Australia vs India | 3rd Test | Melbourne | Dec 26-30, 2018 | Day 1 Thread

[ILcricket]

Never rated Starc as a Test bowler , wonder if he will be dropped at some stage .
New ball due , visitors need 2 wickets today to be back in the game .

 

[jnaveen1980]

Apparently, even they wanted a green track and the curator even said that there will be assistance for fast bowlers. But the grass he has left on the wicket is dried out by constant sun beat. And now the grass will not allow the pitch to break up and cracks to form . A snoozing draw is on the way my friend.

This is a drop-in pitch. Not the natural surface we see on MCG. So nobody knows how it will behave. Previous tests are not indicators.

 

[Savak]

Second new ball will be crucial for Australia. India haven't scored at a fast rate therefore a quick burst could put India on the back foot again.

 

[ILcricket]

This is a drop-in pitch. Not the natural surface we see on MCG. So nobody knows how it will behave. Previous tests are not indicators.

Is this the FIRST drop-in pitch at MCG ?

 

[Varun]

Gavaskar and that English commentator already going on about "India launching themselves to a good position to win this test match."

Relax, long way to go.

 

[latecut]

The pitch is already playing tricks. Those who feel that the match will be a tame draw will be proved wrong.

 

[Varun]

Never rated Starc as a Test bowler , wonder if he will be dropped at some stage .
New ball due , visitors need 2 wickets today to be back in the game .

Wonder why they didn't pick Siddle?

Starc only performs against SL, WI etc.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Is this the FIRST drop-in pitch at MCG ?

I think so. All the tests had drop-in pitches in this series. So we cannot relate the behavior of this surface with historical nature of this pitch.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Wonder why they didn't pick Siddle?

Starc only performs against SL, WI etc.

Starc's performance is difference since sand paper scandal. He struggles to run through tail as well

 

[Justcrazy]

Second new ball available

 

[Varun]

I think so. All the tests had drop-in pitches in this series. So we cannot relate the behavior of this surface with historical nature of this pitch.

The MCG has been a drop-in concrete slab since at least 2007.

 

[ILcricket]

It is not the first .

 

[Varun]

Starc's performance is difference since sand paper scandal. He struggles to run through tail as well

Interesting co-relation. Hadn't considered that.

 

[jnaveen1980]

The MCG has been a drop-in concrete slab since at least 2007.

Either way There is no history. After poor ratings in the last 2 tests they have done something different leaving a little of bit of grass.

 

[Justcrazy]

There can be two results from here , indian win or a draw .

Indian win most likely , as this pitch will take turn at some point.

 

[Justcrazy]

Starc is not same as in OD . He has passed his peak now.

 

[ILcricket]

Marsh bowled the 81st with old ball . Lyon bowling 82nd . I guess only 4-5 overs with new ball today .

 

[jnaveen1980]

73,516 people !!! attendance. Highest for India vs Australia at the MCG in the last 4 series

 

[Balthazar]

Curious to see how our bowlers will go on this pitch. They have always backed themselves when there is some runs on the board by the batsmen. If we win this match, then that should put any doubts to rest that they are condition dependent. This is a lifeless pitch.

 

[Balthazar]

This Indian side looks determined to not give wickets easily, but lacks the class to dominate. Top class bowling from Aus here. Lyon has been disappointing here with defensive bowling.

It's not easy for batsmen to dominate away from home. This is the right approach and anything close to 400 is a winning total here.

 

[ILcricket]

Starc in with new ball . I do not see any pronounced foot marks !

 

[Shandarchowka]

Such a flat deck! Maybe cricket Australia is trying to maximize tv profits after looking at how poor the ticket sales are. They made sure this match goes on for 5 days and Indian batsmen can pad their stats. Another dull draw in the making..

 

[jnaveen1980]

Such a flat deck! Maybe cricket Australia is trying to maximize tv profits after looking at how poor the ticket sales are. They made sure this match goes on for 5 days and Indian batsmen can pad their stats. Another dull draw in the making..

Lot of uneven bounce. Did you check the score? They have reached 200 only now. Not easy as you sound.

 

[latecut]

Pitch is tough to bat. Indian batting approach is right. Collaring the bowling whole day and then throwing away your wicket (Sehwag approach at Melbourne in 2003-04) lost India that match that they should have won. Struggling to score runs while not giving away wickets is a much better approach.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Lot of uneven bounce. Did you check the score? They have reached 200 only now. Not easy as you sound.

I’m not watching the match but going by the comments it looks like a bore fest. The other two matches today will be so much better with better contest between bat and ball

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pitch is tough to bat. Indian batting approach is right. Collaring the bowling whole day and then throwing away your wicket (Sehwag approach at Melbourne in 2003-04) lost India that match that they should have won. Struggling to score runs while not giving away wickets is a much better approach.

Pujara got hit atleast 4 or 5 times. Vihari couple of times. Difficult to judge the bounce.

 

[Buffet]

Such a flat deck! Maybe cricket Australia is trying to maximize tv profits after looking at how poor the ticket sales are. They made sure this match goes on for 5 days and Indian batsmen can pad their stats. Another dull draw in the making..

It's uneven bounce without much sideways movement.

 

[Varun]

I’m not watching the match but going by the comments it looks like a bore fest. The other two matches today will be so much better with better contest between bat and ball

Please grab a sugar candy and switch channels to The Big Bash League if that catches your fancy instead.

 

[latecut]

I’m not watching the match but going by the comments it looks like a bore fest. The other two matches today will be so much better with better contest between bat and ball

Please watch the action instead of relying on the comments by uninformed people.

 

[jnaveen1980]

TIm paine actually told he would have fielded first had he won the toss lol

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Well done India. Many teams would have folded under the pressure of a boxing day test, not India. Make the most of the pitch and put Australia under pressure.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Hazlewood and Cummins are world class. They pitch wherever they want to with accuracy.

 

[Buffet]

TIm paine actually told he would have fielded first had he won the toss lol

Those reply is normally to keep the morale up after losing toss.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Erratic bowling of Starc almost earned Kohli's wicket. Bowling all over

 

[jnaveen1980]

Kohli is losing concentration big time.

 

[Buffet]

Wow, what an uneven bounce here.

 

[MP2011]

Shami could be lethal here.

 

[latecut]

Superb over by Starc. All deliveries over 140 kmph, with the quickest being 150. Kohli survives.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Finally one good over by Starc. He was reasonably accurate in the last 3 balls

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Dropped Kohli !.

 

[Buffet]

Erratic bowling of Starc almost earned Kohli's wicket. Bowling all over

He is bowling really well here. Not sure why you think it's erratic. Every ball to Kohli is looking like a wicket here.

 

[jnaveen1980]

He is bowling really well here. Not sure why you think it's erratic. Every ball to Kohli is looking like a wicket here.

First 3 balls were erratic.

 

[Buffet]

There is not enough time to pick up 2 wickets now. Wickets may come here...

 

[Varun]

What an over.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Kohli generally plays these full balls well eyes closed. May be defensive mindset with day coming to an end he is being over-catious

 

[Buffet]

First 3 balls were erratic.

You are being too harsh. I liked his entire over.

 

[jnaveen1980]

That is like 4th or 5th time his hand took a pounding. Ball doesn't bounce as it should on a normal true pitch

 

[Buffet]

Opps, no luck for Aus. India could have been 4 down easily here.

 

[latecut]

Survived to bat for another day.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Ball is doing a bit.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Decent day for India. Australia is still very much in the game given that India got only 215

 

[Sarwar89]

Quick morning 2-3 wickets by Aussies and match can become interesting.

This is a result oriented pitch.

 

[cricketindiafan]

Quick morning 2-3 wickets by Aussies and match can become interesting.

This is a result oriented pitch.

Variable bounce with the new ball was an indicator. Not an easy pitch to bat. 350-375 could be a test winning 1st innings total.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

What's wrong with buffalo trade? Buffalo's are very useful and more handsome than cows!

Who knows they can make them fast growing economy.

 

[Marathonrunner]

Great batting by India . Pujara once again showed that he is a stayer. Another 200 balls faced by him . Nice innings by Mayank. He played Nat really well . Tommorrow’s prediction of weather is around 36, so expecting the wicket to be more flat. India looking in commanding position

 

[Sarwar89]

So here are the scenarios.

1) India bats till just after Tea and adds around 225 runs and declares at around 450 ish.
Australia ends the day with 50/2. Australia bowled out late in 3rd Day 275.
India bats again ends 40/1. India declares at tea 250/8.
Australia given target of 415. 4 sessions to survive. India wins by 200 runs (Day 5). or a great Draw

2) India loses 5 wickets tomorrow morning. Aussies clean them up for 330 All out. Aussies end up batting half of day 2 and full day 3 and pile up 400 runs and take a lead of 70.
India Bowled out at lunch day 5. after batting 4 sessions and scoring 300. Aussies set up 230 to win in 2 sessions.

A Draw. The only possibility.

 

[Swashbuckler]

We are getting a result here weather permitting, pitch has uneven bounce. If India can bat 75-80 overs tomorrow and notch up a total of 475 I'd say we will win, day 5 will see lot of rain as per forecast so fingers crossed.

 

[MenInG]

India will be well pleased with the outcome of Day 1 of the 3rd Test as they finish the day on 215/2 * (89 ov); Cheteshwar Pujara is 68* and the indomitable Virat Kohi is 47*

 

[Sarwar89]

We are getting a result here weather permitting, pitch has uneven bounce. If India can bat 75-80 overs tomorrow and notch up a total of 475 I'd say we will win, day 5 will see lot of rain as per forecast so fingers crossed.

That rain is only in the morning session. Means on day 5, 50-60 overs can be bowled.

 

[Swashbuckler]

That rain is only in the morning session. Means on day 5, 50-60 overs can be bowled.

On such a pitch I think we will need at least 420 overs (14 sessions) to get a result. Might fall just short if current forecast holds.

 

[jagatk]

On such a pitch I think we will need at least 420 overs (14 sessions) to get a result. Might fall just short if current forecast holds.

Tommorow will tell us whether there is a result or not, more of the same from the pitch and I think this is a draw, but if it goes perth like with variable bounce which we are already seeing, especially with India batting up the best batting periods. Aussies could be in a lot of trouble, the one thing india really need to do is not lose early wickets tomorrow.

 

[DRsohail]

India looks t in controll.450 and Aus will be under huge pressure.

 

[Dulex9]

Good start by India, especially the new opener which may keep KL Rahul out of the test team.

India have to take the advantage and score another 260 odd runs to get 500 and put Australia into bat. It will be a huge failure if India cannot consolidate from here after all the hard work.

 

[Hasan123]

350 plus could be enough for India.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I will be shocked if Pat cummins doesn't become world no.1 fast bowler soon.He is no.8 now. But in recent times i have seen Boult, Wagner, Rabada, Steyn, Anderson. This guy looks the best among them. Lion-hearted warrior. Probably at the peak of his powers. Only thing that can stop him is his injuries.

 

[ILcricket]

. Draw cannot be ruled out .

 

[Buffet]

I will be shocked if Pat cummins doesn't become world no.1 fast bowler soon.He is no.8 now. But in recent times i have seen Boult, Wagner, Rabada, Steyn, Anderson. This guy looks the best among them. Lion-hearted warrior. Probably at the peak of his powers. Only thing that can stop him is his injuries.

He is mostly hit the deck bowler. He needs to improve on bowling full and move it both ways.

 

[jnaveen1980]

. Draw cannot be ruled out .

Both teams are not blessed with such a high quality batting line up. Also bowling is good for them. India is capable of going from 215 for 2 to 250 all out. While Australia rarely gets into situation like 215/2. They probably build small partnership right through. But they don't last long either. But Australia has better chance given that 9 of their batsman can actually bat. Lyon can stick around so can Hazlewood.

 

[Napa]

Such a flat deck! Maybe cricket Australia is trying to maximize tv profits after looking at how poor the ticket sales are. They made sure this match goes on for 5 days and Indian batsmen can pad their stats. Another dull draw in the making..

Impeccable logic. Cricket Australia is apparently trying to counter "poor ticket sales" and trying to" maximize TV profits" by making the game into a "another dull draw".

 

[Plumb]

Pitch seems to be dead. I would like to see how Ind pacers bowl here. So far I am impressed with the disciplined line/length in the series.

 

[Buffet]

Both teams are not blessed with such a high quality batting line up. Also bowling is good for them. India is capable of going from 215 for 2 to 250 all out. While Australia rarely gets into situation like 215/2. They probably build small partnership right through. But they don't last long either. But Australia has better chance given that 9 of their batsman can actually bat. Lyon can stick around so can Hazlewood.

This pitch is flatter than the first two pitch though. Aus did bat 140+ overs in UAE.

 

[ILcricket]

Impeccable logic. Cricket Australia is apparently trying to counter "poor ticket sales" and trying to" maximize TV profits" by making the game into a "another dull draw".

 

[KingKhanWC]

You have to feel sorry for the paying MCG public only seeing 200 odd runs and 2 wickets all day.

If Aus dont bottle their first innings, this has draw written all over it.

 

[kingusama92]

It all depends on the uneven bounce.

If it gets worse, the wickets will tumble on days 4 and 5.