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India in charge but devastating Cummins gives Australia hope
MELBOURNE, Dec 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A clinical India had Australia on the
ropes Friday and staring at defeat in the third Test after skittling them for
151 before a devastating spell by Pat Cummins sparked the game back into
life.
At stumps, the visitors had a formidable 346 cushion with five wickets
left and two days to play as they inch closer to a first ever series win Down
Under. The series is currently tied at 1-1 with just the Sydney Test next
week to go.
Once again the home team’s batting frailties were exposed as they
struggled not only with a deteriorating Melbourne pitch — 15 wickets fell on
Friday — but outstanding bowling from young pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
He ended with a career-best 6-33, collecting his third five-wicket Test
haul having also achieved the feat against South Africa and England.
With a 292-run first innings advantage, Indian skipper Virat Kohli could
have enforced the follow on but instead opted to turn the screws and add to
the imposing total.
But his batsmen also found it tough going and they slumped to 54 for five,
with first innings century-maker Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli himself
sensationally out for ducks.
“We wanted to play positive cricket, yes we lost a few more wickets than
we wanted but we’ll try to add as many runs as we can tomorrow then we can
come back and try to get them out,” said Bumrah in explaining the decision.
Cummins was Australia’s best bowler in India’s first innings 443-7
declared and was chief destroyer on Friday, claiming an amazing 4-3 off his
first four overs.
His scalps also included opener Hanuma Vihari (13) and vice-captain
Ajinkya Rahane (1).
Josh Hazlewood chipped in with the wicket of Rohit Sharma (5) with
debutant Mayank Agarwal watching the carnage from the other end. He was not
out 28 with Rishabh Pant on six.
“You dare to dream,” said Cummins on Australia’s chances of avoiding
defeat, while defending what was arguably one of their worst battings
displays in recent times.
MORE/SSS/1652 hrs
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“It’s still a young batting group. They are trying their best and I guess
today it just didn’t come off.”
None of Australia’s batsmen could muster more than 22, again demonstrating
how much they miss Steve Smith and David Warner, whose bans for ball-
tampering run out in late March.
Cummins admitted they were being missed, but added that “others have to
stand up”.
– Into strife –
In overcast conditions, Australia began the day with eight runs on the
scoreboard but with the pitch showing wear and tear, it wasn’t long before
the bowlers took advantage.
Aaron Finch smashed a four off Bumrah in a positive start but once again
Australia’s limited overs captain failed as a Test opener.
He was on eight when he feebly chipped an Ishant Sharma delivery to
Agarwal at short midwicket, who took a difficult diving catch.
That brought Usman Khawaja to the crease, just hours after his brother was
re-arrested for allegedly breaching bail and charged with trying to influence
a witness.
Arsalan Khawaja had been detained earlier this month, then bailed, after
being accused of framing a love rival as the author of a terrorist hit list.
Khawaja was only at the wicket a short time before Australia’s other
opener Marcus Harris also fell, plunging the home team into strife at 36 for
two.
Khawaja didn’t last much longer, despondently trudging off for 21 after
Agarwal took another catch from spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who was finding the
rough.
Shaun Marsh was then deceived on the last ball of the morning by some late
swing from Bumrah to be plum lbw.
The afternoon didn’t get any better with Travis Head’s stumps knocked over
by a quick Bumrah delivery and Mitchell Marsh tickling a Jadeja ball to
Rahane at slip, with the last four wickets falling for 13 runs.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1653 hrs