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Australia v India, Boxing Day Test Day 1 live coverage from the MCG: India’s bowlers, MCG pitch show signs of life as Aussies fold

Doubts over Australia’s batting line-up are certain to be raised again after they crumbled against a weakened attack.

Peter Lalor and Daniel Sankey
13 min read
6:14PMDecember 26, 2020.
Updated 10:12PMDecember 26, 2020
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Mitchell Starc picks up the wicket of Mayank Agarwal late on day one. Picture: AFP
Mitchell Starc picks up the wicket of Mayank Agarwal late on day one. Picture: AFP

Welcome to coverage of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the MCG. India reached 1-36 at stumps, after Australia won the toss and made 195 in their first innings.

Peter Lalor 6.15pm: India’s bowlers make hay on grassy pitch

Be careful what you wish for. For years Australian teams, fans and commentators have begged for wickets with a bit more life and now that they’ve got them the consequence appears to be that batsmen aren’t up to the challenge and Test matches may be severely truncated.

The match in Adelaide was over half way through the third day thanks to a lively track, the match in Melbourne looks to be going the same way.

Australia was knocked over for 195 after winning the toss in brilliant sunshine. India responded with an aggressive 1-36 from 11 testing overs before stumps.

MCG curator Matt Page has produced a pitch that, like many in this city, has let its hair grow in lockdown.

The grass is longer than its ever been, longer than in Adelaide and the local batsman found the radical change of conditions too much to handle.

It made for a great spectacle but it may not make for a long one.

When Australia won a toss that it looked like a good day for batting, on reflection, it’s batsman may have wished to lose.

There was bounce and seam early on as expected, even some swing.

When spin was introduced in the first hour Ravi Ashwin got the seam to grip in the grass and turn uncomfortably into the right handed batsmen.

He put men around the pads, left only two out on the off side and asked the batsmen to risk their stumps to hit through the off side or the go with the spin toward the catchers on the leg.

A few overs before Ashwin’s introduction there had been a five man slips cordon.

This wicket was a Christmas gift to bowlers of all styles. You might expect things to settle down after the first hour or first session but it stayed lively all day. And should continue so tomorrow.

Whoever thought the same MCG that produced a horrific bat-a-thon a few years ago in the Ashes would do such a dramatic U-turn?

India bowled a treat. Jasprit Bumrah (4-56) was outstanding. Ravi Ashwin (3-35) bewitching. And, Mohammed Siraj’s 2-40 just what India would have hoped for when he was bought in to replace Mohammed Shami.

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne numbered among those caught down leg side, the first to spin the second to seam.

The Australian batting’s problems were not erased by a Joe Burns half century in Adelaide. He put pressure right back on himself by nicking off for a duck here.

Matthew Wade did as the absent David Warner would and went after the bowling, but Ajinkya Rahane showed what a smart skipper he is in the absence of Virat Kohli by throwing the lever to spin.

The catch Ravi Jadeja took after fending off Shubman Gill under a skied ball was one for the highlights reel.

Travis Head flattered to deceive with a 38 before inevitably nicking to a floating gully.

Steve Smith’s golden touch has been absent for some time, the best batsman in the world turning Ashwin around the corner and into leg slips hands.

Labuschagne’s 48 from 132 balls was important but more was needed. He too nearly fell for the leg side trap from the spinner’s first delivery to him but the ball ballooned over the leg slip and fell safely.

Siraj, the son of an autorickshaw driver who died soon after his arrival in the country, honoured the memory of his father with a performance that defied his inexperience at this level.

He is a smart bowler, well schooled by Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun, and one who served his apprenticeship through 16 games with India A before stepping up here.

Another of those rags to riches stories, the 26-year-old had never played with a cricket ball until he was 21.

India lost an early wicket but another batsman on debut, Shubman Gill, showed a similar game awareness to the first game bowler by attacking anything in his zone to finish and was going at almost a run a ball when stumps were called.

Live blog — how day one unfolded:

Peter Lalor 5.35pm: Starc strikes early in India’s innings

Never judge a pitch until both sides bat on it and from the evidence at hand this one is a nightmare for batting.

India ripped through Australia’s bowling line up for 195.

It looked sub par and may still prove to be, but the movement and the spin was significant on a pitch that’s got more grass than any spied in these parts for many years.

It’s up to Australia now to prove it was not so much poor batting as a bowler’s deck.

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins took the new ball and in the early going it was a hell ride for India’s openers.

Mayank Agarwal lasted six balls before Starc had Agarwal trapped LBW. Tim Paine took a ball on not too short a length over his head in the next over.

Pity Labuschagne couldn’t take an edge from Gill in the fourth, but he spilt a waist-high chance to his right in slips.

The height of the Australians is exploiting the bounce.

Tom Crystal 5.05pm: Australia all out for 195

Pat Cummins is the last man out, caught by Mohammed Siraj off the bowling of Jadeja for nine. He followed the wickets of Nathan Lyon (20) and Mitchell Starc (7) in the post-tea session. Jasprit Bumrah finishes with the excellent figures of 4-56 from 16 overs.

Ben Horne 4.40pm: Hopes alive for SCG Test, with crowds

Cricket and government powerbrokers are fighting to hold onto the city’s iconic Test, as Melbourne eye a poaching raid. Read more here

Tom Crystal 4.10pm: Wickets tumble in the final session

The tea break appears to have been nothing than a reprieve for Australia’s batting line-up. Cameron Green is trapped lbw by Mohammed Siraj for 12. Green calls for a review after Siraj gets one to duck back off the pitch. All it does is confirm that Green’s stumps would have been sent flying if his pad didn’t intrude. Tim Paine is the next to go, caught at backward short leg by Vihari off the bowling of Ravi Ashwin for 13. We’re down to Australia’s bowlers now.

India's Mohammed Siraj celebrates dismissing Australia's Marnus Labuschagne on the first day of the second Test. Picture: AFP
India's Mohammed Siraj celebrates dismissing Australia's Marnus Labuschagne on the first day of the second Test. Picture: AFP

Peter Lalor 3.15pm: Local hopes rest on skipper, baby giraffe

It’s up to the oldest and youngest men in the Australian side to post a respectable score here with Marnus Labuschagne out two runs short of 50 and the side well short of 200.

Tim Paine, 36, calls Cameron Green, 21, the “baby giraffe” and they are out there now as last recognised batsmen.

The side are 5-136.

Mohammed Siraj had Labuschagne caught at leg gully. The son of a Hyderabad auto rickshaw driver is making his debut in Test cricket.

He is 26. At 21 he played cricket for the first time with a hard ball.

His father died soon after he arrived in Australia but he decided to stay after speaking with his mother.

“Stay strong for dad’s dream,” Virat Kohli told the bowler.

He’s made his dad proud here.

Travis Head flattered to deceive again, he’s still squaring himself up and India had a gully just waiting for the edge that eventually came.

Tom Crystal 3pm: Labuschagne out as debutant claims first wicket

Another big wicket! Marnus Labuschagne works a ball from Mohammed Siraj off his pads but Shubman Gill dives low to his right to snap up a brilliant catch. It’s a wicket for Siraj in his first Test. Labuschagne looks a bit shell-shocked as he practises his stroke before beginning the long, slow walk back to the sheds. It really was a nothing shot from the batsman, he’s thrown it away there. India are right on top now.

Tom Crystal 2.30pm: Australia rocked as Head removed

India’s ace Jasprit Bumrah strikes the body blow, having Travis Head sparring at a ball outside off stump. It flies to Rahane at gully, ending an 86-run stand for the fourth wicket. Head toiled away for 38 off 92 balls, with four boundaries.

Daniel Sankey 1.49pm: Pitch settling, ‘may be a problem for India’

There are signs the pitch is settling which could in turn mean problems for India this afternoon, former Test legspinner Kerry O’Keeffe says in commentary for Fox Sports.

Marnus Labuschagne (36no) and Travis Head (14no) have taken Australia from 3/65 to 3/90 in the first half-hour of play after lunch.

Labuschagne in particular has looked to up the tempo since the resumption, with the partnership between the two now at 52.

However, he was stopped in his tracks in the 35th over when he was struck in the helmet by a Mohammed Siraj bouncer in the 35th over. The Australian no.3 survived an appeal for caught, gave a grin and set about getting his helmet swapped before resuming.

Australia’s Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne bump fists. Picture: AFP
Australia’s Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne bump fists. Picture: AFP

Daniel Sankey 12.31pm: LUNCH — Australia 3/65

Marnus Labuschagne has survived an LBW dismissal on review on the third-last ball before lunch.

Labuschagne (26 not out) immediately reviewed the decision after a failed attempt to turn Ravi Ashwin behind square. DRS showed that while the ball pitched in line with the stumps, it was sailing just over the bails.

It left the Aussies at 3/65 at lunch, with Travis Head (4 not out) the other not out batsman.

Daniel Sankey 12.20pm: Covid-safe MCG for Boxing Day Test

There is only a maximum of 30,000 people permitted to attend today’s Australia v India Test match at the MCG because of Covid-safe restrictions.

The crowd is well-spaced and spectators are being encouraged to wear face masks.

12.08pm: Jasprit Bumrah doing Jasprit Bumrah things

Peter Lalor 11.53am: Turn, bounce making life difficult for Aussies

Oh my goodness, Steve Smith out for a duck pushing one around the corner straight into the hands of leg slip.

Steve Smith reacts after being dismissed for a duck. Picture: Michael Klein
Steve Smith reacts after being dismissed for a duck. Picture: Michael Klein

Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Ashwin have been brilliant here and the home team is in trouble.

Rahane pulled the spinner on sensing he would be more dangerous against Matthew Wade and he was.

The turn and bounce courtesy of 11mm of grass (someone measured it) is making life very difficult for the Australians.

It’s a great wicket for a venue that is notoriously batting friendly.

Ashwin nearly had Marnus Labuschagne in his first over too.

Daniel Sankey 11.46am: Smith out for a duck

It’s a disaster for Australia at the MCG, with batting talisman Steve Smith dismissed for a duck — the second time he’s fallen to Ravichandran Ashwin in two innings.

The Australian no.4 attempted to turn Ashwin off his legs but only succeeded in guiding the ball straight to Cheteshwar Pujara at leg slip.

Australia are 3/38 with Travis Head the new man in.

Peter Lalor 11.41am: Jadeja catch would do Dusty proud

Ravi Jadeja has obviously been watching the footy. The big bodied Indian fended off Shubman Gill under the high ball to hold a spectacular catch running under the ball at the MCG.

Boxing Day cricket Test Match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Day 1. 26/12/2020. Ravindra Jadeja catches Matthew Wade as he collides with Shubman Gill. Pic: Michael Klein
Boxing Day cricket Test Match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Day 1. 26/12/2020. Ravindra Jadeja catches Matthew Wade as he collides with Shubman Gill. Pic: Michael Klein

It was the sort of move you’d expect from the Tigers’ Dustin Martin.

That had disaster written all over it, but India held the chance — something they were not great at in the first Test.

Matthew Wade was victim, Ravichandran Ashwin the bowler.

Australia has lost two wickets in the first hour, with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne at the crease. Game on.

Daniel Sankey 11.36am: Wade caught despite fieldsmen’s collision

Matthew Wade is out — but it was very nearly a bombed chance as Ravi Jadeja held the catch despite copping interference from a teammate in Shubman Gill.

Wade (30 from 39 deliveries) charged up the pitch to attempt to smash Ravichandran Ashwin over mid-wicket but only succeeded in skying the ball short.

Jadeja called for the catch and was able to hold it despite Gill making contact in an ill-timed dive.

Australia is 2/35, with Marnus Labuschagne (5 not out) joined in the middle by Steve Smith.

Peter Lalor 11.10am: Great contest building at the MCG

Joe Burns departs after being caught behind for a duck. Picture: Getty Images
Joe Burns departs after being caught behind for a duck. Picture: Getty Images

Great contest here, the bowlers have to pitch up to catch the edge and Matthew Wade is an aggressive opener who is going to make them pay if it’s in his wheelhouse.

He is the perfect (temporary) replacement for David Warner who is in isolation south of the Yarra because, well, COVID-19 and all that.

Joe Burns got a duck but it wasn’t a golden duck. He was heavy footed and Jasprit Bumrah used the little movement there is to great advantage.

There’s nothing better than day one, session one.

Daniel Sankey 10.51am: Burns falls for a duck

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has the early breakthrough for India, catching the outside edge to dismiss Australian opener Joe Burns for a duck. Recalled Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant took a simple catch to condemn Burns to his fourth duck 12 first class innings this summer.

Australia is 1/10 in the third over of the day, with Matthew Wade the not out batsman and Marnus Labuschagne the next man in.

Fox Sports 10.30am: Key stats ahead of today’s play

Peter Lalor 10.15am: Paine wins the first battle of the day

It was a good day to win the toss and win the toss Tim Paine did.

The sun is shining brightly in Melbourne, there’s not a cloud in the sky and while there may be some juice in the wicket early it is a batting day for sure.

Getting to make the call was a late Christmas present for Paine and the Aussies, the Indians will be forced to attack early and Matthew Wade is up at the top for a good time not a long time.

The Indians were forced to make two changes but have made four after being disassembled by injury, impending birth, a disaster in the second innings in Adelaide and the desire to add an extra bowler.

Virat Kohli is about to welcome his first child into the world, the mild-mannered Ajinkya Rahane replaces him as he did when the biggest name in cricket was injured for the match against Australia at Dharamsala in 2017.

Wriddiman Saha has been pantsed, his gloves handed to Rishabh Pant (sorry).

Young Mohammed Siraj, the fast bowler, makes his debut as replacement for Mohammed Shami who had his arm broken in Adelaide.

Ravi Jadeda, the bat twirling, ball turning all-rounder, comes into the side after recovering from a concussion in Canberra which coincided with a torn hamstring.

Australia has made no changes.

Paine says the theme is “winning after winning”.

India’s character will be tested, but nobody should underestimate that.

There’s 30,000 people expected here for the first major sports event at the stadium with a crowd since the Women’s World Cup T20 final.

Daniel Sankey 10.01am: Australia wins toss, will bat

Tim Paine has won the toss for Australia and the home team will bat first in the Second Test at the MCG today.

While acknowledging the team “had a good night” to celebrate their First Test victory last week, Paine said his players’ attention had quickly turned to the Boxing Day Test.

“One of the things we’ve spoken about is winning after winning. If we want to become a really, really good team we’ve got to back it up. Series wins are more important that individual Test wins, and obviously we’ve got our eye on the world Test championship as well. Every Test is so important, so we’ve moved on pretty quickly.”

Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane, standing in for Virat Kohli, said India would also have chosen to bat.

“There’s a bit of moisture on this wicket — now we are bowling, we have to bowl really well, bowl in the right areas and be patient,” he said.

AUSTRALIA: Joe Burns, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

INDIA: Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Siraj.

Peter Lalor 9am: Selection carnage for punch drunk India

All of India’s horses and all of India’s men have attempted to reassemble the team again after the loss of Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami and composure in the first exchange of this Test series.

India’s stand-in Test captain Ajinkya Rahane (left) chats with coach Ravi Shastri during a net session ahead of today’s Boxing Day Test. Picture: AFP
India’s stand-in Test captain Ajinkya Rahane (left) chats with coach Ravi Shastri during a net session ahead of today’s Boxing Day Test. Picture: AFP

Kohli and Shami have gone to India, the selectors have gone to work and the changes to the shattered side are significant.

India’s selectors did not stick to forced changes. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha was dropped and replaced by Rishabh Pant. Shubman Gill will make his debut as hapless opener Prithvi Shaw pays the price for his batting and fielding in Adelaide. Ravi Jadeja makes a reappearance after recovering from his controversial concussion-hamstring in Canberra and paceman Mohammed Siraj makes his debut in Shami’s place.

Ajinkya Rahane replaces Kohli as captain, but it may be that spinner Jadeja will become the team’s aggressive talisman.

Australia is expected to field an unchanged line-up, with Joe Burns and Matthew Wade to again open the batting.

Gideon Haigh 8.45am: Sparse MCG stands reveal power of people

With just 30,000 people allowed into the MCG to watch today’s Boxing Day Test between Australia and India, The Australian’s cricket writer Gideon Haigh today reflects on what might have been.

“So to today, when about 30,000 souls will be scattered round the MCG for an event that might have attracted as many as 80,000. Does it matter?” Haigh asks.

“There is no pretending otherwise. Just as Donald Trump needed to lie endlessly about the biglyness of his inauguration crowd, sports needs the reinforcement of an attendant chorus.

“Even broadcasters, who might be thought in favour of bums on couches rather than on seats, acknowledge the value of such experiences: crowds thinned out by COVID-19 considerations form part of Seven West Media’s argument that the summer is diminished.”

Read the full story here.

Sam Landsberger 8.30am: Paine invites TV crews into bubble to save SCG Test

Tim Paine would welcome 100 TV broadcast staff into the biosecurity bubble as Cricket Australia escalates talks with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in order to save its Test schedule.

Cricket powerbrokers have been so buoyed by NSW’s swift response to the COVID-19 outbreak at the Northern Beaches they are confident the MCG will not be required to host back-to-back Tests.

CA has set a Wednesday deadline to decide the fate of the third Test, which starts on January 7 – either locking in the SCG or relocating it to Melbourne in the event NSW loses control of its coronavirus cluster.

But with Queensland shutting the border to NSW it would have to secure travel exemptions for players, support staff and broadcasters to travel from Sydney to Brisbane on January 12 for the fourth Test at the Gabba.

Read the full story here.

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