4th Test - Day 1

4 Game test series, Australia 1 V India 2

Well... Australia have BLOWN the series(and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy). They can not win the series but India can. Best Australia can do is WIN this game and draw the series 2 all.
As I say... RAIN needs to be a consideration. If Australia do not push for a result when they can, even if that means risking a LOSS... they may simply see the game run out of time and dribble to a draw.
I am sure INDIA is keen to do better than just a loss and a drawn series. They are after their first ever series WIN in Australia. However, this game drawn is "good enough" for them to win the Series.
The pressure is all on Australia to move this game along.

Pre-match BS show has started. Live pics from Sydney look great... clear skies

NOTE:
As I mentioned.... Australia batting has FAILED repeatedly. I suggested dropping all six at the top of the batting order.. but of course WHO do you replace them with? The selectors have at least made one "dramatic" change..
Marnus Labuschagne will bat at No. 3. Aaron Finch is dropped.
Bear in mind that No. 3 is the spot normally reserved for the Team's "Best Batsman".. so Labuschagne has a LOT expected of him (I have never heard of him) I have NEVER been a fan of Finch... glad he's gone.. especially with an injured finger. Similarly Mitchell Marsh.
STILL talk of Smith and Warner coming back
Personally I would NOT have them back in the National side ever. Both shown to be "bad sports".. they epitomize players who "bring the game of cricket into disrepute". They should be GONE ... and hopefully soon forgotten

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Indian 1st Innings wickets


1st Wicket
KL Rahul c Marsh b Hazlewood 9 (6b 2x4 0x6) SR: 150.00
India 10/1 * (1.3 ov)
--------------------
LUNCH BREAK

India 69/1 * (24 ov)
ONLY 24 overs. Not surprising when bowlers waste time changing shoes etc.
Australia should be penalized!!!
They at least deserve to LOSE the game (run out of time)
--------------------
2nd Wicket
MA Agarwal c Starc b Lyon 77 (112b 7x4 2x6) SR: 68.75
India 126/2 * (34.2 ov)
--------------------
TEA BREAK

India 177/2 * (52 ov)
Australia another 2 overs short
--------------------
3rd Wicket
V Kohli c †Paine b Hazlewood 23 (59b 4x4 0x6) SR: 38.98
India 180/3 * (52,5 ov)
--------------------
4th Wicket
AM Rahane c †Paine b Starc 18 (55b 1x4 0x6) SR: 32.72
India 228/4 * (70.2 ov)
--------------------

Cheteshwar Pujara
India 239/4 * (73 ov)
--------------------
2nd New Ball

India 266/4 * (80 ov)
--------------------
STUMPS - Day 1
India 303/4 * (90 ov)

At least they made up for slow over rate with some "overtime"

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

4th Test - Day 2

India 303/4 * (90 ov)

Weather looks fine, sunny, hot today, but I still think there is a good chance that some time will be lost to rain in this match

I don't see any hope for Australia. India are likely to bat most of today and I can't see Aussie batsmen matching their total, and the Aussie bowlers unlikely to dominate in the next innings.

Australia generally don't have the batsmen or bowlers to do well at cricket these days. There is still a lot of chat about selection, but IMO it needs to be dramatic. I have faith that Australia has general cricket talent. It's a matter of selecting a new crop. The "old guard" need to be replaced (most if not all of them). As I have said I would NOT select Smith and Warner after their suspension.

India, on the other hand can bat to 450-500... and bowl Australia out cheaply on a deteriorating wicket? Enforce the follow-on and bowl them out a second time for the win. (even with time lost to RAIN)

Commentators have some fanciful scenarios for Australian win? None of them are even considering RAIN and lost overs... nor the basic fact that they would need to bat large score themselves, gain a lead, AND bowl India out (twice)

Live scorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1869 ... us-2018-19

Indian 1st Innings wickets


5th Wicket
GH Vihari c Labuschagne b Lyon 42 (96b 5x4 0x6) SR: 43.75
India 329/5 (102 0v)
--------------------
LUNCH BREAK

India 389/5 * (117 ov)
(3 overs short.. again)
--------------------
6th Wicket
CA Pujara c & b Lyon 193 (373b 22x4 0x6) SR: 51.74
India 418/6 * (130 ov)
Just short of Double Century
--------------------
TEA BREAK

India 491/6 * (146 ov)
Australia 4 overs short now
--------------------

Rishabh Pant
India 509/6 * (149.2 ov)
--------------------
3rd New Ball

India 563/6 * (160 ov)
--------------------
7th Wicket
RA Jadeja b Lyon 81 (114b 7x4 1x6) SR: 71.05

INDIA DECLARE
India 622/7d * (167.2 ov)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Innings Break

India 622/7d * (167.2 ov)

1st Target: Australia require 423 to avoid the follow-on

10 overs scheduled to complete Day 2

STUMPS - Day 2
India 622/7d
Australia 24/0 * (10 ov)

Day 2: Australia trail by 598 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

4th Test - Day 3 - Pink Test Day

Raising money for Jane McGrath (wife of Glen McGrath) Foundation, working to fund Breast Cancer Nurses as support for Breast Cancer sufferers. (Goal to raise $2.1 million to provide 15 more breast Cancer nurses).

India 622/7d
Australia 24/0 * (10 ov)
Australia trail by 598 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings

Live Scorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1869 ... us-2018-19

I predict some rain today

It took India most of 2 days to score 620. It would take Australia same time (at best), and they would need to also put on a big lead AND bowl India out... It simply will not happen, even without any time lost in the match

India on the other hand, have 3 days to take 20 Australian wickets... it is do-able!

Australia 1st Innings wickets


1st Wicket
UT Khawaja c Pujara b Kuldeep Yadav 27 (71b 3x4 0x6) SR: 38.02
India 622/7d
Australia 72/1 * (21.6 ov)
Day 3 - Session 1: Australia trail by 550 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
LUNCH BREAK

India 622/7d
Australia 122/1 * (40 ov)
Day 3: Australia trail by 500 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
2nd Wicket
MS Harris b Jadeja 79 (120b 8x4 0x6) SR: 65.83
India 622/7d
Australia 128/2 * (43 ov)
Day 3 - Session 2: Australia trail by 494 runs with 8 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
3rd Wicket
SE Marsh c Rahane b Jadeja 8 (13b 2x4 0x6) SR: 61.53
--------------------
4th Wicket
M Labuschagne c Rahane b Mohammed Shami 38 (95b 7x4 0x6) SR: 40.00
India 622/7d
Australia 155/4 * (53.1 ov)
Day 3 - Session 2: Australia trail by 467 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
Aaron: "Severe storms have rolled into Western Sydney. Pelting down here. I imagine it will reach the ground within next 30 mins or so."
I told ya so!
Australia 161/4 * (57 ov)
--------------------
5th Wicket
TM Head c & b Kuldeep Yadav 20 (56b 2x4 0x6) SR: 35.71
--------------------
TEA BREAK

India 622/7d
Australia 198/5 * (68 ov)
--------------------
6th Wicket
TD Paine b Kuldeep Yadav 5 (14b 1x4 0x6) SR: 35.71
India 622/7d
Australia 198/6 * (70.5 ov)
Day 3 - Session 3: Australia trail by 424 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
BAD LIGHT
4.26pm It's bad light and the players are walking off.
Rain is definitely about to hit.

India 622/7d
Australia 236/6 * (83.3 ov)
Day 3: Australia trail by 386 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the innings
(2nd new ball not taken yet)
--------------------
"bucketing down" now. I declare Stumps

Stumps - Day 3
India 622/7d
Australia 236/6 * (83.3 ov)

Day 3: Australia trail by 386 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the innings

Lost 16.3 overs today. Play will start 30 minutes early tomorrow which is 10am local

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

4th Test - Day 4

India 622/7d
Australia 236/6 * (83.3 ov)
Australia trail by 386 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the innings


Live Scorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1869 ... us-2018-19

From ESPN..
There was a lot of rain overnight but the ground can hold up well against it. There is a chance of showers during day and a few more tomorrow. Will that make Virat Kohli consider the follow-on if he gets the chance?

I can NOT see the sense in not enforcing the follow on... on most occasions, especially this one. TIME can always run out in cricket, and so why not go for the 20 wickets needed for a win? IF you run out of time trying... you were going to run out of time even more so if you had used up a session or 2 yourself batting (and guessing when you had enough runs). Even if the opposition put on their own lead... you still get a chance with a second innings to make that target if/when you do bowl them out.

The covers are on... so it does not look like the early start will happen

More "drizzle" no sign of play starting.

Ongoing chat about "Smith and Warner returning".. as if ALL of Australia's problems were caused/can be solved by those two. Australia need a lot more than 2 good batsmen... even if they are still both "good". Australia needs far more depth than being entirely at the whim of a player or 2. Players exit via injury/bad form/retirement all the time. These two have "brought the game of cricket in disrepute" and as such would CONTINUE to be a "black mark" on the game every time they appeared in a national team. They should be gone for ever IMO. The Austalian team (and other national teams) have survived the sudden departure (retirement) of "Star players" before. I remember Shane Warne and Glen McGrath retiring both after the same game. A HUGE double loss at around same time Mitchell Johnson also retired "unexpectedly".. and so a triple loss in the Australian bowling dept.... the world did not end
I could go on... star players leave eventually... the depth of talent should cope.
I agree with... Robert Brown:
"About time we stop talking Smith and Warner, as an Australian, would rather not see them again, no forgiveness from me"

No play yet... but Lunch taken at 12:30


Play will start at 1.50 pm
60 overs scheduled today (after completion of part over)
The only hope for a result is India take wickets... last 4 in first innings then enforce the follow-on and take 10 second innings wickets.

This session goes on till 3.50 pm and the final session onto 6 pm, possibly even 6.30 pm. And India have taken the new ball. They wanted to last evening but were told the light wasn't good enough to bowl the quicks


2nd New Ball

India 622/7d
Australia 236/6 * (84.0 ov)
Day 4 - Session 2: Australia trail by 386 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the innings

Australia 1st Innings wickets


7th Wicket
PJ Cummins b Mohammed Shami 25 (44b 6x4 0x6) SR: 56.81
India 622/7d
Australia 236/7 * (84.3 ov)
Day 4 - Session 2: Australia trail by 386 runs with 3 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
8th Wicket
PSP Handscomb b Bumrah 37 (111b 5x4 0x6) SR: 33.33
India 622/7d
Australia 257/8 * (89.4 ov)
Day 4 - Session 2: Australia trail by 365 runs with 2 wickets remaining in the innings
--------------------
9th Wicket
NM Lyon lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 0 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

India 622/7d
Australia 258/9 * (90.5 ov)
Day 4 - Session 2: Australia trail by 364 runs with 1 wicket remaining in the innings
--------------------
10th Wicket
JR Hazlewood lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 21 (45b 2x4 0x6) SR: 46.66
India 622/7d
Australia 300/10 * (104.5 ov)
Day 4: Australia trail by 322 runs with 0 wickets remaining in the innings

Kuldeep Yadav gets a five-fer


India enforce the follow-on

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Innings break

India 622/7d
Australia 300/10 * (104.5 ov) and 0/0 * (f/o)
Day 4: Australia trail by 322 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the 2nd innings

37 overs remaining today (and 98 tomorrow?)

Harris hit on wrist... and they are walking off for bad light (and taking early tea)

"bad light" was a common excuse to stop play back in "the old days", but that was when cricket was played (especially in UK) close to sunset. In fact UK often dark old rainy conditions all day!
Nowadays there are LIGHTS at stadiums, and batsmen wear helmets... and the light is not as bad as dreary UK late afternoon!!


Tea Break

India 622/7d
Australia 300 & 6/0 * (4 ov) (f/o)
Day 4: Australia trail by 316 runs with 10 wickets remaining

The Umpires are out after tea... just pissing about.... resumption of play still delayed

And now... light rain!

Cricketers can be PUSSIES!!
Part of the game is to COPE with local conditions... searing heat/humidity in some places... cold and wet... windy.. etc. Some "bad pitches" are of concern in regards safety (ball rearing up etc), but play goes on. I can accept light could become a "safety issue" in extreme cases... but in conditions like we have in Sydney now.. the batsmen simply have to cope with it. As I say... nowadays they have LIGHTS... good enough for NIGHT CRICKET... the red ball is not totally different from a pink ball.

I see that a lot of people in the crowd are holding up cell-phone lights... to give stadium lights a boost!!

Main cover going on... I'm calling "Stumps"

Stumps - Day 4
India 622/7d
Australia 300 & 6/0 * (4 ov) (f/o)

Australia trail by 316 runs with 10 wickets remaining

So all the cricket pussies could manage in a "day's play" was a Lunch break, a tea break, and 21.2 overs!!! HOPELESS!

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

4th Test - Day 5

India 622/7d
Australia 300 & 6/0 * (4 ov) (f/o)
Australia trail by 316 runs with 10 wickets remaining

Live Scorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1869 ... us-2018-19

I HOPE there is a full day's play (if needed). India deserve the win, and Australia deserve to lose. They need a reality check and a new selection of players... at least a team with potential. STILL I see the assumption that Smith and Warner coming back, and close to the same squad otherwise selected. I for one will be LESS inclined to seak out Australian games if Smith and Warner are back, and the rest of the team have proven to be losers.

Umpires "milking" this rain/bad light excuse. Covers still on so the "early start" is toast.


NO PLAY TODAY... but they are "taking lunch" as scheduled (12:30pm )



2.30pm And play is called off! This game a Draw

India win the 4-Test series 2-1!

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

GAME 1 - Australia V India ODI Series

SAT 12/1 - 03:20 PM NZDT
1st ODI, (D/N) at Sydney, Jan 12 2019

Toss: Australia have won the toss and will bat first

Teams
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (wk), Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle, Jason Behrendorff

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed



Livescorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1869 ... us-2018-19


3 Game ODI series Australia 1 V India 0

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

We have the added factor that ALL international ODI teams are in a build-up to the World Cup.

As always... I expect innings scores in excess of 300... RR's of 6+ and individual SR of 100%+

Batsmen need to have a mind to the old adage.... Piss... or get off the pot!



Australian Innings wickets


1st Wicket
AJ Finch b Kumar 6 (11b 0x4 0x6) SR: 54.54
Australia 8/1 * (2.2/50 ov)
--------------------
2nd Wicket
AT Carey c Sharma b Kuldeep Yadav 24 (31b 5x4 0x6) SR: 77.41
Australia 41/2 * (9.5/50 ov) (RR 4.16)
--------------------
3rd Wicket
UT Khawaja lbw b Jadeja 59 (81b 6x4 0x6) SR: 72.83
Australia 133/3 * (28.2/50 ov) (RR 4.69)
--------------------
PREDICTION (2x30 ov)

Australia 138/3 * (30/50 ov) (RR 4.6) ===> Final score 276
A very poor RR
--------------------
4th Wicket
SE Marsh c Mohammed Shami b Kuldeep Yadav 54 (70b 4x4 0x6) SR: 77.14
Australia 186/4 * (37.3/50 ov) (RR 4.96)
--------------------
5th Wicket
PSP Handscomb c Dhawan b Kumar 73 (61b 6x4 2x6) SR: 119.67
Australia 254/5 * (47.2/50 ov) (RR 5.36)
--------------------
Innings Complete...

Australia 288/5 * (50 ov) (RR 5.76)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Innings Break

Australia 288/5 * (50 ov) (RR 5.76)

Target for India 289 (Req RR 5.78)

I hope India can do this within 40 overs (Req RR 7.23).... good practice for World Cup if it includes "Bonus Points"




Indian Innings wickets


1st Wicket
S Dhawan lbw b Behrendorff 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

Golden Duck
India 1/1 * (1/50 ov, target 289) (RR 1.0)
India require another 288 runs with 9 wickets and 49.0 overs remaining (Req. RR 5.87)
--------------------
2nd Wicket
V Kohli c Stoinis b Richardson 3 (8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 37.50
India 4/2 * (3.3/50 ov, target 289) (RR 1.14)
India require another 285 runs with 8 wickets and 46.3 overs remaining (Req. RR 6.12)
--------------------
3rd Wicket
AT Rayudu lbw b Richardson 0 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

India 4/3 * (3.5/50 ov, target 289) (RR 1.04)
India require another 285 runs with 7 wickets and 46.1 overs remaining (Req. RR 6.17)
--------------------
4th Wicket
MS Dhoni lbw b Behrendorff 51 (96b 3x4 1x6) SR: 53.12]
India 141/4 * (32.2/50 ov, target 289) (RR 4.36)
India require another 148 runs with 6 wickets and 17.4 overs remaining (Req. RR 8.37}
--------------------
5th Wicket
KD Karthik b Richardson 12 (21b 0x4 0x6) SR: 57.14
India 176/5 * (39.2/50 ov, target 289) (RR 4.47)
India require another 113 runs with 5 wickets and 10.4 overs remaining (Req. RR 10.59)
--------------------

Rohit Sharma
-------------------
6th Wicket
RA Jadeja c Marsh b Richardson 8 (13b 0x4 0x6) SR: 61.53
--------------------
7th Wicket
RG Sharma c Maxwell b Stoinis 133 (129b 10x4 6x6) SR: 103.10
--------------------
India require another 43 runs with 3 wickets and 8 balls remaining
--------------------
8th Wicket
Kuldeep Yadav c Khawaja b Siddle 3 (6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00
India require 42 runs off the last over
---------------
9th Wicket
Mohammed Shami c Maxwell b Stoinis 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00


RESULT
Australia 288/5
India 254/9 (49.6/50 ov, target 289)

Australia win by 34 runs


3-game ODI Series Australia 1 V India 0

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

GAME 2 - Australia V India ODI Series

TUE 15/1 - 04:20 PM NZDT
2nd ODI, (D/N) at Adelaide, Jan 15 2019

Toss: Australia won the toss and elected to bat

Teams
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (wk), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle, Jason Behrendorff

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

Livescorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1869 ... us-2018-19


3 Game ODI series Australia 1 V India 1

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Innings Break

Australia 298/9 * (50 ov) RR 5.96


Target for India 299 (Req. RR 5.98)



RESULT

Australia 298/9
India 299/4 (49.2/50 ov)
India won by 6 wickets (with 4 balls remaining)


3 Game ODI series Australia 1 V India 1

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

GAME 3 - Australia V India ODI Series

FRI 18/1 - 03:20 PM NZDT
3rd ODI, (D/N) at Melbourne, Jan 18 2019

Toss: India opt to bowl first.

Teams
India XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (capt), MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal

Australia XI: Alex Carey (wk), Aaron Finch (capt), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Peter Siddle, Adam Zampa



Livescorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1869 ... us-2018-19


3 Game ODI series Australia 1 V India 1

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

RAIN: May delay start/interrupt play

Ten-minute delay to the start. We will be underway at 1.30pm assuming there are no more interruptions.

Play started... but they went off for rain after just 2 balls.

I HOPE the obvious disruptions to play now.. and more possible later... inspires batsmen to get on with the game while they can.
IF there is a DL calculation later... the team batting second have the advantage of at least KNOWING any revised target. The team batting first just have to assume there will be lost overs, and need for higher RR.
The DL calculation does attempt to give "credit" for not losing wickets, but really whatever run total the target is set to it is "gettable" by the side batting second. There is no prize based on no of wickets lost/not lost.

As an ODI game is shortened, there is a need to bat more aggressively. An ODI can be reduced to as little as 20 overs in which case "bash and crash" becomes more acceptable. The innings reduction could come AFTER the first team have completed 50 overs... so it's a gamble how aggressively they should bat. With delays likely... I would suggest the first batting side bat nore aggressively... but that's just me

Australia 104/4 * (24/50 ov) RR 4.2
Australia are batting too slow (RR 4.2)... and they are NOT retaining wickets... already 4 down after 24 overs

Prediction (2x30 ov)
Australia 124/5 * (30/50 ov) ===> Final score 248
(and the "the wickets in hand" caveat is borderline at 5 down)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Innings Break

Australia 230 (48.4/50 ov) (RR 4.6)
(All out in less than 50 overs)

Yuzvendra Chahal 6-fer (6/42).
Figures are the best for any bowler in an ODI in Australia. It's a record he shares with Ajit Agarkar (rfm).
No spinner before Chahal had ever managed to grab six wickets in an ODI in Australia

Target for India 231 (Req. RR 4.62)

I think Australia were hopeless.... about 100 runs short

But.... cricket is a funny old game... we'll see!

As always I think India should "try for a bonus point" as practice for the WC.
Make target in 40 overs... Req. RR 5.78... not a big ask


RESULT
Australia 230
India 234/3 (49.2/50 ov)

India won by 7 wickets (with 4 balls remaining)


India WIN the series..
3 Game ODI series Australia 1 V India 2



TOUR ENDED

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light