Ind vs Aus LIVE Score, India vs Australia 3rd Test, Day 1: Play resumes. It had started raining during Tea break and the covers we on, but it was just a drizzle. There are 26 overs to be bowled and hopefully they can be bowled without rain interrupting.
India had formed a huddle before entering the field. They were a bit undisciplined and sloppy before the break, leaking 34 runs in the last 4 overs, and should go back to tightening the screws again.
Earlier in the 2nd session, Riding his luck, debutant Will Pucovski combined with Marnus Labuschagne to put Australia on top in the second session of the first day of the Pink Test.
Pucovski and Labuschagne were unbeaten on 54 and 34 respectively when the umpires called for the tea break. While Pucovski did bring up a fifty on debut, he did get a few chances to help prolong his stay in the middle. In the 21st over of the innings, wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant dropped a regulation chance off the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin and India lost an opportunity to put the hosts in a spot of bother.
Ind vs Aus LIVE SCORE, India vs Australia 3rd Test, Day 1 Live Score
11:50: 33rd over: Australia 100-1 (Pucovski 60, Labuschagne 35) Saini again, having had plenty of time at tea to ponder his debut over that went for nine runs. His first ball is a bit too short and a bit too wide, inviting Pucovski to punch through the covers for two. Saini then corrects his length, in fact overcorrects, and it’s full enough for Pucovski to drive down the ground for three. Nothing flash or fancy about it; just a good, uncomplicated cricket shot. We might have one here. A single then takes Australia into triple figures.
11:19: Tea – Australia 93-1
An excellent session for Australia but not one without drama. Pucovski was dropped twice, both times by Pant, before going on to register a half-century on debut in the last over before the game’s second interval. After a rain-interrupted first session that cost Warner his wicket and saw just 7.1 overs bowled, Pucovski and Labuschagne go to tea having put on 87 unbroken runs for the second wicket.
Of the drama, there will be more to be written and said about Pucovski’s second life.
11:14: Will Pucovski brings up his fifty on Debut
Navdeep Saini to Will Pucovski, FOUR, fifty for Will Pucovski on his Test debut! Treks back in his crease and pulls the short ball through wide mid-on as he brings up his half century in style. Raises his bat and has a word with Labuschagne as the ball races away to the fence. He needs to thank India for their generosity too
A maiden half-century for Will Pucovski! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/EATxx0nDGg
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021
11:00: 28th over: Australia 68-1 (Pucovski 35, Labuschagne 28) Far too short from Ashwin and Labuschagne, who’s been stuck in a rut these past few overs, breaks the shackles with a boundary through the covers. And just like London buses, another four follows next ball backward of square that sees the batsmen scamper through for an all-run four before the ball trickles to a halt.
10:43: 25th over: Australia 49-1 (Pucovski 26, Labuschagne 18) Siraj continues his bouncer barrage against Pucovski. And that was a close call. Rishabh Pant gave it his all, but it certainly was not an easy one.
A rollercoaster of emotions for Will Pucovski! Initially given out, but on closer inspection he’s recalled to the crease! #OhWhatAFeeling@Toyota_Aus | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/WgT5lCRjAE
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021
10:38: 23rd over: Australia 49-1 (Pucovski 26, Labuschagne 18) Both the batsmen are looking strong. Labuschagne chases Siraj down the leg-side and India look interested as Pant takes cleanly. Another maiden to Labuschagne.
10:09: 17th over: Australia 44-1 (Pucovski 23, Labuschagne 16) Pucovski looks so solid in defence. Wonder what would happen if Warner, Pucovski, Marnus and Smith all come to party together. Great times ahead for Australian cricket.
9:56: 13th over: Australia 36-1 (Pucovski 21, Labuschagne 10) Bumrah again. The Indian overpitches down leg to Pucovski and is lucky to be taken for only a single. That was a rare four-ball from Bumrah. Another single follows as Labuschagne drops one on the crease with soft hands and catches the infielders napping.
9:41: 8th over: Australia 27-1 (Pucovski 17, Labuschagne 5) Siraj continues his interrupted over, over the wicket to Pucovski. Two slips in place. Forward defensive first-up from Will. Middle of the bat. Labuschagne wants a single but nothing happening. Siraj then gets one to swing into the tight-hander, collecting the pad. Not out but it is a shot across the bow of the debutant. Speaking of shots, Pucovski follows up with a measured off-drive that he punches down the ground for three. Upright, compact, patient: this is Pucovski on debut. Labuschagne then replicates the shot and the outcome as five balls go for six runs. Live cricket. It’s good to have you back.
Finally, finally, welcome back for some cricketing action. The players are out in the middle. Siraj to complete his over.
9:03: Meanwhile, this is how people are enjoying the day
9:00: The covers are coming off, so is the hessian. Loud cheers from the crowd. The umpires inspect the pitch and outfield. “Umpires will conduct a further inspection at 2.30pm (9am IST). But the covers are off and the sun is out (for now),” tweet cricket.com.au
Umpires will conduct a further inspection at 2.30pm.
But the covers are off and the sun is out (for now) #AUSvIND
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021
8:10: It is still raining.
The Indians are warming up to come on and of course the rain comes back & so do the covers at the @scg #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/jqjPuitukn
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 7, 2021
7:35: Rain has increased. Latest Update by BCCI
“Scheduled close of play will now be 6.30pm (1pm IST) with an additional 30 mins of permitted extra time allowed to ensure minimum overs are bowled.”
Play remains suspended due to rain.
Scheduled close of play will now be 6.30pm with an additional 30 mins of permitted extra time allowed to ensure minimum overs are bowled.
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2021
6:51: Lunch has been taken. A session where we had almost the same number of weather updates as the overs bowled, that should tell you the story.
6:32: We are 30 mins away from scheduled lunch and the rain has only become heavier. The big covers are back on. There might be a case of early lunch being take. We shall wait for an official confirmation..
6:12: Revised Session Timings (IST)
1st session: 5:00 AM to 7: AM
2nd session: 7:40 AM to 10:10 AM
3rd session: 10:30 AM to 12:40 PM
6:10: “If there is no further rain, play will commence at 11.45am local time. Scheduled close of play will be extended to 6.10pm. No overs have been lost,” – tweet Cricket Australia.
5:37: Well, well! The players are running off the field as a shower has arrived from nowhere. There was rain predicted some time in the day but not so early. The hessian is being put on the playing surface. It has gotten a bit heavier.
Update: Rain halts play in the first session on Day 1 of the 3rd Test.
AUS 21-1 after 7.1 overs. #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/grxRJlvZB9— BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2021
5:30: 5th over: Australia 11-1 (Pucovski 4, Labuschagne 2) Bumrah to Pucovski again, defending on the off stump, but playing through midwicket when Bumrah bowls straighter. The bowler thinks for a second that he’s going to nail the front pad in front of middle stump, but Pucovski gets bat on it.
5:18: Siraj to Warner, out Caught by Pujara!!
India have their early wicket. This is a huge one. As a returning David Warner departs for a low score. Finger on the lip celebration from Siraj. Not sure who it was intended to. Very similar delivery to the previous one which Warner missed.
5:15: 2nd over: Australia 5-0 (Pucovski 1, Warner 4) Mohammed Siraj with the new ball to partner Bumrah, and Warner gets on with things straight away! Punches off the back foot out through the covers for two runs. That makes Siraj err onto the pads and Warner glances another run. Comfortable start for him. Siraj is getting swing as well. Pucovski gets his first run in Test cricket with a nudge off his legs.
5:10: 1st over: Australia 0-0 (Pucovski 0, Warner 0) Will Pucovski gets to face the first delivery and get his work underway right from the start. Bumrah has a false start with his run-up, then a rusty start with a very wide ball swinging away. He gets back on target from then on, letting Pucovski get bat on ball in defence for the first time. There is outswing for Bumrah, noticeably. Pucovski defends a few with soft hands, then receives his first short ball and shapes to play but doesn’t get it.
5:00: The two teams line-up for the national anthem. First it will be India’s “Jana Gana Mana” followed by Australia’s “Advance Australia Fair”. Remember this is known as the Pink Test and sponsor logos on Australia’s team jersey is all pink. The new opening pair – David Warner and Will Pucovski – are out in the middle.
Stat:
Cameron Green (21y 197d) & Will Pucovski (22y 339d) – two debutants aged under 23 making debut in the same series for Australia
Last pair to do so in the same series was Mitchell Starc (21y 305d) & James Pattinson (21y 212d) against New Zealand in 2011/12
4:46: Not a bad toss to lose for India. Generally, Sydney is a batting paradise, so it’s better to extract whatever there is in the fresh pitch and try to get some early wickets.
4:35: Australia have won the toss and have opted to bat
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Will Pucovski, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine(w/c), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini
4:32: Two debutants coming in the game today
Navdeep Saini:
Congratulations @navdeepsaini96. He realises his dream of playing Test cricket for #TeamIndia today. A proud holder of 🧢 299 and he receives it from @Jaspritbumrah93. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/zxa5LGJEen
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 6, 2021
Will Pucovski:
Will Pucovski will make his Test debut at the SCG 👏https://t.co/J4kNvEX4wo #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/8pbs53O1BM
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 6, 2021
4:16: Team News:
Australia: Will Pucovski has been handed the baggy green. It means David Warner and Pucovski will open for the Aussies. It is now interesting who amongst Mathew Wade and Travis Head play.
India: The visitors have already announced their playing XI. Rohit Sharma returns to the side and will take up Mayank Agarwal’s place, Navdeep Saini will become the 299th Test player for India as he replaces an injured Umesh Yadav.
4:10: Hello and good morning. SCG is all set to host the third Test with the scoreline reading 1-1. All the talk leading up to this encounter have been non-cricket related. There was the bio-bubble breach from some of the Indian players and the management also raised a concern on whether or not to play the fourth Test at Brisbane. For a series that has been played in the right spirit, a little too right, things are starting to “boil under the surface”, at least that’s how the Australian skipper feels.