Only a few hours into his Test debut, fans are in unanimous agreement that Will Pucovski is destined for a lengthy career in Australian whites.
Debutant Will Pucovski was the standout performer for Australia on a rain-interrupted day one of the New Year's Test at the SCG.
Pucovski brought up his maiden half-century in front of 8692 spectators before he was dismissed by fellow debutant Naveep Saini LBW for 62.
His dismissal comes after Indian wicketkeeper Risabh Pant dropped two catches in quick succession during the afternoon session.
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There were some bizarre scenes at the SCG on Thursday morning, with attendees donning hazmat suits amid the recent COVID-19 surge in Greater Sydney.
After Australian on the toss and elected to bat, opening batsman David Warner was dismissed cheaply for six after playing a loose stroke.
Pucovski then combined with Marnus Labuschagne for a century stand before the Victorian opener made his way back to the pavilion.
Labuschagne (67 not out) and Steve Smith (31 not out) then steered Australia towards a commanding position at stumps, with the hosts 2/166.
Because 35 overs were lost to rain, play will resume at the earlier time of 10am on Friday morning.
Australian No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne has brought up his first half-century of the Test summer.
The Queenslander needed 108 balls to reach the milestone, his classy innings featuring six boundaries.
Australia is now 2/146 in the 43rd over.
50 up for Labuschagne, off 108 balls #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/RIp0HrI5mF
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021
He's only been at the crease for 30 minutes, but Steve Smith is looking considerably more comfortably at the crease today.
The Australian batsman has struggled about India's classy attack this season, registering scores of 1, 1*, 0 and 8 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
But Smith has bounced back on his home ground, racing to 24 not out off 30 balls.
Shot! Steve Smith 😍#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/x1z7V6yDNI
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 7, 2021
Moments after bringing up a century stand with Marnus Labuschagne, Australian debutant Will Pucovski has been dismissed for 62 at the SCG.
Indian seamer Navdeep Saini snared his maiden wicket in Test cricket after removing the 22-year-old LBW.
Pucovski played down the wrong line, the full delivery trapping him plumb in front.
Labuschagne tried to lure Pucovski into a review, but the dejected Victorian walked off the field.
Steve Smith is the new batsman at the crease with Australia 2/106 in the 35th over.
One debutant's misfortune is another's pleasure – Navdeep Saini gets his first Test wicket, Pucovski out via LBW. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/XeqXnZm51g
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) January 7, 2021
Disappointing that he couldn’t go on and get a ton but he’ll take a heap of confidence from that,
— brad davidson (@braddavo) January 7, 2021
Pucovski. Now time for Smith to step up and score big here 🙏
Play was briefly delayed by rain, but the covers are now off and the umpires are making their way onto the field for the final session of day one.
Australian debutant Will Pucovski has brought up a classy half-century on debut off 97 balls.
The Victorian brought up the milestone at the SCG with a classy pull shot off Indian debutant Navdeep Saini.
The crowd roared in support of the 22-year-old, who undeniably has a right future ahead of him in the Test arena.
Australia is 1/93 at the tea break, with Marnus Labuschagne on 34 not out.
Australians to make a Test fifty at a younger age than Will Pucovski this century:
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 7, 2021
Matt Renshaw
Ashton Agar
Mitchell Starc
Steve Smith
Phil Hughes#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/N7d4W6V2Ye
Spankingly good half century by debutant Pucovski. Partnership between him and Labuschagne beginning to hurt India. Both got a life each remember
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 7, 2021
Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has gifted debutant Will Pucovski yet another life at the SCG, dropping a chance off Mohammed Siraj's bowling in the 25th over.
Siraj fired in a well-directed bouncer, which struck Pucovski firmly on the gloves.
Pant sprinted back and dived to take the chance, only for the ball to flop out of his gloves and onto the turf.
The decision was sent upstairs with a soft signal of 'out', but the third umpire adjudicated the catch had not been completed.
The cricket community ripped into Pant for attempting to claim he had cleanly taken the catch. However, it could be argued the 23-year-old genuinely believed he had completed the dismissal.
🚨 BIG MOMENT ALERT 🚨
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) January 7, 2021
Rishabh Pant sells the catch until video review reveals ball hit the ground and Will Pucovski stays. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/eT8B7QPcwr
Liar, liar Pant on fire. #AUSvIND
— Alexander Grant (@AlexGrantOz) January 7, 2021
The things you claim when you *hope* no camera sees what happened…#AUSvIND
— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) January 7, 2021
That is absolutely disgraceful claiming that catch. He would've known he didn't catch it. #AUSvIND
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) January 7, 2021
Cricket analyst Sarang Bhalerao tweeted: "Pucovski can buy a lottery ticket – looks like it is his day. Another life for him. It has been tough 10 minutes for Rishabh Pant. Has dropped Pucovski twice."
Pucovski survives once again, and resumes his innings on 32 not out.
Australian debutant Will Pucovski has survived a dropped catch off Ravichandran Ashwin's bowling.
Ashwin found the outside edge of Pucovski's bat with an arm ball, which was remarkably put down by Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
"That is a chance that most keepers would accept gleefully," former Australian batsman Michael Hussey sighed on Fox Cricket.
A close call for debutant Will Pucovski – dropped by Pant behind the stumps 😬 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/00frohZN38
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) January 7, 2021
Sports journalist Sudipto Ganguly tweeted: "With two spinners in the side there's absolutely NO justification of playing Rishabh Pant ahead of Wriddhiman Saha as wicketkeeper. It's the team which is made to pay for these arbitrary, non-cricketing decisions from the management."
Soon after, Pucovski and Marnus Labuschagne brought up their 50-run partnership, with Australia 1/56 in the 25th over.
We've only seen a few hours of Will Pucovski at Test level, but the cricket community unanimously agrees the debutant looks at home in the Australian whites.
Pucovski and teammate Marnus Labuschagne have combined for an unbeaten 40-run partnership to revive the Australian innings after David Warner feel cheaply in the morning session.
The Victorian prodigy has been well-disciplined at the crease, with false strokes few and far between at the SCG.
Former Australian batsman Mark Waugh praised Pucovski's technique on Fox Cricket: “His hands are nice and tight into the front pad, he didn’t go reaching for the ball, he’s playing nice and tight into the body.”
This will no doubt be the kiss of death but geez Pucovski looks good
— Dean Ritchie (@BulldogRitchie) January 7, 2021
The word that immediately comes to mind when watching Will Pucovski is COMPACT. #AUSvsIND
— Kevin Yam 任建峰 (@kevinkfyam) January 7, 2021
Will Pucovski has been very impressive. Looks balanced at the crease
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) January 7, 2021
Daily Telegraph reporter Matt Jones tweeted: "While the Indians aren't express, Pucovski looks like he's facing throw downs in the nets."
Australia is 1/47 in the 21st over with Pucovski currently 24 not out.
The players and umpires have made their way back out into the middle, and live play is back underway at the SCG.
Mohammed Siraj will start the afternoon session, bowling to debutant Will Pucovski.
The 22-year-old got the scoreboard ticking again with an elegant forward prod.
Daily Telegraph reporter Matt Jones tweeted: "While the Indians aren't express, Pucovski looks like he's facing throw downs in the nets."
Gorgeous! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/O4y0IMhnF0
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021
After a lengthy inspection of the pitch, the umpires have revealed play will resume at 3pm local time.
Under the revised conditions, tea will be taken at 4:40pm with a minimum 49.5 overs required.
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