Nobody gave Australia the ghost of a chance to beat India in India, but it’s now a reality thanks to Steve Smith.
Not only has the Australian skipper shown the way with the bat, but he’s got right up the nose of his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli who is having his worst ever series.
Ler’s not forget India is ranked the world’s best Test team by a considerable margin – India 121, Australia second with 109, but hard pressed by South Africa’s 107.
There have been only four centuries scored in this series, Smith has two.
His scorecard reads 27, 109, 8, 28, and 178* for 340 runs at an average of 85 well above his world class career average of 61.46. His powers of concentration and patience shine through in facing 758 deliveries.
It is an incredible transformation from a career that began with Smith batting 8, 9, 8, 8, 6. 6. 6. 6. 7, and 7 in his first ten digs that netted 267 runs at 29.67 – a very healthy average for a tailender.
Now he’s the world’s premier Test batsman, and has been for sometime, with 19 centuries to his credit and a lot more in store.
Cheteshwar Pujera, ranked sixth in the world, is keeping India in the hunt after a slow start with 6, 31, 17, 92, and 130* for 276 at 68, well above his career average of 49.90, facing 736 deliveries.
But Kohli, ranked four, and David Warner, ranked five, have been well below their normal firepower.
Kohli’s 0, 13. 12, 15, and 6 for 46 at 9.38 has come as a shock to everyone, while Warner’s in much the same boat with 38, 10, 33, 17, and 19 for 117 at 23.40.
Yet he’s managed a start in every innings, but hasn’t gone on with it – very un-Warner-like.
But a rarely mentioned stat has the Australians in control
They have scored 1384 runs in this series to average 27.68 a dismissal, compared to India’s 1035 at 22.50.
But apart from Steve Smith’s superb batting, the rebirth of expressman Pat Cummins after a litany of injuries has been spectacular, and welcomed, after a break of five and half years since his debut in Johannesburg.
For the then 18-year-old to win the man of the match award, after grabbed 6-79 off 29, and hit the winning runs in the 310-run chase.
Cummins’ figures were not only impressive, but his scalps were right up there with the best – Jacques Rudolph (24), Jacques Kallis (2). AB de Villiers (73), Vernon Philander (23), Dale Steyn (41), and Morne Morkel for a duck.
Yesterday the now 23-year-old, in only his second Test, grabbed 4-59 off 25 in another impressive display.
This Test is heading for a draw, leaving the fourth and final Test at Dharamsala as the series decider.
Expect Steve Smith and Pat Cummins to steer the baggy greens home.
Art Vanderlay
Guest
So not actually a "rule of writing"... Although asterisk can be used to mean a minor or insignificant person or thing. Both small and humble with lots to be small and humble about. Please accept my apologies for missing the small part of your character.
jamesb
Guest
Maybe we can still win the series.
Tom
Guest
Your final par is missing an apostrophe. Reprehensible.
Peebo
Guest
* - *, is italics if you can't engage the italics tool. And you still have a superior air about you! Me? I'm a do-gooder: I'm trying to to do my bit to rid the world of incompetents.
Art Vanderlay
Guest
So not only humble but with poor impulse control I see... P.S. Under the "rules of writing" just what does *___* represent?
Peebo
Guest
Well Art, could it be that you have a superiority complex for attacking me for having a supposed superiority complex? You're sounding all superior to my supposed issues, so what does that make you? David slings mud in a public arena and revels in putting noses out of joint. Mine has been one of them. I don't like the smug way he attacks Glen Maxwell. If he's gonna criticize Maxy for reverse sweeps and being a 'cowboy' (to quote him), I'm gonna throw mud back. Simple as that. And on my criticisms, unlike your issues with Dan and Ben, it's not a 'taste' thing. My problem with him is that he has no regard for the *rules* of writing, let alone good prose. There's a big difference in not liking a punchline and not liking someone who betrays our beautiful language. Especially when that betrayer parades as a journo. Finally, why read him when I don't like him? I see the click bait styled titles to his pieces and get sucked in every time. Blame it on the Roars editors if I can't help reading a Lordy piece titled, "Glen Maxwell is an alien and I want to have his baby."
prosenjit
Guest
Bang on,mate.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
After the Day 4 nobody will agree that the Test match is heading for a draw.
deanB
Guest
Mr Lord, it would appear the sporting public have rendered a diagnosis. You are deemed to be in the throes of irrelevantitus. Fascinating Test match but.
TonyJ
Guest
129 runs behind with 8 wickets left....India will probably win by an innings. Maybe we get Usman for the 4th test and hopefully draw the series? One thing is certain, we cant win the series.
Swanny
Guest
Only India can win the third test from here. Good call David
George
Guest
No, totally predictable. He hits well, runs well. Not to be sniffed at, but if it moves or spins adjustment is required, and he's found that difficult.
George
Guest
I agree. To each their own, but I also avoid said 'funny' articles.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Has David Warner's series to date really been a shock to everyone? Runs away from home isn't exactly Warner's MO, with South Africa the one exception, so perhaps a series of big scores on non-Australian pitches would have been a greater shock. Kohli's batting contributions have been a huge shock. We can certainly be in agreement about that. For a guy who is averaging less than 10 for the series and doesn't bowl, Kohli is still having a massive impact on this series.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Lordy please don't jinx the team with another bold prediction !
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Recant? Unlikely... Ignore it, more likely. Doesn't fit his narrative. Yes, we all know 'one innings does not a summer make'. However, his contribution from one innings has outstripped previous efforts for some time. I'm a big M. Marsh fan, but it's fair to say that his Test contributions have been very poor. I think, one day, Mitch will be a very good Test Allrounder, but his form to date does not justify selection (unless it's for the shorter formats).
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
Maybe if we could find some runs at number 6 to stabilise the order? that would help secure a series win! Oh wait... I believe Maxwell did get a few! Not to say the same is guaranteed in the next match, could have copped a mention, though!
Stuart
Guest
Maybe if Mr Maxwell continues his form through to the conclusion of the Ashes Mr Lord will recant. One galah doesn't make a summer. Maxwell hopefully follows Andrew Symons career trajectory and provides more consistent contributions, but with less of the self destructive tendencies that prematurely terminated Symons career.
AdrianK
Guest
Fair enough. Adrian out :)
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Ha, not a single mention of Glen Maxwell, Mr Lord. How very disingenuous of you...