India suffers blow just before stumps
CRICKET
SYDNEY: Pat Cummins landed a crucial blow just before stumps as Australia homed in on a crucial test win against India at the SCG yesterday.
With India flying, Cummins had danger man Rohit Sharma caught on the fineleg boundary for 52, leaving the touring side 98 for two, chasing a groundrecord 407 to win.
Sharma had led India’s late resurgence on day four before falling to Australia’s form bowler, regularly driving through the covers and pulling Cameron Green for a booming six.
But Cummins has reaffirmed his status as the world’s best bowler this summer, with his four for 29 in the first innings setting up Australia’s position.
On a day overshadowed by a crowd incident that stopped play for eight minutes, Shubman Gill also went in the final hour for 36.
Tasked with getting through a tough final session and with a draw looking its best hope, the pair exploded out of the blocks before Josh Hazlewood had Gill caught behind.
It left Cheteshwar Pujara, on nine, and Ajinkya Rahane, on four, together at the close, the pair shaping as India’s last real hope on day five.
No team has successfully chased down more than 288 in a test at the SCG, while the highest anywhere in Australia stands at 414.
If India were to pull off the feat it would be enough to retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy given the ledger sits at 11 with one test to play in Brisbane.
‘‘It was a bit of a relief for us to see Rohit Sharma out there at the end,’’ Australia coach Justin Langer said.
‘‘That’s a huge wicket for us because we know he’s a worldclass player.
‘‘We know he’s one of the all time great oneday players so if he was out there he’s going to keep scoring quickly.
‘‘There’s very little in this wicket . . . we’re going to have to squeeze really hard, keep the pressure on and hopefully the ball will start spinning a bit more.’’
It came after an electric second session in which Green threatened to score his first test century but eventually fell in the pursuit of quick runs before Australia declared at 312 for six.
Green’s 84 included three sixes over longon off quick Mohammed Siraj after passing 50, and another he pulled powerfully from Jasprit Bumrah.
However, he fell right on tea trying to heave Bumrah into the crowd again, looking to add to the 25 runs he had scored from his previous nine balls.
Steve Smith’s brilliance had earlier again emphasised the home side’s advantage, although he was denied backtoback centuries when he fell lbw to Ravichandran Ashwin on 81.
After a poor start to the BorderGavaskar Trophy series, Smith now averages 44.4 for the summer.
India only had itself to blame for Australia’s dominant position.
Hanuma Vihari dropped an easy chance from Marnus Labuschagne on the second ball of the day on 47.
By the time Labuschagne went for 73 when he gloved one from Navdeep Saini down the legside, Australia’s lead was 232.
Tim Paine scored an unbeaten 39 off 52, making India pay for dropping him on seven when he hit four boundaries in five balls.
India’s finalday predicament has also not been helped by Rishabh Pant still nursing a heavily strapped arm.
He will bat only if required, while Ravindra Jadeja’s status is even more dire, with a dislocated thumb.
He is unlikely to feature again this tour. — AAP
CDK strung backtoback wins together to firm as a favourite to make the Dunedin club twenty20 final on January 17.
CarisbrookDunedin and Kaikorai (45.5 points) merged their top teams this season and the premier grade team leads the T20 standings after eight rounds.
Seamer Jeremy Smith took five for 22 to help bowl out Green Island for 127 in the early game.
Former Volts allrounder Christi Viljoen topscored for the Swamp Rats with 51 from 36 deliveries.
But Otago batsman Josh Finnie got back into some good form. He swatted 64 from 29 deliveries and Fergus Ellis made 52 not out to help CDK record a comfortable eightwicket win with more than six overs remaining.
Camden Hawkins led the way in the late match against rival Albion. He plundered an undefeated 104 from 59 balls as his side posted 178 for six.
The Eagles, second in the standings with 40 points, were restricted to 162 for six.
Max O’Dowd topscored with 69 but Smith snapped up three for 40 to complete a good day of cricket.
Albion beat Taieri by 14 runs earlier in the day. It put on a total of 120 for six.
Leftarm spinner Ben Lockrose shone for Taieri with three for 18.
But Albion was disciplined with the ball and restricted its opponent to 106 for six.
North East Valley (33 points) won both its matches to stay in touch with the competition leader.
It scraped its way to 141 for eight against UniversityGrange. Nine batsmen scored between 10 and 19 but noone was able to push on.
Muhammad Jawad claimed three for 19 and Jacob Cumming took a brace.
But UniGrange slumped to 105 all out and is yet to register a win in the tournament.
Kyle Hastie and Hunter Kindley picked up three wickets apiece for North East Valley, which had a much tighter game with Taieri later in the day.
Taieri (31 points) reached 118 for six but Valley overhauled the target with fours wickets to spare in the last over.
Green Island (27.5 points) bounced back from its earlier loss to CDK with a comprehensive 57run win against UniversityGrange (12 points).
It scored 130 for eight and dismissed UniGrange for a paltry 73.
Keegan Russell starred with three for 14.