Controversial DRS calls, Rishabh Pant brain fade highlight epic Aussie Test victory at MCG
It was the moment that changed it all for Australia, as the visitors cruised towards a draw, a moment of madness came from the hero of their Gabba steal just a few years ago.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australia will head to Sydney 2-1 up in the Border-Gavaskar series after an epic victory at the MCG in front of a record-breaking crowd.
Daniel Cherny and Robert Craddock pick out the biggest moments from a thrilling day of Test match cricket.
OH NO SNICKO
It was the moment the lid threatened to blow off the saucepan.
Enraged Indian fans started several protest chants towards random Australian fieldsmen after the video umpire Sharfuddoula overruled an on-field decision by Joel Wilson to give Indian anchorman Yashasvi Jaiswal not out caught behind down the leg side.
The ball clearly tickled bat and glove but no noise was picked up by Snicko, who has had hearing problems this summer, also missing edges off KL Rahul in Perth and Mitch Marsh in Adelaide.
Jaiswal argued with the umpires over the lack of evidence needed to overturn the decision but the key moments in his response came when Australia reviewed the decision and he took a couple of steps towards the dressing room before correcting himself.
PANT’S LATEST BRAIN FADE
India was coasting at 3-121 with the Test seemingly destined to peter out. Travis Head was bowling with fielders out and over rate apparently as big a consideration as winning. Then for the second time in the match, Rishabh Pant played a braindead shot, whacking Head to long on where Mitch Marsh took a tumbling catch, instantly changing the complexion of the Test.
A GAME OF MILLIMETRES
Yashasvi Jaiswal was on 31 not long after lunch when he was struck on the back pad by Mitchell Starc. Umpire Joel Wilson turned down the shout, with Pat Cummins sending the decision upstairs. Agonisingly for the Aussies it was an umpire’s call reading for height, despite the cartoon projection showing the ball cannoning into leg bail.
LYON SENT FLYING
Australia’s decision not to declare overnight allowed for one final moment of Jasprit Bumrah brilliance with the ball. Nathan Lyon couldn’t add to his 41 from day four when he was bowled through the gate as India’s talisman up-ended the tailender’s middle stump.
CAPTAIN PAT STRIKES
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal had withstood 16 overs to boost the tourists’ chances of saving the Test. As so often is the case, though, Pat Cummins was the partnership breaker. Rohit miscued and edged to gully, where Mitch Marsh contorted himself to complete the catch and continue the Indian skipper’s tale of woe.
KOHLI’S TIME
Rival booers and cheerers had greeted Virat Kohli as he made his way into the middle for what shaped as his final Test innings at the MCG. Alas for the fading superstar, his knock was brief. He once more played well outside the line of off stump and duly nicked off to Mitchell Starc for five just before lunch. The end seems nigh.
Originally published as Controversial DRS calls, Rishabh Pant brain fade highlight epic Aussie Test victory at MCG
1-0: Aussie veterans crush England in Women’s Ashes opener
Aussie captain Alyssa Healy put any concerns about her troublesome knee to rest with a matchwinning display to open the Women’s Ashes against England while Ash Gardner was also influential.
Watch: the celebration that will sideline Ashes hopeful for months
Former Test paceman Jhye Richardson’s horror injury run has continued, with the West Australian opting to have surgery on the shoulder he injured while celebrating a Sheffield Shield wicket.