Australia went on to cross the 450-run mark in their first innings thanks to tons from Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell on the second day of the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar trophy. However, India were at a strong 1-121 at the close of play on Day Two. Follow all the action of Day 3 from 3pm (AEDT) here on The Roar.
The visitors had resumed at 4-299 with Smith and Maxwell at the centre. The latter was able to bring up his first century in Test match cricket with a sterling effort.
However, most of Maxwell’s good work had come on the first day as he became the first man to be dismissed in the first session on Friday as he was caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha off Ravindra Jadeja.
That brought Mathew Wade into the centre and he did reasonably well with Smith going strong at the other end. The manner of Wade’s dismissal was the same as that of Maxwell – caught behind by Saha off Jadeja. Pat Cummins, making his second appearance for Australia in Test matches was dismissed for a duck as Jadeja disturbed his stumps.
Steve O’Keefe was able to frustrate India’s bowlers for 70 deliveries when he scored 25 runs before he was dismissed by Umesh Yadav.
Yadav generated good reverse swing at this time and that had a role to play in the dismissal as he laid the trap for the batsman who took the bait.
Nathan Lyon was dismissed by Jadeja who finished with figures of 5-124 in the first innings before Hazlewood was run out. That brought an end to the Australian innings at 451 with Smith unbeaten on 178 at the other end.
Smith outlined his qualities with the bat for the second successive day as he held out a decent Indian attack while keeping the scoreboard ticking at all times.
Murali Vijay’s return to the top order with Lokesh Rahul as his opening partner has added some much-needed steel to the top of India’s batting lineup. While Rahul went on to score yet another half-century before being caught behind off Cummins, Vijay was unbeaten on 42 runs when the umpires called for stumps.
Incidentally, Rahul was the only Indian batsman to be dismissed on the second day as he walked back after having scored a fluent 67.
Vijay and Pujara were unbeaten on 42 and 10 respectively when the umpires signalled the end of the day’s play.
The two batsmen have done well together in the past and they need to start from scratch tomorrow.
The pitch at Ranchi has been more affectionate towards batting than the previous two and but India wouldn’t want to chase too much in the fourth innings.
With India playing seven batsmen and the quality of their batting lineup, the side should be looking to post a decent first innings lead before their spinners come into play.
The Australians will be acutely aware of India’s game-plan. Mitchell Starc’s loss on this surface could be a problem if Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are unable to exert pressure from one end.
Both Lyon and O’Keefe have proved to be capable customers when it comes to bowling spin in India and the two men will be the key for the visitors come Saturday.
Follow the live scores and blog of the third day of this third Test between India and Australia from 3pm (AEDT) here on The Roar.
Basil
Guest
Yawn
Ozibatla
Guest
I must say that Lyons performance is indicative of his career really. After getting 8 poles in 22 overs in the 1st innings of the 2nd test, hes since bowled some 60 odd overs without getting another wicket. Too many barren spells to be considered top class im afraid...
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
The pitch was reported for a week as a dust bowl. It's not so no one's complaining now. What do you want?
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
It's Advantage Ausralia at the end of Day3, if they can take a lead of say 50 runs and can hit-up 250 in the second innings, it will be a win for them for sure.
Don Freo
Guest
You can see how they won series on home turf in the past without DRS.
Don Freo
Guest
Yes. Pujara's 2 innings today both scored more than Kohli has in the series.
Don Freo
Guest
Behrendorff took another 4 today.
Don Freo
Guest
..and WA is missing NCN, Joel Paris (back playing his first grade game for the season today), Mitch Marsh and Ashton Agar. Ours is every bit as good as yours Maggie. You're only as good as your depth.
Don Freo
Guest
Fabulous second innings by Pujara. The first innings of 40 was just ok.
prosenjit
Guest
Yup Australia were guilty of some callous shots too,if you remember warner or renshaw's dismissals.
Maggie
Guest
It is a good NSW attack but it is missing Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Lyon and O'Keefe ......
Steve
Guest
70 in the first innings and 1-19 with the wicket of Ed Cowan, terrific performance that should see WA into the final with Victoria, massive fan of Cartwright.
SonOfLordy
Guest
Lyon and SOK have bowled 73 overs between them for a miserable solitary wicket. Smith could only find room to let Maxwell bowl 2 overs. Just bad captaincy once again.
Bfc
Guest
Fabulous knock by Pujara.....and a fine return to Test cricket by Cummins.
Linphoma
Guest
I don't think there were any real advantage gained by India in the preparation of the first two decks. Even if they did take the second test, only a fool would have said they were comfortable and the result was in the bag until the last session played.
Jonathan
Roar Rookie
Funny how there aren't any Aussies complaining about the pitch anymore. Before the match even started there was an furious level of whining about how terrible it was going to be to bat on it. The reality is that every country curates pitches that suit their team. The challenge is to play at a level where that doesn't matter, as Smith and Maxwell have shown this test. Stop the complaining and enjoy competitive cricket!
danno
Guest
Cartwright 170* off 173 balls against a good NSW attack. Unlucky not to be in India.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Beauty of a Test. Three days. And nothing to choose between the two teams. Look at the bookmakers' odds and the draw is the most favourite outcome from here on but don't count on it just yet. Australia had the momentum in the first 75 minute of the day, India came back strongly in the next 45 before Vijay gave it away. Kohli did not last long and India kept losing wicket regularly with batsmen getting starts and getting out. But the two standouts of the day were Pujara and Cummins. Just like Smith and Jadeja were the stars of the first innings. Pujara batted on and on...and on and batted through the entire day. Cummins pulverised the batsmen with his solid lines, varying lengths and brutal pace. Some ordinary shots were played too and if India were to introspect, three important wickets were lost to callous strokes. Back with some more of this tomorrow, the fourth day. Have a good evening.
Peter
Roar Rookie
The Australians earned their keep today. Respect.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Saha defends all the six balls of the final over from Josh H to finish the day with India at 6/360 from 130 overs. A very intriguing day's play and again, one that fails to separate the two teams.