AUSTRALIA v INDIA, 2023 World Test Championship closing, The Oval – Day Two on Thursday
SCORE: India (5-151) path Australia (469) by 318 runs with 5 wickets in hand.
SUMMARY: Another advantageous day for Australia within the showpiece ICC fixture as all their bowlers chipped in with huge wickets to depart India on the again foot after centurion Steve Smith had led with the bat. Smith, with two early blows to succeed in his thirty first Test hundred, and Travis Head, going previous 150, illuminated the opening phases of a sunny second morning however once they departed amid an Indian fightback, it was down largely to Alex Carey (48), with no different lower-order batter reaching double figures, to push Pat Cummins’ facet to a formidable 469. Mohammed Siraj, feistiness personified all through, led India’s resolve with 4-108. On a pitch nonetheless providing the odd vigorous shock, India’s reply started briskly however shortly disintegrated as Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara received bowled with injudicious leaves and Virat Kohli received bounced out by Mitchell Starc. Ravindra Jadeja (48) seemed to get into his outdated nemesis mould however, crucially, had his edge teased out by Nathan Lyon.
PLAYER OF THE MOMENT: Smith’s newest century landmark was Australia’s batting spotlight of the day as his seventh Test ton on English soil represented a determine that solely Don Bradman has surpassed amongst abroad gamers – and he accomplished his huge day with a superb leaping slip catch to see the again of key man Kohli.
KEY MOMENTS: When Cummins produced a magnificence, nipping one again to pin Rohit Sharma in entrance, it felt that his victory within the captains’ duel symbolised Australia’s pre-eminence over the primary two days. But it was Mitchell Starc’s snorter that reared up, took Kohli’s glove and led to the catch from Smith that quickly took the biscuit.
STAT OF THE DAY: Pat Cummins bowled 4 no balls, essentially the most in an innings in his worldwide profession and, a lot to his chagrin, considered one of them was referred to as for overstepping after he’d dismissed Ajinkya Rahane lbw for 17. It might nonetheless be essential; Rahane stays India’s principal hope on this innings.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m intrigued to see how Bazball goes against our bowlers, I’ve said that all along. England have obviously done well against some other attacks but they haven’t come up against us yet.” – Smith
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
