at short leg by Cheteshwar Pujara off bat and pad, the decision made after India's successful DRS referral against Ian Gould's initial not-out verdict.
Handscomb's cover drive off his first ball to the fence underlined the improved batting conditions, and though Smith edged one reversing ball from Umesh to the fine leg boundary between his pads, shortly before lunch, he was otherwise certain in his methods and safe in his defence. Handscomb also looked capable of going on to something substantial, but for the fifth time in as many innings this series he was dismissed at a frustrating juncture, unable to get his bat to a Umesh yorker that swerved back sharply to strike him in front of the stumps.
Maxwell's likely approach had seemed a mystery to even his team-mates before this match, but he quickly showed an impressive level of composure to build his innings in Smith's slipstream while taking few risks. His only moment of nervousness came from the first ball of an Ishant spell that swung back into his pads, but India's decision referral was waved off when replays showed the bowler had overstepped.
In the evening session a steady stream of runs came with the occasional boundary, and Maxwell hammered a second six of his innings to go past 50 for the first time in a Test. Nothing affected Smith's deep concentration, not even a period of more than an hour spent in the 90s. As attentive, mature batting partners do, Maxwell took up much of the scoring slack during this episode. Like so much else in his innings, it came as a pleasant surprise.
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig
Comments have now been closed for this article
Wayne on March 18, 2017, 21:31 GMT
@Proteanumber1. Hmmm.SA #1 eh? They've played this new look Aussie side once and were comprehensively thumped. Their nemesis Cummins is back along with Patto, Starc and Hazelwood. Amla is clearly on the way out. Cook is pretty much a joke at the top of the order and they still carry baggage in Dumminy. At present SA are only just holding sway against an ordinary NZ side (without Taylor and Boult). I guess we'll see how good SAF are when we tour over there next. A place we haven't lost a series in since Jesus was a boy......
rockyj5352171 on March 17, 2017, 8:46 GMT
CRICFAN21909279..... I personally wouldn't have selected Cummins, especially not on "supposed" batting figures. I myself would've selected the leading wicket taker for the last couple of years, that being Chad Sayers. A much better proponent of bowling, especially swing and reverse swing. But alas we have to put up with the selectors choices. Still think that Australia will do well though. Especially as the wicket is so good, that when said wickets tumble as the pitch inevitably deteriorates, Indian supporters will have no leg to stand on, argument-wise!
Robbie on March 17, 2017, 7:08 GMT
Wow, India are getting thumped on their own grounds by a side who couldn't win a series this 2016/2017 season. @ SOUTHIESAAR To say the Aussies are unbeatable is a strange comment. They have been everything but. Shows the value of winning the toss in India. Even Smith and Co can win games.
Jose on March 17, 2017, 7:05 GMT
What is sauce for the goose Jadeja, could be sauce for the gander SOK? That, if true, is real bad news for our Indian boys. Moreover, Lyon will not want to be upstaged by SOK either. Those two together may turn out to be a double barrelled gun! As an Indian, I hope not!
Meanwhile, it is anybody's guess as to what the new guy Pat, will do? Pat you behind, as Bhajji did to Lee once upon a time, or smash our boys on the helmets, as Starc did play in the playpen, at B'lore?
Quite a lot to wait and watch.
I think, soon.
Meanwhile these two (Smith & SOK) are holding up!
Jose on March 17, 2017, 6:55 GMT
Hey, Raunchy; ,Sorry Ranchi! I saw your pitch in the closeup shot? Are you wearing an ugly makeup to fool us, again, as you did us even before the match started?
Is it your real ugly face?
If it is the latter, your Indian children who have to play in your lap, pretty soon, are in deep trouble!
Are you still playing the "making-faces-game", which every Tom, Dick & Harry are trying to do, for the camera? And, truly a loving gal who love her own children. I know, you will not answer. But we will get to know, soon.
malhar1424912 on March 17, 2017, 6:51 GMT
Smith has no good players to bank upon. Even starc left him alone. Lost in Lanka than at home but way he has emerged and helped Australian cricket when odds where against by leading with example from the outset and fearless mindfull approach .he truly is a fighter and a very strong character .
god0179873294 on March 17, 2017, 6:50 GMT
Clearly selecting Cummins for his batting ability ahead of Bird isn't valid reasoning.... I personally prefer bird ahead of cummins who is recently coming from in aus..... There is absolutely need a tight type of bowler like hazelwood and so bird is far ahead of cummins. Its an easy logic...If u keep tight bowling...Batsman will surely do mistakes by giving away their wickets because they are not quality batsman..Indian can only attack having poor defend techniques ...But I will b happy if I m prove wrong..... All the best Cummins with ur 150+ speed in india for the 1st time.... Cricinfo kindly publish it
Cricinfouser on March 17, 2017, 6:39 GMT
@finn macmilan why would you complain? Just check your newspapers rumours of kohli will chose the track and its another turning pitch blah blah...at last its a good batting pitch ...Thanks for the insights from your great cricketing experts who told its another turning pitch
Nathan on March 17, 2017, 6:39 GMT
@SARANGSRK. At a strike rate of 63 I don't think that's anything to be "#eggonyourfacing" about. And one of those was a full toss smacked back down his throat. I'm certainly not a Jadeja hater either by the way, in fact he's been India's best by a long way. But on his pitches, his series average is still higher than Hazelweood, Lyon AND O'Keefe. Nice try though.
god0179873294 on March 17, 2017, 6:39 GMT
Steve Smith 153* - 1st Aussie capt & 5th visiting capt to make 150+ in India Clive Lloyd has done it 3 times & Alastair Cook twice!... Wow man u are champion!! U just give the answers all of indian by ur batting unlike Kohli..... Cricinfo kindly publish it
Wayne on March 18, 2017, 21:31 GMT
@Proteanumber1. Hmmm.SA #1 eh? They've played this new look Aussie side once and were comprehensively thumped. Their nemesis Cummins is back along with Patto, Starc and Hazelwood. Amla is clearly on the way out. Cook is pretty much a joke at the top of the order and they still carry baggage in Dumminy. At present SA are only just holding sway against an ordinary NZ side (without Taylor and Boult). I guess we'll see how good SAF are when we tour over there next. A place we haven't lost a series in since Jesus was a boy......
rockyj5352171 on March 17, 2017, 8:46 GMT
CRICFAN21909279..... I personally wouldn't have selected Cummins, especially not on "supposed" batting figures. I myself would've selected the leading wicket taker for the last couple of years, that being Chad Sayers. A much better proponent of bowling, especially swing and reverse swing. But alas we have to put up with the selectors choices. Still think that Australia will do well though. Especially as the wicket is so good, that when said wickets tumble as the pitch inevitably deteriorates, Indian supporters will have no leg to stand on, argument-wise!
Robbie on March 17, 2017, 7:08 GMT
Wow, India are getting thumped on their own grounds by a side who couldn't win a series this 2016/2017 season. @ SOUTHIESAAR To say the Aussies are unbeatable is a strange comment. They have been everything but. Shows the value of winning the toss in India. Even Smith and Co can win games.
Jose on March 17, 2017, 7:05 GMT
What is sauce for the goose Jadeja, could be sauce for the gander SOK? That, if true, is real bad news for our Indian boys. Moreover, Lyon will not want to be upstaged by SOK either. Those two together may turn out to be a double barrelled gun! As an Indian, I hope not!
Meanwhile, it is anybody's guess as to what the new guy Pat, will do? Pat you behind, as Bhajji did to Lee once upon a time, or smash our boys on the helmets, as Starc did play in the playpen, at B'lore?
Quite a lot to wait and watch.
I think, soon.
Meanwhile these two (Smith & SOK) are holding up!
Jose on March 17, 2017, 6:55 GMT
Hey, Raunchy; ,Sorry Ranchi! I saw your pitch in the closeup shot? Are you wearing an ugly makeup to fool us, again, as you did us even before the match started?
Is it your real ugly face?
If it is the latter, your Indian children who have to play in your lap, pretty soon, are in deep trouble!
Are you still playing the "making-faces-game", which every Tom, Dick & Harry are trying to do, for the camera? And, truly a loving gal who love her own children. I know, you will not answer. But we will get to know, soon.
malhar1424912 on March 17, 2017, 6:51 GMT
Smith has no good players to bank upon. Even starc left him alone. Lost in Lanka than at home but way he has emerged and helped Australian cricket when odds where against by leading with example from the outset and fearless mindfull approach .he truly is a fighter and a very strong character .
god0179873294 on March 17, 2017, 6:50 GMT
Clearly selecting Cummins for his batting ability ahead of Bird isn't valid reasoning.... I personally prefer bird ahead of cummins who is recently coming from in aus..... There is absolutely need a tight type of bowler like hazelwood and so bird is far ahead of cummins. Its an easy logic...If u keep tight bowling...Batsman will surely do mistakes by giving away their wickets because they are not quality batsman..Indian can only attack having poor defend techniques ...But I will b happy if I m prove wrong..... All the best Cummins with ur 150+ speed in india for the 1st time.... Cricinfo kindly publish it
Cricinfouser on March 17, 2017, 6:39 GMT
@finn macmilan why would you complain? Just check your newspapers rumours of kohli will chose the track and its another turning pitch blah blah...at last its a good batting pitch ...Thanks for the insights from your great cricketing experts who told its another turning pitch
Nathan on March 17, 2017, 6:39 GMT
@SARANGSRK. At a strike rate of 63 I don't think that's anything to be "#eggonyourfacing" about. And one of those was a full toss smacked back down his throat. I'm certainly not a Jadeja hater either by the way, in fact he's been India's best by a long way. But on his pitches, his series average is still higher than Hazelweood, Lyon AND O'Keefe. Nice try though.
god0179873294 on March 17, 2017, 6:39 GMT
Steve Smith 153* - 1st Aussie capt & 5th visiting capt to make 150+ in India Clive Lloyd has done it 3 times & Alastair Cook twice!... Wow man u are champion!! U just give the answers all of indian by ur batting unlike Kohli..... Cricinfo kindly publish it
tayyib5546152 on March 17, 2017, 6:37 GMT
It is very embracing for the number 1 team (India) to lose series at their home ground.
malhar1424912 on March 17, 2017, 6:36 GMT
Cricfan 1320081 sadly ishant hasn't got any wickets in his column and leaked so many runs. This time his embarrassing himself in a different way . he got paid brutally by smith for the faces he made. And his learning his lesson from smith like a quite little student. Faces won't make up for the lack of international quality in his bowling.
Sampath Suranjan on March 17, 2017, 6:34 GMT
If Kohli play this test match...he will aggravate his current injury and miss final test.
Sampath Suranjan on March 17, 2017, 6:31 GMT
Aswin looks ordinary ....people know his bowling well.
Stephen Skinner on March 17, 2017, 6:31 GMT
Disgusting pitch. one good day then it starts playing like a 5th day wicket. ICC should fine India for its inability to produce 5 day pitches
pennyn6574100 on March 17, 2017, 6:29 GMT
@SOUTHIESAAR-Are you serious? You say that you wish G. Maxwell teammates has same attitude as him & not sledge but you my friend have just sledge at Ishant Sharma, ur own home team.
albatr6118503 on March 17, 2017, 6:26 GMT
Indian Team should not worry about Aus Score, this outfield is pretty quick & with a flat pitch they can easily outscore them.
Iman on March 17, 2017, 6:26 GMT
Will someone ask Sydney Herald their opinion on the pitch now ? I mean a scathing review of a pitch because of the way it looks, even before a ball is bowled. Seriously !!! If this is not shameful journalism then what is ?
Aaron Hs on March 17, 2017, 6:26 GMT
Home records: Smith avg 68 at 2400 runs with 10 tons. Virat avg 56 at 2300 runs with 7 hundreds (Virat ha 5 more HOME games lol). Away records: Smith avg 54 at 2600 with 9 tons 12 half tons. Virat avg 44 at 2100 runs with 9 tons and only 5 half tons in 1 less game. Numbers dont lie, Virat fan boys. Eat it up.
god0179873294 on March 17, 2017, 6:26 GMT
Highest Test score by an Aust in India since Matt Hayden's 203 at Chennai in 2001 is now in trouble..... We all wish sir steven Smith will break the record soon..... All the best Smithy..
Calvin Palmer Warbah on March 17, 2017, 6:25 GMT
Match summary - Drawn. I'm not watching this match anyways.
Ian on March 17, 2017, 6:23 GMT
INDIANCAP ON MARCH 17, 2017, 5:55 GMT The pitch. The pitch. The pitch. 2nd day of the test match. The pitch. The pitch. The pitch. Smith will score double ton. The pitch. The pitch. Jadeja takes wickets. The pitch. The pitch....Wade and Maxwell play one day style innings. Sixers all over. The pitch. The pitch....when will legends of this forum start talking about Indian pitches. Still waiting for The pitch to misbehave?...end of 5th day? The pitch. The pitch....
go to the commentary section for this test look at over 107 ball 2.... The Pitch . The Pitch . The Pitch !!
Actually i've helped you out
107.2 Jadeja to Wade, 4 byes, four byes. Not good signs for India. Not these runs, but the fact that the ball has hit the rough, disturbed the top surface and turned and bounced to beat both Wade and Saha
Rahul on March 17, 2017, 6:23 GMT
THEBIGBOODHA: 450 won't be enough.
sekhar8801139 on March 17, 2017, 6:19 GMT
@DR SIR LESLIE COLIN PATTERSON please don't hesitate to come back here to the forum after both your amazing predictions fail.
richard on March 17, 2017, 6:19 GMT
IMHO.... this talk of losing the toss losing the game is the biggest cop out there is, it's an excuse, in the second test Australia didn't lose because they lost the toss, they scored more in the first Innings batting second, the partnership between Rahane and Pujara put India in with a chance and even though Australia still could have won they didn't, but they still had the chance to win long after the toss.
IRFAN on March 17, 2017, 6:18 GMT
India will lose this series due to the absence Mohammad shami!
sekhar8801139 on March 17, 2017, 6:18 GMT
I think it's going to be a repeat of history here. Stop talking about pitch all you India haters. Remember India still has to bat twice and Australia has to bat once more in the same match. Lo g way to go guys. It just took o e session for Australia to throw the match in Bangalore and it might take two here but throwing the match by Aussies is assured.
Kamlesh Bhatt on March 17, 2017, 6:15 GMT
Smith showing the class continuously right from the first Test. Its a batting pitch but yet India needs to be cautious as Aussie are already 400 plus.
Sarang on March 17, 2017, 6:14 GMT
Jadeja takes 4 on a pure batting wicket when the batsmen even didn't try to attack him. OUT defending or playing a half shot. Take that Jadeja haters. #Eggonyourface.
rockyj5352171 on March 17, 2017, 6:13 GMT
Gotta say to all those badmouthing Sharma: you've got a good bowler. On any other team in the world he could've been great, but India lack the intestinal fortitude to back their pace bowlers at home, and instead offer up pitches that negate their pace bowlers strengths. You've no-one to blame but yourselves. If Australia had lost the toss, even with Starc ( who isn't as great as you'd believe, he's a very consistent model of inconsistency), we'd have faced the same ineffectual results as we're seeing from the Indian bowlers, due in course to the sub-standard pitches offered. Trust in yourselves to be able to compete, offer the same wickets to Australia as you've offered to NZ and ENG. The better showing from Australia (batting and bowling) is due, in a major part, to what they've had to face when touring. You've highlighted weaknesses, that have made the team work turn their weaknesses into strengths. That, plus winning the toss helps immensely. Winning % increases immediately.
Wayne on March 17, 2017, 6:13 GMT
A hundred in the session as the worlds best batsman piles on the misery! This game is now out of reach for India. Gaz and SOK will be chomping at the bit to get at this ordinary Indian line up. If a bloke bowling in sunnies with a bad haircut can take a few wickets imagine what carnage our spinners will unleash as this deck is starting to break up right on cue. An Australian side that posts big first innings as we have here usually doesn't lose very often. India are finding out that this is a lot tougher opposition than the England mob who scored 400 over there and got beaten.!
brad on March 17, 2017, 6:13 GMT
The pitch is now starting to misbehave. Maybe the ICC can buy the groundsmen a hose to put a bit of water in the indian decks
Rahul on March 17, 2017, 6:13 GMT
DISCO_BOB: Yes but it isn't the 4th innings yet.
varsha4067877 on March 17, 2017, 6:11 GMT
I haven't had the chance to watch the match live. Can someone please tell me if Ishant has been making his faces and embarrassing himself again?
raj1957648112 on March 17, 2017, 6:07 GMT
Ashwin is no prasanna or harbhajan.he inconsistent un like jadeja
Sampath Suranjan on March 17, 2017, 6:06 GMT
How kholi can bat? He injured his right shoulder right?
Swapnil on March 17, 2017, 6:05 GMT
Aus is around 70 runs short of safety. Ball is turning now from good length that too at pace. Only when India starts batting we can know whether there are any deamons in the wicket, but it looks rock solid and shouldn't trouble Indian batters much
Sampath Suranjan on March 17, 2017, 6:05 GMT
Jadeja has three triple hundreds in first class cricket.....wonder why he hasnt scored in international cricket.
mukul.2048773 on March 17, 2017, 6:04 GMT
More than Ashwin, Jadeja is the one who takes crucial wickets and gets India back into the game singlehandedly, be it the last Chennai test, the Australian series in 2013, his knock at Lords or with his exceptional fielding and he doesn't even leak runs which Ashwin does sometimes.
Ian on March 17, 2017, 6:03 GMT
CRICINFOUSER ON MARCH 17, 2017, 5:33 GMT Very good to see no aussies are complaining about the pitch...so they need a good batting wicket on which they can play as long as they want ...where is oz media and those experts who told its a rank turner....Lol
Perhaps you can enlighten us all CRICINFOUSER why it is that INDIA see the need to serve up poor and below average wickets...?? It's obviously done on purpose but surely the worlds best side doesn't need the assistance of a curator to win a game of cricket in there own back yard ??
ritesh6619185 on March 17, 2017, 6:02 GMT
Aus won the toss .So they will win the match.They got all the advantage here
cornel0115175 on March 17, 2017, 6:01 GMT
Smith will get a double ton today. India 4 for 34 at stumps
James on March 17, 2017, 6:01 GMT
DISCO_BOB, Adelaide doesn't have puffs of dust and uneven bounce and turn on the first session of day 2. This pitch will deteriorate much faster than Adelaide ever has. Every run Australia scores here will be twice a step difficulty for India to score in the fourth innings. If Australia can get 450, I can't see them losing.
Jose on March 17, 2017, 5:57 GMT
Fat lady seems to be sending her messages, to those of us, who love to jump the gun,
"Don't you guys, ever take me for granted! Hear me?"
I say, "Yes, ma'm.
We hear you loud & clear.
Thank you ma'm for trying to make it more exciting.
Thank you."
kingbr0106510 on March 17, 2017, 5:56 GMT
This is the problem with India, they cannot even keep their score under 400 in a home made pitch made for them, ridiculous
sekhar8801139 on March 17, 2017, 5:55 GMT
The pitch. The pitch. The pitch. 2nd day of the test match. The pitch. The pitch. The pitch. Smith will score double ton. The pitch. The pitch. Jadeja takes wickets. The pitch. The pitch....Wade and Maxwell play one day style innings. Sixers all over. The pitch. The pitch....when will legends of this forum start talking about Indian pitches. Still waiting for The pitch to misbehave?...end of 5th day? The pitch. The pitch....
juhisi9632589 on March 17, 2017, 5:55 GMT
Jadeja may easily outperform Ashwin in overseas conditions. Time and time again he has proved that he can take wickets in the flattest of tracks.
Ian on March 17, 2017, 5:54 GMT
the wicket is starting to spit.... oops !!!!
Vilayanur on March 17, 2017, 5:53 GMT
The Aussies are unbeatable. Indians don't have a chance.
Finn McMillan on March 17, 2017, 5:50 GMT
Settle down Cricinfouser. Of course it's another Indian substandard pitch. But why would we complain when it's bitten back at you - like the First Test?
jasprit on March 17, 2017, 5:48 GMT
Its unbelievable how Rubbish Ashwin is been bowling since yesterday. Today is just unbearable.
disco on March 17, 2017, 5:43 GMT
I love the predictions of a draw before other side has even batted. We see this in every Adelaide Test and it's very rarely a draw, This pitch reminds me a lot of Adelaide. This deck is going to be a handful in the 4th innings.
kamath1614472 on March 17, 2017, 5:41 GMT
Great knock from Smith.Failure of fast bowlers again. A' veteran' 0f 76 odd tests, Ishant sharma could not get a single wicket. It is high time the he is axed permanently from the test side . Bhuvi or Shami or Aron can be selected in his place. Big blow to kohli and india . Young talent Nair should click in this match.
Vishal on March 17, 2017, 5:41 GMT
I dont see India scoring anywhere around 350 in 2nd innings and Aus looking good for 500+ . Ind in deep trouble already. I love having Ishant sharma in Indian team, always gives me 5 min time to do other work while he is bowls an over where nothing happens except they score off him.
rickyo3533457 on March 17, 2017, 5:40 GMT
What a bowler Ishant is? His face gesture is unbelievable haha
Swapnil on March 17, 2017, 5:40 GMT
Aswhin looking very ineffective and leaking very easy runs. For a number one bowler playing at home it looks way below par. I think Aswhin is tired and needs a break
Nabin on March 17, 2017, 5:37 GMT
Maxi is an example of how a single players make such a big difference. Smith is captain and big game player with average of 60 so it's expected of him, but had it not been for Maxi, one has to wonder whether there would have been a batting collapse or Smith running out of partner. Had MM played and not Maxi, who knows where would AUS finish from 4 for 100 something.
Cricinfouser on March 17, 2017, 5:33 GMT
Very good to see no aussies are complaining about the pitch...so they need a good batting wicket on which they can play as long as they want ...where is oz media and those experts who told its a rank turner....Lol
ngsamu2919631 on March 17, 2017, 5:33 GMT
Take a bow Mr Smith, now the highest individual score by an aust in india. As an avid follower of aust cricket with all the opinions and judgements that go with, never did I imagine that this unassuming character would be tearing up the records and coaching manuals like he is.... Hats off to you Capt and may you lead your team to a well deserved victory.
Swapnil on March 17, 2017, 5:30 GMT
Great chance for Aus to bat Ind out of the game
rickyo3533457 on March 17, 2017, 5:27 GMT
Pitch is doing a lot - it'd be a massive achievement for India if they score 200 against the likes of Josh, Cummins, SOK / Gary. All over 2-1
god0179873294 on March 17, 2017, 5:26 GMT
Now its time to show ur importantance.... Guys I m talking about none but Mathew Wade... Come on... Like maxi shut up ur all criticisers by ur performance....Wade plz prove them why u selected ahead of Peter Nevil because u can play spinner far better than him.....U may not b a good keeper but prove them that u are a far better batsman than Nevil who is clueless even in Australia let alone Srilanka....... Cricinfo plz publish
Shobhit Singh on March 17, 2017, 5:24 GMT
means Rahul is the quickest to score in all three format hundred ,i guess he achieve that feet in 16 inning.
surya10060241 on March 17, 2017, 5:18 GMT
very good bowling by ishant sharma keeping one end very tight
Sanjay on March 17, 2017, 5:17 GMT
571 comments in a game just one day plus one cession old. Hail the power of India! Keep them coming guys especially the ones who have been commenting against India whoever India play against! Just love those frustration filled comments when India,s chips are down!
Greatest on March 17, 2017, 5:16 GMT
@Jose...P on March 17, 2017, 1:05 GMT
Saw it a bit late.
It's a beauty. At the risk of being OTT, let me state this.
You are no Jarrod Kimber; we know that. But, when Jarrod writes 5000 words in the most beauteous language, just to convey a single point, we all laud him so high, quite rightly.
But we often forget our own kind, doing it within this small space, given to us readers. I can only say; excellent point & excellent writing. Thank you Jose.
Jose on March 17, 2017, 5:07 GMT
Finally Maxi falls. after doing more than any, ever, expected at this juncture of his career!
By the way, don't we often fails to give Jadeja his due? Or, is it case of a sapling not getting enough sunlight under the banyan tree, Ashwin!
I do wonder!
Stephen Skinner on March 17, 2017, 5:06 GMT
Pitch is starting to deteriorate quick. Aus have enough to cover both innings from india here
rickyo3533457 on March 17, 2017, 5:06 GMT
Aus will declare after Smiths double ton.
ritesh6619185 on March 17, 2017, 5:03 GMT
ishant sharma is such mystry that nobody knows how he gets selected again and again
god0179873294 on March 17, 2017, 5:00 GMT
Maxwell is just the second Australian to score a century in Test, ODI and T20 cricket. Shane Watson the first....This is a new record for maxi.....Maxi U Beauty!!!
Graham on March 17, 2017, 4:59 GMT
This series has been intriguing and have to admit I have been really suprised with the Australian approach. For years we have needed more patience batting in these conditions and never delivered. now we send a motley sort of team over and the application is first class. Another intriguing game coming up as any result can happen from here and great way for Australia to play their first Mitchless test in I dont know how long.
James on March 17, 2017, 4:58 GMT
Can't see this track staying true for much more than two days. Already some spinning big, uneven bounce, dust, cracks... Will become progressively difficult. A great toss to win. If Australia can scrounge another 100 runs and get about 450, I reckon that will be very difficult to match.
IRFAN on March 17, 2017, 4:56 GMT
People comparing kohli and Bradman well according to me kohli is not even close to tendulker. Kohli is a current great and among the top 3 and though has been more of a match winner & a great chaser but as an overall batsman tendulker was far better. The difference is use of wrists, kohli has high percentage of wrist involved in his shots batsman & plays with those angular bats which means even if he is not on 150 his style keeps opponents hopeful of his wicket given the risk involved in his shots, similar is the case with someone like Hashim amla who looks to get out any ball but surprisingly like kohli keeps getting those gaps. Whereas when tendulker even reached 20 not out the ease at which he looked at the crease & that face of the bat would seem to be bigger than ever, it would literally break back of the bowlers. Furthermore, tendulker had delicious style and was much effortless and better to watch than kohli. Other factors are the higher quality of bowlers & lesser bat quality.
Vilayanur on March 17, 2017, 4:56 GMT
Congratulations Glenn Maxwell on your maiden Test century. A true gentlman cricketer who does not sledge and is genuinely nice. Wish your teammate stay had your attitude.
Ishant Sharma too lazy to get back to the stumps. Had he done that he would have been in an excellent position to receive Ashwins throw and run Maxwell out. The Australian fielding side does not make such mistakes.
Wayne on March 17, 2017, 4:54 GMT
Maxy gone but so are India! First sign of a ball going through the surface with that one. Can only spell doom for a nervous Indian line up fronted by a terribly out of form Kohli. We've got this one covered from here and will win at a canter!
Ash on March 17, 2017, 4:53 GMT
Maxi's mature hundred will have so much implication on Aussie cricket. At home summer, Australia had to play Handscomb in ODIs against Pakistan because they did not had any reliable batsmen who can apply themselves in case of top order collapse. Matured Maxi can solve that problem in the future and I feel Renshaw is also a ODI material as well.
Swapnil on March 17, 2017, 4:53 GMT
The pitch is rock solid, now offering some turn. If Aus posts around 450 it will be real close game
Bhumit on March 17, 2017, 4:52 GMT
It looks like it will be high scoring draw. Aus 517 , India 659/8 Dec, Aus (2nd innings) 248-5 . Result Draw. In Dharmsala it will be nail biting India victory so india will win 2-1. Auss will be pleased by this series result because 2-1 is better than 4-0.
Sunny on March 17, 2017, 4:52 GMT
I predicted it before about Maxwell. With his hundred it's officially game over for India. India will lose the series because of their stubborn mentality not change squad. Anyone thinking about draw, forget it. There is Lyon and India will bat Last.
khanda8953114 on March 17, 2017, 4:51 GMT
this Ishant sharma is an indian version of Mitchell marsh.he is the all time worst bowler in international cricket who played minimum of 50matches.he cant have wicket taking deliveries if he takes a wicket and its a no ball.
matthe2120294 on March 17, 2017, 4:51 GMT
Marvellously Magic Maxwell mediates moderation and mayhem and produces a Mountain. Well done son!
mahlat3658998 on March 17, 2017, 4:50 GMT
This pitch must be flat....maxwell scoring runs....a draw
khanda8953114 on March 17, 2017, 4:49 GMT
this Ishant sharma is an indian version of Mitchell marsh
Aaron Hs on March 17, 2017, 4:47 GMT
@cricfan13300281 - totally agree. Just imagine if Wade tackled Virat to the ground whike wedging his gloves between his legs trying to get at a bakl
Suganthan on March 17, 2017, 4:45 GMT
Along with M Starc, the bowler who takes opposition,climate,pitch condition and especially the batsman out of the equation with fierry pace and accuracy,S Smith - what consistency man? Surely the best as far as Test Cricket is concerned, these two are my most favorite non- Indian cricketers of modern era. First actually I thought he is scoring tons of runs only in australia and I did believe that after India series his average will come down atleast 8 -10 runs. But he proved me wrong in some style. I am privelaged to see them playing in front of me in Bengalure. Oh I missed the big fella, all time great Mr. 360*.
disco on March 17, 2017, 4:43 GMT
100 for Maxwell, on the biggest stage in World cricket. We have found our no.6!
Shobhit Singh on March 17, 2017, 4:42 GMT
Now if kohli not able to bat means we have play for save test match.Very strong pisition of australia.Last evenings i had told ausis are happy to reach 350but now seem 500 on the card.And minus kohli this is winning total,so we have fight hard if we want to save this test match,need to shine karun ,rahul and pujara and rahane.I advice karun to take kohli position.
IRFAN on March 17, 2017, 4:37 GMT
@CRICFAN13200281 really impressed with how smith reacted to that incident, he was nearing his 100, what saha did should have been really irritating and could have easily triggered a physical reaction from the batsman who choose to be smiling instead. Real gentleman that is smithy!
Suganthan on March 17, 2017, 4:34 GMT
Steven Smith - What a player? Being an Indian, I always believe Indian batsmen are far more talented than their contemporaries. Sachin was/will always my No.1, no second thought about that. In other words Cricket means Sachin to me. Likewise in current generation King Kohli is my favourite and I am an ardent fan of him. I desperately want him to score hundred and win matches whenever he goes to bat and want him to be at the top all the time (he is fulfilling my wishes most of the times). At the same time as a real fan of cricket, I have to give credit whenever & wherever it is due. Scoring 5000 runs at an average of 60 is not a mean feat. In yesteryears averaging over 50 is the benchmark for the quality of batsmanship. Yes, in Modern era the quality of bowling & fielding, even quality of pitches comes down when compared to the previous era's. So we can say average of 55 is the benchmark for determining the quality of a batsman. But what about 60 average? To be continued..
varsha4067877 on March 17, 2017, 4:32 GMT
@OZINDAM You mention SRT's longevity....remember that he played WAY past his sell-by date in his selfish quest to get 100 centuries. Any other cricketer would have gracefully exited approaching age 40 and way past his prime to make room for youngsters, but he lost all my respect with how he played just to celebrate over a century against Bangladesh. He will never ever be the greatest for me, because he became a caricature of himself in the end, and went out not with a bang but with a whimper, a shadow of his former self way past his best. Moreover he knew BCCI would never have the guts to drop him so he took advantage of that. That's why my respect to Kallis who retired at a a much younger age than SRT, and if he were a desperate record-chase as SRT, he could easily have played longer to best SRT runs scored. He also could have said he could play 2 more games to get to 300 test wickets but he did not chase records like SRT. Cricinfo please publish
john on March 17, 2017, 4:24 GMT
Loving your posts ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED ! It's great value in between all the serious stuff. You should do comedy !! Keep them coming !
b.misl9017082 on March 17, 2017, 4:15 GMT
MaskedMagpie on March 17, 2017, 2:23 GMT In fairness to the Indian's they didn't say much all day. While they may not have clapped to their credit several players went up to Smith and shook his hand at the end of play. Don't read too much in to it, it was a bit like when Ross Taylor made 290 and no-one clapped but they did shake his hand when he was out. Storm in a tea cup.
Trevor on March 17, 2017, 3:58 GMT
@Dirty Sanjay - Sachin Tendulkar averaged 136.7 against Bangladesh and and 76.5 against Zimbabwe. If you take out games against those 2, his average drops below 50 runs, so he didn't dominate like you think. The thing that made Sachin great was his ability to score runs over such a long period of time. Ponting and Lara were both better batsmen than Sachin in their prime, but didn't have the longevity of Sachin.
varsha4067877 on March 17, 2017, 3:50 GMT
I am so surprised that there are 538 comments and not a single one mentions the Saha incident where he tried to grab the ball from between Smith's legs. Sure the Indians players were smiling, but they were not joking, they were actually appealing for that. Smith did not even look remotely amused. Very bad sportsmanship and a clear sign of desperation from India.
Jose on March 17, 2017, 3:49 GMT
@Dunger.bob on March 17, 2017, 2:44 GMT
Mitch Swepson! That is a really good one.
I am sure, he will make it one day.
I do see the way, OZ used SM & UK as two inter-changeable horses for two different type of race courses. Absolutely nothing more. And nothing sinister!
cornel0115175 on March 17, 2017, 3:47 GMT
Fingers and toes crossed that we declare our first innings 43 minutes before stumps today
abhi040510530 on March 17, 2017, 3:46 GMT
@MILEPOST- it is good to have nice dreams but it is not necessary to share your dreams on social media.
mwillo8345186 on March 17, 2017, 3:42 GMT
CRICFAN13200281- look who Tendulkar scored his runs against. Ambrose, Marshall, Walsh, akhram, younis, khan, McGrath, Warne and murali. There is no current bowler that would get on that list. I think Tendulkar's average would be plus 10-15 runs based on current crop of bowlers.
rob on March 17, 2017, 3:40 GMT
Every mornings play is important but today is moving day. The Aussies can go a long, long way towards not losing the test this morning. The Indians might be able to pile up 600 on this track so we need 450+ to be safe or at least safe-ish.
Lalith on March 17, 2017, 3:32 GMT
I was really surprised that Aus scored almost 300 in a day. I think pitch is not bad although a lot of Aus supporters criticised. May be Smith played one of best knock in his life. It is very difficult for Ind to win from this situation as Kohli is already out twice and only 10 Ind batsmen to bat.
cornel0115175 on March 17, 2017, 3:30 GMT
After Bradman, the next best batsman was Jack Hobbs then Sobers, then Pollock
incogn3678149 on March 17, 2017, 3:28 GMT
Congrats to Smith. However, I feel that too much is being made of this performance. This deck is fairly flat. When the deck was spinning then Smith made only one very scratchy century where he was dropped at least on three occasions. This is is very first good innings in India. Previous tour was also not much to write home about. Even Hayden had one very good tour to India and was average in others. Not many have succeeded in India repeatedly. Perhaps Viv Richards is one of few. I think Miandad also might have a good record here although I was surprised that Miandad never scored a Test century in India - I thought he would have scored 10 centuries against a weak India attack back then!
pennyn6574100 on March 17, 2017, 3:19 GMT
@TRUE_CRICFAN- Assuming this, assuming that are rubbish my SC friend! Aust are holding the "The Aces" at the moment "due to scoreboard FACT. Saying Kohli's due for a big score is like saying Shaun Marsh's also due for a big score - on current form it won't happen. Currently Kohli scores is less than Mitch Marsh and that's a fact and with his shoddy shoulder, what will be your "rubbish excuse" when India's crumble meekly. "Oh Aust win the toss playing against No:1 India in India"
Lalith on March 17, 2017, 3:17 GMT
@INDIANCAP, I can replace all those.
Jose on March 17, 2017, 3:08 GMT
@spinkingKK on March 16, 2017, 22:25 GMT
Many have tried, what you want to, as a leggie, to Smith. Aim, at the middle.
Didn't you say, he is unorthodox? While rightly praising his talents.
Now, you as a leggie keep plugging at his middle stump.
Watch. No shuffle! He stands right in front of the stumps like a three-legged batsman, covering all the stumps. His own trunk, crouched forward a bit. The two flesh & blood legs about eight inches apart. And, in a split second, the third & woody one, the bat, gets plonked right in between , in a jiffy, with hardly any gate below or at the sides. At the slightest turn of the ball, he twist the bat. Unorthodox. Ungainly? May be!
Very effective, though.
As a leggie, you keep doing the same thing, ball after ball,
He will keep on doing, what he does, with that supposedly ungainly stance, with bat as the middle leg. Ad infinitum. Ad nausium.
Anyway, since both of us agree that he is really great, no real disagreement, though.
varsha4067877 on March 17, 2017, 3:06 GMT
Why do Indians keep comparing Tendulkar to Bradman. There are already many batsmen who are better then Tendul, like Smith and AB, Root and Williamson destined for greater things too. Kallis was a much better PLAYER than Tendulkar, Kallis has an average of 55 and Tendul's is 53, PLUS Kallis did what he did with the bat while bowling regularly at 140 clicks and getting over 550 wickets to boot (both in test and ODI) + 200 test catches with his excellent slip fielding. With that workload and overall contribution he is easily a better and more valuable player than a Tendulka. I say that being Indian.
Harsh on March 17, 2017, 3:01 GMT
@MASKEDMAGPIE Do not be disheartened. There are many more Indian fans like me who watched cricket matches in office just to see Smith get to his century and applaud the same. Brilliant effort from the young captain.
subhasish on March 17, 2017, 2:56 GMT
Smith bating avg 60 he deserves to be no1 test batsman in the world scoring he score his first century in 2013 in England last 3.5 years he scored 18 test centuries that's why he totally deserves to be no1 test batsman in the world
JOHN on March 17, 2017, 2:55 GMT
Black Bird, Get a life under circumstances the Aussie have taken initative missing in 2nd test ( India were dominant as expected). I personally think this game Australia should have won but sad to say Smith brought dishonor and apology not accepted here in Australia don't you worry he's going to get roasted and feathered on return. But that's my bit. At 3/96 i though here we (Austr) go, but to my surprise the brilliance of Smith we know showed in a great venue, as we grew up laying in Lapra, CCL Khalari, Hino and Ranchi area MSD by the way did not exist. Jharkhand and cricket wins . Everyone must please stop abusing the games and make excuses for the sport, win or lose except it with pride. Really what we say here by way of praise, bragging, trash talk ,curses or abuse DOES NOT MATTER & IS INSIGNIFICANT AS WE ARE ALL INSIGNIFICANT PEOPLE.
Cricinfouser on March 17, 2017, 2:52 GMT
Maxwell would have been out had India reviewed his catch of Jadeja. And it made no sense that Vijay was chosen to bowl when Smith was in the 90s.
subhasish on March 17, 2017, 2:46 GMT
True cricfan@ in this series only 3 batsman's scoring runs consistently renshaw kl Rahul smith other batsman's are not in good from if Australia score 380 or 400 it put lots of pressure on Indian batsman's
rob on March 17, 2017, 2:44 GMT
@ JOSE: G'day. Mate, I didn't spot your post on that other article. Anyway, I like your horses for courses post. That's actually what's happened to Khawaja but some think it was for other less printable reasons. The problem with Ussie is the disparity between pace and spin. Ave when facing pace - 60 something. Spin - 19 or so. On the bright side, Shaun Marsh is nearly the exact opposite. It's actually quite handy since they both bat at 4 I suppose. .. btw, we're not quite out of Mitches yet. We still have Mitch Swepson up our sleeve ;)
Jose on March 17, 2017, 2:41 GMT
@ Rowayton on March 17, 2017, 0:17 GMT
Superb question. Throwing the cherry to Vijay, when Smithie is on the cusp of a ton?
For breaking a sticky partnership? It would have looked Ok, as a punt! Not when one is on his nervous nineties! Whoever the batsman is! If I were Rahane, I would have let loose Umesh - and asked hm 'GO full tilt!"
That is Rahane, as a Captain, for you. And for me, and for most of us. But, may not be for the wise men who have THE power!
By the way, If Kohli is a raging fire, Rahane is a fresh ice cube, the bartender put in your whiskey -- as far as captaincy moves & energy are concerned.
pennyn6574100 on March 17, 2017, 2:36 GMT
@ VISHALVIRAT- Have you head of the name AB De Villiers???
b.misl9017082 on March 17, 2017, 2:31 GMT
ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED on March 16, 2017, 20:54 GMT Enough with the Bradman talk already. You might also want to look at his first class career where he was facing the likes of Miller, Lindwall, O'Riley, two of the premier quicks in Australia and arguably the best leg spinner the game has seen. Even DGB said Tiger was the best spinner he was which also included Laker. At the end of the day there is a stat that you can never erase and that is 99.94 x 2 better than almost every other player in 140 years of the game, not much more to argue about really. Semi professional versus full professional, covers v no covers, basic equipment versus full armor makes it hard to compare, but I'm guessing his hand eye co-ordination was so good it wouldn't matter what era he played in, he'd still be better than anyone else. Time for you to build a bridge and get over it.
Nikhil Parulekar on March 17, 2017, 2:26 GMT
Well played Smith
Craig on March 17, 2017, 2:23 GMT
It was nice to see the gentlemen players of the Indian team clap Smith when he reached his century. O wait, not one single player did. Gee I thought everything bad in the game was Australian and everything sweetness and light was Indian, surely that can't be wrong? 1 billion Indians want us to believe it...
ben on March 17, 2017, 2:18 GMT
Good fight by the Aussie's on day one. Shame to lose Renshaw when he looked so in control of his game and conditions. Warner still struggling but still has 3 innings in this series to win a game for the Aussie's. Handscomb has looked ok but not taking the starts and converting them. Shaun Marsh has struggled and both him and Mitchell have been basically leaving Aus playing with 9 players. Smith and Maxwell looking really good playing within themselves. Batting time is as important as runs in this test. No hurry boys bat all day!!!!! If there is a day Wade needs to stand up it is today. Chance for him to prove people wrong.
Daniel on March 17, 2017, 2:00 GMT
So Virat. Instead of sticking to the cricket you decided to poke the World's no 1 batsman, which may cost you this series. See what I mean about tempered aggression? Always know your target, and respect the Lions of the opposition. Smith is not Lara, but you can see that attacking him is not a good move - just as it is not a good move attacking Kohli, which other teams understand. You did not give mutual respect to your opposite number Virat, and now you will pay the price!
Vishal on March 17, 2017, 1:53 GMT
After seeing this series now for me Smith is the best player in tests at present. Kohli has to do better consistently in tests. Although in shorter formats no player is even near to Virat kohli
Cameron on March 17, 2017, 1:51 GMT
So much subjective rubbish about who is good and who is great...why bother? The important thing is that Australia won the toss and now its game on. Although they threw a few early wickets away they recovered but will need 450+ to be in any position of strength and as we know wickets can fall very quickly in India. If Kohli is in fact out they lose a very important contributor who is due for some runs, and, with the pitch looking better (certainly for the first few days) than all the palaver suggested, there is still a lot of cricket to be played in this match. And Yadav! He looked pretty good last time in Australia and has taken his four balls out of every over and looks very good for the future. A lot to look forward to...
tanveer on March 17, 2017, 1:41 GMT
For Aus, 299/4 may seem like a decent 1st day score but Ind need just 1 wicket and then then the long Aussie tail could crumble meekly. Assuming Aus get to 350 - its still under par - Ind has 9 batters and Kohli due for a BIG score - no Starc - Ind will be thinking 550 to 650 and an Innings defeat for Aussies.
Black on March 17, 2017, 1:33 GMT
When smith scores in india. He is great. but when indian batsman score 100, they are flat track bully. Indian batsmen have proved again and again they are equally comfortable in both green and dusty pitches. 2-1 for india within 3 days.
Leon on March 17, 2017, 1:26 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED - You repeatedly say that only Larwood and Truemen were the ony quality bowlers in Bradman's era - Trueman's debut was in 1952 - 4 years after Bradman had retired! Larwood was very fast and challenging because of that and the leg theory fields that Jardine set but The Don faced any number of quality bowlers whose names probably mean nothing to you - Bowes, Verity, Tate, Bedser, Voce, Martindale etc.... And I love how you have to ask cricinfo to publish you every time! HAHAHA
David on March 17, 2017, 1:09 GMT
SpinkingKK says that as a legspinner he is itching to bowl at Steve Smith. Maybe you should have a word to Yasir Shah first. I somehow don't think Smith has a weakness against leggies.
Jose on March 17, 2017, 1:05 GMT
There had been times, one thought, an OZ team is incomplete without a Mitch coming on to the pitch, especially in the testing times of a test.
Of course, there had been Mitches & Mitches! In a wide range from sublime to sub-par: no names!
Looks, that is not necessarily a dictum, on which you need to pitch a tent and camp. Once, the selectors, ditch that narrow tent, come out and breath some fresh air, and look around, and sniff, they can really find enough options, like an assorted chunks of barbecued pieces to chew & savour - as alternate options to choose from.
When one choses men for an alien soil, one needs to look beyond the SS stats (delivered on home soil). Maxi proved the point on Ranchi's black-soil. Who knows there could be different options, depending on the nature of the soil you may find elsewhere.
The lesson is simple. Be no slave of stats. Watch! See how he plays. See his skills. There are enough horses in the stable. So go horses for courses, with no bridle !
usmanapex on March 17, 2017, 0:46 GMT
Respect for SS ... with his performance in this series ..he deserves to be called as a Modern Great ... We should also not be pulling Kohli down ..it's just that he hasn't performed in the last 2 test ...remember when these 2 went head to head in Australia in 2014 ..both scoring 4 Hundreds each.. it was anot absolute joy to watch.. So Hoping to see Indian Batters do well in the remainder of the series & hope Aus pick Khawaja for the last test
Victor on March 17, 2017, 0:43 GMT
Smith has proved time and time again as being a batsman of the highest calibre. I am certain that he and Maxwell will put up a hugh score and the Indians will find difficulty in batting as the wicket starts wearing off. Hope Kohli's injury is not serious to affect his batting as he is much needed to put some runs on the board to boost his confidence.
disco on March 17, 2017, 0:31 GMT
@cricloverindia, you say that "he [Kohli] is still the best batsman in the world" which is not true. You go on to say "He is such an infectious personality", this is true, and it's probably why they call him eKohli.
Ash on March 17, 2017, 0:20 GMT
I am very happy that Maxi grabbed his chances and more importantly he showed that maturity. Now, we have very good test team for all conditions with solid openers in Davey and Renshaw, solid number 3 in Smithy, followed by UK, Handscomb and Maxi. Its time to dump Wade and bring in Whiteman and if fit we have Cummins, Starcy, Hazelwood, Bird, Abbott and Pattison. If they are fancy with pacing all-rounders, we have to think beyond Marsh and think of Faulkner, Hendricks or Stonis. to form very good attack along with Lyon, SoK ,Swapson and Zampy.
David on March 17, 2017, 0:17 GMT
I don't think it would have made any difference, but can anyone tell me why Vijay was bowling when Smith reached his hundred. Surely they should have made it a little bit harder for him.
Wayne on March 16, 2017, 23:20 GMT
As a historian of the game, some of our younger fans do not realize that Bradman had his prime taken away from him by World War 2. Bradman was born in 1908. World War War 2 started in 1939 and ended in 1945. Test cricket started again in about 1946. Bradman did not play test cricket between the ages of 31 and 38. After not hardly touching a cricket bat for years, the Don was convinced to play for Australia again in his late 30's. He was past his prime and did not want to play. He had a young family (ill children) & a successful stockbroking business. Through his love of Australia and his fondness for England (he wanted to help them recover from war), he put the whites on again. Statistically there has never been anyone close to him. He supposedly had incredible footwork and quick hands. At 170cm and about 65kg to 70kg he could not rely on power. The man probably wrote 1000's of handwritten letters in his latter years to adoring young Indian fans. He loved the game.
Nathan on March 16, 2017, 23:20 GMT
Well done Aussies. Bat big because I don't think you will want to chase a target on this deck. I have a feeling this will break up from day 3 so Day 2 is the day to bat sensibly and make 500 +. Fair play to Maxi too - I didn't know he had such restraint in him.
b.misl9017082 on March 16, 2017, 23:00 GMT
ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED on March 16, 2017, 17:58 GMT Might well have something to do with the fact Don died a long time ago and SRT only retired.......what? 5 years ago. You are a strange one. Just to prove a point SRT basically got down on one knee when he met the great man, while you're clearly several sandwiches short of a picnic, SRT knows and respects cricketing greats and cricketing history.
Peter on March 16, 2017, 22:31 GMT
Great application shown by Smith. He seem determined to prove a point & most likely he has been given plenty of incentive to bounce back due to some claims. Still plenty to go int his test & as Jose.P.... has said more than once, the vagaries of these pitches are unpredictable to predict. On this better batsmen talk, all the batsmen mentioned are outstanding and all will have a run of fantastic form at some point. Kholi has shown what a quality player he is, along with Root & Kane, all of them would be in my side as I would rather have them in my side than against me. All of them will have their blips and drop in form but it won't remain long for one reason.They are all quality players, period.
KISH on March 16, 2017, 22:25 GMT
Well done Australia. But, the game is far from over. If the pitch behaves the same way, there could be plenty of runs for Vijay, Kohli, Nair and co. But, getting Smith out is getting very tough for the Indian bowlers. I have always said that if India wanted to win this series, they have to find a way to combat the unorthodox batting techniques of Smith. As a leg-spinner, I am itching to bowl at him when I see him batting. I, personally, think if you are a spinner, pitching the ball full into middle stump line early on in his innings will make it hard for him. Because, he keeps shuffling in the crease. He might hit you for a couple of fours or sixes. But, if you keep at it and have the variations in the speed, the wicket will come. But, I am sure all these international bowlers would have tried everything to no avail. He, really, is a champion batsman.
rajeev9986700 on March 16, 2017, 22:06 GMT
Maxwell has a chance to cement his place in the Test team. It was a mature Maxwell. Hardly any reverse sweeps , no risky shots . Maxwell has turned out to be test batsman is surprising. He has proved his critics wrong who doubted his capabilities. Kings XI team management will be very happy to see a responsible Maxwell!!!
Vintage on March 16, 2017, 21:42 GMT
@Deluded Glenn McGrath had sachin's number pretty much anywhere. No bowler cud make such a claim on the Don. 99.94 is a wet dream eh? or a reality that u have to live with as long as you hear "Batting"?
molab14586992 on March 16, 2017, 21:38 GMT
You mean Babar azam is the best player in the world presantly not kohli or smith or root or the pious williamson AB should not even compete picks and chooses who he wants to play with amla is not what he used to be root is a kohli wanna be and smith hits mediocre bowlers and williamson is good but he is technically the worst out of the special 5 but Babar is the saviour ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Jake on March 16, 2017, 21:35 GMT
Kohli has done nothing in this series, other than pick up batting tips from Smith
brad on March 16, 2017, 21:25 GMT
Seriously how does an article on a test in India in 2017 becomes a playground on the silly Bradman vs Tendulkar debate. Seriously grow up folks
Doug on March 16, 2017, 21:17 GMT
To those who doubt Bradman's greatness, I pass on a story told by former Australian fast bowler, Carl Rackermann a few years ago when commentating. When Carl was a young tearaway quick just getting into Sheffield Sheild, Bradman came to the nets after an ACB meeting. Bradman, aged in his early 60s, went into the nets to bat in his suit and tie, wearning no pads or gloves. He thumped the fast bowlers everywhere with the same big bat swing as in that famous old black and white footage often shown of Bradman. Carl said it was unreal. If you can imagine a man like that in his prime, aged in his 20s and 30s, you might think more of the great man.
Mohammad Zamin on March 16, 2017, 21:01 GMT
@Haffiz Muzammil - I too was suporting India due to the Chappel comment but India has genuinely dissappointed me. They have been badly exposed, their conditions clearly hide the flaws in batting and bowling. And Kohli is too immature to be a captain, he will take team India down the wrong road and eventually his fans will hate him, but unlike Sachin he is brave, he does not shy away from a challenge
Rajiv on March 16, 2017, 20:59 GMT
I would really be happy if Kohli crosses Bradman the great. But some of our fans are not giving enough respect to Bradman which is not correct. The whole cricketing world accepts him as the greatest. I don't support these people who rate Kohli above Bradman. Kohli didn't even play 50 tests. His average is no where close to current top players like Smith or Root. People who comment that he only played against one country. Show me another player from Bradmans era who has an average of 100 or close to 100. That explains why he is the greatest. No matter what people think Bradman is the greatest of all and then comes our Sachin, Lara, Kallis, Sangakkara and Ponting. Hope India will atleast draw this test without Kohli in the team.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 20:59 GMT
CRICFAN05961455: Under ICC's Future Tours Program, India play the same number of series at home and away as England, Australia and even Pakistan.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 20:57 GMT
REVERSEDRIVE: Over 95% of cricketers? I'm sorry but you have committed two logical fallacies. Your first is Ad Populum, the appeal to popularity and your second is argumentum ad verecundiam, the appeal to authority. I am sorry but it looks like I'll have to render your opinion invalid. Please reply to me when you are not committing any logical fallacies. Thank you and kindly publish, cricinfo.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 20:54 GMT
@CRICFAN6058427122: Smith is the overrated one who scores the majority of his runs on FLAT Aussie roads and usually needs 3 or 4 chances to score a hundred. Smith is the right handed version of Shikhar Dhawan lol. And did you seriously say Kohli is not T20 material despite the fact he has a T20 average over over 50? // @CRICFAN6802995467: No one said Indian players are better than Bradman, but then again anyone can score runs off the mediocre bowlers of his era (only Larwood and Trueman were quality bowlers). What I actually said was that Bradman is by far the most overrated cricketer in the game's history. He scored most of his runs at home on flat Aussie tracks and usually made low scores on sticky wickets. On the other hand, Sir Jack Hobbs was considered the best batsman for all conditions. Moreoever, Bradman never played in the rank turners of the subcontinent and never played against world class spinner like Murali. // Please publish, cricinfo.
Sanjay on March 16, 2017, 20:53 GMT
@THOMMO7 you are spot on in saying that if you wanted anyone to bat to save your life it would be Steve Smith. Steve Smith is becoming a Steve Waugh who comes in when the team is in trouble and scores. The common denominator is the name Steve. We have produced 2 of them. As for the many comments on Bradman, they are poor, incorrect and inaccurate. Reflects on the lack of and poor knowledge of many.
nadind7118583 on March 16, 2017, 20:49 GMT
Smith will be our time legend in test cricket. Please concentrate on test cricket Renshaw and Maxell . Renshaw You are the youngest stylish batsmen I have seen in test cricket is ( in my time). Keep it up mate you both including Maxi have better future. We love test cricket you can keep it live. We need to see gentlemen game once again. Don't go for money , money will never make legends.
Nathan on March 16, 2017, 20:47 GMT
On a bowler friendly wicket you need to pick only 4 front line bowlers and on a batsmen friendly wicket you MUST pick 5 front line bowlers. India is not 1 but 2 bowlers short. I don't regard Ishant Sharma a test bowler. We should have selected Bhuvi instead and another bowler. I wont be surprised if Aussies score ~ 500 thereby putting pressure on India. Its going to be hard for either teams to take 20 wickets. Probability 1 - Australia win. Probability 2 - Draw. India winning is highly doubtful.
Colin on March 16, 2017, 20:45 GMT
Great performance yet again from Smith.
Now those Indian fans talking about the Don you need to think clearly. Even a kiwi knows there is Don Bradman and the daylight before we even find who is second best. If you do you homework on his careers and others you will know this. The Don is possibly the greatest athlete of all time even, as he is really peerless.
As far as batsman go I will mention George Headley too. If he had played more games I think he would be the all time number 2. There a couple of others from yesteryear as well Hobbs and Sutcliffe leap to mind and others. Everton Weekes for example. It's sad about WI cricket. I hope it comes back one day.
Tendulkar was the most enduring batsman in history. Stat wise not quite as good as others but run production over the longest period makes him the most enduring and prolific. Kohli is on his way but I wonder if he will get some runs in this game. Maybe a 200 :-} if his shoulder lets him.
As for NZ players think CROWE.
David on March 16, 2017, 20:41 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED "India has ALWAYS produced good spinners" Are they the ones that could hardly ever get Bradman out for under 100? Look at the facts.
Nicholas on March 16, 2017, 20:41 GMT
Maxwell has come out and done what Warner can never do: play a patient innings suited to the conditions. Very decent effort from Maxi and Smith after a wobbly start. India bowled really well for much of the day, but seemed to get too frustrated with Smith and lost it a bit in a few spells. Time will tell whether or not the gamble with Cummins will pay off or not...
varunk1780684 on March 16, 2017, 20:25 GMT
draw is the only outcome here...Australia lacking their best bowler Mitch while pitch is true hard to see any result here..India will bat good here as pitch is good enough for batters
Barry on March 16, 2017, 20:17 GMT
Nice to see Australia fielding 10 players in this side - got rid of one Swamp and when Swamp 2 is replaced by a batsman (hint Selectors - his initials are U.K.) we will have a decent chance of winning more tests than losses. Even blind Freddie can see that they have both had too many (failed) chances. Goodonya Maxxy great to see you there at long last - stick it to them with a 100plus. Top job Smithy - be good to see you both there at close of play today.
jaygwi5013490 on March 16, 2017, 20:16 GMT
Smith is 100 ties better than Overrated Kohli who is NOT a test material. The guy shuld stick to one day only. Not even good for T20
ishan on March 16, 2017, 20:06 GMT
Kohli and smith are pure genius, class apart and much better than root,Kane,Abd,amla and Warner.
RAJESH_PAKISTAN_1990 on March 16, 2017, 20:05 GMT
Feel sorry for M.Marsh. He would've loved this pitch. Or would he?
divine1246971 on March 16, 2017, 20:04 GMT
Wow!! The audacity of these Indian fans to say Kohli is better than Bradman LMAO. This is why the Indian team is so loathed nowadays. P.S- Mushfiqur is better than both Gilchrist & Dhoni. Vettori was better than both Kumble & Harbajhan. Andy Flower was better than Dravid. See how easy that was? ;)
albatr6118503 on March 16, 2017, 19:59 GMT
Time for ultimate test for Kohli the Batsman, no excuses for injury in this vital match.
Terry on March 16, 2017, 19:57 GMT
Great mental strength as well from Smith to go with the great batting. Can imagine the Indian players were aching to give him a send off with an unsuccessful DRS review and a bit of advice. Interested to hear Kohli had an injury. I suspected he was doing his homework looking through the 2nd Test tape trying to find those two examples of Australia consulting the dressing room on DRS reviews while he was at the crease. Take your time , Virat, they HAVE to be there somewhere.
Cameron on March 16, 2017, 19:51 GMT
We'll probably declare on 340 and bowl India out twice.
albatr6118503 on March 16, 2017, 19:43 GMT
Time for ultimate test for Kohli the Batsman, no excuses for injury in this vital match.
Michael on March 16, 2017, 19:40 GMT
Good grief Bradman faced Trueman! What planet are these people on. The Don did face Hedley Verity and Jim Laker who were pretty decent spinners....
Tahir on March 16, 2017, 19:38 GMT
In the presence of Ashwin and Jadeja oppositions have to bat well in both the innings to win or even draw a test match. Both of these guys can combine very quickly to rattle oppositions. On the other hand India have to bat well in reply to Australia's huge score to win or save the game.
ishan on March 16, 2017, 19:31 GMT
@jono_m I know kohli hasn't scored runs this series but he is still the best batsman in the world.His absence would mean not only less runs on the board but also create a mental pressure on other players.He is such an infectious personality
S on March 16, 2017, 19:25 GMT
Smith is the best batsman in the world
RAJESH_PAKISTAN_1990 on March 16, 2017, 19:21 GMT
Jose P. Not bad. Bancroft can keep as well, so you could slip in an extra batsman, bowler or all-rounder in the team (at the expense of Wade). Once fit (that's the problem, isn't it?), Starc back in I reckon. Both him and Cummins together - nothing to sneeze at.
hari on March 16, 2017, 19:17 GMT
I was an over confident Indian fan because we are playing at home. But we have to really credit how well Australia are playing. Lot of home work, grit, determination. What ever happens at the end of the series they effort is commendable. If Kohli is out on field and bats with limitations due to injury then India has an uphill task. Once Aus crosses 500 then either Aus win or draw is the only possibility unless India bats out of their skin. Things helping Aus very well, Kohli injured/M.March injury allowed Maxwell which only strengthened them in batting. Hope some fightback from India. Though India won 2nd test Aus has won most of the sessions and India were always under the pump. Great series.
Narasimhan on March 16, 2017, 19:02 GMT
Over 95% of the greatest cricketers and critics across countries and eras from 1930s to today have unanimously averred that Bradman is the God of cricket. Let's desist from living in Fantasy Land with made up 'facts' and 'expert opinions' to justify wishful thinking!
jkstyl0742993 on March 16, 2017, 19:01 GMT
Kohli must get runs this test - he's hugely motivated and his counterpart has thoroughly outperformed him thus far - 100+ in the 1st innings. Looking forward to an enthralling game, reckon this one might need 5 days. Yadav will do very next time IND tour AUS. Cheers
1973ha1080433 on March 16, 2017, 18:53 GMT
@black_bird, After your Bradman comment, I think you should stop posting here because no matter what you write here in the future, nobody will ever take you seriously.
You used the words Yadav and Greatest in the same sentence. Yadav doesn't even take 3 wickets per test. Ashwin and Jadeja have taken over 75% of their wickets in India on these substandard pitches and are useless away from home.
Kohli is better than Bradman?!? They played nearly the same number of tests and Bradman averaged close to 100. Kohli on the other hand doesn't even average 50. History will always remember 99.94 and the greatest batsman of all time.
Hafiz Muzammil Shahid on March 16, 2017, 18:45 GMT
I have to say this perfomense by aussies in this series is beyound my excpectations but bcz of bizzare ian chappel statement during pak series iam supporting ind
farhad3645384 on March 16, 2017, 18:43 GMT
75% test india played in their home ground. If they played 50% test outside india, definitely they will go ranking below west indies..
Jonathan on March 16, 2017, 18:30 GMT
@Cricloverindia, you are being unfair on the rest of the Indian team there. To say they rely on Kholi so heavily is pretty funny when he hasn't contributed at all this series, or did you mean KL Rahul?
Miyoshi on March 16, 2017, 18:21 GMT
I'm so happy for Maxi. He is one of the few Aussie players that I like, I would definitely pay to watch him. I hope he cements this #6 slot instead of that useless Mitch Marsh . Come on Maxwell, get a 200 & shut the mouth of those critics once and for all.
Ashok on March 16, 2017, 18:19 GMT
It was a bad day for India on the field. They not only lost their skipper Kohli due to injury but the best batsman of the side. It was total dominance by Smith & Maxwell after a modest start to pile up an unbroken stand of 159. If India get these 2 out early, they have have a good chance of preventing the Aussies from topping 400 total. Otherwise it looks like India will face a huge total. With just 4 bowlers on a good batting wicket, it is going to be long day. Can the Indian batsmen respond with their line up showing its full strength remains to be seen. It is essential first to focus on getting Maxwell out early & hope the rest of the batsmen are not allowed to set. Can the 4 bowlers get bowl to tight line & length & breakthru' this partnership? That will be the first question to answer on field in the first session. Kohli's shoulder injury seems serious. Will he be able to bat in this Test? Thirdly can India perform well in absence of their skipper? A tough day 2 ahead!
ishan on March 16, 2017, 18:13 GMT
Ishant Sharma is a liability,good for nothing bowler.He takes wickets off no balls which is frustrating to see as a diehard Indian cricket fan.We need to wrap up Australia under 450 and need a daddy hundred from king kohli.Hope he is fit for tomorrow and does not aggrevate his injury while batting.Shocking to see how a team of 11 depends so heavily on 1 player.Cricinfo please publish.
Abhishek Shrivastav on March 16, 2017, 18:06 GMT
Virat injury is same as kl Rahul injury he just needs to avoid pull , and loft shots welcome back VK
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 18:06 GMT
Just saw the highlights, the pitch is rock solid and not shown any sings of breaking down. The pitch is not going to change a lot on 2nd day, may be it will start taking turn in final half of day 3 onward. It appears that sun backing the pitch even harder, I saw the soil being a little bit soft on first session, however later on it was very true surface. Aus should bat as long as possible, because taking 10 Indian wickets in the first innings is going to be very very difficult
nooran0914710 on March 16, 2017, 17:59 GMT
more than anything India lacked a leader. Rahane is no leader. Tomorrow if Kohli doesn't come to field Either Ashwin or Rahul should take charge. Indian team were down without Virat. It's a shame India don't have too many leader in the lineup. Rahane shouldn't have been VC first of all.. If does not change acting captain tomorrow then this test will feel like never ending for India. Hopefully Virat is fit then we will see some fight back from India else this test is gone any way..
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 17:58 GMT
CRICFAN0454043974: Bradman is nowhere like Shakespeare and Sachin is like Orwell any ways. Only cricket nerds care about the statistician's wet dream that is 99.94 lol. More people care about and still talk about Tendulkar whilst Bradman is just an anomaly in cricketing history.
Allan on March 16, 2017, 17:45 GMT
In retrospect, perhaps Kohli should have let the DRS incident slide, because it seems that Smith and AUS, particularly Smith, have come back at IND with vengeance.
michae5585087 on March 16, 2017, 17:07 GMT
the best thing about the bradman overrated debate is that centuries from now he will become like shakespeare. sure there were good players before and after him, but everyone who knows about cricket will know 99.94 the same way anyone who has heard of a play has heard of "to be, or not to be". sachin will be like miller or beckett. yeah he was great but only cricket nerds will still care enough to bring him up. and i think there is a chance these comments will be less relevant by then to.
drawly0432769 on March 16, 2017, 17:04 GMT
Whats's Maxwell doing batting in front of Wade? Everyone knows the guy can bat but when you bat him at 7 or 8 he doesnt get the chance for a long innings.
subhasish on March 16, 2017, 17:01 GMT
Jose p@ agree with you I think Australia should add Bancroft in the squad for next series I think he is a technically correct batsman he can play spin Australia should add those players who can handle pace and spin both
manubh2283271 on March 16, 2017, 16:39 GMT
Can someone please explain why Ishant Sharma is still selected as lead bowler vs Bhuvi or others ?
IRFAN on March 16, 2017, 16:36 GMT
Just in, kohli advised 10 days rest, out of Ranchi test
geoffs8103821 on March 16, 2017, 16:34 GMT
Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell are superstars i think Australlia have stumbled on their best team.Boy i wish Renshaw had chosen England even Maxwells mum's English. Think Australlia will smash England in the ashes.
ravi on March 16, 2017, 16:33 GMT
Sorry for my earlier comment, just now bcci has confirmed that kohli has no serious injury and will take part in the reminder of the test match.
Jo on March 16, 2017, 16:30 GMT
So Maxwell is the trick, that CA adamantly blocking him to represent until this match. Finally CA managed to value the player capability than petty things and especially coaches high negativity on a player. Its also important for Smith to grow up and keep a game changer like Maxwell in team and in good huddle. Warner and Maxwell in playing XI is a danger that pose to opponent. If Aussie dont want to do that, I would immigrate Maxwell to India.
malhar1424912 on March 16, 2017, 16:27 GMT
Brilliant answer by smith to ishant Ashwin and jaddu who started considering himself a sir. And Ashwin thinking of him as a warne. By performing in windies and against kiwis. Wrong images that they made will all be now resurrected and this as well might be the last tour at home . than there dependency on pitches too needs to be exposed.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 16:23 GMT
SAMDANH: Mate, there were VERY FEW good bowlers that Bradman played against with the exception of Larwood and Trueman. The other really quick bowler was supposed to be Mohammad Nissar as Douglas Jardine had recalled, but that's a different story altogether. The huge misconception is that Bradman played on uncovered wickets, that's not really true. He actually scored most of his runs on what we now call, flat tracks. The sticky wickets that Bradman did bat on, where the ones where he failed to make runs. In fact, it is considered that Jack Hobbs was a better player than Bradman on sticky wickets and difficult conditions. Hobbs may not have been as dominating like Bradman, but skillwise he was far far superior to Bradman. Bradman essentially made runs like how I make runs on Stick Cricket. Moreover, Bradman never played in the subcontinent or multiple formats. Not faced a world class spinner. Bradman was talented but definitely overrated. Please publish, cricinfo.
Jonathan on March 16, 2017, 16:20 GMT
@Jose, I agree about Umesh, in fact I think he has been the stand out bowler for India in the series to date, his double strike in the second innings at Bengaluru, taking out SMarsh and Smith was the turning point in the match for mine, Ashwin may have gotten the rest but Umesh was the catalyst.
IRFAN on March 16, 2017, 16:20 GMT
@JOSE...P I hope you are suggesting that team for Australia only for sub continent tours, because in fast conditions usman khawaja gets in straightaway! Are you?
Phil on March 16, 2017, 16:15 GMT
Smith is out scoring Kohli in India. And not just by a little. The difference between these 2 is big and getting bigger.
rajpoo0565439 on March 16, 2017, 16:11 GMT
a real greety inning by modern day great..cant expect more..m really happy
rajpoo0565439 on March 16, 2017, 16:09 GMT
good batting display by warner
Cosmic on March 16, 2017, 16:08 GMT
Kohli may be the most talked about cricketer but the best batsman in test cricket right now is undoubtedly Steven Smith! Yet another century against India, 5000 runs in test cricket at an average of 60.7 best since Bradman, his record says it all.
Jose on March 16, 2017, 15:56 GMT
To THE MODS. '' In an earlier post, in the last line, I missed Handscomb's name. Sent a revised one.
PLEASE use the revised one, with HANDSCOMB in the last sentence.
Jonathan on March 16, 2017, 15:56 GMT
Special stuff from Maxi, let's hope this is a day in his career where we can all look back on and remember it as the making of the man, I certainly think it could be. To play so within himself was in stark contrast to his earlier test appearances where he'd looked hectic and unsure about his approach, hoping more than believing. Today he was calm to the point of looking bored, like a council worker on a friday afternoon, only coming to life late in the day with the first schooner of the evening in sight, it was a beautiful effort. Well played mate.
persev1507162 on March 16, 2017, 15:55 GMT
REDDIRT, so what if Indian fans are a little optimistic? While we do appreciate Aussie performance, and laud them, dont expect Indian fans to surrender and fall at your feet. I dont understand why others' optimism makes you so unhappy.
Not to be a damp squib, but this test match is far from over. Day 1 - Australia, but there are still 4 days remaining.
Jose on March 16, 2017, 15:54 GMT
KOHLI - We have all sorts of descriptives for a captain. I will add another one. Energiser! Once he got injured, India seem to have lost most of its energy. There goes the intent & intensity! It seems! Hope he's back ASAP!
UMESH: Only bowler who looked threatening on this deceptive pitch which fooled very many. May still surprise!
SMITH - He proved the old adage: "Substance scores over Style". After seeing him today, has anyone got any doubt at all? Fantastic! What else can I say!
MAXI - Always believed in him. His only problem had been his impetuosity. Oh, my ! Has he really proved us wrong? I really think, he can handle both pace & spin, IF he sets his heart to it. Hey, Oz, you have your #6.
MARSH- I have an 'out of the box' alternative: BANCROFT - The one who impressed me the most on A-tours. If (big if) & when he regains his form, tempted to bring him in. Renshaw,Warner, Smith, Bancroft, Handscomb, Maxi - keep this lineup for a whole series, at least!
farhad3645384 on March 16, 2017, 15:53 GMT
Tomorrow waiting for smith Double century.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 15:51 GMT
THOMMO7: Australia won't win. // @CRICINFOUSER (facebook user): Law of averages dictates that Kohli will score a big one. He's not out of form considering he scored runs the entire home season. Blips happen just like how world class footballers such as Messi, CR7 and Suarez don't score every single game. Australia won't win, let alone win the series. This is a good batting pitch, so anything Australia put up, India will match. // Please publish, cricinfo.
Michael Ponnudurai on March 16, 2017, 15:50 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED: Opinions differ but records speak one language and that is Don Bradman was and continues to be the best till date. Unless and until each of his records is broken, he is the undisputable Best Batsman of cricket. There were better bowlers during his time and batsmen did not have too many guards as they have today. All the best bowlers that Gary Sobers has played Don has played too. Those were days, as people recollect, when pitches were not covered. So there is no less challenge that Don has faced during his time. That average besides many other unbroken records, is the most invincible of all. Period.
malhar1424912 on March 16, 2017, 15:50 GMT
Kohli is a fantastic player ,rahane and ishant childish, rest all below par. Good to see smith score a ton. Somebody was needed to stop this guys from making mockery of international cricket . like jadu and Ashwin have always made. I wish they both soon come out of illusion and realise there actual places.
ayushm0857496 on March 16, 2017, 15:49 GMT
Kohli the batsman has not made too many runs in this series so that would spur rahul vijay pujara and rahane more to make big runs in first ings but india would certainly miss kohli the captain
Yasein on March 16, 2017, 15:46 GMT
This is absolutely amazing. At this point, you could put Steve Smith up against anyone in any condition and he'll still score a century. Steven Smith is just phenomenal. On a side note, I think Yadav deserves more praise than he normally gets from Indian fans. He brilliantly exploits reverse swing and runs in bowling 140+ consistently.
Jose on March 16, 2017, 15:41 GMT
KOHLI - We have all sorts of descriptives for a captain. I will add another one. Energiser! Once he got injured, India seem to have lost most of its energy. There goes the intent & intensity! It seems! Hope he's back ASAP!
UMESH: Only bowler who looked threatening on this deceptive pitch which fooled very many. May still surprise!
SMITH - He proved the old adage: "Substance scores over Style". After seeing him today, has anyone got any doubt at all? Fantastic! What else can I say!
MAXI - Always believed in him. His only problem had been his impetuosity. Oh, my ! Has he really proved us wrong? I really think, he can handle both pace & spin, IF he sets his heart to it. Hey, Oz, you have your #6.
MARSH- I have an 'out of the box' alternative: BANCROFT - The one who impressed me the most on A-tours. If (big if) & when he regains his form, tempted to bring him in. Renshaw,Warner, Smith, Bancroft, Maxi - keep this lineup for a whole series, at least!
Cricinfouser on March 16, 2017, 15:36 GMT
If Kohli is in or out it doesn't make any difference. He will score 10 or 15 runs. Aus too lost Starc. Even Stevens now. No one can stop Aus winning this series 3-1
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 15:35 GMT
REDDIRT: I would like to see Bradman face Waqar, Wasim, Imran, Dev, Hadlee, Donald, Steyn, Murali, Holding, Garner, Roberts, Croft, Marshall, the spin quartet from India and even Ishant McGrath. The greatest to grace the game was Sir Garfield Sobers, not Bradman. Please publish, cricinfo.
ayushm0857496 on March 16, 2017, 15:33 GMT
Rohit should replace kohli in next test as for this test kohli should bat should need be at no 10 in both the ings
ram4fr9677970 on March 16, 2017, 15:31 GMT
@Mohammad Zamin why do you compare smith with Younis?. Younis isaround 40!. why you don't have any other players to play test cricket in Pakistan?. why you still relying on grand dads.
tariq on March 16, 2017, 15:31 GMT
The difference between Smith and kohli is getting wider as the series progress. The class of Smith is putting kohli under a lot of pressure. Kohli has failed in six innings. Looked suspect against starc. Smith is fearless. Indians are looking demoralised. Seems by losing the toss they have lost hope. We shall see.
Xiong on March 16, 2017, 15:29 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED Well they're either going to win by an innings or lose, so that's a pretty good gambit you're making. If they lose is it safe to assume you won't been seen around these parts under the same name again?
siddhartha on March 16, 2017, 15:27 GMT
Maxi never ceases to surprise.
Thom on March 16, 2017, 15:25 GMT
Oh no !! Terrible news about Kohli ! I would have liked to beat India WITH Kohli __ now they are going to have all kinds of excuses why the Aussies have beaten them AT HOME in a series !
Anwar uz on March 16, 2017, 15:21 GMT
Sorry ! If Kohli is out of this game then India is 1-2 down. The other batters will just fold down.
Anwar uz on March 16, 2017, 15:19 GMT
Selector's fault, bowler's fault, umpire's fault, toss, what a bunch of whimp these IND fans are ! they don't have the slightest trust that their batters may do equally good if they apply themselves too. The Aussies has, atlast, got a proper wicket to bat on (other two test pitches were seriously under prepared) and If they can bat till half way through to the last session on 2nd day, which is unlikely, then the IND will have to show their mettle as no.1 ranked team. The pitch will hold till day 3 and start spinning from the 4th.
R on March 16, 2017, 15:19 GMT
I mentioned this in another post..the lack of respect for international cricketers is just astounding! of all the things why bring Don here? it was not his fault he was born in that era. Yes, the game has improved and evolved. But show some respect,.given the same conditions he was head and shoulders above other in his time. That alone should settle the argument, This wicket looks fair and is reflected on the scoreboard. Even there, there is a message. A cricketer has to execute skills EVERY time, even if the conditions favor him., That is why even when conditions favor someone, there is no guarantee, That is the beauty of the sport, where performances have to be put in day in day out.
Richard on March 16, 2017, 15:18 GMT
DESIBOI80 ON MARCH 16, 2017, 12:13 GMT - The second world war robbed us of Bradman's prime. I would like to see Kohli average 100 while working as a fulltime stockbroker!!!
Tahir on March 16, 2017, 15:18 GMT
Aussies are in an excellent position after winning the toss and making the most of it but like many tests played in India in the recent times, we cannot say anything where the game is going. Aussies are lucky to make the first use of the pitch which will start taking more spin as the game progresses. On the other hand Indian batsmen have recovered from such situations recently by replying handsomely with the bat and then Ash/Jaddu making life difficult for the opposition batsmen in the third innings of the game. So, we need to wait and see India's batting before predicting potential winner of this game but best wishes for Australia from now on.
samy on March 16, 2017, 15:18 GMT
Its funny when SL beat Aussies 3:0, Indians fans said its not a big deal & India will beat them 4:0 easily.All I can see is 1:3 now. Come on Aussies!
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 15:11 GMT
CRICINFOUSER (facebook user): India are going to win by an innings. Just you wait and see. Then you will apologise for all the goading you have been doing on here. Please publish, cricinfo.
eroost2760460 on March 16, 2017, 15:07 GMT
Disappointing kohli out of test was looking forward to him batting, question mark on fourth test as well i guess, hope his shoulder isn't going to keep him out of the game to long maybe did what m vijay has done and will be back asap. I guess find out more tomorrow.
persev1507162 on March 16, 2017, 15:07 GMT
MOHAMMAD ZAMIN, i agree with you regarding placing Kohli below these people for the following reasons:
Smith for the way he has outshone all others currently, and well on his way to becoming a legend. Cook simply for his longevity. Younis, because he is actually a legend, and also for his 2nd innings exploits.
But i disagree with your assessment of placing Kohli below Azhar Ali, simply for the reason that Azhar's conversion rate from 50s to 100s is nowhere near Kohli's. Both Azhar and Kohli have 6 150+ scores, so they are even on that front. I would rate them on a rather similar scale, Kohli getting extra points for his conversion rate, and slightly higher average, and Azhar for being an opener and having to face generally tougher conditions than Kohli.
Richard on March 16, 2017, 15:06 GMT
CRICFAN03571372 ON MARCH 16, 2017, 14:20 GMT This was India's day, when you factor in the pitch which is a batting paradise.
The glass is always half full in India lol
Thom on March 16, 2017, 15:03 GMT
MOHAMMAD ZAMIN __ Smithy overshadows any other current test batsman ; Younis Kahn's test average is 52 , 39 whereas Smith's average is 60 , 73 . I think that you've got your arithmetic a little haywire .
Ravi on March 16, 2017, 15:00 GMT
Just heared kohli is advised 12 days rest and is out of this series.
ravi on March 16, 2017, 14:58 GMT
Breaking news- kohli ruled out of this test . India in trouble now
ram4fr9677970 on March 16, 2017, 14:58 GMT
India virtually playing with 3 bowlers. Ishanth will not going to take any wickets anyway. its put lot of pressure on other 3 bowlers. we cant do to this all the test matches.
Vilayanur on March 16, 2017, 14:56 GMT
The umpires seem to be giving all the benefit of doubts to the Australians. They also seem to miss clear edges.
What gives? Please publish.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 14:54 GMT
MOHAMMAD ZAMIN: When everyone treats us Indians with respect and stops undermining us, then we will change our attitude. We do tit for tat as they say. Please publish, cricinfo.
Cricinfouser on March 16, 2017, 14:53 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED , that is soft poms but this is Aussies. Max india can score 250, Kohli will score another 10 runs lol. Australia will win by 350 runs.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 14:53 GMT
As much as I applaud Steve Smith and Maxwell's performance today, I, as an Indian, can't help to ask the same question again and again, "is depending too much on the pitch and toss ruining Indian cricket" ?
ayushm0857496 on March 16, 2017, 14:52 GMT
This pitch is pretty flat and mind you australia dont have starc they have Cummins who has played just one first class match in more than 5 years they have Lyon who has injured finger, o keefee has completed his series quota at pune, the only good bowler now they have is hazzelwood india need to play hazzelwood carefully maxwell is not a test bowler he is a slogger and he is lucky to be still there he was clearly out i fail to understand why ind did not review maxwell decision anyway he is a slogger he wd get out early tomorrow
Pst P Ntlatywa on March 16, 2017, 14:49 GMT
I am behind Aus all the way in this says a SA Fan
James on March 16, 2017, 14:46 GMT
I agree the game is still open. India need VK on the field, though. Looking a bit lost without him. Would love to see Maxwell get the ton. Now there is one guy who can demoralize an opponent. Could be great to watch. Will be interesting to Cummins bowl here. Low bounce, fast outfield - probably the worst conditions he could bowl on. Could go for plenty.
Black on March 16, 2017, 14:42 GMT
I think india is going to win this match easily. If kohli makes 300+ then india will have 400+ lead. I am not sure aussies can score that much at 2nd innings.
ritesh6619185 on March 16, 2017, 14:41 GMT
if Aus win this test then can we say they won because of TOSS ?
krshnb1853158 on March 16, 2017, 14:39 GMT
Kohli's shoulder is a big concern with IPL just round the corner.RCB can ill afford Kohli's absence despite ABD and Gayle's presence.Oh yeah , a test series is going on but IPL is only 20 odd days away. Cant wait for Kohli to avenge these Aussies ,in IPl ie.
exelby9545231 on March 16, 2017, 14:31 GMT
@Blackbird Yep I reckon Bradman was hopeless, only needed 4 to average 100 and got out for a duck, Kohli is 500 times better even though he leaves straight ones.
Mohammad Zamin on March 16, 2017, 14:29 GMT
Steven Smith is right up there with Younis Khan as a current test batting great. A player who can score centuries in foreign conditions. Kohli is the best player across formats and the greatest ODI batsman ever but I would place him below Smith, Cook, Younis and Azhar Ali as a Test batsman.
Rajiv on March 16, 2017, 14:29 GMT
As an Indian I hate to say it but it's a wonderful century from Smith. Well done this time unlike the century in first test. He deserve appreciation. You are definetely the best test batsmen in the world right now.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 14:27 GMT
Many made bold predictions in Rajkot when England toured, but India matched the large total.
farhad3645384 on March 16, 2017, 14:26 GMT
Hope Australia will wrap the series and indian fan will be crying...
Prasanna on March 16, 2017, 14:26 GMT
The match is still in balance. Unless Aus scores a minimum of 400, india has a good chance. Then too, it is going to be a tough ask against their batsmen.
Prinesh on March 16, 2017, 14:25 GMT
@SACHIN_VVSFAN - you are one of the very few fair, reasonable and objective Indian fans. Well said
Mohammad Zamin on March 16, 2017, 14:24 GMT
@surgical_strike_finish_pak - Great name, but just like your team in poor spirit, maybe like your team you need to improve your attitude to improve results
Vinoth Kumar on March 16, 2017, 14:23 GMT
@HERATH-UK, Most of times,why you are unnecessarily talk about herath or sandakan? I know you are SL fan, so you are comparing those two with ashwin & Jadeja. One of your comment says Herath better than these 2 spinners.Did you forget last ind tour to SL? Ashwin took more wkts than him,also as per stats he is better than Herath. Also fact is both are home and spin track bullies,if they go outside asia they will be trashed, their record is not good. Even sandakan took only 9 wkts in 5 innings agst aus . Do you think its great acheivement that too bowls in spin track dust bowls? Smith scored not only half century ,he scored century also kindly check the record. You cant keep big batsman quite at all stages,can herath challenge smith in australia? Today is good to bat,smith played superbly. Even shaun marsh scored century in SL,what do you say ? Before check the records kindly dont put baselss comments. We all know what Hearth did in NZ & SA. comparing with ashwin is not fair.
Moeed on March 16, 2017, 14:20 GMT
This was India's day, when you factor in the pitch which is a batting paradise.
David on March 16, 2017, 14:18 GMT
Hopefully, this innings is the turning point in Maxwell's career. Some people take a longer time to get it! But this is only one innings, we will have to wait and see. Congrats once more to the skipper, took full advantage of winning the toss, well played!
Vilayanur on March 16, 2017, 14:13 GMT
@CIRCINFOUSER, 240 odd runs? 240 is an even number, I say!
Hussain on March 16, 2017, 14:11 GMT
Well played Smith. Now this test match is over for india. Without kholi india is just like kenya team.
ravi on March 16, 2017, 14:09 GMT
@mrcunning u said australia will win 2nd test by an innings, what happened? Just enjoy the game instead of making illogical statements.
exelby9545231 on March 16, 2017, 14:08 GMT
Did any of the Indian players congratulate Smith on his hundred? Spirit of the game, right? India are the torch bearers for the spirit of the game!
rangar7478979 on March 16, 2017, 14:01 GMT
Cricinfo tittle tomorrow-" Rahul, pujara lead Indias strong reply"
Seshachalam on March 16, 2017, 14:01 GMT
Bad selection yet again. What is Ishant still doing in the team? We could have had either Kuldip or Jayant. India will now be clearly missing a 3rd spinner. Not withstanding Ashwin, we still do not have a good spinning or pace all rounder in the team like Kallis or Maxwell. This can also fill the fifth bowlers spot. Our present selection committee lacks basic logic!!
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 13:58 GMT
CRICFAN73188054: Jadeja took a 6 fer in Pune and Ashwin took a 6 fer when required in Bengaluru. You have to be off your rocker to think they are not India's #1 and #2. Bowlers can have off days and there is still 4 more days left. Is Lionel Messi crap if he doesn't score in every single game? Please publish, cricinfo.
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 13:57 GMT
@HERATH-UK - You would have lost every single test if Australia were to win a toss. Toss saved you and you got lucky that Aussies had players like Burns, Voges who are not bad players but are not good players of spin. This is a different Australian team playing here.
Jonathan on March 16, 2017, 13:56 GMT
Just for some context. Steve Waugh had made 2584 runs at the end of his 53rd test. Smith is going to have round about double that.
chris on March 16, 2017, 13:53 GMT
im an aussie and i dont think that we are domanant here at all. just hanging in i think. 3 down for 300 yes but if we cant push till tea tomorrow india are right in this too
persev1507162 on March 16, 2017, 13:52 GMT
SAMROY, excellent points. Indian shoulders were certainly drooping, and watching commentary from office did not provide any encouraging signs either. We need the captain to lift the spirits of the team, and Rahane just did not do that today. Looked like going through the motions. Insipid performance again from India. Unless they curtail the runs tomorrow morning, the trophy should arrive in Perth by evening. As such it looks like it has gone beyond Singapore towards Australia.
Aussies on the other hand... take a bow guys. Especially Smith. Amazing concentration to put controversies behind, and bat out of his skin. All things set apart, there is no denying that if there is one person deserving of numero uno position, it has to be Smithy. Well done Maxi as well.
Let us hope for a rejuvenated India to turn up tomorrow and make this a contest to remember. Pitch bashers where are you all hiding?
Cricinfouser on March 16, 2017, 13:51 GMT
It's all over for India . Pack your bag and get ready for IPL. Australia 3-1 India
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 13:49 GMT
DESIBOI80: Sorry matey but you are wrong. The way it works is as follows: the more innings you bat the closer the average becomes to your true average. So you might have a high or a low average for a small number of innings but as you play more innings the average moves toward the "true" number. So how many innings do you have to play to get an accurate measure? no-one knows for sure but most statisticians agree that 30 is sufficient for a solid measure of the mean, so that would be 30 innings. The best batsman of all time (by a very long distance indeed) played 80 innings - so that is more than enough matey...
incogn3678149 on March 16, 2017, 13:49 GMT
There seems to be a lot of discussion about Bradman here - Not sure how that came about as this article has nothing to do with him. I have a great deal of respect for Bradman and his achievements as he stood head and shoulders above everyone in his era. However, cricket was a very different game back then,played in an amicable fashion. To that extent I think Viv Richards was the great batsmen of all time. In bodyline series, Bradman averaged 57 odd and I'm sure Viv would have destroyed that Eng bowling attack to smithereens! Those Eng bowlers and fielders would have been ducking for cover with nowhere to hide!!! Cricket was lethal in Viv's era and Viv was king without a crown-helmet.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 13:49 GMT
Sir Steven Smith's century: - 19th of Test career - 13th in 1st inns of a Test - 11th as captain - 6th vs India - 3rd in Asia - 2nd in India..... Absolutely brilliant!!! No sportsmanship has seen by the Indian players.....
Prasad on March 16, 2017, 13:48 GMT
If Kohli is still unfit to come on to the field tomorrow, India should bring on Dhoni as the substitute so that he can lead the team. That would significantly boost the morale of the Indian team and help them to turn the situation around - just for tomorrow - deliver a Dhoni special to the Aussies in his home town.
Anantha on March 16, 2017, 13:47 GMT
Happy for Maxwell. Poor guy was even left to carry drinks for Victoria and made to bat below Wade. Now he has proven his worth. Hopefully he will get an extended run at 6 (at least as long as Mitch Marsh's). Still don't understand how Handscomb and Shaun Marsh could pip Khawaja.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 13:44 GMT
Good to see that normal services have resumed after the aberration in the 2nd test
sri on March 16, 2017, 13:44 GMT
I am Indian and all I can say about Smith innings is Marvelous. Amazing how he did not allow all the external factors effect him. Will be interesting to see how Kohli responds. At the moment I place Smith ahead of Kohli in Test cricket. In ODI Kohli seems to have upper hand though. Lets see how this test progress. Aus seem to be in comfortable zone at least for now.
Cricinfouser on March 16, 2017, 13:42 GMT
Another 100 runs and I can say it's all over red rover for India. What a player Smith? Scored 100 on all countries except BD I guess. Overrated Ashwin couldn't create pressure lol. @ wap4 _deluded , learn cricket man, google who is Bradman. He is the god of cricket. Go Aus give these players a good hiding.
anoopa4275207 on March 16, 2017, 13:38 GMT
Smith a player for all condition, he has given Australia a very good chance to win this test. India will have to bat for at least 2 days to draw this test match. First-day analysis Austalia has 90% chance to win this test.
incogn3678149 on March 16, 2017, 13:33 GMT
BK's Test bowling average is 29 while Ishant's is 37!! BK has a bad game and he is dropped while Ishant has many many many bad games and he is persisted with!!! Why the selectors, captain and coach have so much faith in Ishant is beyond me? What's more, not only does Ishant not take wickets but he does not even look like he can take a wicket. Most of his deliveries are harmless, either angled across left hander, wide out off-stump of right hander or down leg side. Ishant Sharma does not deserve to be anywhere near a Test arena. Best pace bowling options are Shami, Yadav, BK, Bumrah and definitely PK when fit.
battle4492251 on March 16, 2017, 13:27 GMT
Very funny black bird you have a sense of humor
Nipuna on March 16, 2017, 13:26 GMT
@NCP1 wasn't that tough for Sri Lanka
Damian on March 16, 2017, 13:25 GMT
Kholi doesn't want to be the losing captain of india side, great captains would still be playing Dhoni wouldn't have gone off
Ravi on March 16, 2017, 13:25 GMT
smudga won't enforce follow on , so I take back my previous comment which states that India will loose by an innings. Australia will win by 430 runs. Off to the next test
rangar7478979 on March 16, 2017, 13:15 GMT
This match is going in the same direction as mohali test 2013 Ind v aus. KL Rahul will do what Shekhar Dhawan did in that game. Australia scored 417 in the first innings
Cricinfouser on March 16, 2017, 13:13 GMT
aus 500 all out..ind 350 all out aus 200 allout ind 107 all out...aus win by 240 odd runs
b.misl9017082 on March 16, 2017, 13:12 GMT
I'm really pleased for Smith, but I'm sure he'll still have his critics. In the first test he got dropped 75 times, this time it will be the deck was a road. Some people just can't be pleased. He is a gun!
The more he plays the more Smith reminds me of Alan Border. He's fighting a lone hand, keeping the inevitable tsunami at bay. For AB it was the Windies, for Smithy it's the spin twins of India. I'm glad the Big show gave him the support he needed in this instance. While I thought smith also had the grumpy trait like AB, the more heat he seems to face the calmer he as become as he learns the role of skipper. Early days he was an angry ant but now plays a straight bat.
While it was a good effort they're far from out of the woods. Warner and Renshaw really gave it away, while Marsh and Handscome were done by very good bowling. They'll want at least 150 minimum, ideally 200+ more to feel like they're leading the game. No one will really know until India bat so it's all speculation.
tkowli5027717 on March 16, 2017, 13:10 GMT
kohli is hopeless captain and even worst batsman in india. hisrecord is worst. Just check your facts guys. ranji bowlers are far better than him.
bytheb6707344 on March 16, 2017, 13:06 GMT
ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED - I agree that India have always produced good spinners. But I for one can't fathom how Ashwin and Jadeja are number one and two. Today was a prime example of that. Great bowlers step up when they are needed, especially at home. They couldn't even defend one end. Number of wickets don't tell the entire story, if we go by wickets yadav has taken More than Starc in this series and we all know who the better bowler is out of those two.
Navin on March 16, 2017, 12:56 GMT
This Australian team under smith is tough to beat, they will not give up easily. Smith among the best batsman of our time is showing he can do it in all conditions. Others like Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Virat, AB are probably applauding and hoping they can do the same or better. Great to watch Smith, he does not give his wicket away.
Black on March 16, 2017, 12:55 GMT
Bradman was just an ordinary batsman who never faced greatest bowlers like ashwin, jadeja, yadav. I believe kohli is 200 times better than him.
tom3794635563 on March 16, 2017, 12:49 GMT
Smith is a legend. Maxwell will become one of the few batsmen to score a ton in all 3 formats of the game tomorrow.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 12:40 GMT
CHRISMARX: Everything I said about Bradman was true.
Moeed on March 16, 2017, 12:37 GMT
India is easily gonna win this test. India will dismiss them at 350 max and will score 600 on this pitch and will restrict Australia to under 200 in 3rd innings.
tariq08451063 on March 16, 2017, 12:35 GMT
Til when wil be ishant be playing despite hopeless performance & blocking the place for upcoming fast bowlers.
Pupalan on March 16, 2017, 12:34 GMT
When is India playing a real sporting team. Buzz me when this CA XI Vs India series is over. One bored and disillusioned fan.
Stephen on March 16, 2017, 12:33 GMT
Anyone suggesting Bradman isn't the best is having a laugh. Regardless of the situation noone from his era bar him averaged anything more than 60 which is the same through all generations. Players who get into the 50s are considered elite, so to average 99.94 is just ridiculous
asioop9603848 on March 16, 2017, 12:33 GMT
thank god m.marsh was injured lol
Arvind Hickman on March 16, 2017, 12:31 GMT
All the hysteria over a pitch. Smith proved that wrong. It's first innings, let's see how India responds. But few can deny who is the best test batsman at the minute.
malhar1424912 on March 16, 2017, 12:31 GMT
Pitch is going to detorirate from tommorow midday.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 12:30 GMT
A draw would honestly be great for this series, because then both teams would have it all to play for in the final Test!
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 12:29 GMT
CRICFAN9093377689: The entire Bradman era was lame. Holding, Marshall, Croft and Roberts would've exposed him big time. // CRICFAN73188054: Ashwin has taken 16 wickets in this series so far whilst Jadeja has taken 13 wickets in this series so far. So please tell me how they're not decent? You're notion that India can't produce spinners out of a 1.2 billion population smacks of insincerity because India has always produced good spinners. // Please publish, cricinfo.
Jason on March 16, 2017, 12:29 GMT
One can only marvel at the mental discipline of Steve Smith under so much scrutiny, What a champion. Hope Maxi's innings is more then a cameo and he can make something big of this opportunity. Would love to see him cement a place in the starting XI. Good start to this test but we need a minimum 500 runs on this pitch.
malhar1424912 on March 16, 2017, 12:27 GMT
Without variable bounce and exaggerated turn both number one and two bowler start looking worst than part timers more like a burden.
chris on March 16, 2017, 12:27 GMT
Folks, stop indulging these Bradman bashing trolls. It's a classic example of people with injured pride trying to misdirect the attention away from what is really bothering them. Well done to Smith. I'm not a huge fan of the Aussies but can appreciate the exceptional when I see it, and what he's doing over there is exactly that.
VENKATACHALAM on March 16, 2017, 12:25 GMT
Aussies have done well on Day One. But they have to get in once again tomorrow and aim for nothing less than 500. Taking 20 Indian wickets on this docile pitch minus Starc is going to be a back breaking task and they are going to need 500 in the bank...
Vimalan Ravindran on March 16, 2017, 12:24 GMT
What a matured innings from Smith and Maxwell, they have turned the match to their favor and they are in a very commanding position now, which will be hurting the batting of India, I doubt India could reply back strongly. Still 6 wickets left, even if they score another 100 or 200 runs, they can bowl out India easily and quickly. India should play for the draw nothing much they can do here. Just 4 bowlers with no good part timers even will make the bowlers weak and opponents strong.
vinitw8158875 on March 16, 2017, 12:24 GMT
same problem , overated spinners .just the beging next 18 months india will see reality when it comes to overseas battles
Zohaib on March 16, 2017, 12:23 GMT
As I have said earlier win the toss and win the match in Indian conditions. BTW @ LOVE INDIAN CRICKET Your space button has stuck mate.
sam on March 16, 2017, 12:21 GMT
Personally if you ask me the Indian Team's morale is shot after the Kohli injury and probably might have already lost the game mentally in the third session of today. The Indian Team just might be going through the motions. Whatever happens that was a real bad third session and India gave away at least 50 free runs to Australia. Australia massive favorites to win this game now with Kohli being injured.
vikass7442020 on March 16, 2017, 12:20 GMT
Apart from two sessions.I think Australia have been the superior team throughout the series.They lost two sessions at Bangalore and lost the match.India again is on the backfoot in this match so if they can't strike tomorrow in the morning session and dismiss Australia for less than 450 it will be hard for them to win this match.Australia are the favourites from here
Romit on March 16, 2017, 12:18 GMT
So happy for Maxwell today, he showed what Aus has been missing for a couple of years now.
rajeev9986700 on March 16, 2017, 12:17 GMT
Match heading for a tame draw . India has to bat really well on this batsman friendly track. Tomorrow the first hour of play very crucial for team India. Of they make the breakthrough the match will be wide open . If not the draw seems to be the viable result.
risaif6352899 on March 16, 2017, 12:16 GMT
kohli is a great batsman and has all book shots, but he needs temperament to stay on the wicket. His aggression sometimes make him throw away his wicket wheras Smith wicket is need to be earned and he is very similar to batsmen like Chanderpaul and Javid miandad. It used to be difficult for the bowlers to get them out on any sort of pitch.
ayushm0857496 on March 16, 2017, 12:14 GMT
Aus is gonna score 600 with smith scoring triple century and maxwell scoring 250 plus both not outs also aus is gonna win this as well as next test 3-1 on cards
sam on March 16, 2017, 12:14 GMT
Absolutely brilliant performance from Smith and Maxwell today. Yes, the pitch was good to bat on but Maxwell applied himself extremely well unlike his normal carefree self. Smith was his normal assured self. As for India, the Indian bowlers really need Virat Kohli as a cheerleader. The drop in intensity once Kohli left the field was for every one to see. And Mukund, man, can't bat, bowl or field. No wonder no IPL team picks him up.
Rashesh on March 16, 2017, 12:13 GMT
@cric_junky - Bradman has his average with 40 international games. Do people not understand that the more games you play, the lower your average will be, because lot more chances of getting out at lower score. Modern day cricketers play 400 ODIs, 150+ Test, 150+ T20s at international level plus club cricket. You definitely won't see average of 90+ from any cricketer including Bradman, with so much cricket. You also fail to take in consideration, there were no neutral umps, no replays, no DRS, and he largely played games in conditions against one or two opposition in familiar conditions. Bradman was best for his era but to call him greatest ever is just a hype created by Australia.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 12:13 GMT
ANC90: It would be insincere of me to deny that Australia on the whole have been the better team in the series so far. So yes, I'd also say that Australia have been the better team.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 12:11 GMT
SENIORGATORS: Contrary to what everyone says, Bradman didn't play much on uncovered wickets. He played on batting paradises and his failures came on sticky wickets, where Jack Hobbs was far superior. The only good thing about Bradman was his hand eye co-ordination, like Smith's, that compensated for his lame technique. // HEATHRF1974: The Bradman era was pretty lame for cricket. It was a time when the sport was amateur level compared to the professional era of now. // Please publish, cricinfo.
Ranil on March 16, 2017, 12:10 GMT
I'm surprised very much why Ashwin or Jadeja have not been able to dominate so far in this innings as Herath & Sandakan did. I put Herath much above these two ,all the Aussies were at sea against him (not because my namesake).Are they been talked of more of hype because of visiting batsmen's fear than actual danger they create. Smith who just managed a laborious half century or so in Sri Lanka looks so quite at ease making successive centuries not even at his home I wonder. This is bowlers' game & if these two spinners don't stamp their authority soon you can't blame the poor Indian batsmen who will be under immense pressure from sledging Aussies.
Thom on March 16, 2017, 12:10 GMT
ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED __ poor , poor man ! Everybody acknowledges that Smithy is the best TEST batsman on the planet __ we never said that he is the best in the shorter formats ! Smith hasn't got the natural talent of AB for instance but if I had to have somebody bat for my life in the five-day-format , it will be Smithy every time with Joe Root second and AB and Kohli some way off because of deficiencies in their application and temperament .
cricfan9093377689 on March 16, 2017, 12:10 GMT
Bradman was better than anyone else according to everyone who saw him,and his figures make him almost twice as good.He also lost 5 of his best years to the war.Great bowlers like Laker said he was almost impossble to bowl to,and that was at the end of Bradmans career.During his career he scored about a third of Australias total runs.Is there really an argument here?
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 12:09 GMT
Our captain Sir Steven Smith caught another time in camreas looking at dressing room.....
Oh This time to rise a bat with another test ton....
Hahaha all poor indian fans here.....
Smithy u beauty!!!
ghimir3685227 on March 16, 2017, 12:08 GMT
I think in dis team,onlyKohli wan2 playtest fully, other are 1/2herehalfthere,after koliinjury the wayrahane wascaptaining drift thewhole game towards australia, bowling,fielding was belowpar after Kohliexit.Theway wewere bowling tomaxwell waspathetic.Seeing stadium80%emptywhichhappens2 be 1st testmatch &veryimportantmatch ofthe series wasreallyverysad,infuture matches shouldn't be organised there where there is less than 70% occupancy. Other dan dat d way Smith is battinglooks very composed & determined, Kohli allegation thataustralia does dressing system review,was below the belt has fired him up. Indianteammanagement thought they could get him banned 4 1/2 match ban was motif behind that charge. Socalled 2 no 1 bowlers after bowling in doctored indian pitches for donknow howmany matcheswere below par, in good pitch&determined oppositionwas understandable.Predicting600+score4australia,250+4smith,win4them.They rreallypreparedinbothflatnspinnigtrack,wer mostlysheepy.IPL is coming!
Abhishek on March 16, 2017, 12:08 GMT
@BLACK_BIRD: If India's Ranji players are better than Smith, then how come none of India's international team batsmen have scored a century yet while Smithy alone has scored 2. Talk some sense mate!!
bytheb6707344 on March 16, 2017, 12:07 GMT
1.2 billion people seem to Bev just making up the numbers. Not a decent spinner to be found anywhere in sight. Lol
Mark on March 16, 2017, 12:06 GMT
This guy is a serious talent. His game has matured greatly over the past few years. The doubters and the aussie bashers will continue to question his technique and temperament but I have a strong suspicion that Smith will leave India with a lot more respect and credit than he is being shown at present. He has the game to succeed in all foreign environments and can't be called a flat track bully or home specialist by anyone who truly knows the game. It works for him and the team. He will also prove to be a great leader when the time arrives. Whilst we certainly don't dare compare anyones game to the great Bradman there are several similarities, questions or kwirks with technique and attitudes being exhibited by both Smith and the game's watchers of 80 odd years ago. Good luck Smudge. Enjoy the experience and just continue on your merry way! I'm proud of ya champ.
Drew on March 16, 2017, 12:06 GMT
SENIORGATORS I think the proper response is that there is no way to directly compare. As a statistician I am uncomfortable with forecasting bradman that way. As an Australian cricket lover though I have no doubt that he could have scored runs anywhere. That's the beauty of cricket, then and now. It leaves a lot up to the imagination.
michae5585087 on March 16, 2017, 12:04 GMT
bradman in his epoch may have had advantages that modern players dont but he also played on uncovered pitches with a bat about 1/3 the thickness of warners with no boundary rope so all boundaries were further. i choose to look at it logically and point to the fact that every other player in that era averaged 40 less than he did. so if he was overrated every player between the beginning of test cricket and the modern era must have been overrated as well.
zeus on March 16, 2017, 12:04 GMT
For all the noise before the series about being one of the best bastman against spin, Handscomb has been terrible till now against both spin and seam. If he fails again in the 2nd innings, AUS should play either Khawaja or Stoinis in his place for the 4th test. Stoinis would also help as 3rd seam bowler if Dharmasala is pace friendly. Maxwell could move up one spot in the order.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 12:03 GMT
Congratulations!! HUNDRED NUMBER 19 for Steve Smith His Test scores against India so far 92 5 46 18 162* 52* 133 28 192 14 117 71 27 109 8 28 100*..... This statistics proves that how much smithy loves to play against india....This is the main reason he has given captaincy in ipl ahead of world winning captain MSD who is an average player in test cricket.... kindly cricnifo publish it
Anoop on March 16, 2017, 12:01 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO please tell me which is the best team in the series so far?....ind or auz.... I would say aus...even though im an indian...what about u?
Satya on March 16, 2017, 11:58 GMT
Finally!! A sporting pitch! I would say Australia lost a good opportunity by loosing top order wickets cheaply. They should score 400+ and then really really well to keep India under 500+. Pitch might ease up more tomorrow and the day after. India's top order might score some big runs. Some good cricket can be expected in the next 2 days. Patience is the key on this pitch. We can definitely say the better team wins this.. not the luckier one! Please publish cricinfo.
David on March 16, 2017, 11:58 GMT
@TheTrueOracle Tactic Oracle - not tactics. A review found no evidence of it being done other than the once. Mr Kohli claimed differently but seriously who is going to believe him? He needs to let his bat do the talking because his talking ain't that believable. One could see from his offensive behaviour that he is under severe pressure. He should have just kept his mouth shut.
vanage0646427 on March 16, 2017, 11:55 GMT
An interesting stat: Since the start of 2015 Steve Smith has scored 12 hundreds, 7 of which have come away from home.
Richard on March 16, 2017, 11:55 GMT
DE FANTASTICO ON MARCH 16, 2017, 8:37 GMT - Two words: Sri Lanka. Also it is impossible to build pressure in the field with him on it. Australian cricket is predicated on scoreboard pressure and he is a typical Pakistani of yesteryear. Worthy at one skill but not worth a crumpet as a package. DR SIR LESLIE COLIN PATTERSON ON MARCH 16, 2017, 6:07 GMT - well said. ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4'S_SECOND_FATHER ON MARCH 16, 2017, 5:59 GMT - In the current crop Bird is the bowler's bowler for mine. Love watching his work. @ Jose - yes mate. As stated in the comment it was another contributor. You needn't worry what others think mate, as half of them wouldn't know what day it is. Your contributions speak volumes for the love of the game. Cheers.
Heath on March 16, 2017, 11:55 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED so by your logic all players during Bradman's era were ordinary as this overrated player averaged about twice as much as the next player during his era.
Anupam on March 16, 2017, 11:54 GMT
India really missing Mitchell Marsh in this match!! I guess all comparisons should stop now, Smith is the number one test batsman in the world and by some distance. Root, Kohli, Williamson, Warner are all good but no where near to the consistency Smith has. Similar to Kohli in ODI's where he is numero uno in ODI's. Saying that, Kohli is due for a biggie so let's see how this match unfolds. I half expected Australia to do well in this series, they have been brilliant to watch.
pronak5001666 on March 16, 2017, 11:53 GMT
Team australia should thank viru paji for making maxwell the captain of kings 11 and the maturity shown by him has lifted aussies camp and smith .... Hope india will bounce back strongly..
cricfan3584243895 on March 16, 2017, 11:52 GMT
They say Smith was unsportsmanlike last match. What India did appealing the dead ball and acting the way they did in Knocking Smith over was against the spirit of the game and in my opinion absolutely unsportsmanlike looking for a wicket like that. Shame on team India. Please publish
David on March 16, 2017, 11:50 GMT
@ Cricinfouser "Rahane who was the closest appeared disappointed when the appeal was turned down." Disappointed but not sure if it was out otherwise India would have reviewed and yet he had a much better view of it than the umpire ever could have.
siyad21608274 on March 16, 2017, 11:50 GMT
On a flat track you need an extra bowler not batsmen. Well it shows Kohli has no faith in his batsmen anymore not even in his own batting after Pune debacle. 2-1 for Aussies.as the pitch stars turning from the end of day two.
vnr on March 16, 2017, 11:49 GMT
If this is a good batting pitch, and both teams play to potential, then it opens up all sorts of new possibilities including a draw. Scenario 1: Australia 450 all out -- India 650 all out -- Australia 350/6 in second innings -- DRAW; Scenario 2: Australia 450 all out -- India 650 all out -- Australia 250 all out -- India 51/2, India win by 8 wickets; Scenario 3: Australia 450 all out -- India 450 all out -- Australia 350/6 dec in second innings, set India 351 to win in 100 overs -- India 275 all out in 90 overs and Aus win by 75 runs; Scenario 4 (looks most likely to me) Australia 450 all out -- India 450 all out -- Australia 200 all out -- India 204/6, India win by 4 wickets and keep the series alive and interesting! But REMEMBER, Aus can afford to attack more than India because (unlike India) losing this match will not cost Australia the B-G Trophy. If it is a good batting wicket, then India should try to bat and bat and bat Australia out of the Test match, even if it means a draw!
Mark on March 16, 2017, 11:48 GMT
Congrats Smithy on your 5000 runs! Australia already miles ahead. Get to 400 declare and then enforce the follow on. This match is over for India, time to think of how to combat the Aussies might for the next one. Btw that kohli's presence won't make any change in the scorecard haha.
rob on March 16, 2017, 11:47 GMT
The ball is only a few overs old so the chances of us losing a wicket or two tomorrow morning are pretty high, but if we don't, look out. I can't think of a better man to do something extraordinary to a dispirited attack than Maxwell. With some able support from the captain of course. .. would love to see a double from them both tbh.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 11:46 GMT
STEPHEN SKINNER: If he's the best, why isn't Smith averaging above 50 in all formats?
David on March 16, 2017, 11:46 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED We will never know just how Bradman would have coped against the modern day bowler but what we do know that he handled the best of his time sometimes on uncovered wickets with aplomb and his test average was 50% better than the next best player of his era. No- one else in the history of the game has stood out that far beyond everyone else of the same era. He clearly was an exceptional talent who in my opinion would have adjusted his technique to combat the modern players of the past 20 years. Electric - by not rating Bradman you are basically saying all batsmen of his time were average. Methinks the best were the best of their time and anyone who averages 99.94 deserves to be revered as the greatest, You suggest he would have struggled on the sub continent - all we know is he handled the Indian spinners of the time very easily albeit in OZ. So the FACTS say he has the highest Test average by a mile - you can speculate all you like - the facts remain.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 11:45 GMT
From the country that produced the greatest ball player (let alone the best batsmen!) of all time we have produced the best batsman of the modern era in one Mr Smith. not bad with a population of less than 25 million people!
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 11:43 GMT
I only saw most of the first session, and there was very few balls jumping from or gripping the surface, and it appears that pitch played well throughout the innings. Considering this, the match is still well poised with Australia holding a slight advantage. India is only a wicket or 2 away from getting into the long tail of Australian batting which does not feature Starc's big hitting threat. India will fancy all their chances to match whatever total Australia can set.
ruffy82197598 on March 16, 2017, 11:42 GMT
Well I guess that is the number 6 spot for Aust settled until M. Marsh is fit again ;) Great batting from both Smith and Maxwell, start again tomorrow boys and bat India out of the game!
Rohan on March 16, 2017, 11:41 GMT
Well he's well and truly proven himself in Asia now. So where is left? People always remember him struggling on those horrendous green tops in England, yet he has scored multiple hundreds on the Old Dart as well. Itd be nice if he really cashed in here and got that double hundred that the traitorous M.Clarke wanted for Kohli this game! Let's get 600 Australia, we might need it!
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 11:39 GMT
To all Bradman haters - He played in an era where there was little cricketing kit available (only basic things were there), that era didn't had a cricketing boards trying to create pitches suiting for home teams, Cricket was as hostile is war with bowlers bowling fast on unpredictable surfaces, and in that era he averaged nearly 100. That makes him the greatest cricketer of all time. Only Sachin can match that man's caliber. Ever wondered why there aren't many crickets averaging 90+ ?
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 11:39 GMT
Only batsmen to hit century in this series ... not only one .. two centuries .... one and only ♥ Sir Steve Smith ♥.... Man u r champion!!! Really proud to b ur fan....
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 11:37 GMT
CRICFAN98959034: Name me a genuine fast bowler that Bradman faced besides Trueman and Larwood. Name me a world class spinner that Bradman faced. Did Bradman ever play in the raging turners of the subcontinent? Did Bradman face a super athletic team? Answer these and if you can give me a suitable answer, I'll gladly concede that I am wrong. In the meantime, Bradman is still overrated. Please publish, cricinfo. Kindly publish, cricinfo.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 11:37 GMT
17 innings by Sir Steven Smith is the second fewest by anyone to score six Test hundreds against India..... Man Take a bow.... This man is surely making runs for fun against india..... All indian Batsman should take a class from this only 27 years old man.... He is playing like he is in Australia..... No uncomfort......Wow Man Wow!!! Seriously now we have to see that whether u can surprass the record of Sachin Or not!!! Congratulations Sir Steven Smith again!!
Jay Gadsdon on March 16, 2017, 11:37 GMT
@cricfan242720 i think thats outlawed 2 short catching men behind square as you would need a fine leg/short stop and i believe thats 3. Remember dhoni trying this by standing bsck to the stump for a spinner in england.
rajeev9986700 on March 16, 2017, 11:36 GMT
Australia have reached a position from where they cannot lose unless wicket misbehaves. Superb innings by Glen Maxwell. He cut his huge repertoire of stokes and provided excellent support to Smith. Maxwell was the unlikely Hero of the day .
rob on March 16, 2017, 11:35 GMT
4/300 odd. That's a good days work. I'm very pleased for Maxi. 82 n.o at a s/r of 56. Who would have thunk it !! He deserves a hundred tomorrow for what he did today. As for Smith, well, what can you say except he plays chess with the bowling. He's turning out to be a bit good at it too. .. How's Kohli's shoulder? The radio guys were saying India looked a bit flat and down when he was off the field. Apparently Rahane just let things drift.
john on March 16, 2017, 11:34 GMT
@ANTHONYMD:"Steve Smith is a little bit special. Came into the side as a potential leg spin bowler and batted at 8. He reconfigured his game, bats at 3, hardly bowls and scores hundreds for fun. Yes, his technique looks ordinary but the bloke just hates to get out, scores all around the world, he doesn't care." Has it occurred to you this is the flattest pitch in India, in this series so far. I can't think a more flatter pitch is going to be prepared this series, than this Ranchi pitch. His innings of 109 had five dropped catches three times he was dropped before even scoring 40 on the way to that 109. This pitch is another one of those boring roads that will help poor batsmen like Virat Kohli inflate his average which in real terms is about 45 to about 55. Smith will no doubt go onto score a 150+ by tomorrow. India's selection of just two spinners to Australia's three in Lyon, O'Keefe and Maxwell is going to show in this match and India will lose badly by a big margin.
john on March 16, 2017, 11:34 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED:"OPTO_PUS: I'd wait to see India bat before claiming it's all doom and gloom." Australia have all the aces in this deck my friend they were smart enough to select three spinners in Lyon, O'Keefe and Maxwell to India's two, I have already mentioned that India should have replaced Ishant Sharma. In Ishant Sharma India have a non entity bowler and are bowling with three bowlers in a match in which Australia have five bowlers. Pat Cummins is a uncertainty but the fact Australia can relie on three front line spinners is a huge advantage. India are also a batsmen short given the selection of Ajinke Rahane whom can't bat against spin if his life depended on it. In effect India are playing with nine cricketers against Australia take away Rahane and Ishant from the team and you have the remaining nine trying to win a test match, if only Australia had both Marshes, Marshing around on the pitch in the test and the number of players would be equal on both sides.
subhransu sekhar on March 16, 2017, 11:34 GMT
He might have some unorthodox batting style, but for me he was a best batsman. I m not saying Kohli is not best. But Smith improved himself a lot since his debut as a leggie, and now he is ruling the test cricket Stat. I love this guy... Because he knows how to make centuries without any effort. Take a bow Smudge. Respect from India.
Abhishek Shrivastav on March 16, 2017, 11:31 GMT
Its England vs India series pitch from here Australia need 500+ on board to ensure win/draw anything less 450 India will be in game first innings of Indian batting will be crucial
mukesh on March 16, 2017, 11:29 GMT
With Kohli's injured shoulder and Smith's batting over the top finally big show makes appearance in style . All this means is first day of all important test match has only one winner. May be Australia has won more battles than required for a single day of test cricket.
ed_law8644874 on March 16, 2017, 11:29 GMT
What a fine player Steve Smith is! His technique may be a little quirky but he just scores runs on all sorts of surfaces all around the world!
Chuffed to bits for Maxwell too. I wonder, do his comments on having to bat below Wade in the order for the Bushrangers now take on extra poignancy? For me, when he is switched on, Maxwell can be a devastating all-rounder, no matter the format.
Back to the match situation; as well as Australia have played on day one, it will mean little unless they can convert this start into a huge first innings score - say 550 or even 600.
matthe2120294 on March 16, 2017, 11:28 GMT
What an absolute delight to follow Smith and Maxwell this evening from my back shed here in Newcastle. Another demonstration of grit not seen by Aussies since 2004 in India. Let's see if Kholi can match it. The pressure is on!
Cricinfouser on March 16, 2017, 11:28 GMT
Maxwell was caught of the glove of jadeja but unfortunately india did not go for the review.The ball was pitched well outside the offstump but lobbed to the legside of the pad and bit of glove as was seen in the replay shown on tv nearly half an hour after it happened.Rahane who was the closest appeared disappointed when the appeal was turned down.
Stephen Skinner on March 16, 2017, 11:24 GMT
Smith once again shows why Kohli isnt good enough to shine his shoes. Easily the best player going around
RAJESH_PAKISTAN_1990 on March 16, 2017, 11:24 GMT
Scientific fact?? Good one. Was Bradman part of the test group or control group when they were conducting the study? What was the p-value? Null hypothesis - Bradman can bat?
Moeed on March 16, 2017, 11:23 GMT
Kohli will tear Australia apart on this batting paradise.
krishn8764180 on March 16, 2017, 11:23 GMT
Congrats Smithy! Great going.. Embodiment of commitment, discipline and mental strength..
Ravi on March 16, 2017, 11:21 GMT
Smudga u beauty! What a knock. Innings defeat on the cards for India. Australia just need 18 wickets as Kohli won't bat both the innings
john on March 16, 2017, 11:21 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED:"OPTO_PUS: I'd wait to see India bat before claiming it's all doom and gloom." Australia have all the aces in this deck my friend they were smart enough to select three spinners in Lyon, O'Keefe and Maxwell to India's two, I have already mentioned that India should have replaced Ishant Sharma. In Ishant Sharma India have a non entity bowler and are bowling with three bowlers in a match in which Australia have five bowlers. Pat Cummins is a uncertainty but the fact Australia can relie on three front line spinners is a huge advantage. India are also a batsmen short given the selection of Ajinke Rahane whom can't bat against spin if his life depended on it. In effect India are playing with nine cricketers against Australia take away Rahane and Ishant from the team and you have the remaining nine trying to win a test match, if only Australia had both Marshes, Marshing around on the pitch in the test and the number of players would be equal on both sides.
John on March 16, 2017, 11:20 GMT
A bit of a hollow 100 from smith for Me, after his underhanded tactics, in the last test.
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 11:20 GMT
Australia did what they needed to in the final session.Brilliant century by Smith, very good batting by Maxwell. India still not out of it, if they can restrict Aus to less than 400 they will be in the game. Remember Starc is not playing, batsmen like Nair becomes a threat here, every single Indian top order batsman is capable of batting patiently and score big runs. Aus needs 200 more runs atleast to be safe
rpkuma2643549 on March 16, 2017, 11:20 GMT
It was a wonderful batting performances of Steve Smith. Unfortunately, our fast bowlers did not try to attack smith by bowling around the stumps. Most of us know, Smith shuffles across and its deceiving for a bowler to try and hit the pads. But, we could tried something different. By placing two leg slips, one short leg and one close to the pitch on the on-side, predominantly a strong leg-side field. Could yield some results. Good going India. We bleed blue.
john on March 16, 2017, 11:19 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED:"OPTO_PUS: I'd wait to see India bat before claiming it's all doom and gloom." Australia have all the aces in this deck my friend they were smart enough to select three spinners in Lyon, O'Keefe and Maxwell to India's two, I have already mentioned that India should have replaced Ishant Sharma. In Ishant Sharma India have a non entity bowler and are bowling with three bowlers in a match in which Australia have five bowlers. Pat Cummins is a uncertainty but the fact Australia can relie on three front line spinners is a huge advantage. India are also a batsmen short given the selection of Ajinke Rahane whom can't bat against spin if his life depended on it. In effect India are playing with nine cricketers against Australia take away Rahane and Ishant from the team and you have the remaining nine trying to win a test match, if only Australia had both Marshes, Marshing around on the pitch in the test and the number of players would be equal on both sides.
Mohammad on March 16, 2017, 11:18 GMT
I seriously think there is no Indian batsman who is forefront of 'Test Batting' as of now. Kohli is good no doubt, but can he score double hundreds in England and Australia ? Smith is making centuries everywhere i.e. India, UAE and his home turf. Cook made doubles in UAE, and hundreds in India. Younis Khan had a double in England and Australia (185), Azhar Ali had centuries in England and a double in Australia ? I'm sorry, though I believe Kohli is still by far the best ODI batsman in history, maybe he isn't the best Test batsman ?
Prasanna on March 16, 2017, 11:17 GMT
Good one from Smith - hope he make amends for the costly drop he made in test 2. Still some distance to go for Aus in this test. Hope Aus builds on this on day 2.
Stevan on March 16, 2017, 11:16 GMT
@ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED - "Name me one quality bowler he played against"
here you go
Bradman faced Harold Larwood
Shehryar on March 16, 2017, 11:15 GMT
i saw a few passages of play today. very mature of maxwell, didnt think he had it in him , but now he clearly nail down the no 6 position for aus. as for smith. i remember him making his debut against us in 2010 as a part tme legspinner who batted a little bit, didnt think he'd amount to much as player at that time. and now look at him, averaging 60 and captain. he clearly is an inspiration for as all. how you can change yourself from a loser into a legend ( well not quite yet. needs an series win in england for that though)
ravi on March 16, 2017, 11:14 GMT
Australia put day 1 in their bag , good batting by maxwell and smith. India need to pull things back first session tommorow else australia are front runners to win this test. Kohli injury is also a turning point. Hope its not a serious one.
Moeed on March 16, 2017, 11:14 GMT
Clearly India's day, on this batting pitch.
sowmi on March 16, 2017, 11:14 GMT
I wonder how serious the Kohli injury is. Thought he would take the field after tea. He looked ok before the tea interval but I guess only the support staff know how badly he's hurt his shoulder. Rahane lacks the aggression as captain in the field that we badly needed after tea. Kohli has a way of maintaining the morale of the players and providing that injection of energy to eke out a wicket when things seem quiet. We could be chasing 450-500 odd unless we bowl well tomorrow. I wanted to see Kuldeep Yadav or Bhuvi in for Ishant Sharma who only picks up 2-3 wickets every match. Well played Smith and Maxwell. If Kohli doesn't take the field tomorrow or doesn't bat I'm afraid it could be game over for us.
cricfan3584243895 on March 16, 2017, 11:13 GMT
Just waiting for the Indian fans to say Smiths century doesn't count because it was in the first innings or because there was no scoreboard pressure. How about this : he scored it against the supposed NUMBER 1 & 2 bowlers in the world!
william on March 16, 2017, 11:13 GMT
Smith is epic. Its just un-real how he keeps scoring these runs on all surfaces. I read that Flintoff was saying Kohli is head and shoulders above the top four young guns.. no way currently smith is.. He may not look that great at times compared to the likes of Williamson who is technically the best of them. Maybe I am slightly bias as a kiwi.
James on March 16, 2017, 11:13 GMT
I'm surprised people are writing India off. If the pitch does crumble, as many predicted, they are in real bother. But if it stays good, like the pitches vs England and NZ, India are capable of hiting a huge score and making Australia bat it out at the end,
But congratulations to Smithy. He sure is one bloody-minded customer. Apparently that is what set Bradman apart. Like a dog at a bone. And for those saying Bradman wasn't a freak, who else was averaging 100 at the time, or 90 in shield cricket? Waiting for your answers.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 11:12 GMT
ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED: Please explain why no other Batsman in Bradman's era averaged within 30 of the best ball sports player of all time?
Surely there would be others withh high averages if batting was so easy back then in the era of uncovered pitches and no helmets. hmmmmm?
Xiong on March 16, 2017, 11:11 GMT
@Bigbanger666 If he bats like this I keep him in. If he 2nd ball reverse sweeps to get out for a duck like in the UAE, I drop him again.
Richard on March 16, 2017, 11:08 GMT
Interesting that Glen Maxwell can bat above the Victorian captain in Test matches but not good enough to do it for Victoria :P
john on March 16, 2017, 11:07 GMT
@ANTHONYMD:"Steve Smith is a little bit special. Came into the side as a potential leg spin bowler and batted at 8. He reconfigured his game, bats at 3, hardly bowls and scores hundreds for fun. Yes, his technique looks ordinary but the bloke just hates to get out, scores all around the world, he doesn't care." Has it occurred to you this is the flattest pitch in India, in this series so far. I can't think a more flatter pitch is going to be prepared this series, than this Ranchi pitch. His innings of 109 had five dropped catches three times he was dropped before even scoring 40 on the way to that 109. This pitch is another one of those boring roads that will help poor batsmen like Virat Kohli inflate his average which in real terms is about 45 to about 55. Smith will no doubt go onto score a 150+ by tomorrow. India's selection of just two spinners to Australia's three in Lyon, O'Keefe and Maxwell is going to show in this match and India will lose badly by a big margin.
RAJESH_PAKISTAN_1990 on March 16, 2017, 11:07 GMT
The guy faced bodyline bowling without a helmet, lived through the great depression, and fought in WW2. You should really show some respect. It's like saying SRT is over-rated - much worse actually. Anyway, open forum I suppose
Bazza on March 16, 2017, 11:05 GMT
@AnthonyMD.... had to chuckle at your comments re Smith! What is it with these Smiths and their stubbornness? Your last 2 lines could have read the same for Graham Smith... "Yes, his technique looks ordinary but the bloke just hates to get out, scores all around the world, he doesn't care. Celebrate this man people, he is a once in a generation player, what he lacks in stylistic purity, he makes up for with a steely mind and relentless competitiveness". ;-)
cfcgid5338080 on March 16, 2017, 11:04 GMT
Jeeez- I forgot the cricket was on again today. But hey- what have the aussies been doing for the last 10 days??? Whatever happened to tour matches? Why a touring party when you don't play tour matches between tests? Why doesn't Cricket Australia support the concept of player development in the sub-continent? Answer to all is that CA CEO Jamie Sutherland tries to save a quid at every corner- we have seen it all before with cutting tour matches, trying to impinge pay cuts upon DK Lillee when he was a fast bowling coach, and remove player % from test gate receipts. The Australian team and coaches deserve plaudits for their efforts given their lack of support from Sutherland- he has been at the helm far too long and needs the chop.
IRFAN on March 16, 2017, 11:04 GMT
If starc was in I would have said 2-1 to Australia already but Aussies still need to take 20 wickets. Although one may argue he has been the least amongst the wickets, but he has been the one who opens the gate by giving that all important early breakthrough and keeping those openers on backfoot with his scary pace.
Wayne on March 16, 2017, 11:04 GMT
Our day. Our series to lose from here. No excuses for the hosts. India can stick to the distractions and we'll play the cricket! Kohli MIA for the day with an "injury". No surprise really. The death stare from an in-the-zone Smudge would be too much for him to handle after the events of this week!
richard on March 16, 2017, 11:03 GMT
I think if ashwin threw up that rubbish to the Don he would have averaged about 130 you know nothing. Haha
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 11:01 GMT
CRICFAN73188054: Kohli isn't going to blame anyone or anything. // CRICFAN87266267: Don't answer this, it's rhetorical. Is Lionel Messi "overrated" if he doesn't score goals in every single game? You're one of the many reasons why I hate sports fans. // Deuces and please publish, cricinfo.
Mitch on March 16, 2017, 11:01 GMT
Uh oh!!! Steve Smith just smashed yet another 100. Cue the cries of ..."no scoreboard pressure!! (even there most certainly was) .The guy is a superstar and an all-forms run machine!!! Smudge take a bow!!! We have been playing attacking, exciting cricket forever. It is the Australian way. We can only attack and go forward as this is the way we have been brought up. We're born winners!!!
john on March 16, 2017, 10:59 GMT
@INCOGNITO_BROWN:"However, I have really reached the end of the line with the continuous selection of Ishant Sharma. Time and again India are playing with a bowler short with Ishant in the line up. Now it is an accepted fact that he is in the team to just do the 'donkey work'. This is just not good enough!" 'donkey work' you say, I think you are mistaking real donkey work for someone whom just turns up bowls a bit never takes wickets in important matches and likes to get paid to do nothing, which is exactly what Ishant Sharma does. At least donkeys work and their work is valuable. Ishant Sharma just strolls in bowls no balls and thinks he's taken wickets. If anybody represented donkeys they would be insulted being compared to a lazy overpaid non entity cricketer like Ishant sharma, it's not like he even has a body of work at first class Ranji level that you can point to and say well this is what he is achieving at the first class level, Pankaj Singh and Ishwar Pandey, are all better.
Mohammad on March 16, 2017, 10:58 GMT
This is the first day, of-course the pitch will play well. Australia will probably want to bat till lunch tomorrow and declare depending on how the pitch deteriorates. Ashwin and Jadeja approaching centuries as well, just shows these overhyped bowlers cant do anything without rank turners. Kumble and Bhajji were far superior bowlers. Umesh Yadav is really developing which is great, I find him to be the Wahab Riaz of India, just not as aggressive.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 10:53 GMT
Maxwell's 73no is the highest score by an Australian No.6 since Steve Smith's 100 against South Africa in Centurion in Feb, 2014.... That's an interesting statistics for all aussi.... Now we can bid good bye to junior marsh....At last auss finds a true no 6 player....
eroost2760460 on March 16, 2017, 10:53 GMT
Blackbird which raniji cup player is better, er, we're confused, which player is ranked no.1 in the world, shouldnt he be playing in this test match we thought kohli was the best current indian batsman, and hes just fallen down the rankings like a sinker coming off a fishing line, i suggest you get him in the test team, why isnt he playing?, whats his name?? Anyhows Smith scores another century and continues to score runs all around the world in all conditions. But if you have a better player in ranji why isnt he playing you'd think he would be.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 10:50 GMT
OPTO_PUS: I'd wait to see India bat before claiming it's all doom and gloom.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 10:50 GMT
Kohli should consider himself lucky to be compared to such a great batsman Like Sir Steven Smith...He faced No 1 and No 2 bowler at a same time even in indian conditionss.....Really Sir Smith u aren't compareble to any batsman in modern era....All of aussi will remember u for kind of knock.... Congratulations Again Captain!!
Tom on March 16, 2017, 10:48 GMT
On his current form and his batting record Smith is without doubt #1 in the world. Kohli is also real good and might have a better technique but this guy Smith has the most astonishing record after Bradman. He has 19 hundred in 52 test the most I think after Bradman's 29. Also his averages is getting into 60s. his age is 27 and If he continuous to move with this pace he will break most of the batting record at age 33.
roshan1138369 on March 16, 2017, 10:47 GMT
World No.1 bowler R Ashwin 23-2-78-1 . WoW most overrated cricketer ever
bytheb6707344 on March 16, 2017, 10:47 GMT
Kohli will now blame his shoulder when he fails in this match. Better to blame the shoulder than say "brainfade".
ritesh6619185 on March 16, 2017, 10:47 GMT
This match looks boring and dull.Pls add some spice in pitch . yawn
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 10:46 GMT
lol @ someone getting triggered over my Bradman opinion. Name me one quality bowler he played against.
Anthony on March 16, 2017, 10:44 GMT
Steve Smith is a little bit special. Came into the side as a potential leg spin bowler and batted at 8. He reconfigured his game, bats at 3, hardly bowls and scores hundreds for fun. Yes, his technique looks ordinary but the bloke just hates to get out, scores all around the world, he doesn't care. Celebrate this man people, he is a once in a generation player, what he lacks in stylistic purity, he makes up for with a steely mind and relentless competitiveness.
chris on March 16, 2017, 10:44 GMT
@mustafalegends. India will have to bat last, so we will see how "good" this pitch is then. Congratulations to Aus for winning the toss, that will make it 2-1 in their favour. Even if India win the toss in the final test it will still only be 2-2, which is a far cry from the 4-0 the indian fans were expecting.
cricfan3584243895 on March 16, 2017, 10:43 GMT
Blackbird how can you argue about Smith. Look at his average vs other players at the moment. He is averaging 60 plus. Kohli is also a very good player but not at the top of his game right now.
Also to all the people predicting the result after 2 session a let's enjoy the match rather then trying to say how lucky Australia was to win the first match! Please publish!
Wayne on March 16, 2017, 10:43 GMT
Smudge you champion!! Unquestionably the worlds premier batsman and captain. Fantastic support act from Maxy as well. How great is to have a contribution from #6! Keep going son and repay the faith that had us screaming for your inclusion! What's happened to the aggressive new team India? Home side implosion on the cards if these 2 champions get away here!
surya10060241 on March 16, 2017, 10:43 GMT
take new ball and give it to ishant he will run through aussies
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 10:42 GMT
CRICFAN98959034: I can diss the Don all I want, within the limits of course, as I would never use profanity to talk about a deceased person. It's called freedom of speech and I believe he was overrated. He would have been exposed in the subcontinent and that's a scientific fact. // CRICFAN73188054: Test Cricket is played over 5 days, so I'd refrain from laughing if I were you. // Deuces and please publish cricinfo.
Sushil on March 16, 2017, 10:41 GMT
Well played Steve Smith! Remarkably focused and prepared batsman who is fast becoming a run machine. An average of 60 is Bradmanesque in this age of cricket. What sets him apart is his concentration and nous on any pitch, which is taking him from the good to the truly great.
Dal on March 16, 2017, 10:41 GMT
What a batsman......I just wish i could watch him bat
mukesh on March 16, 2017, 10:40 GMT
From Indian fan Smith and kohli have been having there own contest of who is the number one? No doubt Smith is winning that and owning our bowlers in test cricket. Awesome second century of series in india only matched by 2 other captains touring India. This series is getting too spicy border gavaskar trophy still in Smith's hands.
bytheb6707344 on March 16, 2017, 10:39 GMT
The number one and two bowlers in the world.
Sanjay on March 16, 2017, 10:38 GMT
Smithy you beauty. What a way to comeback after all the nonsense from bangalore. Clearly shows why he is the best batsman in the world. No one even comes close.
john on March 16, 2017, 10:37 GMT
India are now going to lose they have selected three bowlers on a flat pitch whilst the Australians were smart enough to select three spinners on this pitch knowing it will turn from day three on-wards I just hope justice is delivered and the series goes in Australia's favour 2-1. India have made a serious error in playing just two spinners and not selecting Kuldeep Yadav, as I have mentioned previously India needed more bowling options. India should select a team to win this match and press their advantage home the best team to do the job would be 1. Lokesh Rahul 2. Murali Vijay 3 . Cheteshwar Pujara 4. Virat Kohli 5. Karun Nair 6. Ravichandran Ashwin 7. Wriddhiman Saha(w) 8. Ravindra Jadeja 9. Umesh Yadav 10. Kuldeep Yadav 11. Ishwar Pandey. There are several options that are be better than Ishant Sharma, they are Ishwar Pandey, Mohammed Siraj, Chama Milind or Aswin Crist. Ish. Sharma no bowl just shows how poor Sharma really is even Pankaj Singh would have been better in this test.
Kell on March 16, 2017, 10:35 GMT
Maxi u legend. Already more use than MMarsh in his last 10 tests combined. Doesn't need to make another run. Best fielder in the world unlike the wooden plank. Couldn't be happier for the bloke.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 10:34 GMT
Okay, well played Steven Smith. See? Unlike Sunny Sigara who downplays India's achievements, I actually praise Australia if they do play better than India. This pitch is holding up okay so it's a batting pitch for sure.
Anthony on March 16, 2017, 10:32 GMT
Stole my thunder @IRFAN.SRINAGAR.KASHMIR, an average of 66 is reminiscent of his average in his last thirteen Tests. For God's sake just reward talent and form.
IRFAN on March 16, 2017, 10:32 GMT
Only one more failure to bear with for Shaun marsh and he will retain his place in the basis of winning combination
mustafa on March 16, 2017, 10:30 GMT
Its a good pitch to and Australian score suggest that, however those disgraceful Aussie newspapers were all over the place with regards to pitch. As Gavasker rightly mentioned Aussie media is their support staff. Good match in our hands and aussies in strong position.
Six on March 16, 2017, 10:30 GMT
How can one not be entertained by Maxwell? He is such an unorthodox and unproper batsman. He just does what he wants to each ball. Nothing is out the textbook. Every ball has faces I'm on the edge of my seat. So happy to see him in the Aussie side again. What an entertainer.
bytheb6707344 on March 16, 2017, 10:26 GMT
Your move Kohli!!! lol.
If Ranji players better than Smithy, why on earth have they got batsmen like Rahane in the team ahead of them?? Hahahahaha
Mitch on March 16, 2017, 10:25 GMT
Smudge is a legend!!!
RAJESH_PAKISTAN_1990 on March 16, 2017, 10:25 GMT
Dissing the Don?? Sorry, there are some things you just DON'T do. That's one of them.
Mitch on March 16, 2017, 10:21 GMT
Maxi ya beaut!!! He's whacking all of 'em. Maxi on fire!!!!!
IRFAN on March 16, 2017, 10:19 GMT
Maxwell slapped his critics today, great batting
mukul.2048773 on March 16, 2017, 10:14 GMT
As a viewer, let me ask a question to all of you? Do these wickets offer for a great viewing? In my opinion the test at Bangalore was so intense and intriguing with lot of energy from both sides. Yes there were occasional Grubers, some of them got batsmen out too. But it offered assistance to both spinners and pacers and good batsmen who applied themselves well survived. These flat tracks which only become interesting in the last stages of game are boring for the initial 3 days.
surya10060241 on March 16, 2017, 10:13 GMT
I think rahane is not a captaincy material even VC no energy on field
James on March 16, 2017, 10:11 GMT
Yeah, the surface playing surprisingly well, as the article says. AUS will need plenty. Wonder if it will fall apart after two days? Fast outfield means innings totals will be less than what they appear.
Mitch on March 16, 2017, 10:10 GMT
Maxi ya beaut!! He loves to whack that Ashwin!!! Maxi on fire!!!!!!!!
nvskis8186839 on March 16, 2017, 10:10 GMT
CRICFAN27429407, it's lucky because it is for one game
hodorc9993477 on March 16, 2017, 10:10 GMT
Maxwell starting to prove his doubters wrong, how long has it been since aus no6 scored a fifty feels like a decade.
Arjun on March 16, 2017, 10:10 GMT
Smith is approaching double century today & now Australia is in commanding position, atleast Australia is not going to loose this match from here.
Black on March 16, 2017, 10:09 GMT
Those who are saying smith is #1. Just check your facts guys. Our ranji players are better than him.
IRFAN on March 16, 2017, 10:09 GMT
@CHRIS_P and in the list A tournament that happen to be khawaja's last four innings on Indian surface...100, 18, 70, 70, at an average of 66, were those foreign pitches???
vanage0646427 on March 16, 2017, 10:05 GMT
What an innings by both Smith and Maxwell. We've come to expect that from Smith because he is just that good, but the surprise is the application from Maxwell. If he continues to grind it out like this then the Aussies may have found their long term number six.
Cricinfouser on March 16, 2017, 10:03 GMT
This does look like a traditional pitch,where both batsmen and bowlers will get to show their skills. If you look at loss of wickets, it was mainly due to wrong shots played by aussie batsman rather than pitch helping the bowlers. India will look to get Smith out just before close and if they do,it will make things even more interesting. Indian batsman can surely hope to score and score big here,given they don't have their impact bowler Starc.
Tom on March 16, 2017, 10:02 GMT
Smith's doing great work but Australia's own batting is not so reliable. They haven't crossed 300 mark yet and will be hard pressed if Smith get out. The good thing is they are learning fast. They brought Maxwell in which is a huge thing as he can turn the table by his explosive batting and has added advantage as a fast off spinner. However they need to have more mature and technically better test player like Khwaja in the side. Smith technique is unorthodox but his reflexes is remarkable.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 9:58 GMT
Maxwell congratz..!! Again u proves that why u and Starc both has the X- Factor...I know they may not b consistent like Smithy or Hazelwood..Bt always shows that they both can change the match at any timee.....And Congratulations to all aussi fan that Junior Marsh will announce his retirement soon after seeing maxi's Knock. Really Maxi U beauty!!! Congratulations again!!!
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 9:56 GMT
Only one of the top six made single figures. I wonder who?
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 9:54 GMT
FINALLY! we have a number 6 who can bat
vikram on March 16, 2017, 9:54 GMT
CHRIS_P - I don't understand what you mean. Has Australia already won the series? Most of the experts also said Australia was likely to lose 4-0 so maybe you should stop listening to those experts as well.
vikass7442020 on March 16, 2017, 9:53 GMT
an Average test batsman like Maxwell scoring easily on this pitch shows that its a very flat surface to bat on.so might be 600 on cards here and India out of game
ravi on March 16, 2017, 9:53 GMT
Ashwin should be the vice captain, not rahane
cluelessjan1 on March 16, 2017, 9:52 GMT
good to see Maxwell in the test team also batting above Wade.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 9:49 GMT
Daylight is next to Don Bradman. After daylight comes the other cricketers who have played the game
Peter on March 16, 2017, 9:47 GMT
@ANTHONYMD. "A few years ago he captained an Aussie A side to India and scored prodigiously" I would suggest 111 runs @ 37 is hardly prodigious, although Mitch Marsh might disagree. Bancroft was the standout batsman for us on that tour, daylight second.
krisjo4061355 on March 16, 2017, 9:45 GMT
@CRICK_JUNKY ON MARCH 16, 2017, 4:53 GMT "Thank God India isn't batting first. The would definitely scored more than 500 runs"
No, with the DRRS, AUS can score more runs than any team in the world!!!
eroost2760460 on March 16, 2017, 9:45 GMT
kingkohli dribbling away again well done, lucky win now,think 333 runs is more than lucky it's a hammering.Junky is right,,please continue
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 9:42 GMT
Maxwell has brought his silver hammer in this innings
rickyo3533457 on March 16, 2017, 9:42 GMT
What a player Smudga. Next to Don Bradman. Btw we'll be declaring by 635- 7 lol
disco on March 16, 2017, 9:41 GMT
This almost feels like an English afternoon with tea and cucumber sandwiches. Why isn't Blowers commentating?
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 9:40 GMT
ADVAITSTER2987: rofl! My thoughts exactly. But wait! what about the fact that he is such a good bloke? That must count for something. AND he has lot of talent? just like his overrated bro. yawn. As soon as they get rid of the Marshes our team will be on solid ground to move forward. In other words, they have to drain the marshes
Anthony on March 16, 2017, 9:39 GMT
Fantastic captaincy by Smith, he is forever in the ear of Maxwell, settling him down and encouraging him. This partnership is important, and Smith has been integral, despite the necessity for him to score runs, which he is doing, he is also guiding Maxwell. A very impressive captain and cricketer is Steve Smith.
Abishthu on March 16, 2017, 9:36 GMT
what I feel is hard to stop getting for century Smith best ever under pressure by Smith
Peter on March 16, 2017, 9:36 GMT
@CRICFAN21909279 Where did you get those "facts"? Most of us have seen him play & he is awful. Even his century in SL he was dropped 3 times before he scored 20. At least he cashed in for a ton, but he is showing this series just how clueless he is against spin. Never impressed me when he played against NSW at the SCG, ever.
Sunny on March 16, 2017, 9:35 GMT
Sometimes I can't stop laughing after reading comments here. Australia will get 300.....After 300.......eying for 300.....300.....300 and 300. 300? Really? They are batting on 220 and probably be on 350 by the end the day. Tomorrow Wade and Maxwell will take over and reach 600. Even 650 is out of reach. Game over for India.
richard on March 16, 2017, 9:34 GMT
That's a relief... now they have Kohli's double ton out of the way, 150 more and first innings should be close.
J on March 16, 2017, 9:33 GMT
Pitfall of going in with only four bowlers is clearly evident. Kuldeep or Jayant in place of Karun Nair would have been ideal for this test. Indian team could rue this selection as the bowlers will need to bowl a lot of overs on this pitch.
Peter on March 16, 2017, 9:29 GMT
@THERIPPER. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you say there was more chance of you going to Mars than Australia winning a test this series? I got your quote btw. Sort of makes everything else you post irrelevant, doesn't it?
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 9:27 GMT
It was a stupid decision to replace an in-form 30 year old in Khawaja who averages high 40s with a 34 year old average player in S Marsh who averages below 40.
Gareth on March 16, 2017, 9:27 GMT
What a difference playing with 10 players makes, let alone 11. Once S Marsh goes Aussies will be finally up to 11 players like all other test nations. Very good of them to keep the series tied at 1-1 with just 9 players in the first 2 games.
ESPNfan78217594 on March 16, 2017, 9:27 GMT
I think Ishant Sharma is a real disappointment, he showed alot of promise as a young bowler but hasn't developed into a smart bowler. He's always a chance to take a wicket with a great ball but he doesn't ever seem to have much of a plan to out think the batsmen.
cfcgid5338080 on March 16, 2017, 9:24 GMT
Jeeez- I forgot the cricket was on again today. But hey- what have the aussies been doing for the last 10 days??? Whatever happened to tour matches? Why a touring party when you don't play tour matches between tests? Why doesn't Cricket Australia support the concept of player development in the sub-continent? Answer to all is that CA CEO Jamie Sutherland tries to save a quid at every corner- we have seen it all before with cutting tour matches, trying to impinge pay cuts upon DK Lillee when he was a fast bowling coach, and remove player % from test gate receipts. The Australian team and coaches deserve plaudits for their efforts given their lack of support from Sutherland- he has been at the helm far too long and needs the chop.
Giridhar on March 16, 2017, 9:23 GMT
well done Smith! you are like Dhoni, no real technique, no fascinating style, but very effective in your own way. Smith's wicket early would have dented AUS chances altogether. Now he is carrying his bat for yet another timely 100.
Vinay Kolhatkar on March 16, 2017, 9:23 GMT
Smith, test batting avg 60, is the most all-round batsman of his era. He is at the moment ahead of De Villiers, Root, Kohli, and Williamson.
ady_299252744 on March 16, 2017, 9:19 GMT
we are missing mitchel marsh badly
vikass7442020 on March 16, 2017, 9:19 GMT
Australia will look to bat for 2 days and score around 550.then it will just be one way traffic in this match.batting will be difficult for India.And also the Indian batsman somewhat have looked out of form and tired in this series.this looks like 2-1 for Australia going into dharmashala.Best opportunity for Australia to win a test series in India.
Anthony on March 16, 2017, 9:14 GMT
Well said @DE FANTASTICO, outside of Steve Smith, Usman is the best bat in the country, he is the perennial scapegoat, and despite averaging over 60 in his last dozen or so Tests he does not warrant selection on this tour because of the couple of Tests he played in Sri Lanka and was found wanting (mind you he had plenty of mates). A few years ago he captained an Aussie A side to India and scored prodigiously. His recent Test form has been exceptional yet he gets dropped for blokes like Mitch Marsh who himself was dropped because of lack of form, failed to establish any form yet walked back into the Australian team with less form than that which resulted in him being dropped. There are unhealthy machinations at play behind the scenes regarding selection in the Australian Test team, which are far beyond my understanding.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 9:10 GMT
THOMMO7: No, he's just really lucky.
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 9:07 GMT
@RVC-38: Sorry mate. Kohli is back and he won't back down.
James on March 16, 2017, 9:06 GMT
There will be more runs here in the first two days than in the first two tests, simply because of the fast outfield. So Australia need 300 first innings. The pitch itself will be spinning sideways by day three. I wouldn't want to be chasing anything here. Either India get a decent first innings lead of 80+, or they lose. Simple.
incogn3678149 on March 16, 2017, 9:02 GMT
I am an Indian fan and I am never one to squabble over selection. However, I have really reached the end of the line with the continuous selection of Ishant Sharma. Time and again India are playing with a bowler short with a Ishant in the line up. Now it is an accepted fact that he is in the team to just do the 'donkey work'. This is just not good enough!
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 8:59 GMT
Best bat in the world today is Mr Smith.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 8:58 GMT
I am not getting too excited just yet, but I think we could have found ourselves a number 6 in Maxwell.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 8:57 GMT
CRICFAN21909279: "Shaun Marsh has a Test average of 27.21 v seam and 72.66 v spin" So what does that mean? We take the guy off the ground when they bring the quicks on? In any case, how could one possible calculate such numbers? .... we are still waiting mate
richard on March 16, 2017, 8:56 GMT
@KINGKOHLI, Without wanting to argue the point because you may be right, so your saying that this test match is different to the last two, because the last two were not fair to the batsman, now this pitch you cannot bowl them out for 200 because it's not fair to the bowlers, is that fight.
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 8:56 GMT
KINGKOHLI - Were u always this annoying? Aussie fans usually speaks fact and dont let false pride judge their assessment of the match
disco on March 16, 2017, 8:56 GMT
@KINGKOHLI, I can only guess that they served up the first two decks that they did because they were a little bit scared.
@RVC-38, I'm nowhere near giving up, I just hope that we give Cummin's a decent target. 300 might not be enough but it will be at least a minimum. I think if India batted first on this deck we could be in a bit of bother. Even if we win the series it was a blunder to not play Khawaja. Like the first two Tests, only a brave man or a fool would predict the results at this early stage. There is sure be more twists. Smith and Max need to bat through the end of the day.
vikram on March 16, 2017, 8:56 GMT
Smith has played well but his runs have come when there was no pressure. His century came when Australia were already 160 ahead on the first innings. Now today he gets the best batting conditions to cash on.
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 8:54 GMT
Aus needs to get a score of around 400, 300 would not be good enough on this surface, pitch looks good for batting and Aus missing their Ace bowler. Once Indian batters gets in they can bat on and on and Cummins can easily broke down. India holds the edge here, If Aus manages to score around 90 runs without loosing the wicket, they will be on top then
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 8:53 GMT
Session 2 of Day 1 belongs to australia !
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 8:52 GMT
@Khushal Kakar : OK. Done mate. But remember, people were confident of aus winning the last match with ease (cakewalk guys) even on 4th day.
Sunny on March 16, 2017, 8:51 GMT
As I said very very poor bowling. Smith is eying another hundred here. It would be wonderful to watch. India struggled against Smith Australia. There are here in India. Lol
Thom on March 16, 2017, 8:51 GMT
Smithy __ what a legend this man is becoming ! Players who got to 5000 runs in test cricket quicker than he did , are all real legends of the game __ he may be unorthodox and at times even ungainly but this man can bat hugely effectively through massive powers of concentration . He furthermore does it everywhere on all kinds of surfaces !
Daniel Sijmons on March 16, 2017, 8:49 GMT
Lol Australia has made runs and Indian fans have decided that means india will win.... who need logic? Lets see them actually do something with the bat first. Havent seen their so called "talent" so far.
richard on March 16, 2017, 8:49 GMT
Geeze that's big for Australia that Kohli is off the field, that brings them down to 10 men, surly he won't be back, the captain wouldn't leave the field in such an important test match with the opposition winning the toss and having a good session, he's gone,
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 8:49 GMT
DE FANTASTICO - khwaja is a good player but certainly not a good player of spin
nvskis8186839 on March 16, 2017, 8:43 GMT
A lot of Aussie fans who were proud of their team after a lucky first test win considerably reduced now is due to the fact that they lost confidence in Thier side with one bad performance which clearly suggesting that this team lacks quality and the win was a lucky one
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 8:39 GMT
Meanwhile Sir Steven Smith bringss up 5000 Test runs in just his 97th innings..... Congratulations Our Aussi Captain!!!! U r a single warrior for fighting against the indian spinners.... Really proud to b a fan of ur....
Khushal Kakar on March 16, 2017, 8:38 GMT
Mark my words guys. Aus will win this test match with ease
David on March 16, 2017, 8:37 GMT
Dileep Thumati the series is currently 1-1 and both games were relatively close. Not sure who is on top here but as I write, it is still anyone's game. If Australia go 2-1 up or even draw the series 2-2, you will no doubt be complimentary of their superior ability?
razamu2551648 on March 16, 2017, 8:37 GMT
Why is Usman Khawaja not in this Australian team? He is a good player of spin, a lot better than Handscomb, Marsh, etc.
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 8:33 GMT
Congrats to smith for reaching 5000 runs mark.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 8:33 GMT
good to see an Australian number 6 get into double figures....Maxi is not worse than Junior Marsh...This is ultimately a fact...
nvskis8186839 on March 16, 2017, 8:30 GMT
ALL FATHERS_ARE_DELUSION, closely observe the pitch. this pitch is a lot different from the first two and don't be in an illusion that sides will get bundled for 100-200 this time
nvskis8186839 on March 16, 2017, 8:27 GMT
DISCO_BOB, then u did India gave spinning tracks for the first two, any idea? I know it and that is because India wanted a green top for the final test to get some practice before the future tours of overseas and to make it possible India didn't wanted a draw which might be likely to happen if today's pitch is provided
vikass7442020 on March 16, 2017, 8:26 GMT
Australia will be scoring 400 given the kind of surface and the bowling looking average.virat kohli also injured .things not looking good for India.might be another loss for team India.as i think this pitch will be difficult to bat on later.
delusi1586306 on March 16, 2017, 8:23 GMT
Congrats to reneshaw for crossing 500 test runs. At this very young age, this guy is making australia proud.
Anthony on March 16, 2017, 8:19 GMT
Yeah funny one @CRICFAN21909279, Shaun Marsh has scored 74 runs this tour at an average of less than 15 having been dismissed by spin bowling 3 times, on one of those occasions by Yadav and he couldn't even hold his spot in the team. You are right though inasmuch statistics don't lie.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 8:12 GMT
No Australian batsman in the history of Test cricket has reached 500 runs before his 21st birthday. Then Renshaw happened
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 8:11 GMT
While Smith piles on the runs, Kohli averages 10 this series. Less than Mitch Marsh. Yaps a lot for a bloke doing nothing
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 8:09 GMT
CRICFAN21909279: "Shaun Marsh has a Test average of 27.21 v seam and 72.66 v spin" Please let us all know where these numbers came from....
richard on March 16, 2017, 8:08 GMT
@Dusco.... the sun will come up the morning, Don't give up yet.
hodorc9993477 on March 16, 2017, 8:07 GMT
Handscomb needs to work on a better technique to full balls otherwise i see him going the way of gary ballance
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 8:01 GMT
Look like everyone on the field has been behaving pretty well. That is good to hear.
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 7:57 GMT
Ashwin vs Maxwell. Interesting duel !
delusi1586306 on March 16, 2017, 7:56 GMT
And just as I predicted, a wicket fell.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 7:50 GMT
Shaun Marsh has a Test average of 27.21 v seam and 72.66 v spin.... That's why he is selected ahead of Usman...Aussi fans b cool...U guys knw that statistics never tell lie...
disco on March 16, 2017, 7:46 GMT
Khawaja would be happy on this deck, but at least he's getting valuable experience for the return match watching has beens like S.Marsh. What happened to M.Marsh, was he over bowled?
disco on March 16, 2017, 7:44 GMT
Had India served up decks like this from the beginning and just relied on their talent, we'd have had less controversy and India would probably be ahead 2-0 by now.
vikass7442020 on March 16, 2017, 7:35 GMT
This game has been decided on the toss.win the toss and win the game.looks very easy track to bat on and Indians have leaked many boundaries.unless India gets 3 wickets in this session it will be a big score for Australia.and batting last on this pitch is going to be difficult with a tired and out of form batting lineup.so Australia winning it easily if not dismissed cheaply
mukul.2048773 on March 16, 2017, 7:33 GMT
@SARANGSRK-Actually, it's the opposite. When raging turners are there, it becomes almost impossible to chase an average target in 4th innings. But as we have seen in Tests vs England where England won 4 tosses and batted first all those 4 times and India won 3 of those matches, the key is to bat big in 2nd innings.
juhisi9632589 on March 16, 2017, 7:32 GMT
@CRICUSER That yorker to Handscomb would make even Waqar and Wasim proud!
nvskis8186839 on March 16, 2017, 7:32 GMT
but anything more than 350 is challenging for India due to Lyon factor in slow Turner's
nvskis8186839 on March 16, 2017, 7:31 GMT
if India restricts AUS under 300 then they will win this
alenma3713954 on March 16, 2017, 7:30 GMT
unless India bat superbly in first innings it would be hard to win , results will repeat , crumble down on day 4/5..... still now I am not impressed with the bowling figures , till Smith is out there India can't relax
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 7:23 GMT
CRICFAN86223812: Nice one mate. I am with you. No worries
Jose on March 16, 2017, 7:22 GMT
Just a request. If you find a message, which reads like mine (but in a crazy Sreen-name) pl read it. After I came back from the hospital this time, I had been asking someone or the other type my posts for me. This morning my grandson sent my response to you. thru his mail box, in his own strange Screen-name! By the time I posted a correction message, it had gone to a back-burner. This happened to be the second time (one in general & the one this morning for you), such an error. Just FYI.
delusi1586306 on March 16, 2017, 7:18 GMT
Runs are hard to come by. Few more tight overs and a wicket will fall.
ruffy82197598 on March 16, 2017, 7:15 GMT
Might be time for S. Marsh to suffer an injury like his brother. Clearly it's mandated in CA charter he can't be dropped but a strategic injury for 8 months would help our cause no end.
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 7:15 GMT
I think I must be dreaming. But Ishant sharma is not leaking too many runs in this spell !
nvskis8186839 on March 16, 2017, 7:12 GMT
MUSTAFA SARWARI, What is second test match fan
Jose on March 16, 2017, 7:12 GMT
@RedDirt on March 16, 2017, 6:18 GMT
I get your point about Warner losing to a full toss. I agree to that. Anyway, it looks OZ wasted the morning session, as much as India keeping it tight.
I didn't get your point about the B'lore pitch & the dampness. I didn't know anything about it. May be you are referring to some other contributor, and not me.
roshan1138369 on March 16, 2017, 7:09 GMT
@ ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4'S_SECOND_FATHER Will the same rule will be apply for kohli if he is injured ??
Shobhit Singh on March 16, 2017, 7:07 GMT
This is not batting paradise but not spinning too.this surface is not loose surface. Very good chance to Smith make a big hundred . Spin play own role but only for third day last session. Australia happy to reach 350.
Sarang on March 16, 2017, 7:02 GMT
This type of pitch, where toss decides who bats last on day 4/5 and loses the game, is exactly the reason why Dhoni and co used to ask for tracks turning from day 1. Takes out toss from the equation completely but ICC doesn't like such wickets and wants to stereotype the wickets all over the world. On another note, why is it that Kohli takes so much time to bring pacers from around the wicket to Renshaw. He seems to have obvious weakness for balls leaving him from that angle. Put a short midwicket, attack from around the stumps and when the ball straightens, he looks to be in lot of trouble. Could have saved India another 40 odd runs. Kohli baffles me a lot sometimes with his tactics. @THERIPPER-- last comment on best shot of the day was a ripper. Hilarious. This is the kind of technique and shots that you don't want kids to copy at home. What a pity that the bowlers around the world can't exploit such dodgy technique. Please publish, cricinfo.
Black on March 16, 2017, 7:01 GMT
Looks like it is already 2-1 in favour of india. Excellent execution of spin bowling.
nvskis8186839 on March 16, 2017, 7:01 GMT
Australia is a side which is not made for both green tops and also spinning wickets whereas India has shown consistency in spinning wickets all the home season except in the first game which happens when u play too much cricket and also they are average not bad in green tops with shami,umesh,ishant and with a lot of technically strong players like Rahul,Vijay,pujara,Kohli,rahane.
disco on March 16, 2017, 6:58 GMT
Can't blame Renshaw but Warner and Marsh gotta take some blame here. We *must* give Cummins a decent target to bowl at because if we do not that would be criminal.
Sunny on March 16, 2017, 6:56 GMT
I will be very difficult for India to save the game, once the score goes past 200. Those who are saying pitch is good for batting have no clue about good batting pitch. I have seen this pitch upclose. And this ain't a good batting pitch. Don't believe me? Wait untill Lyon make Indian batsmen dance to his tune on the very same pitch.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 6:49 GMT
BIG-DOG: Bird is a solid performer and I do not think he can win us the game. Cummins, on the other hand can win us the game. So I reckon the selectors did the right thing by gambling on him. Who knows about Maxwell? He is another gamble but we need to take risks to win the series. Safety first wont get us over the line. On S Marsh - that guy has never been test standard - he averages 37 for cryin out loud. I am amazed he keeps getting selected.
Mustafa Sarwari on March 16, 2017, 6:47 GMT
India is all over for this session if they out Smith than it's 100% India day so i wish my favorite Indian team good luck for the 2nd test match FAN from Afghanistan
Sunny on March 16, 2017, 6:46 GMT
Haven't seen bowling this bad in ages. They are leaking runs everywhere. Maxwell is licking his finger after watching this. He can change the course of the match within one session. My guts telling me that It will be one of the all time great comeback for Maxwell. I am surprised player like his calibre is not regular in the team. Ominous sign for India.
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 6:43 GMT
Shami is not playing because anil kumble is sticking to Ishant. As per the team protocol, the players returning from injury must prove their match fitness in a first class game. Shami had played only one List A game before this match. Gone are the days when players would simply walk in to the team after injury. I personally prefer Shami over Ishant but rules are rules. But one good thing is that Rohit Sharma is also fit but did not feature in the test squad for the same reasons.
Abhishek Shrivastav on March 16, 2017, 6:41 GMT
2mint silence for all picth predicter lol
nvskis8186839 on March 16, 2017, 6:39 GMT
this is the situation of Warner,renshaw, wade against pace and swing of India bowlers in dead low bounce Indian pitches and now assume Thier situation in green tops which the reason why they don't provide extreme green tops to opposition at home except agst SA where they did and got exposed badly and still many Aussie fans give excuses of AFL and all the reason for providing drop-in wickets last time, how funny?
Cricinfouser on March 16, 2017, 6:36 GMT
@BBNN Yadav is no Waqar or Wasim.
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 6:34 GMT
Get smith and it will be India's day for sure ! Head of the snake is neutralised. Now the important backbone remains.
vikram on March 16, 2017, 6:32 GMT
Best shot of the morning was the one played by Smith between his legs.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 6:31 GMT
On second thoughts, let us not be too hasty on S Marsh and his brother for that matter. They are really good blokes around the team and most importantly they have enormous potential! I reckon we give them both another 2 or even 3 years auto selection in the Aussie test team so they can reach the dizzy heights of their abilities. Are you with me fellas?
anto210573574 on March 16, 2017, 6:30 GMT
Australia trying hard to lose this match by innings margin. Kohli won't even get a chance to bat on this beauty. All over Australia. Thanks for visiting India and avoiding whitewash
richard on March 16, 2017, 6:30 GMT
it's 3 for 109 at lunch first day, surly you have seen this score before and some teams make 400 some 300 some 200 but I don't know what a good score is, Australia scored 260 in Pune and won, and Australia scored first Innings points batting second (haha) in Bangalore but lost . I also agree with JOSE and BHUSHANB.
Jay Gadsdon on March 16, 2017, 6:30 GMT
Dnt knock the fellas except warner, he hasnt scored enough runs, S.Marsh has done well 1st 2 tests and was bowled a very good delivery. Credit where its due well bowled ashwin. Renshaw and warner are to blame more so
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 6:28 GMT
this is a very good pitch, true bounce although a bit ok lower side, not spitting and turning square. This is all you need on day 1. After pathetic first 2 test pitches curator from Ranchi has provided a much more sporting pitch. 375 should be the par first innings total and as the pitch starts detoriating likely from day 3 onwards, scoring runs should become difficult. India well and truly on top, Smith needs to prove his no 1 creds big time, hadscomb needs to prove he is no home track bully
delusi1586306 on March 16, 2017, 6:27 GMT
I heard Michael Clarke and brett lee on commentary saying that the pitch is good for batting, atleast on day 1. Those who deny it are in the same category as those who still refuse to believe the earth is spherical.
ritesh6619185 on March 16, 2017, 6:26 GMT
Agreed .till lunch pitch looks very sporty and still some people complaining .it seems some ppl just want to criticize india team no matter what.Such powerful india cricket is that it attract all the world on one forum .cricinfo pls publish
krishnakumar on March 16, 2017, 6:23 GMT
Mohammed Shami is fit to play but kumble is allowing him to play.he is sticking to ishant sharma.
Ronald on March 16, 2017, 6:22 GMT
@DR SIR LESLIE COLIN PATTERSON..Bird has always been consistant in his few test appearances. He should have played ahead of Cummins who has played so little international cricket he is still an unknown quantity. I don't expect much from Maxwell. He is far too inconsistent & most often fails when the pressure is on. I wonder how long we will have to keep watching Marsh fail. Hopefully the selectors won't keep giving him a free ride like they did his brother.
Richard on March 16, 2017, 6:20 GMT
ANTHONYMD ON MARCH 16, 2017, 5:54 GMT - such a good comment but Khawaja is worse. Anyone but him!
b.misl9017082 on March 16, 2017, 6:18 GMT
Poor session for Australia with Warner and Renshaw getting out to two loose shots. Runs will come naturally, but 3 wickets is a big dent to their chances. Smith and Handscome need to go large, like 100 large or they're going to be in a very awkward position given how poor the middle and lower order has been. With all that said you probably shouldn't judge until both sides have had use of the pitch.
Richard on March 16, 2017, 6:18 GMT
JOSE...P ON MARCH 16, 2017, 5:50 GMT - Since when is a full toss from a spinner "truly good" bowling? It was a mistake from a cricketer who is all at sea on wickets officially rated "Poor" and "Below average". Thank you to the contributor who indicated the Bangalore pitch was damp. As it is the first we have seen it here that information needs to be fact checked, of course, but on face value Lyon is so useless it does make sense.
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 6:14 GMT
Shaun marsh has mad sure that we don't miss his brother Mitchell marsh in this test match.
rickyo3533457 on March 16, 2017, 6:10 GMT
Great batting by Aussies on challenging pitch. 250 all we need - Josh, Cummins , SOK are licking there lips.
chris on March 16, 2017, 6:10 GMT
not a good start for the aussies. these two need to go big not much batting to come. oh well, well done india on there first session
sowmi on March 16, 2017, 6:08 GMT
Looks to be a solid pitch at this point. Consistent bounce and not too much turn on the first day. 375 will be par for the first innings.
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 6:08 GMT
Reverse swing is in and we already miss mohammed shami !!!
Jose on March 16, 2017, 6:08 GMT
There are no demons in the pitch. From the play so far (till lunch) it looks there is something in it, for everyone. Spinners, pacers (especially with reverse swing), and certainly for batsmen who are ready to wait for the right balls. They are available, every now & then to be scored off. If this trend continues for the first 2 days, and if it still doesn't satisfy someone, he can never be satisfied.
Prasanna on March 16, 2017, 6:08 GMT
Wicket looks good for batting. Poor shots from Warner and Renshaw after the start. Unless Aus bats big, I am seeing a long day on the field for Aus on day 2 & 3. Seriously hope Aus confine the Marsh brothers to history. Don't think SOK or Lyon will be effective on this wicket either. Smith dropping their No 3 batsman in test 2 appears the key moment for me.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 6:07 GMT
Where are all the S Marsh supporters??????????????? We told you so!
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 6:03 GMT
India slightly ahead in this session because of three wickets on first day morning.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 6:02 GMT
Cummins was the right choice. Bird can not be a match winner
Vilayanur on March 16, 2017, 6:01 GMT
Umpires not giving any LBWs. Not even giving caught out - if not for that review! India will have to take each wicket without any doubt. So forget about any LBWs.
cornel0115175 on March 16, 2017, 5:59 GMT
Sure was a great idea to select a 34-year old "sub-continent specialist" batsman who, at the time of his selection averaged only 40 in test cricket and now averages 37. S Marsh must go the way of his brother asap
vijay.9533219 on March 16, 2017, 5:59 GMT
Bird should have been in the playing 11. He was waiting for his chance since the first test and selecting cummins is not fair.
Jose on March 16, 2017, 5:57 GMT
Reverse swing is a good news for the match. Pacers also can play a significant role. And, it is equally applicable /available to both the teams. Really expecting another gripping contest. For heaven's sake keep pitch out of the discussion.. If at all anyone has to have an advantage, it must be our guests. So, let us enjoy it as much as possible. Definitely a result-test. So, it is gonna be even more absorbing.
madmax9145674 on March 16, 2017, 5:56 GMT
As usual , australia is throwing away the toss advantage and good start. Aus will never learn !
Sanjay on March 16, 2017, 5:55 GMT
@ALL FATHER'S_ARE_DELUSIONAL_BUNCH ON MARCH 16, 2017, 4:03 GMT Yes like England winning the tosses
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 5:54 GMT
And with some very poor batting Australia has lost the advantage. Very uncharacteristic dismissal for Ranshaw, Warner a bit brain fade from his side and Marsh just proved why he dont deserve to be in the squad. Brilliant bowling by India. Australia will loose this one big from here on
Anthony on March 16, 2017, 5:54 GMT
A beautifully compiled two from Shaun Marsh will undoubtedly consolidate his position in the side for the next couple of years. Fair dinkum Khawaja must be tearing his hair out.
Dileep Thumati on March 16, 2017, 5:52 GMT
CRICFAN21909279 Both teams play on the same 22 yards right. If it is difficult for Australia it is difficult for India to score runs as well. If you say India bats more comfortably than Aus on same pitch then accept that Indian Batsmen have better skill. At least Game went into 4th day unlike some of your home games Vs SA. When England won a series in India, pitches were more rank turners than what you have seen in this tournament. Why do you think England managed to win? Yes the best team in the world was whitewashed by SA, SL and I bet they would lose against present BAN team if they had the guts to tour last year. Gracefully accept that Australia is poor in subcontinent. Atleast they are performing better than their last tour to India. Be happy for that...rather than whining about pitches. Pitches are just difficult to bat on but they are not dangerous to bat on causing injuries to the batsmen like some of the AUS pitches. We Indians have the answer for your question. Your turn....
binu on March 16, 2017, 5:51 GMT
The ball is reversing now and Yadav has pace ,why he is not trying a yorker?Waqar got many wickets with inswinging yorker.Indians thinking that yorker is only for death over bowling in ODI/T20
san on March 16, 2017, 5:51 GMT
Renshaw, Handscomb the new gen AUS players coming good...with good defense as well as aggression when needed..good for Test cricket.
delusi1586306 on March 16, 2017, 5:51 GMT
Aus won the toss. So there can be no excuses of batting 4th in this match. And the top 3 is back in pavilion when the conditions are perfect for batting. Poor stuff really.
delusi1586306 on March 16, 2017, 5:51 GMT
Aus won the toss. So there can be no excuses of batting 4th in this match. And the top 3 is back in pavilion when the conditions are perfect for batting. Poor stuff really.
Iman on March 16, 2017, 5:50 GMT
Jayzuz : A typical Indian pitch does spin from day 3. And don't go by the looks of the pitch. Whatever it may look like, it's playing absolutely fine as of now. And day 3 is just 2 days away. We can wait for it to come, can't we ?
Jose on March 16, 2017, 5:50 GMT
Yes, Bhushan. @,5:40 GMT . It is turning out to be India's session, without doubt. Renshaw's alone was a bit of a loose shot, surprisingly. The other two wickets are truly earned by some good bowling.
hodorc9993477 on March 16, 2017, 5:48 GMT
Yet another failure for s marsh. Dropping khawaja for him isnt looking like that good a plan in hindsight
David on March 16, 2017, 5:47 GMT
I agree with Vinay and many others about the toss, and the BCCI may have made it come true that the visiting team always gets the first choice to bat or bowl. There should also be fines and forfeited Test Matches were it is shown that more than one Test pitch is not consistent with the history of that ground during a series. Unless extreme floods or weather conditions can be shown to have made preparations impossible. If the SCG suddenly played like the WACA and the WACA became like the SCG would be a good example. BTW to the chap who said that the Aussies make Perth the first test of a series to soften up other teams, the fact is (I believe) that Brisbane has been the opening venue more often than Perth. Feel free to correct me on this point.
Prasanna on March 16, 2017, 5:46 GMT
After another good start, Aus are throwing it away with consummate ease. Wicket looks good to score big and we are wasting another chance.
juhisi9632589 on March 16, 2017, 5:44 GMT
India doing amazingly well on a flat wicket. Hazelwood will be key to the Aussies, Lyon will be useless.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 5:43 GMT
Meanwhile Indian Harbajan Singh Started praising our captain smithy...He is now supported the aussies..
Gokul on March 16, 2017, 5:41 GMT
Now Aussies will say that it's a gud track to bat Becoz of all these runs scored so soon...just a day before they and their newspapers said that it looks very bad,will spin from 1st ball blahh blaahh...Now where are the pitch talks...Disgusting Aussies mindset...please publish Cricinfo
san on March 16, 2017, 5:40 GMT
One more wicket before the lunch break...it will be India's session....otherwise slightly AUS..
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 5:38 GMT
CRICFAN21909279: It's pretty obvious why there were a lack of neutral pitches. They saw what happened to Australia in Sri Lanka and thought they'd replicate it easily. That's just complacency on India's behalf and has nothing to do with Australia being better. Also India have won every single ICC trophy, so I'll keep bringing that up in retaliation to your "5 world cups" chest thumping. Even our blind team has world cups lol.
mukul.2048773 on March 16, 2017, 5:34 GMT
Warner and Renshaw gone for nothing shots, now everyone shouldn't come out harping about the pitch. It is playing fine.
Rajesh on March 16, 2017, 5:32 GMT
Geez- the star for me today so far is Michael Clarke. If anyone was listening to the commentary, he predicted exactly how Matt Renshaw would ne out. Reverse swing, shiny side away and caught at slips. Excellent commentary.
san on March 16, 2017, 5:31 GMT
Good knock by Renshaw....good to see Umesh execute the plan well..Missing Shami at the other end.
warwick on March 16, 2017, 5:29 GMT
Cummins?? Selectors up in the clouds, hoping, wishing, preying for a fast bowler to go through Indians as if it were the WACA. IF Cummins breaks down, selectors can apologise to Hazelwood, O keefe and Lyon
Jose on March 16, 2017, 5:27 GMT
Australia got a good start. Good team selection. And a good toss to win. Hope, India can put up a good fight. And, overall, would love to see a good contest.
Giridharan on March 16, 2017, 5:26 GMT
Again Indian team's imbalance stand out. No left handers till Jadeja. No useful part time bowler in the top 6. Just 4 bowlers. No left arm seamer for variety. India should have gone in with Jayant or Kuldeep. Every time India fails, all their batsmen fail - the additional bat is not going to help at all. Imagine this is happening in India on spinning tracks. How long will India take before they unearth the right players? Very poor team strategy.
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 5:26 GMT
VINAY: Removing the toss puts all the advantafe on the visting side then. So well done einstein, you've made the game more unbalanced.
David on March 16, 2017, 5:21 GMT
Cricinfouser, this is not a typical Indian pitch. Several very experienced players have said they have never seen a pitch like this anywhere. Looks like rolled grass under mud. It will spin like a top by day 3. It is not Australia that have to worry about scoring runs. Unless India get a 80-run lead in the first innings (minimum), they will probably lose.
David on March 16, 2017, 5:21 GMT
Good changes for our Aussies but Lyon worries me due to his figure injuries but hopefully Ashwin will have the same problem to even things out. Sorry to see Warner fail, but like Kohli is overdue, and hopefully will be there in 2 of the next 3 innings. I think we should have also added Agar for Lyon to also strengthen batting and fielding. Hopefully, Maxwell will lift the fielding and help restrict Indians with saving runs and taking a screamer or two along with a few runs and wickets. I would have had Maxwell as opener or first drop to get the best out of him and to steady the middle-order. I think Smith is a batter #5 or #6 on the SC and #4 in other venues. Good luck to both sides and may the more sporting and gracious team win!!! Oops, on that count, it will probably be a 2 day draw with the various Gods sending rain for the other 3 days.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 5:16 GMT
@CRICINFOUSER Mate Both Ganguly and Harabajan are absolutely rubbish predictors.... We should concerte our matches not this rubbish person....By providing such rank turner BCCI proves the whole world that why aus is the best team in the world!!! Why we are the 5 times of world champions!! Even respected person like Shastri,Gavaskar sir cant understand why aussi is provided such rank turner...Even they have a question that why BCCI could not provide such tracks to Kiwis,BD, English??Where are the sporting (5 days wicket like kiwis,bd,england)Wicket??? Poor indian fans have no answer for that question!!! Anyone have then tell us??
nevilleridding on March 16, 2017, 5:14 GMT
lets hope steve smith doesnt have a so called brain freeze again
Vinay Kolhatkar on March 16, 2017, 5:11 GMT
The toss plays a key role in every match in every country. To partially negate the home advantage, there should be no toss; it should be deemed as won by the visitors in every match.
Gareth on March 16, 2017, 5:09 GMT
Australia won toss move on, next game please. 2-1 Aussies in series. Cant wait for the toss to take place for next game. Whats the point of even playing a game for 5 days?
san on March 16, 2017, 5:02 GMT
whats up with both long on and off so deep, too defensive..leaking precious singles and rotation of strike
akash.4805743 on March 16, 2017, 5:00 GMT
This is a typical indian pitch good for batting for first two days and than start breaking if Australia does not score more than 350 they are in trouble.
sekhar8801139 on March 16, 2017, 4:55 GMT
@LALITHKURUWITA hey I thought some great analysts in this forum said earlier that toss plays a vital role only in India. Is it the same in other places too? I hope one day all these geniuses commenting about toss and pitch will get to keep shut.
juhisi9632589 on March 16, 2017, 4:54 GMT
Finally a good pitch. England were trashed on similar tracks, can't expect something different.
Dileep Thumati on March 16, 2017, 4:54 GMT
CRICFAN81524948 You yourself have answered your question.....
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 4:53 GMT
Thank God India isn't batting first. The would definitely scored more than 500 runs
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 4:51 GMT
What a catch by Jadeja. Hopefully he slows it down, builds pressure and snags more wickets.
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 4:50 GMT
Ohh Warner, what a waste of a wicket
Vishnu on March 16, 2017, 4:48 GMT
Sad but true. Indian new bowling is as toothless as baby. There is no penetration, no wicket taking deliveries. We miss Zaheer Khan badly who promised atleast a wicket or 2 in the first session. This Ishant Sharma is the worst ever to have represented India.
san on March 16, 2017, 4:47 GMT
Thats a lucky break. AUS playing really well...great RR...already 50 on the board. IND bowling is way off Radar....need to buckle up soon.
Lalith on March 16, 2017, 4:47 GMT
NZ started the test match today but already passed SL score who statred bating yesterday. But the way Aus going they will pass everybody and make a record.
Richard on March 16, 2017, 4:46 GMT
ELECTRIC_LOCO_WAP4_IS_DELUDED - just so you know, that Ranchi pitch report was given by none other than Dirk Nannes on the ABC cricket coverage. Makes my blood boil.
mano312111316 on March 16, 2017, 4:46 GMT
@CRICFAN81524948 : It is called home advantage. What's the point on playing at the same kind of pitch all over the world. If you expect the same kind of pitch like australia never tour to sub continents. Playing in different pitches with different conditions will only decide which is the best team. When India tours australia or england they never ask for spin tracks.
Swapnil on March 16, 2017, 4:44 GMT
Australia won a very crucial toss here. 1st day pitch will be better to bat on. Great chance for Australia to post big total
cricfan79465058 on March 16, 2017, 4:40 GMT
runrate is below six not a propoer start. oh wait its test match
Lalith on March 16, 2017, 4:32 GMT
I predict SL, NZ, AU to win in these 3 test matches. This is because batting first has always an advantage.
san on March 16, 2017, 4:29 GMT
Ind pacers bowling to pads....going back to their old bad ways...
Rizwan on March 16, 2017, 4:28 GMT
Shaun duck marsh playing ahead of Khawaja doesn't make any sense to me unbelievable selection how can you drop one of your'e best batsman? India will definitely win this match considering there is no Starc!
surya10060241 on March 16, 2017, 4:27 GMT
king ishant is back with bang wow strike bowler wow
ritesh6619185 on March 16, 2017, 4:26 GMT
@REDDIRT During bangalore we saw damp pitch on right side which gave lyon 8 wicket of indian right handers still india won.when Aussie loose they come with excuse of pitch and toss
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 4:23 GMT
ALL FATHER'S_ARE_DELUSIONAL_BUNCH: But everyone said India had no chance in Bengaluru.
Gimhana on March 16, 2017, 4:22 GMT
What the heck, India? Too afraid to prepare a decent cricketing wicket? What's up with these low and slow dustbowls turning from day one? It's almost as bad as when some countries prepare greentops on Day one for subcontinent teams to wrong -foot them at the start of a series.
Venkat on March 16, 2017, 4:22 GMT
What a load of rubbish written by the australian media pre match about the wicket. Looks good for batting, a crucial toss won by Australia.
sachin on March 16, 2017, 4:19 GMT
India should have got in Kuldeep in the squad. The pitch description of a slow turner will aid fast spinners like him. Jadeja might strike gold if he bowls like he did in the 2nd innings of the previous match. Maxwell is a much higher better punt than Mitch Marsh. So blessing in disguise for them. Australia has won an important toss.
god0179873294 on March 16, 2017, 4:18 GMT
@ROUGH_FAN correct mate warner,khawaja,maxi all are average player.... These average guys are now ruling ur own cricket league (ipl)..where are the indian guys?? Dnt have shame to ur legend players??This shows lack off ability to ur indian great players...Warner is one of an average player who single handedly won the ipl and Legend player Virat cant win a single trophy in his own background in ipl let alone winning test series in Auss and South africa...Morover Respected Cool Captain MSD and No 1 bowler will play under our aussi captain..This is a huge humiliation to a famous captain.. U guys cant give the respect to MSD who is the world cup winning captain.That's why we cant expect respect to our players like warner,khawaja..Hahaha Ur own ipl belongs to our Australia...And Moreover Many of indian great players will play under the average players like Warner,Maxi. As I always said we are aussi!! We are the true champions in all kind of cricket..Proud to b an aussi fan..Kindly pubish it
Sunny on March 16, 2017, 4:15 GMT
Flat pitch which means Ashwin and Jadeja will be useless. On the other hand,Lyon will be extremely difficult to play. He takes wicket even on the flattesr surface in Australia. He will spin it fast with sharp, ominous bounce which is going to win the series for Australia. They won the toss. They are already 1-2 up!
Thomas on March 16, 2017, 4:14 GMT
Limited-overs-slogger-Maxwell? Why not Agar?
ravi on March 16, 2017, 4:13 GMT
India musnt be complacent like pune. They must not allow australia cross 200 on this pitch
Rahul on March 16, 2017, 4:09 GMT
Hope everyone in the comments section is a bit more mature.
Richard on March 16, 2017, 4:08 GMT
Pune pitch rated poor. Bangalore pitch rated below average. Ranchi pitch, now get this, good on the off side and poor on the leg side - a clear disadvantage for left handers. Just in case you were not aware, India has no left handed batsmen in their top SEVEN. Australia has three lefthanded batsmen in their top four. In Australia, hollow victories taste more sour than losses. But when we win this test, it will taste like strawberries and cream.
Khushal Kakar on March 16, 2017, 4:05 GMT
Good for Aussies that they won the toss. it may give them a little chance otherwise it would have been one sided contest
san on March 16, 2017, 4:05 GMT
Disappointed to see that IND play only 4 bowlers....Pune did dent IND confidence...can't find fault though.. but is this a pitch where they may miss the 5th bowler?
James on March 16, 2017, 4:05 GMT
Great opportunity for Australia, having won the toss. The wicket looks to be a complete mess, so unless Australia really stuff up the first innings, they are in the box seat. If they'd lost the toss, there's no way they could have won here, batting last. This is why these pitches are completely unsuitable for tests. The ICC needs to step in. Like, right now. India have a chance, given the divergent strengths and weaknesses of the teams, but they are up against it. Good to see Cummins and Maxwell in. Cummins won't bowl much here, as Aus will bowl last, and the ball won't bounce much over waiste high. No doubt Maxwell will roll his arm over for a few of his darts, at some point. He may bowl more than Cummins.
san on March 16, 2017, 4:04 GMT
Whats up with only music for Indian national anthem while the AUS is played with full lyrics?
rickyo3533457 on March 16, 2017, 4:03 GMT
Au has won the toss and it's all over for India. They won't stand a chance. 2-1
mukesh on March 16, 2017, 4:02 GMT
It took Australia 2 matches in subcontinent to realize spinning all rounder is more important than pace all-rounder. How do they( commentators) expect similar changes in team combination when SC team tour non SC. Typically SC teams carry atleast one sometimes 2 spinning all rounders. End of day these commentators make more sense in opposite senses. Commentators make more sense in pointing team combination gone wrong. Especially with Mitchell marsh vs Glen maxwell when its clear whom sub continent fans cheer lot more . M marsh doesn't have outstanding test temperament/record to boast about either !!!!
ngsamu2919631 on March 16, 2017, 4:02 GMT
Here we go..... anthems blaring......crowd or whatever folks are there cheering. Subcontinent pitch raring.... C'mon aussie c'mon.... # fierce #overcome adversity#our series to win #india's to lose
san on March 16, 2017, 4:02 GMT
First part of my wish came true....AUS win toss and bat first... Now for the second part - India Win...exciting times..
pandit6142722 on March 16, 2017, 4:01 GMT
aussie win toss win match thats how indian soil
Jeremy Evans on March 16, 2017, 4:00 GMT
The stadium is practically empty.. i thought this ocassion might bring a few in
mjakht7573406 on March 16, 2017, 3:56 GMT
Good decision to include Maxwell. hope he will play better than Marsh.
Thom on March 16, 2017, 8:51 GMT
Smithy __ what a legend this man is becoming ! Players who got to 5000 runs in test cricket quicker than he did , are all real legends of the game __ he may be unorthodox and at times even ungainly but this man can bat hugely effectively through massive powers of concentration . He furthermore does it everywhere on all kinds of surfaces !
mjakht7573406 on March 16, 2017, 3:56 GMT
Good decision to include Maxwell. hope he will play better than Marsh.
Jeremy Evans on March 16, 2017, 4:00 GMT
The stadium is practically empty.. i thought this ocassion might bring a few in
pandit6142722 on March 16, 2017, 4:01 GMT
aussie win toss win match thats how indian soil
san on March 16, 2017, 4:02 GMT
First part of my wish came true....AUS win toss and bat first... Now for the second part - India Win...exciting times..
ngsamu2919631 on March 16, 2017, 4:02 GMT
Here we go..... anthems blaring......crowd or whatever folks are there cheering. Subcontinent pitch raring.... C'mon aussie c'mon.... # fierce #overcome adversity#our series to win #india's to lose
mukesh on March 16, 2017, 4:02 GMT
It took Australia 2 matches in subcontinent to realize spinning all rounder is more important than pace all-rounder. How do they( commentators) expect similar changes in team combination when SC team tour non SC. Typically SC teams carry atleast one sometimes 2 spinning all rounders. End of day these commentators make more sense in opposite senses. Commentators make more sense in pointing team combination gone wrong. Especially with Mitchell marsh vs Glen maxwell when its clear whom sub continent fans cheer lot more . M marsh doesn't have outstanding test temperament/record to boast about either !!!!
rickyo3533457 on March 16, 2017, 4:03 GMT
Au has won the toss and it's all over for India. They won't stand a chance. 2-1
san on March 16, 2017, 4:04 GMT
Whats up with only music for Indian national anthem while the AUS is played with full lyrics?
James on March 16, 2017, 4:05 GMT
Great opportunity for Australia, having won the toss. The wicket looks to be a complete mess, so unless Australia really stuff up the first innings, they are in the box seat. If they'd lost the toss, there's no way they could have won here, batting last. This is why these pitches are completely unsuitable for tests. The ICC needs to step in. Like, right now. India have a chance, given the divergent strengths and weaknesses of the teams, but they are up against it. Good to see Cummins and Maxwell in. Cummins won't bowl much here, as Aus will bowl last, and the ball won't bounce much over waiste high. No doubt Maxwell will roll his arm over for a few of his darts, at some point. He may bowl more than Cummins.
san on March 16, 2017, 4:05 GMT
Disappointed to see that IND play only 4 bowlers....Pune did dent IND confidence...can't find fault though.. but is this a pitch where they may miss the 5th bowler?