🏏Australia vs India, 4th Test: Melbourne, 26 - 30 Dec 2024: Day 5 🏏 - Page 25

Originally posted by: Aurora_77

It has been a complete domination from Australia this morning as they march on. India wasted the second new ball today. Akash Deep who was brilliant yesterday sprayed it around and was taken for runs. Bumrah kept probing away but Smith and Cummins saw him through. Smith batted with assurance and looked like his usual self. He has been busy at the crease, has found gaps with ease and hasn't missed out on a run-scoring opportunity. Cummins played the perfect foil for him as he kept finding boundaries regularly. Smith carried on in his merry way and brought up his fifth Test century at the MCG. Cummins fell against the run of play trying to take on Jadeja but his 112-run stand with Smith had already broken the back of the Indian bowling by then. Australia have already posted a big total on the board. The Indian players looked jaded. Their seamers tried to short ball ploy but weren't that much effective on a surface which has played a bit slow.

Australia will be eager to keep the tempo going after lunch and score as many as possible. A declaration might also be on the cards at some point. Join us for the second session in about 35 minutes...

This pitch now seems to be helpful for batsmen.but jab hamari baari ayegi, ye hi pitch automatically bowlers ko favourable ho jayega😢

We are back.. The players are making their way out to the middle. Smith seems like a batter who is in no hurry of giving up soon. Jadeja has the ball in hand and he will get us underway. The field is spread out with just a slip close in. Here we go..

113.3

W

Jadeja to Mitchell Starc, out Bowled!! Cleaned up! That's a good start to the session. Jadeja takes one ball at Starc and sends him packing. He stays round the wicket and gets it to drift across, Mitchell Starc b Jadeja 15(36) [6s-1]

Jadeja to Mitchell Starc, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Nathan Lyon, right handed bat, comes to the crease.

End of over 114

1 run • 1 wicket

AUS: 455/8

CRR: 3.99

Nathan Lyon

0 (3b)

Steven Smith

140 (196b 13x4 3x6)

Ravindra Jadeja

19-3-73-3

Jasprit Bumrah

28-9-97-3

End of Over 14

Day 2: 2nd Session

AUS

455

-8

(114)

CRR3.99

P'SHIP0(3)

OVS LEFT62

114.1

W

Akash Deep to Smith, out Bowled!! Dragged on! Smith cannot believe it. He has a wry smile on his face. Smith b Akash Deep 140(197) [4s-13 6s-3]

Akash Deep to Smith, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Scott Boland, right handed bat, comes to the crease.

Replays for the Smith wicket show that the ball hit his back (right) boot and rolled back onto the stumps. Tad unlucky but India need some of the luck to go their way