India tour of Australia 17 Dec - 19 Jan: Tests

[bigfluffylemon]

After an evenly split limited-overs leg of the tour, in just Sydney and Canberra, we move to a more traditional looking test tour.

1st test 17-21 Dec, Adelaide (D/N)

2nd test 26-30 Dec, Melbourne

3rd test 7-11 Jan, Sydney

4th test, 15-19 Jan, Brisbane

Unusual to be playing a test in Brisbane this late in the season. Brisbane's usually the opener in late November/early December, not just because of the psychological advantage it gives the home side, but because of the climate - it's too bloody hot, humid and stormy in mid to late summer. Given Australia's in a 'La Nina' summer (a far cry from last summer's fires, thank heavens), I would not be surprised to see some rain disruption to these later games. Adelaide is set fair. Because, well, Adelaide.

India won a famous victory on their last tour here, but had a full strength side against an Australia down on two key players. With the tables turned this time - Smith available for Australia, along with a full strength bowling line-up, plus Kohli heading home after the first test, and how hard it is to beat Australia at home even under the best of circumstances, you'd have to favour the home team.

It'll be strange after a long year to see test cricket played in front of crowds. But restrictions in Australia are now almost nil, so unless there is a surge in COVID cases from Christmas and a return to restrictions, expect to see packed houses.

[GarlicJam]

Great to see Test Cricket again.

Looks like being a tight test. We might see Lyon bowl quite a few more overs.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Lyon already bowled the most overs.

I'd guess twilight is over and as India have put on 100 for one wicket, the ball hasn't misbehaved.

[Arthur Crabtree]

King Kohli run out. That feels like a big turning point.

[bigfluffylemon]

Yep. India will be lucky to get 300 now.

[GarlicJam]

King Kohli run out. That feels like a big turning point.

especially just 3 overs before the new ball.

Another couple of wickets followed, and India start the day with the new ball only 9 overs old, and the 'keeper and Ashwin at the crease.

Rahane has a bit to make up for, being responsible for the run out.

[GarlicJam]

Rahane's one second of confusion has become far worse, as Aus make very short work of the tail. 2 wickets each to Starc and Cummins, who bowled 2 overs each.

From Kholi's runout, India lost their last 7 wickets for 66 runs in 16 overs. India 244.

Advantage Australia, but the batters have to consolidate it now.

[alfie]

Batters not doing very well...

79/5 , and 42 of those runs from Labuschagne , more by good luck than good management as he's been dropped three times. Scorecard would look even sicker without him though so if he ends up making a hundred no one will worry about his early troubles.

Australia need a stand here from the skipper as you wouldn't greatly fancy the bowlers' chances under lights in the third session : certainly Cummins and Starc are no mugs with the bat but pink ball under lights is not easy.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Which they haven't done. Ashwin gets the middle order out. Fortunately for Australia they only need one partnership to get close to India's score.

Didn't know Wade was an opener.

[sussexpob]

Didn't know Wade was an opener.

I think once Wee Davey went down, they selected 2 maybe even 3 guys to open who ended up injured. So I guess they had no other players to come in.

[sussexpob]

Impressive fight back for India. Got the feeling yesterday that their late day collapse would lose them the game, but they have torn the Aussie order up apart. Guess the pitch is tougher to bat on than expected (have read the pink ball has done some). If these scores are indicative of the rest of the game then Australia badly need to close this gap to no less than 50.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Another three quick wickets. Paine still there though. Bad news Starc getting run out. Such a waste.

[Arthur Crabtree]

All out, 53 behind. Big deficit. Good work by the captain though.

[Durhamfootman]

Durham-esque from Australia in their first innings

[GarlicJam]

Carnage in the Indian ranks, atm.

They just lost 4 wickets for 0 runs. 5/15

Kholi has just been caught! 6/19