Australia v India fourth Test: Live stream, scoreboard, updates from Ahmedabad
Virat Kohli has not scored a Test century in three years but won’t get a better opportunity when the fourth Test resumes on day four, but Australia is still hoping to force a result.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
India appears to have overreacted in an attempt to fix wickets that saw three Tests end in three days, their team beaten at home in a match and the Indore ground fined by the ICC.
The fourth Test will at least make the fourth day, but it is going to take an enormous effort from Australia’s bowling attack to force the moment and draw the series.
The pitch at Ahmedabad, where the home side’s two spinners took 35 of the 40 wickets on offer in the two Tests against England in 2021, has been heavily sedated and looks unlikely to produce a result.
India holds a 2-1 lead in the Border Gavaskar Trophy but has to win to guarantee a game against Australia in June’s World Test Championship or rely on the result of the Sri Lanka New Zealand series.
Veteran Nathan Lyon says that even though the Australians slaved away to take just three wickets in three sessions, there is the hope of a result.
“We knew it was a grinding day, it is a very similar wicket to what we faced in Pakistan 12 months ago, so for the boys to stick at the plans and shut down the scoring, when you bowling to guys like Gill and Virat on surfaces like this can be challenging.
“It’s a big moment for the two young spinner and I think they bowled exceptionally well.
“I think it’s pretty even (the game) we know games can speed up quickly.”
India’s young opener Shubman Gill made his debut against Australia at the MCG in 2020-21 and made the most of his return to the side mid-series by bringing up a brisk hundred, just the second of his career.
Batting on the hottest day of the Test, the Punjabi batter was treated regularly for cramp and trapped in front finally by Nathan Lyon for 128 in the last session.
India was 3-289 at stumps, but Virat Kohli (59 not out) is looking ominous and will not have a better chance to break a century drought that stretches back to November 2019.
India trails by 191 on the first innings.
Todd Murphy was rewarded for his skill and persistence on a wicket that gave him nothing when he removed Cheteshwar Pujara (42) just before tea.
The young off-spinner bowled 22 tight overs (1-45), constantly challenging the batsmen and rarely giving them anything to hit.
Matthew Kuhnemann (1-43 from 13) took the only wicket in the morning session, Rohit Sharma getting himself out by inexplicably hitting a shorter delivery straight to cover, but wasn’t used in the second session.
Mitchell Starc and Cam Green got the ball reversing in the afternoon session but could not make the necessary breakthrough.
Everyone, however, is singing Green’s praises after his maiden Test century the day before.
Indian star Ravi Ashwin called him a “once in generation player”.
Mike Hussey said on the ABC “I honestly believe he could go down as one of our greatest all-rounders of all time”.
Wisden hailed a talent the rival of any who came before him.
And statistics backed them all up.
Green is averaging 37 with the bat and 30 with the ball, Wisden pointed out that his batting is better that “none of his compatriots have scored more runs at a better average than Green before turning 24, and he boosts a similar record to Ricky Pointing at the same age”. Ponting had 1209 at 37, Green 941 at 38.
The cricket publication noted that his statistics were batter than Jacques Kallis (32 bat, 33 ball), Imran Khan (24 bat, 32 ball) and Ben Stokes (28 bat, 41 ball).
Green says his first century is a monkey off his back and confirmation to himself that he is a Test cricketer, but the Indians see his value beyond the international game.
Ashwin, the brilliant Indian spinner who managed six wickets from the sleeping Ahmedabad deck, says people on his side of the world know the 23-year-old is a superstar and labelled him a “once in a generation player”.
“I hope you tuned into the IPL auction, it just tells you how the Indian cricketing fraternity rates Cameron Green,” he said.
Green was bought for $3.15m by the billionaire Ambani family that owns the Mumbai Indians and will make his debut in the tournament there next month.
The long legged all-rounder from Perth batted brilliantly in a 200-run partnership that helped Australia to its highest score in India since 2008.
India finally bowled its opponents out for 480 in the last session and held out the Australian attack during the last hour of play.
Ashwin was generous in his assessment of Green.
“I think he’s a fantastic player,” he said. “Just the raw materials for a person as tall as him, lovely levers, good batting sense, can bowl and really hit the deck well, moves pretty well in the field. These are once in a generation cricketers you are talking about.
“We come from different countries – India is very different, we can’t protect such players for a long period of time. It’s perform or perish, but in countries in Australia and England, they’re doing pretty well at (protecting players) and I expect Cameron Green to be a wonderful cricketer down the line.”
Recap all the action from day three below with Ben Horne.
10:48PM - 3-289. KOHLI HAS THE CHANCE FOR HUNDRED ON DAY 4
Virat Kohli is 59 not out and has a chance to break a three-year Test century drought when play resumes on day four of the fourth Test.
India is 3-289 and trailing by 191 runs, thanks to a superb 128 from opener Shubman Gill.
Australia struggled to break through on the flat Ahmedabad deck and this match appears headed for a draw unless one side can set the game alight early on day four.
Steve Smith’s side needs wickets and India would need quick runs to force the issue in this Test.
Indian commentators believe Rohit Sharma should seriously consider declaring behind in a bid to force a result, given they’ve already secured the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
10:14PM - INDIA 3-271. KOHLI BREAKS 50 DROUGHT AS COMMENTATORS PERPLEXED BY MIA MATT
Matthew Kuhnemann has finally returned to the Australian attack with 15 minutes left on day three, with commentators puzzled at why the left-arm rookie had only bowled 9 overs to that point.
Captain Steve Smith has relied heavily on Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and Mitchell Starc, but has rarely turned to his left-armer, who took a spectacular five wicket haul in the third Test.
Kuhnemann was seen warming up in the 94th over, with India still trailing by 209 runs - and he came straight on to bowl with the new ball.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has made 50, his first half century against Australia since December 2020.
The big prize for Kohli is a Test hundred, something he hasn’t done against any opposition for three years.
Australian captain Steve Smith held off on taking the second new ball as he hunted for a fourth breakthrough from his spinners, but took the new rock with about five overs left in the day.
Mitchell Starc is the man charged with getting that scalp.
9:19PM - INDIA 3-246. LYON FINALLY GETS GILL AFTER CRAMPING EPISODE
Nathan Lyon has finally dismissed Indian centurion Shubman Gill after an epic knock of 128 off 235 balls.
Gill was battling with cramps or a left hamstring injury and Lyon took full advantage of the tiring star.
Lyon has bowled beautifully all innings and deserved the breakthrough, with the Australian spinners now sharing the spoils one apiece with Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy claiming the other two scalps to fall on day three of the fourth Test.
India is 3-246, with Australia facing a tough decision over whether or not to take the second new ball which is now due after 80 overs with India still trailing by 234 runs on the first innings.
When India took the second new ball in Australia’s innings, it actually made life easier for the visitors.
Lyon trapped Gill lbw and the young batsman had to depart.
Gill’s dismissal may have been timely in the sense that he could have been on the verge of injury had he stayed out there given his deteriorating fitness in the hot and sapping conditions.
7:39PM - INDIA 2-188. FIRED-UP MURPHY BRINGS DOWN THE WALL
A fired-up Todd Murphy has broken through in the last over of the second session on day three to give Australia hope of putting serious pressure on India in the fourth Test.
On the verge of being a wicketless session after Shubman Gill brought up his second Test century, rookie Murphy fired one in and trapped Cheteshwar “The Wall” Pujara lbw for 42.
The draw is still the firm favourite in this Test, with India 2-188, but the drought-breaking wicket leaves the door slightly ajar for Australia if they can somehow take a run of wickets in the final session.
India is still 292 runs behind Australia’s first innings total which still leaves a long grind ahead for the home team.
Steve Smith has been praised by commentators including former Australian great Brad Haddin on Fox Cricket for his proactive captaincy and ability to keep scoring tight.
Compared to the first three Tests of this series which seemed like they were on a permanent fast forward, this Test has been a slow burn and 16 overs passed in the middle session without a boundary.
Then young opener Gill hit two consecutive fours off Cameron Green to get himself towards a special hundred - flying from 80 to triple figures in quick time.
The run-making prodigy didn’t waste his chance and his 103 not out off 197 balls has been magnificent.
Now a struggling Virat Kohli needs to get going for India after tea.
LUNCH UPDATE — GREEN TIPPED TO BE ONE OF GREAT ALL-ROUNDERS
Peter Lalor
India lost just one wicket in the third morning pursuit of Australia’s 480, allowing the cricket world a little more time to reflect on the exploits of Cameron Green.
Indian star Ravi Ashwin says Cameron Green is a “once in generation player”.
Mike Hussey said on the ABC “I honestly believe he could go down as one of our greatest all-rounders of all time”.
Wisden hailed a talent the rival of any who came before him.
And statistics backed them all up.
Green is averaging 37 with the bat and 30 with the ball, Wisden pointed out that his batting is better that “none of his compatriots have scored more runs at a better average than Green before turning 24, and he boosts a similar record to Ricky Pointing at the same age” —Ponting had 1209 at 37, Green 941 at 38.
The cricket publication noted that his statistics were batter than Jacques Kallis (32 bat, 33 ball), Imran Khan (24 bat, 32 ball) and Ben Stokes (28 bat, 41 ball).
Green said his first century was a monkey off his back and confirmation to himself that he is a Test cricketer, but the Indians see his value beyond the international game.
Ashwin, the brilliant Indian spinner who managed six wickets from the sleeping Ahmedabad deck, says people on his side of the world know the 23-year-old is a superstar and labelled him a “once in a generation player”.
“I hope you tuned into the IPL auction, it just tells you how the Indian cricketing fraternity rates Cameron Green,” he said.
Green was bought for $3.15m by the billionaire Ambani family that owns the Mumbai Indians and will make his debut in the tournament there next month.
The long-legged all rounder from Perth batted brilliantly in a 200 run partnership that helped Australia to its highest score in India since 2008.
India finally bowled its opponents out for 480 in the last session and held out the Australian attack during the last hour of play.
Ashwin was generous in his assessment of Green.
“I think he’s a fantastic player,” he said.
“Just the raw materials for a person as tall as him, lovely levers, good batting sense, can bowl and really hit the deck well, moves pretty well in the field. These are once in a generation cricketers you are talking about.
“We come from different countries – India is very different, we can’t protect such players for a long period of time. It’s perform or perish, but in countries in Australia and England, they’re doing pretty well at (protecting players) and I expect Cameron Green to be a wonderful cricketer down the line.”
Green had eight first-class centuries, including a 251, before breaking through in his 20th Test.
4:01PM - 1-81. KUHNEMANN LURES INDIAN CAPTAIN INTO TRAP AS AUSSIES LIFT
India’s plan to try and smash their way to Australia’s first-innings mark of 480 has backfired, with captain Rohit Sharma falling to Matthew Kuhnemann.
Rather than get in the grind as Australia did in their innings, India have tried to put the foot to the floor, but a moment of laziness brought the very dangerous Rohit undone and he was out for 35, prodding Kuhnemann to Marnus Labuschagne at cover.
It was a soft dismissal and has exposed India’s middle-order to Nathan Lyon who looks very much on song.
Lyon had a big lbw shout to Shubman Gill turned down, and then went past Cheteshwar Pujara’s outside edge by the barest of margins with a gem of a delivery.
Gill has taken Australia on from the outset, hammering three fours and a six on his way to 40 not out.
Mitchell Starc went in hard in the first half-hour, desperately trying to force a false short from India. But to no avail. Starc went at nearly six an over as India chose to fight fire with fire.
But India has a lot of batting to go to get to 480.
NSW TEAM SIDE? TALENT DRAIN THREATENING FUTURE AUSSIE SUCCESS
Behind the NSW-dominated Australian team, there is a very big NSW problem, with the production line that has serviced the game for so many decades failing to produce the next generation of international players.
Patterson is the NSW captain, but that hasn’t saved him from being axed for the final Shield game of the year against South Australia, as the once mighty Blues languish in last place without a single win for the season.
NSW sacked coach Phil Jaques earlier in the season, but that hasn’t helped arrest the slide and big decisions are going to need to be made by Blues powerbrokers this off-season.
The last time Australia was preparing for an Ashes tour four years ago, Patterson had made a hundred in his last Test and was bashing down the door to get picked.
But Patterson hasn’t played for Australia since and his fading from selection contention has embodied a wider struggle of NSW Cricket.
Sean Abbott is really the only NSW player of note – outside of Australia’s core of established Test stars – to regularly push for international contention over recent years, and even he has largely been on the fringes of the ODI team.
Of even greater concern than NSW’s poor results on the field, is the apparent issues in identifying and producing players, and decisions over retention and recruitment.
It might seem like a state problem, but it’s actually a major issue for Australian cricket if they can’t rely on their biggest resource to provide competition at the top level.
Western Australia has for the time being at least stolen NSW’s mantle as the No.1 nursery.
Interim NSW coach Greg Shipperd said he had put a premium on runs and form at the selection table for the final match.
“Our batting group have been inconsistent recently in delivering the runs necessary to establish the match positions we were looking for,” Shipperd said.
“We recognise it is a difficult decision to pass on your captain but we are confident Kurtis will regather and draw purpose from this call into the future.
“It was decided to support consistent and inform batters in this season’s last fixture, with the currency being runs.”
CRASH: AUSTRALIA MUST GROOM GREEN AS FUTURE LEADER
Robert Craddock
It’s time for Australia to think of Cameron Green as a future leader rather than the unassuming kid in the corner.
Green should be in leadership groups where he can glean as much as he can from the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner and Usman Khawaja in their final years.
His state, Western Australia, also needs to be vigilant about giving him chances to grow.
If Green’s career continues on the steady upward trajectory it has taken over the past three years there will be a day when he comes firmly into the reckoning as Australian captain simply by the dent of his experience and credentials.
Green’s debut Test century, featuring a tempo-changing assault on India’s wearying attack in the fourth Test, mixed smoking drives with daring pull shots and second day patience when required. It was an innings of rare class and poise.
At first glance, Green may not appear to exude the natural charisma of say, Mark Taylor, but he’s calm and collected, a solid start in a field where settling players down rather than revving them up can be the most decisive skill of all.
Future Test leaders can often be hiding in plain sight and wrapped in deceptive packages.
Steve Waugh was reserved to the point of shyness on occasions when he was coming through the system.
Ricky Ponting was a gifted scallywag. Steve Smith was a quirky, cricket obsessed kid who seemed too mild to be the man in charge.
Yet they all got there.
Even the great Allan Border was happy to be one of the boys and had no great aspirations to be the man at the toss. Nor did Pat Cummins for the first seven or so years of his international career.
Things can change quickly. Sometimes you need to plant a seed.
Australia has never been great a nurturing future leaders. It generally leaves the system to apply its natural abrasive forces and it tends to spit out a couple of decent options.
Green is only 23 but he has been in the first class system since he was 17 and still at school.
WA officials were impressed by his maturity early when they phoned his parents to ask them if he was allowed to have a dressing room beer at age 17. They said they would rather he didn’t so he refused the invitation.
It’s true that some leaders – like Michael Clarke – radiated a “future captain in waiting’’ vibe but these are rare.
Some of Australia’s best captains have been men who never particularly wanted the job.
Green already has one great quality which would serve him well as a leader. There is a certain genuine authenticity about his body language and words which radiate sincerity and that is not a bad start. And that fact that he bats and bowls connects him to both ends of the team.
Queensland players reckon Usman Khawaja was the best captain Australia never had and were surprised he was never even invited into a leadership course a few years ago which featured five players under consideration.
He was an excellent choice sitting under Australia’s nose, proving that sometimes you just can’t see the most obvious options.
Early Shield statement amid Head move
The national selection chief was in Sydney where a curious Travis Head move was in place as a regular Victorian run scorer opened the Sheffield Shield season in style.
Test scout: The Aussie hopes hanging on Shield opener
A potential Cameron Green sized hole has left Australia’s selectors with a huge headache. This week they get their first chance at finding a way to fill it.