NewsBite

Australia v India, Third Test Day 4 live coverage from the SCG

Another incident involving members of the SCG crowd has further strained the patience of India’s unhappy touring party.

Peter Lalor and Daniel Sankey
13 min read
7:30PMJanuary 10, 2021.
Updated 8:04PMJanuary 10, 2021
Print
Mohammed Siraj of India stops play to make a formal complaint about some spectators in the bay behind his fielding position during day four of the Third Test against Australia at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images
Mohammed Siraj of India stops play to make a formal complaint about some spectators in the bay behind his fielding position during day four of the Third Test against Australia at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images

INDIA 244 and 2-98 (Rohit Sharma 52, Shubman Gill 31, Josh Hazlewood 1-11, Pat Cummins 1-25) trail AUSTRALIA (338 and 6-312 declared) by 308 runs.

Another incident involving members of the SCG crowd has further strained the patience of India’s unhappy touring party.

Play was stopped for 10 minutes just before tea on Sunday as officials dealt with patrons in the Brewrongle Stand after captain Ajinkya Rahane notified umpires about something happening between the crowd and Mohammed Siraj.

The Indian side had already made a formal complaint about racial abuse on the previous day aimed at Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.

The team is reportedly convinced this was another incident of racial abuse, but that claim is disputed by fans in the vicinity.

At least six fans were eventually ejected from their seats for being intoxicated and another had been asked to leave after abusing Siraj earlier.

India's Mohammed Siraj, centre, gestures next to Australia's captain Tim Paine (2R) as the game was halted. Picture: AFP
India's Mohammed Siraj, centre, gestures next to Australia's captain Tim Paine (2R) as the game was halted. Picture: AFP

Cricket Australia security chief Sean Carroll released a statement soon after the incident, saying anyone engaging in racist abuse was unwelcome in Australian cricket.

“CA is awaiting the outcome of the International Cricket Council’s investigation into the matter reported at the SCG on Saturday,” Carroll said. “Once those responsible are identified, CA will take the strongest measures possible under our Anti-Harassment Code, including lengthy bans, further sanctions and referral to NSW Police.

“As series hosts, we unreservedly apologise to our friends in the Indian cricket team and assure them we will prosecute the matter to its fullest extent.”

NSW police said the incidents were not of a racial nature and other patrons backed those claims, but the controversy will do nothing to improve the mood of the visitors and came as Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings was in meetings with the BCCI top brass over the fourth Test.

The message from the Indian team is they do not want to travel to Brisbane but the BCCI seems intent on fulfilling the agreement it signed on December 29.

At first the team said it was because quarantine restrictions were too harsh but over the weekend the reason has shifted to that town’s harsh lockdown because of an outbreak of the UK strain of the virus.

Meanwhile, India’s battered batting line-up faces the task of chasing down 300 on the last day of the match with two batsmen already out and two others, Ravi Jadeja and Risabh Pant, carrying injuries that stopped them taking the field on Sunday.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of Sunday’s interruption to play was that it distracted attention from an innings that will have brought a flutter to the heart of every Australian cricket fan.

We know Cameron Green will emerge as a serious bowler. We know he is more than a handy gully fielder. We knew he could bat — that was obvious from his 146-ball 45 at the MCG — but we didn’t know just how many tricks he had until Australia closed in on the declaration.

Greg Chappell called him the next Ricky Ponting on these pages before the start of this series, but the shots Green produced in the hour before tea were next level.

It was like that moment in the Bee Gees career around the mid-1970s where Barry hit that high falsetto note for the first time. Suddenly a band that had made a career from brilliant pop songs found another gear.

This batsman is even more exciting than we imagined.

Green hit four enormous sixes in 12 deliveries. Three from the bowling of Siraj were deposited over long-on and deep into the Victor Trumper stand. He then put one from Jasprit Bumrah into the Brewrongle.

It was some spectacle; the 21-year-old charged the seamers who were hoping to pick up wickets with the second new ball.

Good judges suggest Green’s technique is as good if not better than most other batsmen in the side. He bats with poise, bats to the circumstances of the game and he revealed on Sunday that he has an extra gear that is absolutely thrilling.

Green qualified for an entry-level Cricket Australia contract before this match. He will demand one with a bit more weight when the deals for the next 12 months are handed out after this series.

IPL scouts will have noted the hitting and the bowling, but one thing Australia needs to be absolutely wary of is breaking the young man. Green has just recovered from a stress fracture that stopped him bowling for most of the past 12 months and he is at least four years short of the sort of physical maturity bowling demands of the body.

In other good news for Australia, Marnus Labuschagne (73) and Steve Smith (81) are tracking quite nicely. Again. Both batted well in the first innings and looked just as good in the second.

Tim Paine’s cameo with Smith — a typically crisp 39no — comes with one concern. There are suggestions the captain may have hurt a hamstring during the knock.

India’s woes are legion and made worse by Rohit Sharma playing an unnecessarily flamboyant shot in the last hour of the game which brought his innings to an end on 52 and made the run chase on the final day just that little bit harder.

For a full recap of how the day unfolded, read our live blog below.

-

6.02pm: STUMPS — India 2-98

Daniel Sankey 5.46pm: WICKET! Cummins dismisses Sharma

Just moments after bringing up his half century, Rohit Sharma (52) is out — caught by Mitchell Starc at deep square leg off the bowling of Pat Cummins.

India are 2-92, still requiring 315 for victory late on Day 4.

Daniel Sankey 5.11pm: WICKET! Hazlewood snares Gill

Tim Paine reintroduces Josh Hazlewood into the attack and it pays immediate dividends, with the big quick catching Shubman Gill’s outside edge for a simple catch to wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

He’s given out by umpire Paul Wilson and surprisingly, Gill chooses to review. It’s a complete waste for the Indians, with hotspot revealing the edge.

Gill goes for 31 (64 deliveries), leaving India at 1-71, still needing 336 runs for victory. Rohit Sharma is 39 not out (69 deliveries) and Cheteshwar Pujara is the new man in.

Daniel Sankey 4.50pm: Indian resistance continues at SCG

Indian openers Rohit Sharma (22 not out) and Shubman Gill (24 not out) continue to do a fine job for their country, taking India to 0-47 as they chase 407 for an unlikely victory in the Third Test at the SCG.

And while this session has undoubtedly belonged to the tourists, it hasn’t gone without incident, with the umpires turning down a couple of very confident appeals.

With Cameron Green about to bowl the 19th over, Australian captain Tim Paine will have used all of their five frontline bowlers inside the first hour after tea as he searches for a crucial breakthrough.

As stats gurus Cric Viz note, it’s not like the Aussies aren’t creating chances...

Daniel Sankey 4.30pm: India start positively in run chase

After 14 overs, Australia’s pacemen have struggled to make an impact as Rohit Sharma (18 not out, 42 deliveries) and Shubman Gill (22 not out, 42 deliveries) have reduced the deficit to 367 runs.

India are 0-40, but now face a new challenge as the world’s no.1-ranked bowler Pat Cummins gets his chance with the ball.

Daniel Sankey 3.30pm: Australia declares at tea

India will need to bat for four sessions to salvage a draw against Australia at the SCG, with Tim Paine declaring during the tea break with the hosts leading by 406 runs.

Peter Lalor 3.09pm: Spectators ejected after abuse complaint

At least six spectators were ejected at the SCG after India’s Mohammed Siraj appeared to complain about being abused by a section of the crowd.

The nature of the abuse is not clear but there was a similar report about racial slurs being directed toward the Indian players on the previous days.

Several spectators were asked by police to leave their seats following a complaint by Indian players at the SCG. Picture: Fox Sports / Screengrab
Several spectators were asked by police to leave their seats following a complaint by Indian players at the SCG. Picture: Fox Sports / Screengrab

Play stopped before 3pm as captain Ajinkya Rahane notified umpires of the problems emerging from the Brewongle Stand.

The incident is sure to further upset the unhappy side and bring unwanted international headlines about Australian crowds.

The Indian side had complained at the end of day three that Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah had been racially abused.

There are suggestions Siraj was being taunted with chants about the number of wives he had along with references to his skin colour on the previous day.

The players formed a huddle as police and security established who was responsible for the abuse.

Indian players watch on as spectators are asked to leave their seats. Picture: Getty Images
Indian players watch on as spectators are asked to leave their seats. Picture: Getty Images

Getty Images captured photos of an additional man sitting in the same group who appeared to flee the scene before police arrived. Those photos have been passed on to investigators.

Australian captain Tim Paine, who was batting with Cameron Green at the time, joined the Indian huddle during the extended break.

SCG security was reviewing CCTV footage in the morning in an attempt to find the source of the abuse on the two days previous.

Australian captain Tim Paine (left) speaks with Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. Picture: Getty Images
Australian captain Tim Paine (left) speaks with Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. Picture: Getty Images

In a statement, Cricket Australia’s head of integrity and security Sean Carroll said anyone who sought to vilify or harass had no place in Australian cricket.

“Cricket Australia condemns in the strongest terms possible all discriminatory behaviour,” Carroll said. “If you engage in racist abuse, you are not welcome in Australian cricket.

“CA is awaiting the outcome of the International Cricket Council’s investigation into the matter reported at the SCG on Saturday. Once those responsible are identified, CA will take the strongest measures possible under our Anti-Harassment Code, including lengthy bans, further sanctions and referral to NSW Police.

“As series hosts, we unreservedly apologise to our friends in the Indian cricket team and assure them we will prosecute the matter to its fullest extent.”

Indian paceman Mohammed Siraj and teammates speak to umpire Paul Reiffel about the incident. Picture: Getty Images
Indian paceman Mohammed Siraj and teammates speak to umpire Paul Reiffel about the incident. Picture: Getty Images

Kerrie Mather, Venues NSW’s Chief Executive, said CCTV footage was being reviewed to assist the ICC investigation.

“At the SCG, we pride ourselves on welcoming anyone and everyone in a safe and inclusive environment,” Mather said.

“We are taking this extremely seriously. If those involved are identified, they will be banned from the SCG and all Venues NSW properties under our Act.”

Just minutes later, Green was dismissed for a brilliant 84 — his highest score in Test cricket — as he attempted to score quick runs ahead of a likely declaration.

Green’s dismissal ushered in the tea break with Australia in a dominant position on 6-312, leading by 406 runs with four sessions remaining in the match. Paine was not out on 39 (52 deliveries).

Daniel Sankey 2.31pm: Green scores maiden Test 50

Playing in just his third Test, young all-rounder Cameron Green has notched his maiden Test 50 as Australia continues to build on what looks to be a near-insurmountable lead.

The hosts are 5-274, leading by 368, with Green on 51 not out (116 deliveries) and captain Tim Paine on 34 not out (43 deliveries). It’s a 66-run partnership so far for Green and Paine, who’ve effectively batted India out of this Test match.

Daniel Sankey 1.28pm: WICKET! Smith departs for 81

Back-to-back centuries have gone begging for Australia’s Steve Smith, who falls LBW to an absolute peach of a delivery from Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Smith was originally given not out by the onfield umpire, but DRS showed the turning delivery, which beat Smith’s inside edge, was taking the Aussie’s leg stump.

Smith departs for 81 (167 deliveries) and Australia are 5-208, leading by 302 runs with Cameron Green on 23 not out and Tim Paine on his way to the wicket.

Australia’s woes with the decision review system — particularly when it comes to captain Tim Paine — are well documented.

Yesterday, Paine risked a fine or suspension when he was caught using an audible obscenity when addressing umpire Paul Wilson about a DRS call.

Paine also fumed after the Boxing Day Test after being dismissed caught behind via DRS, but argued that in a similar situation India’s Cheteshwar Pujara was given the benefit of the doubt.

In Melbourne, umpire Wilson was the TV umpire who sent Paine packing with the Australian wicketkeeper accusing the official of being too hasty in his assessment.

Daniel Sankey 1.15pm: Smith back from lunch with intent

Steve Smith wasted no time in revealing Australia’s intentions on how they’re going to tackle this next period on Day 4 of the Fourth Test — the Aussies will be looking to push the pace.

In his first two balls after the lunch break, Smith top-edged a hook that still cleared the boundary rope for six, then glanced a legside delivery from Mohammed Siraj to the fine leg boundary for four.

With 12 runs in the first over after lunch, the Aussies have moved to 4-194, a lead of 288, with Smith on 69 not out and Cameron Green on 21 not out.

12.31pm: LUNCH — Australia 4-182

Daniel Sankey 12.20pm: Smith is ‘no average batsman’

He may have dropped down to no.3 in the ICC Test batting world rankings behind NZ’s Kane Williamson and India’s Virat Kohli, but there’s little doubt that Steve Smith has batted himself right back into form in this Test.

Analysis from the stats gurus at Cric Viz shows the Indian bowlers have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at the former Australian captain, with the deliveries they’ve sent down to him this innings statistically to have expected to have taken more than four wickets.

But as they say, “Steve Smith is no ordinary batsman”.

Smith averages 61.33 per innings in Test cricket, with more than 7200 runs in 75 matches. He has more runs and a better average than both Kohli and Williamson but has played fewer Tests than both.

11.44am: That’s another 50 for Steve Smith

Daniel Sankey 11.22am: Matthew Wade fails again

It will be a nervous wait at team selection time for Matthew Wade at team selection time for the upcoming Fourth Test after another failure.

In fairness to the Australian no.5, he copped a terrific delivery from Indian Navdeep Saini, who got one to bounce and jag away from the diminutive left-hander.

Wade goes for 4 (11 deliveries) and Australia are 4-148, with Steve Smith on 44 not tou (123 deliveries) and Cameron Green the new man in.

Peter Lalor 11.12am: Substitute keeper snares Labuschagne

That won’t have gone down well with the Australians.

Wriddhiman Saha has just pulled off a diving catch on the leg side to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne.

Saha is a substitute keeper and a better one than the man he replaced. Rishabh Pant is nursing a sore arm in the dressing rooms and will bat if necessary.

Simon Taufel told Channel 7 that “as it was an external blow/injury, he can bat where likes and is not restricted to the 5 wicket down clause. No time penalty applies”.

If a fielder is off the ground for a certain period in normal circumstances they have a time period to serve before batting. South Africa caught Australia out at Adelaide in 2016, Faf du Plessis declaring when David Warner was having a toilet break.

As a result Warner could not open the batting.

Daniel Sankey 11.06am: WICKET! Labuschagne out for 73

Another century goes begging for Australian no.3 Marnus Labuschagne, who gets an edge to one that bounced a little more than he expected as he attempts to flick a Navdeep Saini delivery down to fine leg. Replacement wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha takes a fine catch and Labuschagne goes for 73 (118 deliveries).

Australia is 3-138 — a lead of 232 runs — with Steve Smith on 38 not out (117 deliveries) and Matthew Wade the new man at the crease.

Daniel Sankey 10.20am: Labuschagne brings up his 50

Just moments after being dropped by Hanuma Vihari off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah, Marnus Labuschagne has brought up his half century.

At the end of the 35th over, the Aussies are 2-109, with Labuschagne not out on 51 (86 deliveries) and Steve Smith on 31 (82 deliveries).

Both Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have started well for India, forcing a couple of false shots from the Australian batsmen ... but unfortunately, they have not been backed up by their fielders.

Peter Lalor 10.07am: There’s no good news for India

Big troubles for India on the fourth day.

Ravi Jadeja has a fractured thumb and is out of the match, Rishabh Pant has his arm strapped and will bat if necessary.

And then Hanuma Vihari got the team off to a predictable start by dropping Marnus Labuschagne on the second ball of the day.

“It wasn’t a hard chance either ... this is as simple as it gets,” former Australian legspinner Shane Warne said in commentary for Fox Cricket.

“That is an absolute soda. You’ve got to catch those at this level, especially at this situation of the game. Bumrah cannot believe it. That is deflating for your whole team.”

Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah gets ready to bowl on day four of the Third Test match at SCG. Picture: AFP
Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah gets ready to bowl on day four of the Third Test match at SCG. Picture: AFP

The team has complained about racist abuse of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.

The team is also determined not to go to Brisbane but Cricket Australia is confident that people with more power than the squad are happy.

The squad is unhappy about restrictions, sick of bubbles and has leapt on the COVID-19 issue in Brisbane.

They were looking for an excuse and they have found it.

And finally, they are 200 behind and face a long day in the field in the hot sun as Australia continue from 2-105 with Smith and Labuschagne at the wicket.

Ben Horne 8.30am: Indian stars ‘targeted with racial abuse’

Angry Indian officials have claimed star fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were targeted with racial abuse by the SCG crowd.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley and Cricket Australia Head of Integrity and Security Sean Carroll speak with Indian team management after Day 3 of the Third Test at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley and Cricket Australia Head of Integrity and Security Sean Carroll speak with Indian team management after Day 3 of the Third Test at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images

There were dramatic scenes outside the Indian dressing rooms after stumps on day three, with ICC and stadium security officers locked in long discussions with Bumrah, Siraj and members of team management.

It’s understood Indian officials say the pair have been abused by members of the public for the past two days, and believe the abuse has been racist in nature.

Senior Indian players including captain Ajinkya Rahane also spoke to match officials and security officials at the end of play, amid suggestions a crowd member at the Randwick end of the ground abused Siraj who was fielding at fine leg at the time.

Read the full story here.

Joe Barton 8.15am: Paine in hot water over audible obscenity

Tim Paine’s DRS war has landed the Australian skipper in hot water over an on-field obscenity picked up by stump mics which has the potential to rub him out of the fourth and final Test of the India series.

Paine raged after Cheteshwar Pujara escaped another touch-and-go review for a bat pad catch off Nathan Lyon, which was given not out by umpire Paul Wilson early on day three at the SCG.

If match umpire David Boon interprets the outburst as merely an ‘audible obscenity’, Paine could be fined a portion of his match fee.

Although unlikely, if Boon took the view that it warranted a charge of dissent, the potential is there for a more serious punishment — including suspension from the fourth Test.

Read the full story here.

Peter Lalor 8am: India wants out of Brisbane Test

Indian officials have informed Cricket Australia they do not want to play the fourth Test in Brisbane because of fears the highly-infectious UK strain of coronavirus could jeopardise their forthcoming series against England at home.

Indian head coach Ravi Shastri speaks to players at the SCG. Picture: AFP
Indian head coach Ravi Shastri speaks to players at the SCG. Picture: AFP

BCCI officials also expressed concerns about travelling to a city that is currently in a hard lockdown, but sources said India were still keen to play the fourth Test, but would not risk travelling to Brisbane.

Cricket Australia is confident however that the tour will proceed.

The latest objection comes after the Indian camp had tried to use changes in hotel restrictions as an objection to travelling to Brisbane.

Read the full story here.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-india-third-test-day-4-live-coverage-from-the-scg/news-story/4673a78d85ea04bedcc7c1a0e6c54764