India tour of Australia, Nov 21 - Jan 18

[andy]

Fair play to Agarawal runs on debut, already an improvement for India in terms of this test at the top of the order...Pujara so reliable!!!! 450+ first innings needed you would have thought..

[mikesiva]

Agarwal looked good. Vihari however didn't look like an opening batsman to me.

[sussexpob]

Agarwal looked good. Vihari however didn't look like an opening batsman to me.

Batted out 60-70 balls. That's not a bad effort.

[sussexpob]

370/5. Not seen much, but the pitch looks tough to score on, but easy to stay in on. Although that Rahane wicket kept low, and the report has mentioned variable bounce.

Got to think India are in the box seat. Then again, the pitch last year flattened to a pancake, and to quote Steve Smith, you could have had a draw after 10 days. All bets are off

[bigfluffylemon]

Definitely some variable bounce on there, but there is no lateral movement at all.

This is heading for a draw unless one side or the other (would have to be Australia at this point you would think) throws it away.

The over rate is horrible, which makes the scoring look even slower than it is...

[bigfluffylemon]

I'm just digging up some records. If it is a draw here, it will be the first time that a series in Australia has been all square going into the final test since 2012 when South Africa toured (it was 0-0 going into the final match at Perth), and it will be the first time that the New Year test in Sydney has been a series decider (all square going in) since India's tour in 2003/04.

It must be pretty boring being a test cricket watcher in Sydney given how rarely series are still alive by the time they get there.

[sussexpob]

Ballsy declaration. I'd have flung the bat

[sussexpob]

Indian bowlers instantly making it look harder out there. I said in first test Harris looks bad under the shorter ball, copped one there, just didn't watch it

[sussexpob]

Severe test from India, Australia pass it. End the day with 10 lives....

17 overs lost apparently. A disgrace

[alfie]

Ballsy declaration. I'd have flung the bat

Not much point continuing - the last three can't bat. I think it was a good call ; might easily have had a wicket in those half dozen overs and I doubt they'll miss a possible extra twenty five or so...

Must say I was beginning to wonder if Kohli was planning to bat on into day three : took ages for Pant to try and cut loose and Rohit was very restrained. It isn't an easy pitch to play strokes I guess. But you'd think unless Australia self-destruct they'll achieve a safe draw...even if the occasional ball keeping really low makes batting a bit dodgy by Saturday

The main effect of this match may be which side's bowlers are more worn down for Sydney. I think Australia are already very glad they included M Marsh for this one ...even if he makes a pair he has justified his selection with some economical donkey work - and saved Starc and Cummins from being carried off in a box...It was hot enough sat watching so I feel for those fast bowlers !

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not a great year for openers. Of anyone to play five Tests, only Latham and Karunaratne have had good years. Everyone else is on 35 or less.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

Even after retiring following poor form, Cook was still England's best averaging opener!

[Arthur Crabtree]

According to the Guardian, the overall average for openers this year is 28.

[alfie]

Definitely some variable bounce on there, but there is no lateral movement at all.

This is heading for a draw unless one side or the other (would have to be Australia at this point you would think) throws it away.

The over rate is horrible, which makes the scoring look even slower than it is...

Over rate was awful ...I know it was hot , but still... With Lyon bowling so much and few wickets or even appeals/referrals you'd have thought they could have at least bowled their quota with the aid of a little overtime...

At about ten past twelve , with Pujara nearing his hundred , Lyon's two close catchers disappeared into a ring field and it started to look as if Australia were bowling with a run out in mind . I found this just a little disappointing , though I have to admit there wasn't much happening for the bowlers. But I think the worst part of the day was watching the last few overs of delaying the third new ball , with Lyon and Finch lobbing balls down for Pant and Rohit to tap down to long on for walked singles...

Have to say I thought Cummins and Starc in particular worked their socks off. If the speed gun didn't lie Starc was still in mid 140s after twenty five overs - brave stuff on an unhelpful surface. But a couple of fieldsmen owe Lyon a beer or two for those drops

[yuppie]

Great day and position for India.

Seems the best chance for wickets is with the new ball. Starc the evening before looked dangerous, as did the Indian quicks in the short spell in the evening.

17 overs short, a fine and missing a game seems about fair.

[meninblue]

Good to see the team post the highest away total of this year (possibly even overall ? ) so far even with declaration.