Australia v India: Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli cause Australia problems
Last updated on .From the section Cricket
| Third Test, Melbourne (day two) |
| Australia 8-0 (Harris 5, Finch 3) |
| India 443-7 dec (Pujara 106, Kohli 82, Agarwal 76, Cummins 3-72) |
| Scorecard |
A 170-run stand between century-maker Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Virat Kohli ensured India dominated day two of the third Test in Australia.
The pair fell in quick succession soon after lunch to give the hosts a key breakthrough on a batting-friendly pitch in Melbourne.
India finally declared on 443-7 with seven overs remaining.
The pressure was on openers Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch but Australia made it to the close of play on 8-0.
Pujara and Kohli had come together when openers Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal fell on day one and continued to build a strong partnership.
Kohli, chasing a seventh hundred in Australia, was undone by Mitchell Starc on 82, while Pujara made 106 before being bowled by Pat Cummins.
The 30-year-old - who has scored more runs and faced more balls than any other batsman in the series - has now scored 17 Test centuries, including two in this series, which is tied at 1-1.
Rohit Sharma, who was dropped by substitute fielder Peter Siddle on 15, went on to complete his 10th Test half-century and was 63 not out when Kohli declared.
It was a nervy time for Harris and Finch and pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah struck Harris on the helmet with a short ball, but he was able to continue after lengthy treatment by medical staff.
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Boring?
No. I'd rather watch that than the" wham bam thank you ma'am" slap and tickle 20 over nonsense.
Sir Geoffrey would have approved.
Looking forward to day three of a proper cricket match.
3. ovalball
very scratched record. Tedious advice.
look mate don't blame me for the fact sand paper has had as biggerer roll to play in Australia cricket as Shane Warne screeming at umpires to get dodgy LBWs
have a go at the player's who sat down and discussed
THEN DECIDED TO CHEAT
it might suit your agenda to try to forget but I don't think we should
I don't think Warner is being scapegoated, but agree more of the team would have known about it, especially the bowlers who are handling the ball as they would see greater than normal wear.
I have doubts as well about this being the 'first' time it sandpaper was used.
Warner had probably been doing this for ages with his ‘bandages’ but knew SA cameras were watching him closely so roped in Bancroft. We will never hear the real truth though.
Wonderful knock by the debutant Agarwal, the world can only look on at the conveyor belt of talent India has.
Anyone who calls this test and series either boring or a yawn clearly knows very little about this format of the game. India and king Kohli respect all three formats especially test matches!
On saying that, I think Australia are a long way off the pace at present. JL will want to ensure he installs a positive and encouraging dressing room culture. Warner surely can not be part of that. Move on and develop youngsters in cricket - not cheats.
In no way do I believe that the first time they tried this they were caught nor do I think the whole team wasn’t aware. Warner may be an unlikeable person, but he’s been scapegoated a bit to spare the blushes of the rest of the squad.
I also feel that Lehmann knew more and had more input into the plan than hes been credited with.