Australian cricket’s whipping boy Shaun Marsh shapes as his side’s best hope of winning the first Test against India which history – and conventional wisdom – suggests is near-impossible.
Australia, set an imposing target of 323 at Adelaide Oval, reached 4-104 at stumps on day four.
Marsh is unbeaten on 31 from 92 balls, having occupied the crease for more time than any other batsman in Australia’s second innings, while Travis Head is 11 not out.
Marsh has history when it comes to resisting India, having batted out 62 overs on day five to help secure a draw last year in Ranchi.
The 35-year-old is also likely to draw confidence from negotiating Sunday’s final session plus last month’s Sheffield Shield knock of 163 not out in Adelaide, where he helped Western Australia to overhaul a target of 313.
But the mountain confronting the much-maligned veteran on Monday is significantly more confronting for several reasons, with Australia still 219 runs away from a record-breaking victory after suffering a concerning collapse of 4-56.
The highest-successful run chase in an Adelaide Test is Australia’s 6-315, achieved in 1902 against England, while no side has hunted down more than 236 at the venue since West Indies in 1982.
India’s prospects of recording their first Test win in Australia since 2008, and their maiden Test series win in Australia, were already strong when resuming on Sunday at 3-151.
They were enhanced by first-inning centurion Cheteshwar Pujara, who top-scored again with 71 to make it 11 hours at the crease in the low-scoring contest.
Nathan Lyon grabbed 6-122 as India posted a second-innings total of 307.
Loose strokes from Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb served as the latest reminder of Australia’s reliance on Steve Smith and David Warner in recent years.
The slump started when Aaron Finch ended the post-lunch session, caught at bat-pad for 11.
Replays suggested the ball didn’t flick the gloves, meaning Finch would have been reprieved if he had reviewed.
Finch had already referred a lbw verdict in the first over of the innings, only avoiding the ignominy of a pair because replays showed Ishant Sharma delivered a no-ball.
Peter
Roar Rookie
No way, 80:20 India. History tell us as that even that's generous to Australia.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I don't think it's that Khawaja doesn't have the fortitude for Test Cricket, he's played innings that show he does. We just have unrealistic expectations. He averages 43 in test cricket. That's not bad or anything, and it's miles ahead of the rest of this side, but in the modern game that makes him only an average test bat. Nothing more, nothing less. Let's remember, guys like Taylor and Boon averaged this in a much tougher period and they were never considered the best batsmen in their sides. If he was playing in any other major test team, he'd be the third or fourth best batsman in the line up. To expect your third or fourth best batsman in the line up to win you game after game is silly (unless you were the invincible Aussie sides of the past).
The Bush
Roar Guru
Yeah it was pretty bad compared to Foxtel's. Brayshaw is just terrible and Slater doesn't seem any better. Still not as bad as 9's team, but not much better.
Stuckbetweenindopak
Roar Rookie
Only glimpse of hope is none of the tailenders is actually a tailender. I will change the batting order a little bit my next batter would be starc, then Cummins and then Paine, because if they think themselves as batsmen it ll provide them with a sense of responsibility and may well get best out of them. Secondly if they get time to settle and eye in they are gonna clear the park easily. Also wanna mention how rule can your own pitch curator be, man show some awareness he doesn't care what India dishes out when they host australia in India. Ok if you cannot afford green top top because your batsman cannot play on it either, at least give a quickened pitch where mighty starc could intimidate. Curator has almost played into India's hands, made ashwin relevant and difficult to take wickets for home bowlers who thrive on faster pitches
doug heffernan
Guest
The XI will be likely unchanged going into 2nd test after being POUNDED in the 1st 2-0 by Christmas. A disgraceful batting lineup at the moment. Finch needs to be booted ASAP.
doug heffernan
Guest
Finch should be dropped and never allowed back. Stick to T20. I am glad we have lost this test as it will teach the selectors a lesson. Australia looking down the barrel of a MAMMOTH loss in the test, just as i predicted 2 weeks ago. Horrible batting cost us this test. Bring in Burns for Finch. Remove Marsh if he fails today. Bring in a young lad. Mitch Marsh WILL be back for the 2nd test and the selectors wil have some ridiculous reason for it. The sooner this test series is over the better. Everything about it reeks. The obsession with Kohli is enough to make me switch off. XI for 2nd test (hopefully but will never happen) Burns Harris Uzzy S Marsh (only if he gets to 50 today plus Langer will make sure he plays in WA) Handscomb Head Paine Cummins Tremain Lyon Hazelwood 12: Starc
Mike
Guest
Don't wish to sound overly critical, but this was a gutless performance. Finch is a one day performer and doesn't possess the technique for the red ball game, Entirely agree with Mitchell Johnston's comments re Starc who has completely lost his edge.
Stuckbetweenindopak
Roar Rookie
Only glimpse of hope is the fact that none of the tailenders is a muck with the bat
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
"uphill" is a exaggerated word. Difficult would be more suited. I would say india is slightly ahead with 55:45. 1 big innings & aussie can go home,they have till number 10 who have experience of changing a match's course with bat. But head will be the key.
Tapeshwer Singh
Guest
http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=83587&d=1535656727. This Indian bowling unit has been consistently better in terms of average than australia for a while now,home or away.
James
Guest
In there defence 300 has been plenty for the last century
JayG
Guest
Agree Ozibatla. Especially considering the fact that Pujara, Rahane, Bumrah, Ashwin, Shami and Ishant have all probably contributed more than Kohli in this match
Simoc
Guest
India were super confident today after lunch. They batted like 300 was plenty, and given Australias recent record it is. They give next to nothing away with the ball so it really is all up to S Marsh and Head to score pretty much all the runs required. If we win the side will be the same for Perth. Otherwise M Marsh may come in for Handscomb, which is replacing one crock with another. Neither look test match standard.
anon
Roar Pro
You say whipping boy as though critics have it in for him. He's had the worst run for an Australian batsman in 130 years (think about that), he's 35, averages 35, been inconsistent throughout his career (throwing his wicket away with a stupid shot in the 1st innings was classic Marsh), he and his brother cost us the series in the UAE. I thought he made a great, positive start to his 2nd innings, but went back into his shell instead of looking for those singles. Still, I'm not complaining. I'm filthy about Khawaja though. He was a disgrace throwing away his wicket with a shot that would have been stupid in a T20 game. That shot showed me that maybe he doesn't have the right mentality, the fortitude for Test cricket. Right now, I'd drop Finch for Burns for the second Test. I'd keep Starc. He's handy with the bat as well (better allrounder than Mitch Marsh). But at the same time, I wouldn't complain if Langer made a statement by dropping Starc. If they keep Finch, it shows that Langer doesn't really have much of a clue about cricket.
Ozibatla
Guest
The team is on the nose. They just arent that good and bloody hell, apart from Ponting and to a lesser extent Mcgrath (Chopra actually is ok as well) the Ch 7 commentary team stinks! I mean at one stage they were critiquing Virat Kohlis style of sunglasses.... Really? This on top of analysing Virat Kohlis dance moves, obsessing over Virat Kohlis wicket celebrations, constantly referring to him as King Kohli as if they are further pushing his latest brand. Did "King Kohli" do a quiet deal with Ch7 prior to the commencement of this series to further enhance his already bulging brand with this apparent consisent verbal diahrroea PR stunt? Perhaps we can get back to what is going on out in the middle and hell maybe even acknowledge the other 10 players representing India???
ozsportsmate.com.au
Roar Rookie
good luck to both teams! from www.ozsportsmate.com.au
Ozibatla
Guest
Test match cricket is a hard caper when your up against the best in the world. Thats what the Aussies are finding out. Its just our turn to be mediocre for a little while.
Mark
Guest
Time to drop Starc. Give Cummins a pass for his outstanding efforts in South Africa but he was not great this test. Hazlewood needs to perform overseas so he needs a standby in the Ashes. Somebody take a look at Strac's recent test series and take a look at those averages. Fact is, this trio is getting out bowled by god damn India. Bring in Tremain. We all knew Finch can't open, even VIc knew this. WHy they continued with FInch to open is just dumb.
DTM
Guest
Given the match situation, there seems little justification for Khawaja's and Handscomb's shots. As for Finch, the opener, I think his 3/11 speaks for itself (I heard he also dropped 3 catches). Surely, Paine too must deliver in the 2nd innings - his captaincy has been average and he missed a fairly straight forward stumping.