Key events
11th over: India 48-2 (Gill 5, Kohli 1) They take DRINKS after a third Cummins maiden.
10th over: India 47-2 (Gill 5) The game swings to Australia, but can Kohli pull something big from what is surely his last Test innings at the SCG.
”It has been the most absorbing and entertaining test series but did Australia miss a trick with all the hype?” writes Nikhil Saini. “They took an unbeatable 2-1 lead with a match to play but still had to draw/win in Sydney to win the BGT. But with this spicy pitch and their below par batting all through this series India are still in with a chance to win this game. Remember what India did 2 years ago when Australia won on a rank turner in Indore ? They laid out a flat track in Ahmedabad. Result: Draw, Series: Won and India on their way to the WTC finals.”
I just heard them say on comms that the SCG curator was trying to produce a more interesting pitch after criticisms. Someone, sorry I’m not good at identifying voices, said that every ball of this Test asks a question and the good batters thrive. I guess we will find out in the next couple of days….!
WICKET! Jaiswal b Boland 22 (India 47-2)
What beauty! The big one as Jaiswal must go, done by a Boland special that clips the top of off stump. Jaiswal moves in and out like a windscreen wiper but is done by the movement.
9th over: India 46-1(Jaiswal 22, Gill 2) A tricky maiden from Cummins, including a ball that wasn’t released as the wind suddenly gusts, the umpire grabs on to his hat and Jaiswal pulls away just as Cummins is about to release the ball.
8th over: India 46-1(Jaiswal 22, Gill 2) As super-subs go, Boland has to be top of the list. Cracking ball to Rahul and reward for a super first over. Gill comes in and flashes unconvincingly for four. If this partnership gets going it could be tricky for Australia with the fast outfield. But the slips lick their lips.
WICKET! Rahul b Boland 13 (India 42-1)
Ninth ball does the business! Rahul presses forward diligently but gets an inside edge and the ball springs into his leg stump. Boland points the way home.
7th over: India 39-0 (Jaiswal 22, Rahul 11) Cummins swaps to Starc’s end. An appeal for lbw against Jaiswal but no-one really fancies it, including the bowler. A play and miss, two, from Rahul. Cummins smiles his Pat Cummins smile.
“How on earth,” taps Nick Gibson, “did NZ beat India and win the series……” And at home….that’s why we love Test cricket!
6th over: India 36-0 (Jaiswal 21, Rahul 10) Here comes the first change and it is Scott Boland with his unnerving ability to pick up wickets in his first over/first spell. He floats in on the crowd’s roaring admiration and sure enough Jaiswal is beaten by the first which stays low. The third flies off the pitch and somehow squeezes past Rahul. India survive.
This was Geoff’s great piece on Boland from day one:
5th over: India 33-0 (Jaiswal 20, Rahul 8) Rahul swivels to the last ball of Starc’s over and picks up India’s eighth boundary of this short innings with a tidy pull. Starc shakes his head.
4th over: India 22-0 (Jaiswal 18, Rahul 4) Jaiswal continues to seek those adrenalin-drenched boundaries, throwing the bat at Cummins but hitting mid air. Rahul it is who finds the rope, with a four posted neatly past mid on.
An email! Hello Sandip.
“Greetings from a comparatively dry Pacific NW where I am following Graun’s coverage of the BGT esp when the Willow feed goes phut when the clouds move in!
“With re: the 42nd over query about how is it okay with the physios and sundry staff retrieving balls for the fielding team. This situation raises many points, a few of them I highlight below.
“There is nothing in the law that specifically prevents such action and activity, meaning retrieving the ball, or hanging around.
“Umpires usually decide before the match starts what is permitted and what is not.
“Also, most fielders are now equipped with some tracker and their movement metrics provide how much effort they have put in and such stats. It therefore behooves the fielder not to include the jogs and walks in the metrics so as not to dilute the other high intensity runs and sprints. A few tens of metres during the retrieving balls therefore makes a difference.
“My pet peeve is those hangers-on fielding the said ball before it has crossed the agreed upon boundaries. Methinks this is when the umpires reckon will be penalising the batting team by ruling dead-ball as soon as the hangers-on have touched the ball. Better to award 4-runs for the boundary, and avoid diplomatic incidents, not to mention the enjoyment of the spectators who pay good dough to be in the stadium. This is most practical way. And no, I do not play an umpire on the telly, I umpire regional amateur matches.
“Hope this helps clarify the important and critical role played by those hangers-on.”
Thank you! Very helpful.
3rd over: India 17-0 (Jaiswal 17, Rahul 0) Better from Starc, who has found his radar and his run-up. Has Jaiswal beaten and then leaping like a jack in a box, hit in the guts by a shorter delivery. Just one from the over.
2nd over: India 16-0 (Jaiswal 16, Rahul 0) Cummins has had Rahul’s number, and Rahul certainly isn’t going for it in the Jaiswal manner, despite the long hair flowing cavallierly in his helmet. From feast to famine, Cummins starts with a maiden.
Hello Anna Talbot, sorry to pick your email up so late.
”My partner rematches Starc’s dismissing catch repeatedly and came up with this evidence. Can’t see any fingers under that ball myself.” I find these things so difficult to read, but can’t see any obvious problem and haven’t heard anyone moaning about it on commentary. Yet!
1st over: India 16-0 (Jaiswal 16, Rahul 0) Starc is roared in, long legs, rhythmic run, shy smile. Jaiswal leans back and flies into his second ball, which has a touch of width, sending it flying to the rope over backward point. The next is dragged down as Jaiswal whips the ball at nose height for a second four. And a third – this time along the ground behind point. Starc beats him with his fifth and WOW – there comes the fourth boundary! Whipped with regal wrists and awesome power through cover. On comms they say Australia won’t want to chase anything more than 200 here. Cummins stares behind his big bad sunglasses.
Evening session
Here they come! A middle of the night frisson for the Brits, an outrageously bright blue skied high-octane afternoon at the SCG.
TEA – Australia 181 all out, trail India by four runs.
This match, this series, keeping us on our toes. The teams pretty much even at tea on day two – with just one fifty in the game so far, from the tall smiley debutant Webster. No news on Bumrah yet, but India didn’t miss him too much as they wrapped up the Australian innings, with three wickets for Siraj and Prasidh. I’m going to make a quick cup of coffee, back shortly for India’s second dig.
WICKET! Boland b Siraj 9 (Australia 181 all out – India lead by four runs)
Through the gate and rattles the latch!
51st over: Australia 181 (Lyon 7 not out) Win Viz is still giving Australia a 60 per cent chance of winning – and that’s without the (possible) injury to Bumrah in the calcuation. Boland squeezes four through the slips but next ball Siraj squeezes one through the gate. India get the (matchstick) lead and they go into tea with the game on a knife edge!
50th over: Australia 176-9 (Lyon 6, Boland 5) Apologies, my middle of the night brain forgot to change the email address on the page from Angus’ – do drop me a line at tanya.aldred.freelance@theguardian.com. Lyon and Boland mine a precious three runs from Prasidh’s over
49th over: Australia 173-9 (Lyon 1, Boland 4)
“Morning Tanya”. Good very early morning to you Brian Withington
”Although it doesn’t appear in his Wiki entry I can confirm that perhaps the most formative (English) summer in Beau Webster’s cricket career was in 2016, when he was the overseas player for our local Knowle & Dorridge CC in the Birmingham League. In that capacity he was following in the bowling marks of the likes of no lesser than Allan Donald. No I don’t know how they afford it either, but the club bar is open 365 days a year and is probably still serving as I type at 3:30 am.”
Thank you for that excellent bit of knowledge! And what a smashing innings it was too – he got a very fond round of applause from the SCG as he trudged off. Lyon picks off three from Ntish Kumar Reddy’s over as Australia creep closer to parity.
48th over: Australia 170-9 (Lyon 1, Boland 4) The end of a terrific innings on debut and India’s second string are more than holding the fort for Bumrah. Boland picks up four with a nudge off his ankles.
WICKET! Webster c Jaiswal b Prasidh 57 (Australia 166-9)
A third fabulous slip catch since I’ve taken my place on the sofa! This time it is Jaiswal who springs like a March hare to his right at third slip/gully as Webster is surprised by some extra bounce. Jaiswal throws the ball into the air with uninhibited joy and Australia are still in arrears with one wicket left.
47th over: Australia 166-8 (Webster 57, Lyon 1) No hat-trick as Lyon squeezes a single off his first ball and, as Webster returns the favour, survives the last three balls.
WICKET! Starc c KL Rahul b Ntish Kumar Reddy 1 (Australia 164-8)
Is that a clean catch? Yes it is! At second slip, Rahul, with his fourth catch of the innings, just gets his fingers under a dart from Starc. The third umpire wants to check but Starc is already walking off. A second wicket for Reddy in two balls!
46th over: Australia 164-7 (Webster 56, Starc 1) Can Starc continue the Cummins holding role? Siraj roars in and Starc’s inside edge darts between his boots
WICKET! Cummins c Kohli b Ntish Kumar Reddy 10 (Australia 162-7)
Fabulous catch by Kohli at slip who casually darts to his left and pouches with both hands as Cummins is forced onto the back foot by a shorter ball and gets an outside edge. A delighted Ntish celebrates with both arms outstretched. Cumins had just driven him with dazzling panache through the covers on one knee. Australia are still 23 behind.
45th over: Australia 162-7 (Webster 52 )
44th over: Australia 155-6 (Webster 52, Cummins 6) Thanks Angus, great stuff. What drama! Bumrah driven to hospital from an underground car park , a fifty on debut, the first of the match, for debutant Beau Webster. This series keeps on giving, and here comes a switch with Siraj for Prasidh. A neat maiden, beating Cummins with the last ball.
43rd over: Australia 155-6 (Webster 52, Cummins 6) Wonderful achievement for Beau Webster. He has Australia just 30 runs adrift of India’s first innings total.
Time for a cool change in the form of Tanya Aldred who will steer you home to stumps. Thanks for your company and emails today and enjoy the rest of day two!
FIFTY for Beau Webster on debut! (Australia 154-6)
Great shot to bring up a significant milestone for Beau Webster! First ball after the drinks break he leans back and carves Reddy for three. The 30-year-old debutant raises his bat with a big smile. 52 from 95 balls – a great fighting innings for the big man from the tiny Tasmanian town of Snug. He came in at 39-4 and has rescued Australia.
Matt Burtt has an interesting observation:
I’m wondering how long it’s been OK for teams to station a bunch of their hangers-on around the boundary, beyond the rope of course, to retrieve and return the ball for the fielding team? It’s been happening so much in the current series and while I see it’s value in reducing the need for fielders to run for ‘no reason’ but far out – a casual jog out to the boundary and back surely wouldn’t kill any of them…
They also serve drinks and snakes, Matt. Vital to stay hydrated/ sugared.
42nd over: Australia 147-6 (Webster 48, Cummins 5) Cummins gets on his toes to cut Krishna’s first ball for a single. Webster cops a searing bouncer next ball, a spring-loaded delivery that demands evasive action. Still plenty of life and lift in this SCG green top. Webster drives on the run to get within a run of a maiden half century.
That’ll be drinks. Time for another snifter of doggerel from Gavin Robertson (“not the cricketer”) inspired by the spate of just-below waist-height balls leading to “personal mishaps” in this Test…
The boy stood on the burning deck,
The crew were playing cricket,
The ball rolled up his trouser leg,
And hit his middle wicket
41st over: Australia 147-6 (Webster 48, Cummins 3) An update on Jasprit Bumrah: India’s captain and strike bowler has just been spotted in training gear and leaving the ground in a car, reportedly for scans. That’s very bad news for India fans. Beau Webster celebrates by cover driving Jadeja for a lovely four. Australia trail by 38 runs.
40th over: Australia 140-6 (Webster 43, Cummins 1) Krishna returns for a 12th over. He now has 2-31 his best Test figures. Pat Cummins would make a prize scalp for the 28-year-old quick whose career has been curtailed by lower leg and back injuries. Webster and Cummins each take a single from the over.
39th over: Australia 138-6 (Webster 42, Cummins 0) Pat Cummins is in the middle with his team reeling at six down and still 47 runs behind. Does he slow things down and crawl to the total? Or does he attack and make a statement? With Ravindra Jadeja back into the attack there’s no choice but to play fast. His second over yields one run.
WICKET! Carey b Krishna 21 (Australia 137-6)
Carey is skittled! He was rattled by Krishna’s last ball and played too hard and fast at the next. It zipped in faster and veered back before disrupting the timber. India strike back and Australia’s tail has been exposed. A shame for Carey who played a poor shot to that ball and has wasted another strong start after playing some beautiful shots.
38th over: Australia 137-5 (Webster 41, Carey 21) That’s a loose one! Krishna’s second ball has sprayed wide of batter and ‘keeper and skidded away for four byes. He makes amends by skinning Carey on the fourth. Perfect length, straightening on impact and just missing the top of off stump.
37th over: Australia 133-5 (Webster 41, Carey 21) Glorious shot by Carey! Siraj pitched it up and Carey smoked it through covers for four. He’s in good form with bat and gloves, striking 21 and 36 in Perth, 15 in Adelaide, 70 and 20 not out in Brisbane and 31 and 2 in Melbourne. He’s now in the twenties and has Australia 52 runs in arrears.
36th over: Australia 124-5 (Webster 37, Carey 16) Jasprit Bumrah has been off the field for four overs now. Injury niggle? Outfit change? Or something dodgy at the lunch buffet? We’ll keep you informed. Carey takes a leg bye from Krishna’s second and Webster stands tall and swivels a pull shot for a a single from the fourth. Krishna is into his 10th over now and is showing signs of tiring as Carey works another easy single.
35th over: Australia 121-5 (Webster 36, Carey 15) Ouch! Carey cops one in the nethers. He’s still upright, which was more than Rishabh Pant could claim after copping a multitude of low balls on day one. Mohammed Siraj’s eyes are gleaming but Australia’s ‘keeper hobbles a single to get off strike. This partnership is starting to blossom and has advanced Australia’s total by 25 runs.
34th over: Australia 119-5 (Webster 36, Carey 14) Another wallop by Webster. This one gets him three runs through point from Krishna’s first ball and makes him Australia’s top scorer. Krishna is still getting lift and zip from this pitch even with a softer ball. Webster tries to swat the fifth ball down Driver Avenue but it’s an air swing.
33rd over: Australia 117-5 (Webster 34, Carey 14) Siraj steams in and puts in the slot for Webster to straight drive. He opens the face to guide it safely through gully for a single. Carey knows a quicker route, stepping out and cleaving through cover for FOUR.
32nd over: Australia 112-5 (Webster 32, Carey 10) Webster works Krishna square for a single as Australia continue at a healthy clip of 3.6 per over. This partnership needs to prosper though as it’s only bowlers to come, despite Pat Cummins now being ranked the No 4 allrounder in the world.
31st over: Australia 111-5 (Webster 32, Carey 10) Bumrah is into his 10th over and has 2-27. The wicket of Labuschagne took him to 32 wickets for the series – the most for an Indian bowler in a Test series in Australia. Carey doesn’t bow to that feat. Instead he cuts the fifth delivery through gully for FOUR. Australia trail by 74 runs.
30th over: Australia 105-5 (Webster 32, Carey 4) Here we go again. Prasidh Krishna, who took the big wicket of Steve Smith in his last over, has the first after lunch to Beau Webster who resumes on 28. Krishna gets his fifth ball to leap but Webster gets a neat revenge next ball, skipping across to slam it down the ground for four. Go Beau!
Players are taking the field for the second session but the dismissal of Steve Smith before lunch moved Pananjady Swathi to poetry during the break:
Always glad to see Smith go
He puts on such an ugly show
Shuffling all over the place
With complete lack of grace
I’d rather watch the grass grow
Thanks Pananjady. A lovely piece of doggerel.
Steve Smith might have been made to wait for his milestone, left stranded on 9995 Test runs when he nicked Krishna just before lunch, but India’s new captain Jasprit Bumrah made a little history of his own this morning.
There’s an update from the terrible collision in last night’s Big Bash game. Cameron Bancroft has suffered a broken nose and a broken shoulder and is unlikely to play again in the BBL14 tournament. Daniel Sams will be sidelined for at least 12 days after he and Bancroft were both diagnosed with concussions. We wish both well in their recovery.
Thunder’s Cam Bancroft and Daniel Sams have suffered concussion after a head-on collision in the field. Both have been taken to hospital for further assessment #BBL14
Details: 👇https://t.co/Gbe8z2CsJ5
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025
LUNCH: Australia are 101 for 5 trailing India by 84 runs
A lively start to day two! Australia scored 92 fast runs but India took four key wickets so I’m giving the visitors that session.
New India captain Jasprit Bumrah did the early damage, removing Marnus Labuschagne (2) with a peach. Then Mohammed Siraj steamed in and ripped into the middle-order removing Sam Konstas (a cavalier 23) and Travis Head (a two-ball 4).
Australia recovered for a time, Steve Smith and Beau Webster turning 39-4 into 96-4 before Prasidh Krishna got Smith (33) nicking to slip in the penultimate over before lunch to fall five runs short of 10,000 Test runs.
It leaves Australia on the precipice, still 84 runs behind India’s first innings total and with only the tail to come. Can Alex Carey and debutant Beau Webster – unbeaten and looking good on 28 – mount a rearguard action and get Australia a lead? Or will India exploit this bouncy Sydney pitch and send more wickets skittling in the second session?
Catch you in a hot halfa to find out.
29th over: Australia 101-5 (Webster 28, Carey 4) Last over before lunch. Siraj, always hungry, bends his back at Webster. It’s a tall order given the allrounder is 200cm and the big Tasmanian flicks a single to fine leg. And now Carey dines out before lunch! Siraj put it wide and full and Carey pounced, crashing it to the rope. Handsome way to get off the mark. That will be lunch on day two.
28th over: Australia 96-5 (Webster 27, Carey 0) Prasidh welcomes Alex Carey to the crease with a snorting delivery that springs from the pitch like a mongoose at a cobra. Carey recovers but won’t chance his hand in the penultimate over before lunch. Wicket maiden for Prasidh. He took some punishment from Smith but got him in the end.
WICKET! Smith c Rahul b Prasidh 33 (Australia 96-5)
Smith goes! He was on the verge of bringing up his 10,000 Test runs. But history will have to wait. He’s back in the pavilion after playing at a straight one and edging to first slip. Good bowling by Krishna. Terrible blow for Australia in the shadows of lunch.
27th over: Australia 96-4 (Smith 33, Webster 27) India turn to spin. Ravindra Jadeja, the world’s No 1 allrounder, has been thrown the ball. Webster calmly paddles him over his left shoulder for two then pushes to square leg for another deuce. Runs flowing. Australia trail by 89 runs.
26th over: Australia 92-4 (Smith 33, Webster 23) Webster punches for FOUR! Nitish gave him space outside off and the 200cm allrounder got on his toes to whack it to the rope. Gets a single on the next to take the partnership to 45. Impressive debut so far for the man from Snug south of Hobart. He took two fine slips catches yesterday and has now steered Australia out of a crisis. Now Smith gets in the action, hot stepping to the pitch of the fifth and driving for FOUR. And he goes at the last ball too, cutting a short wide one to the fence. A 13-run over.
25th over: Australia 79-4 (Smith 25, Webster 18) Siraj to Smith. Heatmiser v Snowmiser. The big quick has his face smeared in zinc warpaint as usual. Smith, impish and twitchy, dances around the first few. Siraj retrieves the second, threatens to shy at the stumps. Smith laughs in his face. More comedy as the umpire fields a yellow balloon and puts it between his teeth to burst it. The crowd are enjoying this day two contest.
24th over: Australia 79-4 (Smith 25, Webster 18) Shout for lbw by Reddy but it’s down leg side and India don’t review. Smith pockets a single off his left hip. Webster plays out the rest. Australia trail by 106 runs.
Tony Hughes emails to remind us “it’s been 24 years since we saw Colin Miller take a wicket while sporting blue hair at the SCG.” Happy 24th Funky! Tony reckons Colin – a medium-pace/ off-spinning hybrid Tasmanian like Beau Webster – was also involved in the nascent American Cricket League. “They were so lacking in professionals, he could have faced himself at one point as he was contracted to more than one franchise!”
23rd over: Australia 78-4 (Smith 24, Webster 18) Smith cuts for FOUR! Siraj, back for a second spell, sent down a loosener and Smith rocked back and crashed it to the rope. Great batting. Smith looks sharp today. That shot brings up 5000 Test runs in Australia.
