Test Cricket: India pull off thrilling draw in Australia

[McGrain]

200 on the board, 100 partnership for these two. Gone! Jadeja, who has been probing, is taken by Rahane at first slip, he tried to go to his right, too, when it was just low. Gorgeous from Jadeja who was not afraid to leak runs to get his man working, that was really quite beautiful. Bouncy. Lasagne goes in the ninties for the first time ever.

206-3

Smith 47
Wade 0

 

[McGrain]

Gorgeous over from Jadeja; tucks Smith right in. A bit wider, coming in and across, less sbounce. Smith "wins" the over though, after five dot balls, a gorgeous drive for four runs, horrible for Jadeja, really a shame, owns the over, dashed for four in the last ball. But, that said, he's pulled Smith out of himself to score. This is a fascinating joust, really interesting. Bumrah is a little off, Jadeja has stepped up.

Smith 56
Wade 2

217-3.

 

[McGrain]

This is great.

 

[McGrain]

Wade working over the short leg he's hit Vihari twice, one really nasty one - through the fingers onto the thigh - then a bit higher up. Jadeja is floating them too hahahaha ace. No remorse from Wade at all, he's just irritated he's not scored. Fair play Vihari, finishes smiling and still in close despite the attentions of the physio.

I've no problem with that. I do believe Wade is lashing it at the short leg on purpose and I've no problem with it. Wade isn't comfortable with a fielder there so he punishes him. Good, tough test cricket.

 

[McGrain]

Wade is brutal. Straight drive. He's in the mood. Ilike Wade a lot. He's upish there but he knows the field, that was deliberate. Firm hitting and no give, not a great Australian cricketer but a great Australian cricketer. Hits Vihari again, calf again by the looks. Smashing it AT the man. Wants him gone. Backfoot next ball, passes it across himself in a near cut, this is delightful. He's doing a better job on Jadeja than Smith. I think a part of it is that Jadeja has come a bit off to the left hander to try to prevent the sweep - Jadeja gets him!! Hahahahah this sport. I was wrong, totally wrong, Jadeja was bring the man across and he SHOULD have swept, instead Wade, playing aggressively, pre-empts the cover drive - and skies it. Bumrah takes the catch.

That is a special wicket. Australian commentary making it out to be a "poor dismissal". Do not agree. Class bowler worked an aggressive batsman hard.

This is great cricket.

 

[McGrain]

Cameron Green is gone, Bumrah has shown patience there, he really didn't take the lack hard, angling it back into a tall guy who is right-handed and Green walks for 0.

249-5 and it's lunch.

 

[McGrain]

Bumrah is emerging. Tim Paine is not equal to it.

255-6.

Runs on the board are what you want at this ground, but this is just staring to get interesting.

 

[McGrain]

Hahahaha, Jadeja gets busted for a no ball - wtf, not a no ball in all the world. Cummins, who has been defending admirably as Smith worked his way to 99, just plays a forward defense of nothing and is skinned. A duck. 278-7.

Smith's 100 is on the way though.

 

[McGrain]

Hahahaha, Jadeja gets busted for a no ball - wtf, not a no ball in all the world. Cummins, who has been defending admirably as Smith worked his way to 99, just plays a forward defense of nothing and is skinned. A duck. 278-7.

Smith's 100 is on the way though.

 

[McGrain]

27th century or Smith. 8th against India. They done him for a bit, he's back big time.

291-7

 

[McGrain]

Astonishing run out of Vihari by Hazelwood. Feels a key moment not just in the game but in the series. Either way, Australin tails are up.

4-142.

 

[McGrain]

Lasagne glances one down leg and good wicket keeping - from the sub, Pant is out - breaks the key Lasagne-Smith partnership.

Australia lead by 232.

 

[McGrain]

Saini appears to be real. A debutant who's flown under the radar a bit for me, he appears to be absolutely real. Maybe a little lucky for the Lasagne wicket, he's hung one out for Wade beautifully, he goes for four.

Smith 44
Green 0

Australia lead by 242

Key spell.

 

[McGrain]

Oooo, Smith out LBW on review for 81, closing in on a big score there but just about out-thought by Ashwin, a really deceptive dip.

Australia have this under control though, they're ahead by 303 and 300 is the golden ticket on this pitch. Paine and Green will add a few, then the tail. Too much for India to do probably.

 

[McGrain]

Very impressive from India, they are giving it a right good tonk. Pant has lashed 73 off 97, many of them coming in the back end, and the new wall, Pujara is right there with him. It's a very interesting mix that sees India 206-3 at lunch.

Australia remain huge favourites, but this is interesting.

 

[McGrain]

Great, great skill and gumption from India to pull off the draw.

The series is live going into the fourth and final test.

 

[Jack]

I'm looking forward to seeing how England do in Sri Lanka. The conditions will be interesting, there's been some terrible rain over there, and the England team is missing a few key players, big it's a chance for others to shine.

A big part of my enjoyment with cricket lately has been watching Jimmy bowl, he's having a wonderful Indian summer, so I'm hoping he keeps it up for a few more years yet.

Fingers crossed the weather can improve.

The next Australia/India game will be something to behold. I've been impressed by what I've seen of that so far, although mainly highlights due to the time difference. I'd like to see India win but Australia should be favourites.

 

[Jack]

Good performance from England but Sri Lanka looked poor. It's nice to see Bess pick up 5 wickets though, that'll be good for his confidence. The spin bowling position has been available since Swann retired but considering all the options are roughly similar, they're all 6/10ish level bowlers, you might as well just go with the younger options like Bess (23) or Parkinson (24) than Leach (29) or Moeen (33) and hope they develop in a way that Swann did.

Hopefully Parkinson gets a chance in the next game.

 

[Hookjaw]

Warner gone cheaply once again - perhaps Broad broke him for good.

 

[Jack]

Warner gone cheaply once again - perhaps Broad broke him for good.

I'm surprised. He had a good IPL and whilst that's obviously a different format, it seems quite often that people take form from one format to another, so I expected him to be over this poor period. I hope he does bounce back soon, he's a terrific player.