2nd Test, Day 4 Highlights: Australia Beat India by 4 Wickets, Take 2-0 Unbeatable Lead
All-round Australia defeated India by 4 wickets to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four-match series. Catch all the highlights here.
Australia have taken an all important 2-0 unbeatable lead in the four-match series against India. Steve Smith notched up a ton on captaincy debut, Chris Rogers scored fifties in both the innings and Mitchell Johnson produced an all-round performance to lead their team to victory in Brisbane. Josh Hazlewood was just brilliant with his pace and he picked up seven wickets in the match, including a fifer. (Scorecard | As it Happened)
QUOTE
MS Dhoni: I thought the first session today was a big debacle as far as our batting was concerned. There was a lack of communication whether Dhawan or Kohli would bat. We did not handle the situation well. We had a bat at the nets and he (Dhawan) got it. By the time he came out he was in pain. We had only 7 minutes to intimate it to Virat. Mitchell (Johnson) batted very well. We did well with the new ball. I am pretty happy with the way he have played. We are playing four bowlers. We are not sure of playing the extra batsman or the bowler. We have tried both. When it comes to the talent aspect, we are a talented side. We have not really succumbed to the pace factor. It is always a pleasure playing the Boxing Day Test, it will be a special day for the youngsters. It gets close to playing in India in front of a crowd of 80,000.
Steve Smith: It is extremely satisfying. Captaincy on first day was extremely tough. The boys were dropping like flies with a couple of injuries. Then our bowlers restricted them. Josh Hazlewood - 5-for on debut and backed it up with a couple in the second. Mitchell Johnson is Mr Reliable. It's always a tough battle to play against India. We have won the key moments. It has been an amzing thrill to captain this side. I have some time off and enjoy Christmas.
Next stop, @MCG: http://t.co/JVba0YAzJQ #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/nJKGst1P6T
- cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 20, 2014
11:56 (IST) That's it! Mitchell Marsh hits the winning runs and Australia win by 4 wickets and take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
11:48 (IST): WICKET! Brad Haddin c Kohli b Umesh, caught at square leg. Australia 122/6, need 6 runs
11:44 (IST): WICKET! Steve Smith run out. Australia 122/5, need 6 runs.
11:36 (IST): WICKET! Shaun Marsh edges to MS Dhoni down the leg side off Umesh Yadav. Australia 114/4, need 14 runs.
11:16 (IST): WICKET! Ishant Sharma is back and straight away picks up a wicket. Chris Rogers edges to third slip, where Shikhar Dhawan makes no mistake. Australia 85/3, need 43 runs.
11:11 (IST): Fifty! Chris Rogers hits his seventh half-century. Australia 80/2, need 48 runs
11:04 (IST): Dropped! Virat Kohli drops Steve Smith (9) at second slip off Varun Aaron. Australia 64/2, need 64 run
11:00 (IST): Four! Chris Rogers is batting beautifully. Ishant Sharma's fire is missing post tea. Australia 57/2, need 71 runs
10:50 (IST): Four! Short and wide by Umesh Yadav and Chris Rogers punishes it square of the wicket. Australia 48/2, need 80 runs
10:35 (IST): Post tea session gets underway. Chris Rogers hits Umesh Yadav for successive fours. Australia 33/2, need 95 runs
© AP
10:14 (IST): TEA! Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav have bowled extremely well to get the two important wicket. Australia are 25/2 still needing 103 run more to win this match. Can India defend the small target? An eventful final session awaits.
While on commentary on Darren Lehmann Gavaskar:Theres Bruce Willis look alike Hayden:He is more like that green character - Shrek! #AusvInd
- Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 20, 2014
10:08 (IST): WICKET! Ishant Sharma is on fire. He bangs in short and Shane Watson gets a leading edge to keeper MS Dhoni. Australia 22/2, need 106
09:56 (IST): WICKET! Ishant Sharma strikes and David Warner will have to make a long way back. He was struggling this morning especially after being hit on the thumb by Umesh Yadav. He scored 6 before edging it to keeper. Australia 18/1, need 110 runs
09:40 (IST): Umesh Yadav joins Ishant Sharma in the opening spell. David Warner gets hit on his thumb. Australia 2/0, need 126 runs
09:28 (IST): That's the end of Indian innings. Mitchell Johnson finishes things up with Umesh Yadav's wicket. Umesh scored 30 off 42 balls with the help of two fours and as many sixes.
09:15 (IST): Umesh Yadav is taking the attack back to the bowlers. Hits Nathan Lyon for a couple of huge sixes. He is batting on 30 at the moment. India 224/9, lead Australia by 127 runs.
09:11 (IST): WICKET! Varun Aaron c Hazlewood b Lyon, caught at point. India 211/9, lead by 114.
09:51 (IST): WICKET! Nathan Lyon strikes and it's the end of Shikhar Dhawan fighting and fearless knock. Dhawan was batting well and looked to sweep but the line completely. He scored 81 off 145 balls and hit eight fours. India 203/8, lead by 106
08:59 (IST): Shikhar Dhawan survives! There was a loud shout for caught behind, but umpire says no. There was a noise as the ball passed the bat but it seems like the bat hit the strap of Dhawan's pad. India 199/7, lead by 102
08:54 (IST): Thanks to Shikhar Dhawan's fighting knock, India have taken a lead of 101. India 198/7.
08:50 (IST): Partnership! Shikhar Dhawan (77*) and Umesh Yadav (9*) have added 52 runs for eighth wicket. India 195/7, lead by 98 runs
08:33 (IST): Four! Shikhar Dhawan is batting fearlessly. Hammers Josh Hazlewood for boundary at long on. India 182/7, lead by 85 runs
08:17 (IST): FIFTY! Injured Shikhar Dhawan scores his second half-century. India 168/7, lead by 71 runs.
08:10 (IST): Shane Watson starts post lunch. Dhawan looks comfortable. India 157/7, lead by 60 runs.
07:30 (IST): Lunch! What an eventful first session on Day 4. India go into the break at India 157/7, lead by 60 runs with Shikhar Dhawan 41* and Umesh Yadav 7*. India suffered a early setback when overnight not out batsman Dhawan was injured during nets and was unable to take the field. Virat Kohli came out to start the day with Cheteshwar Pujara with India 71 for one still trailing by 26 runs. Johnson was on fire following his brilliant 88-run knock as he removed Kohli, Rahane and Rohit in quick succession. Pujara looked good but was eventually out for 43. India's last hope now is Dhawan.
07:28 (IST): STAT! Of the last 10 matches at Brisbane, only four have gone to Day 5. India 151/7, lead by 54
07:20 (IST): Wicket! Cheteshwar Pujara edges to Nathan Lyon at point off Josh Hazlewood, who gets his second wicket. India 143/7, lead by 46
07:10 (IST): Other batsman believed to be injured during nets is Virat Kohli. India 138/6, lead by 41
© AFP
07:00 (IST): The two overnight not out batsmen are at the crease - Dhawan and Pujara. With two slips in place, man of the moment Mitchell Johnson comes back into the attack. India 125/6, lead by 28.
An unbelievable morning of Test match cricket! #ohwhatafeeling https://t.co/3yNnrYPMn7
- cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 20, 2014
06:47 (IST): Wicket! Ashwin gets an inside edge to keeper off Mitchell Starc. Injured Shikhar Dhawan comes out to bat. Replays showed nothing on hot spot. India 117/6, lead by 20
06:33 (IST): Four! Ashwin gives India a five-run lead with that boundary. India 102/5
06:08 (IST) Wicket! MS Dhoni goes across the line off Josh Hazlewood. Doubtful decision by umpire. India 87/5, trail by 10 runs.
06:02 (IST): Wicket! Mitchell Johnson strikes again! Gets his third wicket. Rohit Sharma edges to keeper Brad Haddin and departs after scoring a naught. India 86/1, trail by 11
05:59 (IST) Wicket! Not a great start for India. Ajinkya Rahane edges bouncer to gully off Mitchell Johnson. Rahane scored 10 off 8 balls. India 86/1, trail by 11
05:46 (IST) Wicket! Another setback for India. After Shikhar Dhawan was retired hurt, Virat Kohli is played on. Mitchell Johnson strikes early. He was not looking comfortable this morning. India 76/1 trail by 21
05:39 (IST): Milestone! Cheteshwar Pujara completes 2000 runs. Hits a four off Mitchell Johnson to reach the feat. India 75/1 trail by 21
05:33 (IST): BIG NEWS: Overnight not out batsman Shikhar Dhawan injured during net session. He was struck on the arm. Virat Kohli comes out to bat with Cheteshwar Pujara.
© AFP
India still have some very good batsmen to follow. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have been in fine form, Rohit Sharma is due for a good knock, Mahnedra Singh Dhoni and R Ashwin can bat well with the tail - so it won't be easy for Australia. Mitchell Johnson and Co. will be well rested and fresh when they come back Saturday morning and they would be itching to have a go and remove some early wickets. Can Dhawan provide a quick start and rattle Australia? Can Pujara drop anchor?
Day 3 Recap
Steve Smith completed a century in his first innings as Test captain and Mitchell Starc chipped in with bat and ball to give Australia a narrow advantage after day three of the second Test against India on Friday. Australia set up a 97-run first-innings lead, with Smith scoring 133, Mitchell Johnson blazing 88 and Starc hitting 52 in a late cameo to lift the total to 505 in reply to India's 408. Australia's last four wickets added 258 runs. (Full report)
Smith Hails Gutsy Tailenders
Australian captain Steven Smith, while himself leading from the front with a second century (133) in as many Tests, Friday praised his team's tailenders for showing maturity and giving him company, an effort that put the hosts comfortably placed after Day Three in the second Test here. Smith shared an epic 148-run partnership with pacer Mitchell Johnson (88) for the seventh wicket, a stand that helped the hosts recover from an uncomfortable 247 for 6 to an imposing 505. (Full report)
Umesh Yadav Rues Leaking Runs at Gabba
After two days of cricket, India had the upperhand in the second cricket Test -- and the advantage was stretched further on the third morning, but the Australian tail came to the rescue and gave the hosts a 97-run lead by the end of their innings on Friday. (Full report)
Team India Always Lack Plan B: Gavaskar
India went from a position of strength to one of weakness after the Australian tail dominated proceedings on Day 3 at the Gabba. From 247 for 6, the hosts on Friday reached 505 in their first innings -? a lead of 97 runs courtesy unimaginative bowling from Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men. Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels the lack of planning hurt the tourists, allowing Mitchell Johnson (88) and Mitchell Starc (52) to bat without fear. (Full report)