Australia v India 3rd Test: All the action and the latest news from Indore
Two classic catches and Nathan Lyon’s star performance has put Australia in position to win the third Test, after another batting collapse looked to have given the hosts control once again.
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Nathan Lyon roared. Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja pulled off two of the better catches you will see, and Australia is in a great position to win the third Test.
Lyon took 8-64 and the batsmen need only 76 on the third day to pull off a victory that will guarantee them a place in the World Test Championship.
The 35-year-old who long ago lost his hair, now has 53 wickets from 10 matches, more than any opposition bowler in India.
As the young spinners flagged, the veteran pushed on, defying cramp after two long sessions in the sun.
Thrown the ball by Steve Smith with just over an hour to go, he removed KS Bharat (3), Cheteshwar Pujara (59), Ravi Ashwin (16), Umesh Yadav (0) and Mohammed Siraj (0).
The visitors needed something after losing 6-11 earlier in the day to squander what could have been a match winning lead.
Smith pulled off an incredible reflex catch at leg slip to remove Pujara (59) to give the veteran off spinner his 51st wicket in these parts.
So much for talk of his bad back and poor slipping in Delhi.
Two balls later Cam Green held onto a the calmest of catches to dismiss Yadav while balancing on the boundary and looking into the setting sun.
Earlier in the session Usman Khawaja inverted himself to clutch a classic that ended a threatening innings from Shreyas Iyer (26).
Smith’s catch ensured that a strange fumble by Marnus Labuschagne when Pujara was 51 did not prove as costly as feared.
Any other time, against any other team and in any other place you’d have Australia in a strong position to win this third Test on the India.
But in this place, against this team, on this pitch, with all the accrued memories of Tests slipping through their fingers, the visitors might face the third day with a small knot of anxiety in their stomach.
In the morning, some 850 odd kms from the day three disaster in Delhi, Australia’s batsman appeared to have learned their lessons and like they had on day two of that match, put some clean air between themselves and the opposition.
Then came an all too familiar collapse.
After surviving the first hour Peter Handscomb and Cameron Green had advanced surely but slowly to 4-186 – a lead of 78.
If they could get that to three figures and more surely the game was theirs for the taking and a place in the World Test Championship guaranteed.
No need to rush like they had in the second Test, no need to panic. No need to be swept up in the madness that saw them lose 8-28 in 90 minutes.
Nekkminnit they were all out for 197.
The Indian bowlers again triggered a calamitous collapse, the Australians losing 6-11 in 39 balls. It was all over in less than 30 minutes.
This Border Gavaskar Trophy is like those horror movie where every time the hero and heroine pause to catch breath, having outrun or outwitted their tormentor, there’s a knock at the door and familiar blood thirsty chuckle.
Nowhere is safe on pitches like this. Nobody survives for long.
Taking your time doesn’t work. Just ask Green and Handscomb who added just 30 runs in that first hour.
Handscomb who meditates in the dressing room and walks the corridors of the team hotel with his baby Jack in the evenings got to 19 from 98 balls and should have had the hang of things, but Ravi Ashwin is as relentless as he is wily.
He’d faced 58 deliveries but got the Australians 78 in front on 5-186.
Cameron Green, who had used his long stride purposefully to keep out the spin of Jadeja and the aforementioned, was trapped in front when Umesh Yadav got the 72 over ball to reverse.
The lead was 79 and Australia’s underbelly was exposed.
It was double jeopardy for those that followed: reverse is fatal for lower order batsman and if you could hold that out there were the spin twins summoning all manner of mysteries from the other end.
Freddie Kruger had blocked the front door and the Kray twins the back.
Alex Carey had not put the sweep away, nor should he, but he misjudged the line from Ashwin and was trapped LBW when a long way forward. He’d made just 3 and he reviewed, but the ball is keeping low on the Holkar pic crust.
The lead was 87.
Mitchell Starc’s off stump was sent cartwheeling by a Yadav delivery from round the stumps with the scoreboard unmoved since Carey’s departure.
Australian spinners Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy were gone within minutes with only one more added to the total.
The break neck speed of this Test match and those that preceded is a disappointment to local fans and to the Australians who flew here in great numbers with hopes high of a contest.
India batting coach Vikram Rathour was asked by local media about the state of the Indore pitch before the second day.
“First day of a Test match, the pitch did a lot more than we expected,” Rathour said.
“But, to be fair on the curators also, I think they hardly [had] time to prepare this wicket.
“It was pretty late that it was decided that the game was shifted from Dharamshala to this venue, so I don’t think they [had] enough time to really prepare the wicket.
“As a team, we want to play on turning tracks. This is what our strength is as a team.
“So, it is challenging. You need to bat really well to score runs.”
Fans have seen just seven days play this far in the three Tests and are unlikely to see much more.
The game is being hosted at the 130,000 seat stadium named after the controversial leader _ the same venue where crowd records were set when Donald Trump visited.
Authorities have blocked out 85,000 seats for what they claim are locals and students, but what most people expect to be a hand-picked support crew for the populist PM.
Albanese and Modi are only attending the first morning of the match, but visiting fans have been unable to buy tickets for that day.
(Speaking of double jeopardy: have you noticed Australia’s tendency to appeal for a stumping when it’s a close call for caught behind, thus ensuring they get a review without wasting one?)
FOLLOW ALL THE KEY MOMENTS OF DAY 2 WITH BEN HORNE.
10:25PM LYON TAKES 8-64 TO LEAVE AUSTRALIA NEEDING 76 TO WIN
Australia needs 76 runs to win the third Test and secure an epic rematch against India in the World Test Championship Final later this year.
Nathan Lyon took a stunning eight wicket haul – the equal best of his career – to dismiss India for 163 in their second innings.
Lyon has now taken 52 wickets in India – joining Richie Benaud as second on the all-time list for overseas bowlers in the sub-continent.
Australia will like their chances of running away with the Test on day three with only 76 to get, but it’s not over yet given the treacherous nature of the Indore pitch.
The collapses Australia has endured already on this tour – including losing 6-11 within 32 balls early on day two – means nothing is certain.
But if openers Usman Khawaja and Travis Head can come out and put on a settling early partnership, Australia will be able to see the finish line.
Either way, the match should be over by lunch on day three.
10:03PM: SMITH TAKES ALL-TIME CATCH TO DISMISS PUJARA
Steve Smith has produced one of the greatest catches in recent Test match memory, snaring the crucial wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara, in a stunning moment which could prove decisive in a thrilling third Test.
Nathan Lyon (7-57) now has seven wickets thanks to Smith’s blinding effort diving at leg slip to snare Pujara for 59, before two balls later, Cameron Green used his height to take catch right on the boundary rope to dismiss Umesh Yadav for a second ball duck.
Lyon thought he was on a hat-trick when umpire Joel Wilson gave Yadav out first ball, but a DRS review overruled the lbw decision as it was missing the stumps.
But it mattered little as Lyon struck again the very next ball when Yadav attempted to hit him out of the park.
Pujara’s innings was epic and Australia may have feared making a fateful error when Marnus Labuschagne dropped him on 51.
With India leading by 67, only 30 more runs could get them to a defendable lead.
But that task is much harder now, after the Lyon and Smith combination struck.
Smith revealed before the Test that he has a degenerative disc in his bat, explaining why he made some uncharacteristic misses at slip in the first two Tests, not getting down low enough for low chances.
But Smith looked like his normal agile self with his third Test screamer.
Smith’s captaincy has also been widely praised by commentators as he has marshalled his bowlers and fielders beautifully.
9:23PM LABUSCHAGNE DROPS INDIAN WALL, BUT LYON MAKES IT FIVE
Marnus Labuschagne dropped a tough chance to give Indian danger man Cheteshwar Pujara a life on 51.
But Nathan Lyon softened the pain next over when he claimed yet another five-wicket haul to dismiss Ravi Ashwin.
India is 52 runs in front, but only have three wickets remaining.
Lyon’s key scalp is his 50th Test wicket in India.
The umpires are having an absolute shocker in this Test and once again Joel Wilson failed to give a straight-forward lbw not out.
Lyon referred instantly and was proved correct by the technology.
Pujara is the key man for India, and Australia can’t rest on their laurels as long as he and Axar Patel are at the crease.
Patel has made huge half centuries in the opening two Tests and in many ways has looked the best batter of the series, even though he’s coming in at No.8.
8:56PM: LYON TAKES FOUR TO PUT INDIA ON THE ROPES
India is on the ropes after Nathan Lyon continued his dominance in Indore.
Lyon ripped through wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat to claim his fourth wicket and leave India six down and only 40 runs in front.
The precarious reality for Australia however is that 100 runs would be a difficult chase on this pitch.
Despite being on top of the game, Australia can’t allow the match to drift at all, especially with Indian wall Cheteshwar Pujara 46 not out.
Lyon now has the third most wickets in India by any overseas bowler.
The GOAT has taken 49 wickets from his 10 Tests in India.
Only Derek Underwood from England with 54 from 16 matches, and Richie Benaud with 52 wickets from 8 Tests have better records than Lyon in the sub-continent.
8:29PM ‘INJURED’ KHAWAJA TAKES DIVING STUNNER AT KEY MOMENT
Usman Khawaja has taken perhaps the most spectacular – and crucial – catch of his Test career just as India was starting to threaten Australia.
India had just pushed their lead up to 25 with two set batsmen at the crease when Khawaja soared to his left to take a screamer off the bowling of Mitchell Starc to dismiss Shreyas Iyer for 26.
It means India only has five wickets left to build a lead capable of winning them the match.
Bringing Starc on was an inspired bowling change from captain Steve Smith who is having an excellent Test as skipper.
India had started to wrestle a bit of momentum and control and Australia needed to slow the scoring and make something happen.
Starc and Khawaja delivered for their skipper.
Former greats Mark Waugh and Brad Haddin said on Fox Cricket that anything over 100 would give India a chance of defending for victory on this treacherous wicket.
Khawaja was off the field with soreness in the previous session, with conflicting reports as to whether it was a back stiffness issue or a calf strain.
It made his agile dive all the more special. And he may have turned the tide in Australia’s favour.
7:38: LYON CLAIMS THIRD WICKET AS AUSTRALIA GET FIRMLY ON TOP
Australia has claimed its fourth wicket with India still 9 runs away from parity in the third Test.
India is 4-79 at tea.
Nathan Lyon has bowled superbly and now has three scalps. The latest breakthrough coming courtesy of trapping Ravi Jadeja in front right before the tea break.
The umpires are having a shocker in this Test and once again Joel Wilson missed an obvious lbw – but the technology saved the day.
Victory is within grasp for Australia if they can roll through the Indian middle and lower order after the break.
But the very dangerous Cheteshwar Pujara (36 not out off 76 balls) is still in the middle, and India’s tail has wagged for most of this series.
7:28PM KHAWAJA REPORTEDLY HAS CALF STRAIN
Matthew Hayden has reported on Fox Cricket that Usman Khawaja is off the field with a minor calf strain.
Australia’s best batsman in the first innings was off the field but has returned to the action minutes after Hayden reported the injury on air.
Had Khawaja stayed off the field it would have meant he would have to bat down the order and not open.
Hayden said the third umpire had informed the commentary team of the injury.
“(The story of) Why Usman Khawaja is off the field. Third umpire tells us it’s a minor calf strain,” Hayden said.
However, other reports claim Khawaja has back stiffness.
Usman Khawaja was not on the field for that pre-lunch bowling session. Am told he has a sore calf and is being 'monitored'. A worry for the Aussies' leading run-scorer in this series #INDvAUS
— Louis Cameron (@LouisDBCameron) March 2, 2023
am now told it is actually back stiffness. Either way, he's still not out there and Mitchell Swepson is sub fielding #INDvAUS
— Louis Cameron (@LouisDBCameron) March 2, 2023
7:10PM KUHNEMANN SUCKER PUNCHES KOHLI IN KEY BREAKTHROUGH
Queensland rookie Matthew Kuhnemann has silenced the Indore crowd after trapping embattled Indian captain Virat Kohli.
India is 3-69 and still 19 runs away from making Australia bat again.
Kohli has not made a Test century for three years and has struggled this series.
The former captain was absolutely filthy at himself when dismissed and remonstrated with himself all the way to the dressing room.
On the previous delivery, the Indian master smashed Kuhnemann for a beautiful boundary through the off-side.
But then Kohli lost his head and tried to pull the left-armer – and had an air swing.
Kohli was given out on-field and walked off without reviewing, although replays showed he was only out on umpire’s call.
6:30PM LYON STRIKES AGAIN TO BRING DOWN INDIAN CAPTAIN
Australia’s grip on the third Test is strengthening with Nathan Lyon trapping Indian captain Rohit Sharma plumb lbw in Indore.
India is now 2-32 and still trailing by 56 on the first innings.
Rohit blew a review trying to desperately avoid reality with his dismissal, and his departure would have sent a shudder through the Indian dressing room.
The Aussies will be looking to take a couple more wickets before India wipes its deficit.
Lyon has been superb since a slightly underwhelming first Test showing.
The experience and class of Australia’s greatest off-spinner has shone through.
5:57PM LYON BREAKS INTO INDIAN TOP ORDER AS AUSSIES GET TO WORK
Nathan Lyon has got Australia off to the perfect start after lunch on day two, claiming the wicket of Indian opener Shubman Gill.
It’s the first blow struck by Australia in the second innings and will have India feeling shaky still trailing on the first innings by 72 runs.
India is 1-16 and fully aware how quickly things can crumble on this diabolical wicket in Indore.
Australia were completely decimated in the first session, losing 6-11 in 29 minutes, but they are still way on top of the match.
5:05PM TEST DELICATELY POISED AFTER AUSTRALIAN SIX-WICKET COLLAPSE
Australia’s 88-run lead has been chipped to 75 at lunch on day two of the third Test.
India are 0-13 in their second dig after ending the Australian first innings abruptly for 197.
Australia weren’t able to quite close the door on India with the bat, but they are still in the driver’s seat in the match on a wicket that is turning square.
Steve Smith’s side would have dearly loved a breakthrough in a 20-minute burst before lunch, but India’s openers were rock solid.
But after Australia lost their last six wickets for just 11 runs in the space of 29 minutes, it shows things can unravel very quickly on this surface.
Australia simply needs to stick to the task.
4:35PM AUSTRALIA CRUMBLE AS INDIA FIGHT THEIR WAY BACK
Australia is still in charge of the Test match, but a spectacular mini collapse has given India a sniff of mounting a big comeback.
The visitors were 4-186 and pushing hard for a huge first-innings lead, but five wickets have fallen in quick succession to bowl Australia out for 197.
Australia’s lead of 88 runs is commanding on such a treacherous track, but it could have been much worse for India.
The last six wickets fell for just 11 runs and in just 29 minutes.
It suggests the wicket is still playing like a minefield, but India will believe they are still in the Test match.
Had the lead ballooned out over 100 it might have been hard for India to comeback.
But the hosts can now believe.
Ravi Ashwin took three wickets in quick succession, as did fast bowler Umesh Yadav.
The four wickets fell in just 20 balls.
Peter Handscomb fell first, with his defence finally undone by Ashwin.
An over later and fast man Yadav had the scalp of the other in-batsman at the crease, with Cameron Green trapped lbw.
The double blow soon turned into six wickets, with 41 runs added from the start of play.
Australia will be desperately hoping they can push the lead up over 100 with the pitch described by Australian great Matthew Hayden as “horrendous” before play.
Hayden said Green was unlucky to be given out lbw – with DRS replays showing he was only out on umpire’s call.
Handscomb (19 off 98) and Green (21 off 57) showed great defence on day two, but India never let the scoreboard run away too much.
Hayden believes it’s now ‘game on’ with India still in the Test match.
3:13PM FOX CRICKET SLAM RUMOURS OVER MARK WAUGH’S EXIT FROM INDIAN COMMENTARY
Television bosses have slammed suggestions Mark Waugh was forced out of the commentary box in India over a so-called ‘battle’ with Indian callers.
Despite the fact it was reported before the series started that Waugh was only staying for the first two Tests of the Border Gavaskar series, misleading reports out of Australia and India reacted to his absence from the commentary team for day one of the third Test.
When Michael Clarke was effectively sacked from his commentary role by the BCCI for his embarrassing public incident in Noosa, the Indian broadcaster had to hastily recruit a replacement.
Waugh – one of the most insightful and hard-hitting commentators in the world – was their first choice, but other commitments meant he was only available for the first two Tests.
Replaced for the third Test by former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, reports on Thursday tried to intimate a falling-out had taken place where the BCCI had reacted to Waugh’s strong opinions, including on Indian great Virat Kohli, and removed him.
The reports also incorrectly hinted that Waugh had clashed with fellow commentators including Indian great, Ravi Shastri.
Fox Cricket boss Matt Weiss said it was important the fake news was put to bed.
“The reports this morning are complete rubbish. Just clickbait,” said Fox Cricket boss, Matt Weiss.
“Mark answered a last-minute request to head over to India. He was only ever contracted for the first two Tests and Mitch Johnson the last two.
“Our friends in India at Star and BCCI were very pleased with Mark’s commentary.
“Mark’s honest style have elevated him to the top tier of international commentary and that’s why he is in demand.
“Ravi Shastri and Mark have been mates for decades. To suggest otherwise is simply wrong information.”
The former batting great is one of the most straight-shooting voices in cricket commentary and his presence has been dearly missed for this third Test.
Waugh simply tells it how he sees it and is as firm with his opinions on Australia and Australian players as he is with rival nations.
KUHNEMANN JOKES AT MAKING SHOCK MOVE FROM QUEENSLAND TO INDORE
Matthew Kuhnemann, the Queensland off spinner playing just his second Test, joked with local reporters that he was ready to move to Indore after taking 5-16 on the first day of the Test in that city.
The left arm orthodox had a field day on a rank turner, admitting he’d watched his opposite number Ravi Jadeja closely in Delhi and picked up a few tricks.
Kuhnemann said he’d even asked him if he had any advice for him.
The Indian veteran said he did, but he wouldn’t give it until after the series.
On the day’s evidence maybe he doesn’t need it.
Kuhnemann made the first breakthrough, deceiving opener Rohit Sharma in flight to have him stumped by Alex Carey and did not look back from there.
“I’m a massive fan of Jadeja and Ashwin and I’ve been following how they’ve been bowling the last few years,” he said.
“The way he (Ashwin) uses his crease and one of the things I picked up in Delhi is he brings his length back a little bit when the ball is a bit older,” he said.
“That’s the main thing I brought out of the second Test and into this Test.”
Kuhnemann was flown in as cover for Mitchell Swepson and made his debut in the second Test. Selectors were so impressed they’ve kept him in the side for the third.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” he said. “Like every night I’m sort of just pinching myself. Even today just sitting in the change room, just looking around speaking to Starcy and Nathan Lyon and thinking this is unreal, just to be able to do this.
“To even go out there and play with Steve Smith and all these other players and contribute to the team, it’s really awesome.
“It’s amazing. Really special to take wickets out there with the team. I think it is a really good day for our team in general with the bowlers going really well and the batters stepping up as well and doing a good job for us. Yeah it’s really cool, but there’s a long way to go in this game. Tomorrow is going to be a massive day.”
Kuhnemann ran riot on a pitch that proved too much for the Indians who were bowled out just after lunch for 109.
“I was getting a lot of spin, a lot of bounce, which is sort of different to what we had in Delhi,” he said. “Once the ball got a little bit older, sort of stayed a little bit lower and then we talked about just bringing our lengths back a little bit. Even watching Jadeja bowl just before he did the same thing and that’s where it’s pretty hard to play when the ones that stay low.”
Nathan Lyon was guiding the young Queenslander for much of the session.
“He said don’t get ahead of yourself, just think about bowling that ball. He was great for me, it is not every day you get advice from the doyenne,” he said.
Kuhnemann admitted he had arrived well prepared for the conditions, practising on an “Indian wicket” at the cricket academy for the past six years.
“I’ve been learning the craft,” he said. “It’s more so the mental side, dealing with the crowd and how quick things happen.”
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