14:55 Pune Test: Lyon, O’Keefe help Australia crush India in series opener:
AUSTRALIA WIN BY 333 RUNS!India 107-all out (33.5 ovs) vs Aus; Target: 441 | Scorecard
Off-spinner Lyon ends India’s agony with the wicket of Jayant Yadav, who is caught by Matthew Wade off an inside edge as India are bowled out for a lowly 107 in 33.5 overs.
Steve O’Keefe claimed six for 35 to finish with 12 wickets in the match, while Lyon bagged four for 53 with the two spinners claiming all 10 wickets in the second innings.
Another disappointing performance by the Indian batsmen as they barely crossed the 100-run mark in both innings.
This is Australia’s first Test match win in India after a long wait of nearly 13 years, with their last win coming in November 2004 in Nagpur.
Before the start of the series, everyone expected World No. 1 India to streamroll the Australians but the visitors came up with an inspired showing, and outplayed the hosts with both bat and ball to register a comprehensive win.
India have a lot of thinking and hard work to do before the next match starts in Bengaluru from March 4.
Lyon finally bags his second wicket as Jadeja inside edges it back on to the stumps, trying to hit it through the off-side
Two balls later, he strikes with the wicket of Ishant, who is caught off an inside edge at leg slip as India are just one wicket away from a big defeat.
The two Australian spinners have been outstanding as they bowled in the right areas and kept creating chances, while the Indian batsmen struggled to cope.
O’Keefe continues his wicket ways as he strikes immediately after the tea break.
The Indians have failed to read the left-arm spinner, especially the arm ball, which slides in straight. Pujara is caught on the crease and struck right in line with the stumps as he looks to defend but is trapped leg before wicket.
O’Keefe has six for 34 in 13 overs as India are reduced to 100 for seven in 29 overs.
Australia have enjoyed another dominating session with the ball as India’s batting crumbles yet again in the match, twice in two days.
O’Keefe bagged his second five-wicket haul in the match to leave India reeling on 99 for six, after they were set 441 for victory. The left-arm spinner has match figures of 11 for 68 and looks likely to add a few more in the final session.
Pujara was the only batsman to offer some resistance as he was unbeaten on 31 at the tea interval.
India have been outplayed completely on Day 3, as Australia dominated with both bat and ball and look set for a big win in the opening Test.
What a change for fortune it has been for O’Keefe since changing ends on Day 2. Before switching ends, he had bowled nine overs for 30 runs without picking a wicket but since changing over to the other end, he has taken 10 wickets for 35 runs.
O’Keefe bowls a rare loose delivery as Wriddhiman Saha drives a full toss through the covers for a four.
Pujara, on 29, gets a lifeline as Warner at leg slip puts down a straightforward chance off Lyon.
Saha has a huge appeal for LBW turned down as Australia decide against taking the review and rightly so with the ball spinning too much.
O’Keefe completes his five-wicket haul, his second of the match, as he traps Saha leg before wicket for five. Saha had no clue about the straighter delivery which came in with the arm and hit him right in front of the stumps.
That also ends the post-lunch session which has witnessed another batting flop show by the Indians.
13:59 O’Keefe completes 10 wickets in the match, India in tatters: India 89-5 (25 ovs) vs Aus; Target: 441 | Scorecard
Ravichandran Ashwin seems to have no answers to Australia’s spinners as he decides to try something unconventional. He reverse sweeps Lyon for a boundary through the thirdman region.
He lofts the next ball which falls short of the fielder in the covers for three runs as it falls just wide of the fielder at mid-off.
O’Keefe has a LBW decision turned down against Ashwin as the Australians decide to take the DRS. Once again the arm ball does the trick as Ashwin comes forward but the ball hits the pad first before hitting the bat.
The ball hits him low and hitting him on the leg stump as the umpire has to overturn his decision.
Ashwin walks back for eight as O’Keefe gets his fourth wicket to complete 10 wickets in the match.
O’Keefe has four for 29 in 11 overs with India reeling on 89 for five, with another 352 runs needed for victory.
13:49 Kohli and Rahane perish as India slip further: India 81-4 (23 ovs) vs Aus; Target: 441 | Scorecard
Rahane’s positive approach finally results in his dismissal as he holes out a simple catch to the fielder in the covers.
Rahane walks back for 18 as India slip to 77 for four.
That was a poor shot by Rahane, driving on the up against O’Keefe who got some extra bounce which resulted in him chipping it straight to the bowler.
Pujara has shown great application as he clips the last ball of the over through midwicket for three runs.
O’Keefe bowls a ripper, lot of bounce and turn as Rahane can only watch it thud into the keeper’s gloves.
Lyon getting consistent turn as Pujara is beaten and there is some excitement but Marsh can’t take the catch at slip. Rahane looking to be positive as he sweeps Lyon for three runs to square leg.
In the next over, Rahane goes after a wide delivery from O’Keefe but gets a thick edge which flies over the slip fielder for a four. Three balls later, he get it off the middle as he slaps it through the covers for the second boundary of the over.
Rahane looking to be positive and not let go of any scoring opportunities with the Australian spinners bowling well and not giving anything away.
Lyon bowls it short and down the leg side as Pujara pulls it fine on the leg side for a boundary.
Rahane comes down the track and looks to loft Lyon over midwicket but he is beaten and manages just an inside edge. However, he sweeps the last ball of the over powerfully through square leg for a four.
13:38 Kohli dismissed for 13 as India slip further: India 49-3 (17 ovs) vs Aus; Target: 441 | Scorecard
O’Keefe has a huge shout for LBW turned down as Kohli got the inside edge on to the pads. Captain Smith is not too convinced as they ponder about taking the DRS but decide against it.
The replays show that the ball hit pad first before it touched the bat but maybe Kohli got the benefit of doubt. It would have been interesting had Australia taken the DRS, maybe Kohli would have been gone if they done that.
O’Keefe cripples India further with the big wicket of Kohli, who offers no shot and is bowled for 13. The India captain suffers a rare failure in both innings of a match and he is completely deceived by O’Keefe. Anticipating turn, Kohli opts to leave one outside the off-stump only to see it come in with the arm and crash straight into the stumps.
India’s batsmen again failing to live up to expectations as they are reduced to 49 for three in 17 overs.
13:08 India lose openers early after being set 441 for victory: India 31-2 (12 ovs) vs Aus; Target: 441 | Scorecard
O’Keefe beats Kohli with one that spins away sharply as Australia appeal without much conviction for a caught at first slip but they don’t take the DRS. He then takes a single to fine leg before Pujara plays out the over.
In Lyon’s next over, Kohli gets an inside edge off his pads which falls safely on the leg side out of the reach of the fielder at short leg.
Kohli taking a cue from Smith, looking to rotate the strike and adopt a positive approach. He clips O’Keefe square on the leg side for a couple of runs.
Pujara is beaten all ends up by Lyon as he gets one to spin in sharply and goes through his defences for four byes as wicketkeeper Wade fails to collect it.
O’Keefe trying a bit too much as he bowls it down the leg side and Kohli flicks it fine for a couple and then defends the rest of the over confidently.
12:56 Rahul, Vijay perish cheaply as India lose early wickets: India 17-2 (6 ovs) vs Aus; Target: 441 | Scorecard
And Lyon seems to have struck again in the next over as Rahul is given out LBW. The India opener after a brief chat with his partner Cheteshwar Pujara takes the second remaining DRS.
And the review again goes in Australia’s favour as India are reduced to 16 for two in the sixth over.
Once again India waste a review and they are left with no reviews for the rest of their innings.
Rahul played so back that there was absolutely no chance of getting away with that leg before wicket call. Wonder what Pujara advised him before he decided to take the DRS?
Kohli gets his first runs of the game with an inside edge that goes past short leg for a single.
12:46 India lose Vijay early after being set 441 for victory: India 10-1 (5 ovs) vs Aus; Target: 441 | Scorecard
Starc bowls another quiet over to Vijay, who is happy to see if off cautiously as the pacer registers his second maiden over on the trot.
Meanwhile, Vijay is having a few issues against Lyon and he yet again resorts to the sweep to get away from the strike.
Rahul gets a nasty delivery which kicks off from the rough as he goes back to defend, it takes the glove and falls on the pitch as Handscomb makes a diving effort but is unable to hold on.
And not surprising, Australia bring spin from the other end as Steve O’Keefe, who claimed six wickets in the first innings, comes into the attack.
He immediately creates a half chance as Vijay pokes his bat at a wide one getting a thick edge but it falls safely on the off-side.
O’Keefe gets Vijay leg before wicket with one that goes straight on as the right-hander takes the DRS but the decision stays with the ball hitting the leg stump.
Vijay never looked comfortable against the spinners and this time he played down the wrong line and was struck right in front of the stumps. And to add to India’s woes, he wastes one DRS review which could prove crucial on this wicket.
The match gets underway in the post-lunch session with India facing a mammoth target of 441 for victory.
The impressive Mitchell Starc to open the bowling with Murali Vijay on strike. He starts with a wide one which Vijay leaves before he plays a nice straight drive off the fourth ball but it is stopped by the bowler on his follow through.
Spin from the other end as off-spinner Nathan Lyon shares the new ball. KL Rahul takes a single from the first ball on the leg side before the next ball turns big past the leg slip for four byes.
The next ball bounces a bit more as it goes off Vijay’s gloves but Peter Handscomb at short leg is unable to hold on to a tough catch. Two balls later, Vijay plays back and is struck on the pads as the Aussies appeal for LBW but it is turned down.
Vijay finally breaks the shackles as he sweeps the last ball to fine leg for a single to get off the mark and end a superb first over from Lyon.
11:50 Australia set India 441 for victory:
Aus 285-all out (87 ovs) & 260 vs India 105 | Scorecard
Ravindra Jadeja claims the final wicket of O’Keefe, who is caught behind for six, as Australia are dismissed for 285 in their second innings on Day 3.
India will chase a huge 441 for victory on a pitch still offering a lot of assistance to the spinners. The hosts managed just 105 in their first innings with left-armer spinner O’Keefe claiming six wickets.
For Australia, captain Smith led the way with the bat with a splendid innings of 109 on a difficult wicket for batting.
Ashwin was India’s top wicket taker with four for 119, while Jadeja claimed three for 65 but with a bit of luck he could have ended with a lot more wickets.
Umesh bowled with a lot of heart to claim two for 39 but Jayant disappointed yet again to claim one for 43 in 10 overs, while Ishant bowled just three overs.
With eight sessions left in the match, India have no option but to go for the target and they will do well to learn from Smith, who batted positively and got the runs.
No side has ever chased more than 386 runs in Asia and it would be an unbelievable effort from the Indians to chase down 441 on this Pune wicket.
11:34 Lyon falls for 13, Australia lose 9th wicket:
Aus 279-9 (83.4 ovs) & 260 vs India 105 | Scorecard
Ashwin beats O’Keefe with one that turns big and wicketkeeper Saha is unable to complete a difficult stumping with the ball spinning down the leg side for four byes.
Lyon connects with the sweep as he hits Jadeja square on the leg side for a four. He tries to sweep the next ball but this time he misses as the Indians appeal for LBW but it is turned down and they decide against taking the DRS.
Lyon using the sweep to good effect as he picks another single to fine leg and O’Keefe taps the next ball on the off-side to get off the mark from the 20th ball he faces and avoid the pair.
Lyon again goes for the sweep but fails to connect and still picks one bye before O’Keefe flicks Ashwin to deep midwicket for another run.
Lyon goes for the slog sweep and fails to make proper connection as Umesh sprints back and takes the catch but the momentum takes him over the ropes to give Lyon a six. Infact, Umesh took the catch quite comfortably well inside the ropes but failed to stop himself from carrying over. Another poor effort on the field by the Indians as they let another opportunity slip by.
Umesh to bowl the final over of the morning session as he comes in to replace Ashwin. He strikes with the wicket of Lyon, who is beaten by a full delivery and is trapped leg before wicket for 13.
Aus 258-8 (78 ovs) & 260 vs India 105 | Scorecard
Starc is beaten by Ashwin as it spins right across him before the left-hander swings the third ball over midwicket for a six.
Jadeja sends down a quick over to O’Keefe who looks to defend.
Starc swings another flighted delivery from Ashwin over midwicket for a six before the bowler gets revenge a couple of balls later.
He slog sweeps again but this time he hits it straight into the hands of Jadeja at deep midwicket.
But Starc has played another handy knock with the bat, hitting a quickfire 30 from 31 balls, with the help of three sixes and two fours.
Australia are 258 for eight in 78 overs for an overall lead of 413 runs.
Aus 246-7 (75 ovs) & 260 vs India 105 | Scorecard
Starc cuts a short ball from Jadeja behind point for a four before he lofts one over long-on for a six with the lead going out of sight as far as India is concerned.
No team has scored more than 387 to win a Test match in Asia conditions and Australia making it more and more difficult for India as the lead crosses 400.
Jadeja finally gets the wicket of Smith, who looks to pull but misses and is trapped leg before wicket after a splendid knock of 109, having hit 11 fours in his 202-ball knock.
Smith goes for review but it goes in the bowler’s favour with the ball tracker showing it is crashing right into the stumps.
10:54 Smith hits century as Australia extend lead:
Aus 227-6 (71 ovs) & 260 vs India 105 | Scorecard
Jayant’s struggles continue as he gifts Smith a full toss which the Australia captain drives through the covers for a four followed by a couple of singles which takes him into the 90s.
At the other end is Mitchell Starc, who hit that crucial half-century in the first innings, which enabled Australia to get that huge lead.
Starc gets into the act as he hammers Umesh through the covers for a four as the lead continues to grow.
Jadeja comes back as Smith takes a single off the last ball to take his score to 93, his highest in India going past the 92 he made in Mohali in Australia’s last tour.
Jadeja drifts slightly wide as Smith hits it through the thirdman region for a four to take his score to 98 and drives the last ball through the covers for two runs to bring up his century, from 187 balls.
This has been an exceptional knock from Smith as he register his 10th century as Australia captain and this came on a very difficult wicket, a rank turner where India folded for 105 in their first innings.
Take a bow Steven Smith!
Aus 204-6 (66 ovs) & 260 vs India 105 | Scorecard
Umesh bowls a quick bouncer to Wade, who looks to pull but is beaten and there is some noise as it goes through to the keeper but the umpire is not interested. And that turns out to be another good decision from umpire Kettleborough as the ball kissed the helmet on the way to the wicketkeeper.
The last ball is right up as Wade drives it through the covers for a four.
Umesh is unlucky not to get a caught behind decision in his favour as Wade gets a clear edge but umpire Kettleborough turns it down and India will rue wasting both their DRS reviews.
But Umesh gets his man a few deliveries later as Wade again gets the edge and this time he walks without even waiting for the umpire’s decision.
10:19 Smith closes in on century as Australia swell lead:
Aus 184-5 (60 ovs) & 260 vs India 105 | Scorecard
There is a huge appeal for LBW against Smith but umpire Kettleborough is not interested as the right-hander got his bat down in time. Infact, replays show that the ball hit the pad first before the bat came down and would have crashed into the stumps but India can’t complain, they wasted two reviews on Day 2 itself.
Smith ends the over with a bang as he comes down and heaves Jadeja over midwicket for a four to take his score to 77.
Not much turn for Ashwin this morning with Smith looking quite comfortable and scoring at a good rate.
Wade sweeps Jadeja to deep square leg where Jayant can’t prevent the second run as he sends back a weak throw which enables the batsman to make his crease.
Double bowling change by Virat Kohli as the Yadav duo — Jayant and Umesh — come into the attack in place of Ashwin and Jadeja respectively.
Australia continue to build their lead as they reach 184 for five in 60 overs with Smith on 80 approaching his century.
Aus 171-5 (54 ovs) & 260 vs India 105 | Scorecard
Another loose delivery from Ashwin, short and wide, as Marsh again crashes it through the covers for another boundary to take his score to 30.
Jadeja continues to rush through his overs, taking around 60 to 90 seconds to finish his over as India look to race through their overs with spin from both ends.
Jadeja finally gets lucky as he strikes in his 21st over with the wicket of Marsh, who gets the edge and is caught behind for 31, after a good stand of 56 runs for the fifth wicket with Smith.
Interestingly, wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha didn’t even appeal for the catch, and it was only Jadeja, who was convinced and umpire Richard Kettleborough agreed.
Matthew Wade gets off the mark with a single as he sweeps Jadeja for a single and Smith takes a single from the next ball.
09:44 Smith, Marsh extend Australia’s lead on Day 3:
Aus 153-4 (50 ovs) & 260 vs India 105 | Scorecard
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to start off proceedings for India with the ball. Steve Smith defends the first two balls before he steers the next fine on the off-side for a couple of runs, infact, a risky second run as he has to dive to make his crease. A direct hit would have had him in trouble but he survives another close shave.
Smith then sweeps Ashwin for a single to deep square leg before Mitchell Marsh edges it to thirdman for one.
Spin from both ends as Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. The first ball as we have seen in the last two days turns big and spins past the edge of the bat as Marsh is beaten. The next ball comes in as Marsh is struck on the pads but the LBW is turned down before the over is defended.
Ashwin drops slightly short as Marsh punches it through the covers for a four, he is playing a good hand with the bat and looking to score at every opportunity.
Meanwhile, Jadeja beats Smith twice in a row with deliveries that turn big before he gets an edge which drops short of the fielder at slip and gets the batsman a single.
Australia are 153 for four in 50 overs, for an overall lead of 308 runs with Smith on 64 and Marsh on 26.
09:28 Australia aim to swell lead, India hope for early wickets:
Aus 143-4 (46 ovs) & 260 vs India 105 | Scorecard
Welcome to the coverage of Day 3 of the first Test between India and Australia in Pune on Saturday.
Australia are sitting pretty on 143-4 with an overall lead of 298 runs at stumps on Day 2, following their first innings lead of 155 runs after India were bowled out for a paltry 105 on a spin-friendly track at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, which is making its debut as a Test centre.
Captain Steve Smith was unbeaten after a chance-filled 59, during which he was dropped three times, with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh 21 not out.
Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe picked up a career-best six for 35 to help Australia take command of the first Test against India after 15 wickets fell on a bowler-dominated second day.
Playing only his fifth Test and first in India, O’Keefe took all his wickets in the space of 24 deliveries, including three in an over, to trigger a spectacular collapse and help Australia bundle out India for 105 in their first innings.
India’s meltdown started after lunch when opener KL Rahul fell to O’Keefe’s bowling.
Rahul, who was top scorer for his side with 64, collapsed immediately after playing the shot, clutching his left shoulder and looking as if he was in pain.
The dismissal ended a fourth-wicket stand of 50 between Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane and what followed was a procession of batsmen returning to the pavilion.
Australia paceman Mitchell Starc earlier ripped through India’s top order with two wickets in three balls. Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed for six, while India captain and batting mainstay Virat Kohli was despatched for a two-ball duck on a wicket favouring both pace and spin.
Source: Rediff