Australia v India 3rd Test: Australia grinds India into SCG dust on day three

Australia has its foot firmly on India's throat, reviving brutal Bodyline tactics to destroy the tourists and swing the series back in its favour. Re-live all the action in our blog.

Is it time for a review of the DRS system? Picture: Getty Images

After rising from the canvas in Melbourne, India has received its second standing eight count for the series as Australia finally broke their body and spirit at the SCG.

Indian stars Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant were both sent to hospital for scans after a brutal fast bowling onslaught led by Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc which has put Australia into a commanding position to finally reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

On a Mad House day full of run-outs, DRS drama and Australia captain Tim Paine landing in hot water for an expletive-laden exchange with umpire Paul Wilson, India were left hanging by a thread in the third Test.

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Ravi Shastri’s brave side pulled off one of the greatest comeback Test wins in history at the MCG – just a week after they were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide in an embarrassment which would have destroyed most touring teams.

But day three at the SCG felt like the day the Indians might have finally cracked with Australia finishing in complete control at 2-103 and a massive 197 runs in front.

Cummins was once again the architect with superb figures of 4-29 from 21.4 overs tearing the heart out of the Indian batting and leaving them 94 behind at the innings change, before Marnus Labuschagne (47 not out) and Steve Smith (29 not out) once again advancing Australia’s cause.

HAZLEWOOD!

The big fast bowler stuns everyone with a freakish run out! 😍#AUSvIND LIVE: https://t.co/lR1SEL8C3s pic.twitter.com/cuv9NHKh9q

— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) January 9, 2021

“I think at the start of the day I was kind of hoping we wouldn’t end the day still having to bowl, so to (have a) 200 (run) lead, eight wickets in hand on a wicket that’s deteriorating pretty quickly… great result,” Cummins said.

“But they’re a good side, I’m sure they’re going to bounce back.

"In terms of getting their bowlers back out there, they’ve now bowled three days in a row, those sort of things they do add up.”

A Pat Cummins lifter left Rishabh Pant in a lot of pain.

Hazlewood (2-43) produced the moment of the day when he ran out Hanuma Vihari with a direct-hit in sensational scenes which seemed to change the entire momentum of the match.

Australia’s world-class pace bowling trio sensed the blood in the water and attacked, with some vicious body blows worn by the Indians leaving them on the brink.

Cummins hit Pant in the elbow and although the lively keeper-batsman battled on, he was virtually playing one-handed and a lame duck for Hazlewood to nick him off for 36.

It was world No.1 Cummins who eventually took down India’s great hope – marathon man Cheteshwar Pujara for 50, having already softened ‘The Wall’ up with a fast ball which crushed into his arm.

Josh Hazlewood celebrates his epic runout.

Not to be outdone, Starc entered the fray and struck Navdeep Saini with a brutal short ball – perhaps a state of the Indian rookie’s own medicine after he made the mistake of poking the bear with a series of bouncers and a beamer to the Australian left-armer.

Cummins then came again with another screaming missile which put India’s class all-rounder Jadeja out of action, after clipping him on the thumb.

Pant and Jadeja were sent for scans for potential fractures, leaving Wriddhiman Saha to sub in as wicketkeeper and India to fight on against the might of Labuschagne and Smith a bowler down.

Pat Cummins picks up the final wicket and India are all out for 244.

Australia will begin their second innings with a lead of 94 runs! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/eApSV8IezR

— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) January 9, 2021

India’s woes were compounded by a record three run outs – the first time Australia has inflicted that level of fielding calamity on an opposition since 1991.

Despite the day of dominance, Australia also lost their cool with umpires and it would seem the team has completely lost faith in the decision review system.

Captain Paine is facing disciplinary action from match referee and fellow Tasmanian David Boon, after he was caught on stump mics swearing in a heated exchange with umpire Wilson.

Paine’s fury with DRS this series has been well documented after feeling he was on the receiving end of a howler at the MCG, and the skipper was not happy about Pujara surviving another bat pad appeal from Nathan Lyon.

BIG WICKET

Cummins gets the edge and Pujara is on his way! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ozeFScqoeC

— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) January 9, 2021

“F***ing consistency Blocker (Wilson), there’s a thing (spike) as (the ball) goes past (the bat),” Paine said.

“What’s the f***ing difference, with Snicko?”

At the very least Paine will be fined for use of an audible obscenity, but at its most severe interpretation, Paine could face a match suspension if Boon wants to hit him with a serious dissent charge.

David Warner was also filthy at being given out lbw early in Australia’s reply, despite being well forward and hit on the midriff attempting to sweep.

Umpire Paul Reiffel gave it out, which meant Warner had no hope when ball-tracker showed the ball shaving the top of the leg bail on review, with the opener looking none too happy as he marched from the field.

Originally published as Australia v India 3rd Test: Australia grinds India into SCG dust on day three