Australia reach 166/2 on Day 1 of the 3rd Test against India in Sydney

[MenInG]

Australia and India will go again in Sydney from Thursday, 7 January, in what promises to be a thrilling next installment in an enticing Test series.

Overview

Australia v India, 3rd Test
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Thursday, 7 January – Monday, 11 January, 10.30am local time, 11.30pm (-1) GMT

This may well be the most crucial match of the series. The side that wins this Test will ensure they won’t lose the series, and with a significant break since India won the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, both teams have had a chance to rest up and recalibrate their plans.

On the face of it, Australia will be confident of taking the lead in the series. Ahead of the Test, Justin Langer, their coach, said David Warner was “very, very, very likely to play” while they are also expected to slot Will Pucovski into their XI, most likely as an opener, which would mean Matthew Wade would shift down the order.

Meanwhile, India are set to welcome back their own high-flying opener. Rohit Sharma has been named in the XI in place of Mayank Agarwal, who has struggled so far in this series. Rohit averages over 92 while opening the batting in Tests, although all his five Tests as opener have been at home, and India will hope he can see them through the new ball and set things up for the rest of the batsmen.

India have also named another debutant pacer for the Sydney Test. Navdeep Saini is set to make his Test debut after being named in the XI as a replacement for the injured Umesh Yadav, and India fans will hope he can cope as well as Mohammed Siraj did on his debut in Melbourne.

Remember the last time:

India headed into the second Test of the series without their talisman Virat Kohli and with the wounds of 36 all out still raw. However, they coped commendably. Under Ajinkya Rahane’s shrewd captaincy, India’s bowlers nipped out Australia for 195 before their batsmen – with Rahane leading the way with a battling century – posted 326.

In the second innings, Australia once again struggled against India’s attack – both pace and spin – and India were left with a target of 70 runs to win on the fourth day. They managed that with eight wickets to spare.

What they said:

Tim Paine (Australia captain): “It's boiling away, there's some stuff starting to happen, a bit of chat starting to happen. I think this Test is going to be fascinating not just from a cricket point of view, but I think there's a bit of tension starting to boil under the surface.”

Ajinkya Rahane (India captain): "As a batsman, Jadeja has improved a lot, and that's a massive thing from the team's perspective ... when you know your No.7 can contribute with the bat, you know a good score can be achieved.”

[szrana007]

Hopefully, India will win the toss and bat first.

[MMHS]

Brave call by Aussies- opted to bat first here. But, this game will be a real test for Indian bowling - missing four pacers that would have started ahead of two here.

[Devadwal]

Australia won the toss & batting first

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Gilly said production factory of fast bowlers on Saini’s inclusion.. 😂😂😂

[GreenBayPackers]

Good toss to win for Australia. Hopefully india will make use of the first 1 hr well.

[GreenBayPackers]

Good luck Saini. He is a very good red ball bowler with his pace and bounce. Hopefully he will maintain the line through out. 🙏🏾.

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Good luck Saini. He is a very good red ball bowler with his pace and bounce. Hopefully he will maintain the line through out. 🙏🏾.

Yeah hopefully does not get overawed and bowl short. Bowl full and straight

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

This is a full strength Australian side.

[BreadPakoda]

No chance India is competing here. Imagine a full-strength India playing at home against an Australia without Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and James Pattinson? That's the kind of situation right now. Just that its entirely opposite.

[choudhary6964]

Now we are talking about something.let's go beat them and bring them down back to earth just like they did in 2nd innings of first test.I would love to see 36 all out again.

[YousafTheBeast]

Aus: 179 all out by tea.

[Romali_rotti]

Good toss for India to lose, a bit of cloud and rain predicted.. I still think AUS will bat out of their skin and get a good score, put Indians in a lot of pressure.

[BreadPakoda]

Questions must be asked how so many of the Indian players suddenly got injured during the Test Championship. By chance or was there some systemic issue? On the other hand, Ozzies will play against what's in front of them and the scoreline still holds weight regardless of how depleted India is.

[choudhary6964]

Would love to see Indian bowlers scoring centuries here.

[hoshiarpurexpress]

This is a full strength Australian side.

This is not a full strength Indian side.

[Hitman]

Up and ready for the match at 4:30 AM IST

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Up and ready for the match at 4:30 AM IST

Lol reminds me of old days in Punjab. Cold winter morning. Prepping tea before match starts.
I am in Australia now so much better to follow.

[Titan24]

Expecting some quality cricket from both sides.

[GreenBayPackers]

You wish. There is a ton of difference between white ball and red ball. I don’t think that’s happening today.

[BreadPakoda]

Regarding Agarwal - disappointed to see him lose his touch so quickly. His stance looks off and he seems to be having issues against Starc. How he emerges from this would be important. Kohli came back very strongly after his disastrous England tour but not everyone is a Kohli. However, Agarwal is a hardworking guy.

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Regarding Agarwal - disappointed to see him lose his touch so quickly. His stance looks off and he seems to be having issues against Starc. How he emerges from this would be important. Kohli came back very strongly after his disastrous England tour but not everyone is a Kohli. However, Agarwal is a hardworking guy.

He will come back. He has already seen failures in first class so he is battle hardened for sure.
Just need to sort his technique a bit to be all format player.

[Titan24]

Pucovski with an old school hairstyle.

[lahoriyah1234]

Only Indian phanti by Australia can relax me now.🤷*♂️

[CrIc_Mystique]

Questions must be asked how so many of the Indian players suddenly got injured during the Test Championship. By chance or was there some systemic issue? On the other hand, Ozzies will play against what's in front of them and the scoreline still holds weight regardless of how depleted India is.

Hmmm..good call M8....By that logic I suppose you'd accept 2-1 in 2018 and if not for the rain in Sydney 3-1 was a fair indication of that series?

[Romali_rotti]

Saini is in for a spanking, India's Mohamad Sami...

[sharmaji]

I wonder who in the Indian camp is making all this noise about not going to Brisbane. I seriously don't understand what the fuss is about being quarantined in the hotel after the day's play. What is this urge to go out to shop and dine? Can't they do it some other time, like next year? This ordeal is going on for far too long.

[Dingolfy]

Questions must be asked how so many of the Indian players suddenly got injured during the Test Championship. By chance or was there some systemic issue? On the other hand, Ozzies will play against what's in front of them and the scoreline still holds weight regardless of how depleted India is.

Shami’s was of bad luck. Rest might be due to workload of IPL.

[Dingolfy]

I wonder who in the Indian camp is making all this noise about not going to Brisbane. I seriously don't understand what the fuss is about being quarantined in the hotel after the day's play. What is this urge to go out to shop and dine? Can't they do it some other time, like next year? This ordeal is going on for far too long.

Either they’re scared to play in Gabba or miffed at the blunt reply from Queensland MP.

[Buffet]

India is playing without 4 pacers who would have played ahead of two newbies. Two pacers with 0-1 tests. India is missing the best batsman they had.

The result is predictable. Yes, I know what happened in the 2nd test, but that was probably the best comeback I have ever seen. It does not happen all the time.

The result is pretty much known to me, still want to see some good cricket here.

[Romali_rotti]

Warner looking good.

[Titan24]

Pucovski debuting after 24 FC matches, definitely not as much fun as debuting players after 1, 3, 4 etc matches.

[shamaan]

This pucovski looks good after watching 2 overs

[pillionrider]

Pucovski is the strangest looking cricketer in recent times 😁
Warner looking like he’s gonna be painful

[shamaan]

this looks flat

[Yk313]

India is playing without 4 pacers who would have played ahead of two newbies. Two pacers with 0-1 tests. India is missing the best batsman they had.

The result is predictable. Yes, I know what happened in the 2nd test, but that was probably the best comeback I have ever seen. It does not happen all the time.

The result is pretty much known to me, still want to see some good cricket here.

Shami, Ishant and Yadav... who am I forgetting?

[shamaan]

this guy pucovski will be world class

[Yk313]

The RHB opener shuffles quite a bit. As long as he does not miss a straight one on his pads....

[Dingolfy]

India is playing without 4 pacers who would have played ahead of two newbies. Two pacers with 0-1 tests. India is missing the best batsman they had.

The result is predictable. Yes, I know what happened in the 2nd test, but that was probably the best comeback I have ever seen. It does not happen all the time.

The result is pretty much known to me, still want to see some good cricket here.

Four pacers? Did you mean Bhuvi, Ishant, Shami and Yadav? I am not sure they would have played Bhuvi ahead of Saini in Australia. His kind of bowling doesn’t suit Australian pitches.

[pillionrider]

this guy pucovski will be world class

Please stop giving him the Naseem Shah treatment. Pitch looks easy. All he’s done is leave some non-threatening bowling

[Buffet]

Shami, Ishant and Yadav... who am I forgetting?

They would have surely played Bhuvneshwar Kumar. I don't think he would be too successful in Aus, but no way they would put two pacers with no experience debuting same time in Aus.

[Devadwal]

Its goona be long day for indian bowlers

[Yk313]

They would have surely played Bhuvneshwar Kumar. I don't think he would be too successful in Aus, but no way they would put two pacers with no experience debuting same time in Aus.

Agree to disagree on that one. Don’t feel there would have much point but then again I don’t follow IND as closely these days.

[Buffet]

Four pacers? Did you mean Bhuvi, Ishant, Shami and Yadav? I am not sure they would have played Bhuvi ahead of Saini in Australia. His kind of bowling doesn’t suit Australian pitches.

I don't think two newbies would have come ahead of Bhuvneshwar. May be one. Also, Bhuvneshar bats as well.

[pillionrider]

Looks like it’s gonna be a fun day for Pak posters today unless Ashwin turns on something

[Hitman]

Siraj gets Warner.

[pillionrider]

Sirajjjjj

[Yk313]

The RHB opener shuffles quite a bit. As long as he does not miss a straight one on his pads....

Seems like the front leg seems planted prematurely with a small front press. The bat has to come from the side and then cover the pad.

As for Warner, some slightly lazy wafts. Well below 100%.

[GreenBayPackers]

Gone. Wicket number 1. Well bowled siraj. Warner was looking comfortable there

[lahoriyah1234]

Its goona be long day for indian bowlers

Spinners can decide the game.

[Yk313]

Looks like it’s gonna be a fun day for Pak posters today unless Ashwin turns on something

No need. Well deserved wicket. Warner’s clearly undercooked (watch the previous ball and his running).

[Buffet]

Warner had to bat for some time. Aus just needs to bat normally and the match is won.

[sharmaji]

Woohoo Warner gone!!

[Dingolfy]

I don't think two newbies would have come ahead of Bhuvneshwar. May be one. Also, Bhuvneshar bats as well.

But he bowls too slow for Aussie pitches. I believe he was kept out of a Test in South Africa for the same reason.

[Ashmal]

I don't think two newbies would have come ahead of Bhuvneshwar. May be one. Also, Bhuvneshar bats as well.

Nah...Bhuvneshwar wouldn't have played here, you need pace in Aus.

Anyways, it's pointless to call Bhuvneshwar a miss, he hasn't played a test in 3 years and I don't think he's gonna last too long.

[sharmaji]

Yeah. I hope this issue gets resolved soon so we can focus on the match.

Either they’re scared to play in Gabba or miffed at the blunt reply from Queensland MP.

[Titan24]

Only Sir Don Bradman was younger than Pucovski when he scored 3 double centuries in FC cricket.

[Ashmal]

Terrible shot by Warner.

Clearly not physically fit enough.

[Yk313]

Terrible shot by Warner.

Clearly not physically fit enough.

The previous delivery too he threw his hands at it, almost wearily.

[choudhary6964]

I don't think two newbies would have come ahead of Bhuvneshwar. May be one. Also, Bhuvneshar bats as well.

LOL He averages 168 in Australia and yeah not with the bat

[Buffet]

Pucovski is pretty good based on what he has done in domestic.

[lahoriyah1234]

Damn he was the only one who was able to score for Australia.

[choudhary6964]

I hope Steve Smith fires tofay

[Ashmal]

The previous delivery too he threw his hands at it, almost wearily.

Yes, looked like he wanted to score as many as he can before his fitness gave in.

[sindhiboy]

puvcoski is looking good

[Romali_rotti]

Pilowski looks good

[Manunited18]

This is flat

[Rohan]

I hope Steve Smith fires tofay

Itna gussa kyun bhai?

[Romali_rotti]

Bumrah looking a bit toothless here.

[Bilal_103]

why is Bumrah classified as a Right arm Fast instead of medium fast hes only hitting 140ks?

[Yk313]

Yes, looked like he wanted to score as many as he can before his fitness gave in.

Seemed like it, yup.

[Romali_rotti]

Hmmm Indians are going to struggle to get wickets here...

[Yk313]

Got to see IND are awake. Pucovski slightly falling across and they have brought in a straight ish catcher. Let’s see how long the showers last.

[Dingolfy]

Yes, looked like he wanted to score as many as he can before his fitness gave in.

It might backfire if he can’t field well also. They could have kept Head in middle order and shouldn’t have rush Warner.

[Dingolfy]

Hmmm Indians are going to struggle to get wickets here...

Its predicted to have few rain interruptions today. I live some 32 kms away from SCG and its been cloudy and small showers here for last few weeks. That might help India to break the flow.

[Justcrazy]

India is riding high on confidence here

[Justcrazy]

Covers are getting removed , Indian bowlers tail would be up here

[hoshiarpurexpress]

i don't get it. Why Naseem and Shaheen and Musa bowl the similar delivery to Warner and get an edge ?
What is so special by Siraj?

[Justcrazy]

Match delayed again , drizzle

[Justcrazy]

i don't get it. Why Naseem and Shaheen and Musa bowl the similar delivery to Warner and get an edge ?
What is so special by Siraj?

Nothing , just determination to succeed