Australia v India 3rd Test: Day four live blog, scorecard
Nathan Lyon is closing in fast on 400 Test wickets, with the struggling Indian batting line-up looking ripe for the picking on a turning fifth-day SCG pitch.
Joe Barton and Ben Horne
3 min read
January 10, 2021 - 11:53AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Australia's Steven Smith (R) and Marnus Labuschagne watch a replay for the Leg-Before-Wicket (LBW) appeal decision on the third day of the third cricket Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on January 9, 2021. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
Milestone man Nathan Lyon has the chance to accelerate towards 400 Test wickets with a bang, as Australia close in on a series-shaping triumph at the SCG.
An injury-riddled India are holding on by a thread heading into the final day in Sydney, with Australia eight - or possibly seven - wickets away from taking a firm grip on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy heading into the fourth and final Test in Brisbane.
Lyon claimed 10 wickets at last year’s Sydney Test, but in the past the champion off-spinner has had a love-hate relationship with his home venue.
Just six wickets away from the 400-barrier, Lyon is yet to take a wicket this Test match after nearly 50 overs of toil, but teammates are tipping he will come into his own on a deteriorating day-five SCG wicket.
Josh Hazlewood celebrates nicking off Shubman Gill.
Rishabh Pant (elbow) and Ravindra Jadeja (thumb) may not be able to bat, and even if they do will be vulnerable to another assault from Australia’s ruthless quicks, and the victory target of 309 more to win seems an impossible distance away.
Coach Justin Langer said it loomed as a big day for Lyon, but insisted it wasn’t all on the spinner’s shoulders as he backed his attack to come home like a runaway steam train.
“It’s spinning a little bit. It’s been quite slow, too. I mentioned to all the players this morning but particularly made the point to Nathan in front of all the players, I thought he bowled particularly well in the first innings without luck,” said Langer.
“He might get a little bit more luck in the second dig. He’ll play a big part.
“But when you’ve got a bowling attack like we’ve got at the moment, I’m actually in awe of it.
“To see the way our fast bowlers are going about their business and to have Nathan Lyon (and) have a young kid called Cameron Green who can play a real role for us now and into the future, I’m in awe of our attack.
“Let’s hope they get the job done on Monday. I’d be surprised if Nathan doesn’t play a big part.”
Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon have a big role to play on day five. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP
Steve Smith (81) and Marnus Labuschagne (73) put Australia into an almost unlosable position on day four, before rookie Green stormed in and produced the highlight of his young career so far with a brilliant 84.
Australian captain Tim Paine (39 not out) would have let Green have a crack at a maiden Test ton, before the big-hitting West Australian was caught behind off Jasprit Bumrah just short of a dream prize.
Green’s performance increased pressure on No.5 Matthew Wade (4) who failed again with a cheap dismissal.
Wade deserves to finish the series following his solid performance in the opening two Tests as an opener, but the Gabba shapes as a crucial Test for him to further cement his place in the side ahead of the Test Championship Final in June and next year’s Ashes given he’s now 33.
“He’ll be disappointed. We’re in a great position as a team in this Test match, but he’ll be disappointed personally,” said Langer.
“We have a lot of faith in Matthew Wade. That’s why he’s playing. He opened the batting in the first two Tests matches, he was selfless in that, he took on the role. I think – without cashing in - he played some good innings opening the batting.
Matthew Wade missed out in the second innings. Picture: David Gray/AFP
“In the first innings he looked absolutely a million dollars, I thought, and got out to a shot that he’d be disappointed about. He missed out today, that can happen early in any Test innings. He’ll be more disappointed than we are in him.”
Indian vice-captain Rohit Sharma (52) looked ominous in pursuit of a mammoth 407-run target after Australia declared 6-312 at tea.
But once again Pat Cummins made the key breakthrough.
“It was a bit of a relief for us to see Rohit Sharma out there at the end, that’s a huge wicket for us because we know he’s a world-class player,” said Langer.
“We know he’s one of the all-time great one-day players so if he was out there he’s going to keep scoring quickly."
Updates
STUMPS DAY FOUR: Australia in total control with day remaining
Rich Lamberton
Are we just delaying the inevitable? India, with captain Ajinkya Rahane and 'Wall' Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease, will put up an almighty fight tomorrow – but will it all be in vain? Probably.
Another good day of Test cricket and the first match of the series to go to day five.
The equation is simple: Australia needs eight (maybe seven with Jadeja out?) wickets in three sessions and India need 309 runs to win the Test match and the series or a draw to keep it alive.
STUMPS DAY FOUR: India 2/92 … Australia leads by 309 … See ya tomorrow
CUMMINS STRIKES: Sharma half century, THROWS AWAY WICKET
Rich Lamberton
India opener Rohit Sharma has scored his 11th half century from 33 Test matches – and this one may just be his most important.
MAYBE NOT! He's hooked Pat Cummins straight to Mitch Starc who's fielding at third man. That's the way he plays I suppose. Another important breakthrough for Australia. More wickets means an earlier finish (for me, Barto and Stevie) tomorrow.
Rohit Sharma will be filthy with himself after this! Brings up the 50 then gifts his wicket to the hands of Mitchell Starc 😲 #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/1e9hrTTGy9
DOUBLE BREAKTHROUGH! Hazlewood says nick off, Gill
Rich Lamberton
That's an absolute peach from Josh Hazlewood! Draw Shubman Gill into the drive and just nips away ever so slightly – put ya finger up, Blocker! There it is. Gill reviews!? Mate ya hit the cover off it.
Kerry O'Keeffe: "That delivery was very Pidgeon McGrath-like – not express pass but accuracy and control." Couldn't have said it better myself, Skull.
BIG SHOUT! Is there an inside edge? No inside edge on Pujara's wood. Hazlewood strikes … wait … it's going over the top! Well that looked absolutely plumb even though it hit him thigh-height on his back leg. It's all happening at the SCG!
Has Steve Smith caught Rohit Sharma out of his ground? NO! Rohit survives. What a way to go if he was caught short. Smith fielded a mistimed pull shot from Sharma at second slip before throwing down the stumps at the striker's end. They go upstairs and he just gets his foot down in time.
Vigilance in the field by Steve Smith! A slow to retreat Rohit almost found himself heading back to the pavilion. #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/Hdzgc4iABj
Rishabh Pant will bat according to Fox Cricket commentator Isa Guha.
It's Starc and Hazlewood opening the bowling – they should just toss the pill to Patty Cummins.
Cummins into the attack after six overs. Starc pulled pretty quickly as he's getting nothing out of the new ball.
OUT??? Hazlewood raps Rohit Sharma on the pads and Pistol gives him! Sharma reviews immediately. Height's the issue. It's going over. Rohit living dangerously here. Another shout is denied by Pistol and another review burnt by Australia.
Sit back and have a go at this hitting from Cam Green.
TEA TIME: Cam Green falls short of maiden Test century
Rich Lamberton
Cameron Green (84) has gone down swinging at the SCG, falling 16 runs short of a maiden test century.
The giant all-rounder feathered a ball he was trying to hit out of the park as Australia pushed its lead past 400.
This guy is starting to sell me his candy.
Australia's hasn't officially declared. The call will probably come half way through the tea break to keep India – who look exhausted – sweating.
UPDATE: Like clockwork, Australia has declared. Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon will get a full session at India this afternoon.
SCORE: India chasing 407 for victory
PLAY STOPPED! Fans ejected for crowd abuse
Rich Lamberton
India quick Mohammed Siraj, fielding at fine leg, has called to his captain Ajinkya Rahane to report an incident. It's unsure if it is a racial issue. Play has stopped with both on-field umpires on the boundary rope. Police and security are currently questioning patrons. Six young men in party shirts have been removed by police. We'll keep you updated on the incident.
Alleged racial abuse directed at a handful of India players last night rocked the Pink Test. Ben Horne broke the story last night. Here's an update of today's incident and what Cricket Australia had to say about the ugly abuse. Of course we don't know exactly what the accusations are but you don't have to be Einstein to figure out what the India players are alleging. Really off it. Young gronks who reckon they're funny.
***
Six fans have been escorted from their seats and away for police questioning after more ugly allegations of abuse of Indian players at the SCG.
Play was stopped for more than 10 minutes as police, SCG security and even members of both teams worked to try and identify the culprits after a complaint was made to umpires by fast bowler Mohammed Siraj.
The incident is now the third day running where Indian players have accused spectators of racial abuse, casting a shadow over the entire Test.
Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah have claimed they were targeted by racial abuse on day’s two and three of the Test, a matter which has been investigated by the ICC.
Australian players may want to re-think their warm-up games after a massive collision between two star teammates in Mackay sent shudders through the camp.
