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Australia v India second Test live: match in the balance in wild west

Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine guided the hosts to stumps, Aaron Finch cleared of serious injury on an incredible day in Perth.

Andrew Faulkner and Adrian McMurray
10 min read
11:58AMDecember 16, 2018.
Updated 9:22PMDecember 16, 2018
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Usman Khawaja of Australia bats as Rishabh Pant of India keeps during day three. Picture: Getty Images
Usman Khawaja of Australia bats as Rishabh Pant of India keeps during day three. Picture: Getty Images

Australia are 4-132 at stumps on day three, with a lead of 175 runs. See how an incredible day of Test cricket unfolded below.

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Andrew Faulkner 9.00pm: Stumps, Finch cleared

After another pulsating day’s play, stumps have been drawn with Australia holding a 175-run lead with six wickets in hand. And that will likely include Finch, who’s been cleared of any serious damage to his injured finger. A final call will be made on his availability for the remainder of this Test tomorrow morning.

That late news has significantly increased Australia’s stocks as they strive to take a 1-1 scoreline to Melbourne. Khawaja (41 from 102 balls) had a late life when Ajinkya Rahane missed a sharp chance at slip from Vihari’s off-spin. Paine has toughed it out to be unbeaten on eight at the end of play. Khawaja and Head added 35 before the latter succumbed to the same temptation that brought him undone in the first innings. In the first dig he slashed a catch to deep backward point; in the second he slashed to third man, where Sharma took a well-judged catch — almost as well-judged as Kohli’s field placement. Head (19 from 49 balls) trudged off disconsolately, knowing he had squandered another start.

The day ended spicily when Paine appeared to clash with his opponents after they appealed for a catch down the legside. The pitch is playing such that the Australians would probably be satisfied with a lead of 250. And with Finch back in the sheds, they might even make India chase more than 300.

8.37pm: What about Finch?

Still no official word on Finch’s finger, but here’s a rough guide on the possible outcomes.

Adrian McMurray 8.22pm: Head falls for Shami’s trap

Wicket! They were lined up, Shami pitched one short and wide, Head had a nibble and it found its way to Sharma at third man, who took a lovely catch, just quietly. The skipper’s out to the middle, Australia 4-120.

Andrew Faulkner 8.17pm: Khawaja, Head dig in

Khawaja and Head are nudging Australia towards a defendable fourth innings lead. The game’s on a knife-edge as Australia lead by 159 runs with less than 30 minutes left in the day. Khawaja (35 from 78 balls) has anchored the innings, as he should given he’s the senior batsman. Head (17 from 41) has again showed the determination that’s endeared him to coach Justin Langer. The ball’s starting to jag around alarmingly so a 200 lead might be enough for the hosts …

Andrew Faulkner 7.42pm: Will Handscomb retain his place?

The Australians lead by 141 at drinks in the final session. The score’s 3-98, with Khawaja on 23 and Travis Head on 11. Ishant Sharma had instant success when he trapped Handscomb plumb in front with the first ball of his new spell. Handscomb (13 from 14 balls) didn’t even contemplate a review after the ball hit him on the back pad in front of middle and off stumps. Handscomb has looked good at times this series but after two Tests he’s made only 68 runs at 17. The selectors will surely retain him for Melbourne given he’s a proven Test player — that and there’s so few batsmen in the wings.

Adrian McMurray 7.25pm: Handscomb gone

Wicket! Sharma returns to the attack and traps Handscomb lbw first ball! Plumb. He’s gone for 13, and this is very interesting now. Head to the middle, who belts a boundary on his third ball. Australia 3-89.

Andrew Faulkner 7.15pm: Another one falls

Shaun Marsh has edged an attempted hook shot to put the Australians in a precarious position deep in the last session. Shami’s bouncer hurried up Marsh — the pitch is certainly getting faster — sending Kohli into a frenzy of celebration after Pant held the catch. Marsh fell for five off 11 balls.

Peter Handscomb has looked good since replacing Marsh, glancing Bumrah to the fine leg rope to open his account. In the following over he slashed Shami over the cordon for another boundary. Khawaja’s on 21 as the hosts continue to try to score quickly despite the pitch’s vagaries — they’re 2-80 after 24 overs, to lead by 123 runs.

Andrew Faulkner 6.47pm: Harris bowled

Just when he was starting to look so good, Harris has been bowled shouldering arms to Bumrah. Perhaps the thick cloud cover helped the Indian quick snake it back to the left-hander, whose Smith-like light sabre leave was slightly less effective than those of the exiled batsman.

At 1-59, with Khawaja on 13 and Marsh yet to score, the pitch’s is starting to play more tricks — and even get faster. The hosts lead by 102 runs.

Andrew Faulkner 6.18pm: Finch’s series in doubt

Usman Khawaja is at the crease after Aaron Finch retired hurt in the tea break. Finch has been taken for scans after being hit on the right index finger.

Aaron Finch seen to by Australian Team Physiotherapist David Beakley after he was struck on the hand. Picture: Getty Images
Aaron Finch seen to by Australian Team Physiotherapist David Beakley after he was struck on the hand. Picture: Getty Images

He was in great pain as he left the field for tea. It leaves Australia effectively 1-33 as the clouds roll in over the Perth Stadium.

Adrian McMurray 6.03pm: Finch’s injury blow

More pain for the Aussies, with Finch copping a 139km/h Shami delivery to the glove. He looks like he’s in real discomfort, calling for medical attention for a finger injury that appears to be have been reaggravated.

The umpires call Tea, Australia 0-33. We’ll find out soon enough whether he’ll return to the action.

Adrian McMurray 5.37pm: Harris hit by short ball

Ouch. A Bumrah short ball clatters into Harris’ helmet. He ducked late but couldn’t dodge it, hitting him flush on the badge. Thankfully he’s OK, but they run out a new helmet and check on his condition, going through the concussion protocols. He’s cleared to continue. Australia 0-17.

Marcus Harriswas struck on the helmet by a ball from Jasprit Bumrah. Picture: Getty Images
Marcus Harriswas struck on the helmet by a ball from Jasprit Bumrah. Picture: Getty Images

5.30pm: Meanwhile, on Twitter …

Adrian McMurray 5.20pm: Finch, Harris survive early chances

A lively start to Australia’s second innings, Finch grabbing some quick runs before there’s a huge appeal for caught behind! The umpire doesn’t budge, and Kohli opts not to appeal! He gives Finch plenty as he walks back to position.

Harris survives a nervous moment, he’s put down by Pujara at first slip. Handy delivery from Sharma, Australia 0-11 after five overs.

Andrew Faulkner 4.51pm: India all out for 283

Australia’s bowled out the tourists for 283 to hold a 43-run lead on the first innings. Pant was caught at long-on to give Lyon his fourth wicket.

Nathan Lyon took five wickets as Australia bowled India in Perth. Picture: Getty Images
Nathan Lyon took five wickets as Australia bowled India in Perth. Picture: Getty Images

He fell trying a repeat of his mighty strike a few overs ago when he dropped Lyon for a six over long-on. The keeper went down swinging — he thumped a four over cow corner two balls earlier. Lyon picked up his fifth scalp when Bumrah was caught by Khawaja.

Andrew Faulkner 4.10pm: Lyon’s great day continues

Ishant Sharma’s been caught and bowled by Lyon for one, leaving the tourists with just two wickets to reel in a 71-run deficit.

Lyon’s had a great day — Ishant’s scalp gives him 3-50, with the prospect of more to come given new man Yadav and No 11 Bumrah are genuine tailenders. It’s been a great fightback by the Australians after India earlier looked set to match — or better — the hosts’ first innings 326. Pant (16 not out) holds the key.

Peter Lalor 3.50pm: Bancroft cheated to ‘fit in’

Cameron Bancroft’s decision to use sandpaper on the ball in Cape Town was an indictment on Steve Smith and David Warner according to WACA chief executive Christina Matthews.

The administrator and former Test wicket keeper believes the young opener felt he could not say no.

“I think he was naive and desperate to belong and so he was caught in a position of ‘what to do’ and I think that the real indictment, you know, that when your captain kind of knows what’s going on and doesn’t stop it and your vice-captain is involved you sort of go ‘where do you go?’,” she said on SEN radio.

Read more here

Andrew Faulkner 3.27pm: Kohli departs in controversial circumstances

The players have gone to lunch under a cloud of controversy after Kohli was given out caught by Peter Handscomb at second slip to at last give the luckless Cummins a wicket.

Virat Kohli gets dismissed by controversial catch

Kohli stood his ground while the umpires checked the ball had carried. It looked a 50/50 call but umpire Kumar Dharmasena had given the soft signal, which was decisive.

Virat Kohli walks off after being dismissed in dramatic circumstances. Picture: AFP
Virat Kohli walks off after being dismissed in dramatic circumstances. Picture: AFP

And so it was on to the long Indian tail, the first quarter of which lasted one ball. Mohammed Shami was brilliantly caught behind by Paine — what a day he’s having — for his second golden duck in a row. At lunch the score’s 7-252, with Pant on 14. It looks like Australia will hold a narrow lead on the first innings.

Adrian McMurray 3.07pm: Kohli lets the bat do the talking

Can we just talk about that Kohli celebration for a moment?

He certainly talks up his game, but importantly has the ability to back up his words. He has let the bat do the talking. It’s great for the game when arguably its biggest star shows a bit of charisma, in addition to brilliant technical ability. People want to go and watch this man ply his trade, and while that’s not great for India’s opposition, it’s good for the game in general.

Pant and the Indian skipper continue to go to work, the pair notching 23 between them. India 5-250.

Andrew Faulker 2.50pm: Aussies breach India’s defences

At 5-231, the Australians have found a crack in India’s defences and are pushing hard to widen the breach. Vihari looked good for his 20 — and importantly added 50 with his skipper — before he edged to give Paine his third catch of the innings. The day’s honours might be even, but Paine’s had a fine morning. His decision to open with Lyon was a masterstroke that paid immediate dividends in the form of Rahane’s wicket.

Josh Hazlewood gets a breakthrough for Australia

The catch itself was described by Adam Gilchrist as “wicketkeeping perfection”. Paine almost pulled off another stroke of genius when he posted Lyon as a fly-slip/third man for Vihari, who immediately cut one a matter of metres in front of the expertly placed fieldsman. But it might take more than expert captaincy to knock over Kohli, who’s marched to 115.

Andrew Faulkner 2.27pm: Duel Down Under

After a thrilling first hour the tourists are 4-220, with Kohli 105 and Vihari 18. Kohli has celebrated his 100 by lifting Hazlewood over third man for six. Kohli’s hundred was his 25th and opens a gap of two on Steve Smith. But the banned Australian averages 61.37 as against Kohli’s 53.96 at the start of this Test. Kohli and NZ maestro Kane Williamson are going run for run in a duel Down Under. At the last check Williamson was 75 not out against Sri Lanka in Wellington.

Adrian McMurray 2.24pm: Kohli pushes through the pain

Yes, there are other players out there at the moment, but all the focus is on the Indian skipper at the moment.

Kohli copped a nasty blow to the elbow from Starc earlier, and has pushed through the pain.

During drinks, he was down receiving treatment, but as Peter Lalor has pointed out …

Great stuff. India 4-214.

Peter Lalor 2.13pm: King Kohli loves the Australian summer

King Kohli brings up his century with a beautiful drive down the ground from the second delivery he faced against the second new ball.

The captain has held together the Indian innings, facing 215 balls and striking 11 fours — the last brought up the milestone.

Virat Kohli brings up his hundred in style

Kohli loves batting in Australia. He now has six centuries from 10 Tests in these parts and averages 60 when here.

The biggest star in world cricket came to the wicket with his side 2-8 chasing 326.

India is 4-207.

Adrian McMurray 2.11pm: Kohli brings up his ton

Huge let-off for India as Vihari survives a run-out chance. Kohli called the single early, Head missed the direct hit and Paine couldn’t collect cleanly.

Virat Kohli celebrates scoring a century during day three. Picture: Getty Images
Virat Kohli celebrates scoring a century during day three. Picture: Getty Images

Moments later Kohli brought up a masterful century with a boundary. Tremendous knock from the Indian skipper. India 4-207.

Adrian McMurray 1.26pm: Lyon strikes early

The players are back out there and in the very first over … WICKET! Lyon does the damage, Rahane edging to Paine on the third ball of the day. Huge moment for the hosts. India 4-173.

Nathan Lyon and Aaron Finch celebrate after Lyon took the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane. Picture: Getty Images
Nathan Lyon and Aaron Finch celebrate after Lyon took the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane. Picture: Getty Images

Gideon Haigh 12.40pm: Holy Kohli! Indian skipper enhances his legend

Yesterday a newspaper pronounced Virat Kohli ‘super duper’ and an ‘uber-success story’, and a commentator praised the positivity of his body language as he walked to the crease. For India’s captain, it was all in a day’s hyperbole. What a challenge — unique in world cricket. He must be Virat Kohli without succumbing to the unavoidable distractions of being Virat Kohli.

Indian captain Virat Kohli at stumps on day two. Picture: AAP
Indian captain Virat Kohli at stumps on day two. Picture: AAP

With India two for eight, Kohli perhaps felt the tug each way. It was a situation in need of his powers and his presence. The flag-waving Indian claque welcomed him with lusty salaams, the Australian pace attack with probing lengths. Kohli had gone eight innings without a half-century in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but soon made this seem less like a matter of form than a piece of trivia: a hundred and nine deliveries set it to rights. It was a holding operation — India still trail, on the scoreboard and in the match scenario. But while Kohli batted the match imperceptibly stabilised. It was not quite ‘Kohli v Australia’, but you’d have been forgiven thinking it so; on ‘Kohli v the second new ball’ this morning could this match hinge.

Read more here

Andrew Faulkner 12.00am: Showers threaten Test on the brink

Day three has dawned under a clear sky but there’s a chance of a shower this afternoon. Before then the pitch will cure on a day that’s forecast to reach 29C.

Virat Kohli (82) and Ajinkya Rahane (51) will resume their partnership against an Australian attack refreshed by a night’s rest. The Test is at a critical point — if the Australians can strike quickly they can feast on the long Indian tail. If not, the Indian lower order will instead face a tiring attack. It looms as another intriguing day …

Peter Lalor 11.30am: ‘We’ve not lost the upper hand’

It took two balls on day two to change the direction of the game. To get a reeling India off the ropes and back into the fight.

That’s Virat Kohli’s way. He doesn’t just retaliate, he retaliates first.

Pat Cummins appeals for a wicket on day two. Picture: Getty Images
Pat Cummins appeals for a wicket on day two. Picture: Getty Images

The game was spinning out of control. Bowlers with wild eyes took 6-24, high on cracks, a little crazed from the grass.

Read more here

More Coverage

King and his deputy lift India
Andrew Faulkner, Adrian McMurray
‘We’ve not lost the upper hand’
Peter Lalor
Holy Kohli! The legend continues
Gideon Haigh

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-india-second-test-live-rain-threatens-test-on-the-brink/news-story/97a8ad2e5444b4158d66ce24e9415b00