Highlights, India vs Australia, 3rd Test, Day 1, Ranchi: Ton-Up Steve Smith Puts Visitors In Command

Having lost only one wicket in the second session, Australia came into the final session with the belief that they can put together a good partnership between Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell. And the visitors did exactly that. Having not lost a wicket in the final session, Australia would feel that they are in a commanding position at the end of the first day's play of the third Test match. Smith led from the front by bringing up his 19th Test century with Maxwell giving him good company who got to his maiden Test half-century. India would be disappointed with their performance, specially after picking up three wickets in the first session. (SCORECARD)

Get highlights of India vs Australia Day 1 in Ranchi here.

16:40 IST: Hope India will have a better day tomorrow. See you guys for the second day's play. Until then good bye.
 

At Stumps on Day 1 of the 3rd @Paytm Test, Australia are 299/4 (Smith 117*, Maxwell 82*) #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/gYhuHGx265

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 16, 2017

16:34 IST: Australia 299 for 4 at the end of the first day's play in the third Test match. Steve Smith 117*, Glenn Maxwell 82*

16:31 IST: So the last over of the day coming up. Australia would feel they have won this session comprehensively.

16:24 IST: With a couple of overs to go before the end of day's play Australia are well placed at the moment. The hosts are desperately looking to break the partnership. This pair of Smith and Maxwell have already added 155 runs.

16:14 IST: Ashwin bowls it down the leg side and easy pickings for Smith. Picks up another boundary.

CENTURY! You beauty! @stevesmith49 now joins Mike Hussey and Mark Taylor with 19 Test tons for Australia!

Half man, half amazing #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/wTV9VTK4ry

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 16, 2017

16:04 IST: Steve Smith brings up his 19th Test century with a boundary. Australia 272 for 4.

15:56 IST: Six! Maxwell opens his arms and it goes all the way. Jadeja giving it a bit of air and Maxwell goes straight over the top of his head.

FIND, CATCH AND APPEAL - @Wriddhipops @stevesmith49 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/nTIWPlgTih

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 16, 2017

15:48 IST: The ball from Jadeja pitches on the rough and spins away from Smith. Unfortunately for Smith the ball got stuck in between his pads and Wriddhiman Saha tries to put his hand between his legs in order to catch the ball. Umpire Ian Gould sees the funny side of it. All the players are having a good laugh.

15:44 IST: Murali Vijay comes into the attack and Maxwell greets him with a boundary.

15:40 IST: Umesh bowls a short ball but didn't get up enough. Maxwell pulled it in front of square for a boundary.

15:35 IST: Jadeja bowling over the wicket. Trying to get some purchase from the bowlers foot marks. So far Smith has looked in no trouble at all.

15:32 IST: Umesh Yadav has been the pick of the bowlers for India. Still running in and bowling quick. Not so much of reverse swing on offer as the umpires have changed the ball.

Maxi has no demons playing Ashwin, you can tell in his body language & his intent to score. Maxi to change gear any min @StarSportsIndia !

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 16, 2017

FIFTY! Bang! Maxwell launches a six and that's his maiden Test half-century coming off 95 balls #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/OwGt83Poef

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 16, 2017

15:22 IST: Maxwell pulls and pulls well. Six! Brings up his maiden fifty in Test cricket. Jadeja gets it wrong and Maxwell pounces on the opportunity.

Photo Credit: BCCI

15:18 IST: Four! Ashwin goes full and Maxwell makes full use of it. Hits it through covers for a boundary.

Smith and Maxwell have combined for 87 and Australia's highest partnership of the series so far #INDvAUS

— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) March 16, 2017

15:10 IST: After 70 overs Australia are 222 for 4.

15:05 IST: Steve Smith is getting closer to his 19th Test hundred. He is batting right now on 91.

14:55 IST: No word on Virat Kohli's injury yet. But the skipper has put on his India shirt. Hopefully he will take the field soon. Ajinkya Rahane is the stand-in captain for the time being.

Maxwell faced 56 balls before he reached the boundary. Just about the stat of the series so far

— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) March 16, 2017

14:45 IST: Maxwell goes straight over the top of the bowlers head. Gets his first boundary.

14:35 IST: FOUR!! Smith gets into the position early and guides it through the backward point for a boundary off Ishant Sharma

14:33 IST: Steve Smith is really playing a captain's knock here. He is not-out on 80

14:30 IST: Welcome back after the tea break

14:10: Australia go to tea having lost just one wicket in the session. Steve Smith looking good for the visitors. Glenn Maxwell has looked good in his brief stay at the crease. The visitors are 194 for 4 in 60 overs.

14:05 IST: Australia 194 for 4 in 59 overs. Steve Smith 80*, Glenn Maxwell 19*

Onya, skipper! @stevesmith49 pushes a single to bring up 5000 Test runs in just his 97th innings.

What a player #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/qoMqBj0G6r

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 16, 2017

13:53 IST: Huge appeal for leg before. Rapped on the pads as Maxwell tried to flick a straight ball. Not out given by the umpire and India ask for the review. Oh dear! Ishant has bowled a no ball. India unlucky to miss out on the review. Confirmation from the umpire. Since it was a no ball the review doesn't get used up.

Photo Credit: BCCI

13:50 IST: Maxwell goes for the quick single. Direct hit from Jadeja but Maxwell is well in. The umpires decided to go upstairs for the decision. Maxwell is safely inside the crease.

13:48 IST: Australia 176 for 4 after 55 overs.

13:34 IST: Jadeja to start a new over. Maxwell has been kept quiet here. He has scored 8 off 28 balls.

13:32 IST: Ashwin bowls it quicker through the air and that spun a bit. Maxwell gets the inside edge but lands in no man's land. Australia 160 for 4.

This wicket looks so much better, the best batting surface in this series so far.
Smith 's wicket most crucial.#INDvsAUS

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 16, 2017

13:25 IST: Ashwin gets it to spin and Maxwell misses it in trying to clip it down the corner. Big appeal for leg before but clearly missing leg.

13:21 IST: Umesh ends his 14th over with figures of 2 for 54.

13:18 IST: Ashwin comes back into the attack.

13:10 IST: Umesh Yadav in the middle of a very good spell. He is getting the ball to reverse here. You are always in with a chance with the new man Maxwell at the crease.

13:03 IST: Glenn Maxwell is the next man in. It will be interesting to see whether Maxwell takes on the Indian bowlers here. His approach will be the key to his innings.

13:02 IST: Wicket! That was an excellent delivery from Umesh Yadav. Full and coming back into the right-hander Handscomb. Struck on the foot and it was crashing into middle and leg-stump. A hint of reverse swing there. Handscomb departs for 19. Australia 140 for 4.

13:01 IST: The Australian captain Steve Smith brings up his 21st fifty in Test cricket. Australia going along nicely here.

12:54 IST: Umesh Yadav comes back on and Handscomb helps himself to a boundary. Short outside off-stump and Handscomb is up to the task.

Kohli a bit sore after a diving save in the deep. India's skipper leaving the field holding his shoulder... More to come #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/27M2Wvw3Ag

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 16, 2017

12:50 IST: A very spirited chase by Kohli to save the boundary but in the process the Indian captain seems to have hurt himself. Kohli walks off the field. Hopefully nothing serious as the physio has a look at him.

12:47 IST: Ishant gets it to move away and finds the edge. Smith played it well with soft hands and the ball runs off to the third-man boundary. The Australian captain moves on to 48.

12:41 IST: Jadeja almost went through Steve Smith there. The ball kept a touch low and Smith missed it altogether. Impact in line but the ball is going down the leg side. Few oohs and aahs but no appeal as such from the players.

Another wicket for India. @shaunmarsh9 gone. Big inside edge. Time for a partnership please @stevesmith49 @phandscomb54

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 16, 2017

12:30 IST: The visitors are still maintaining a healthy run-rate, even after losing three wickets in the first session. They are going at 3.37 runs per over. Australia 118 for 3 in 35 overs.

12:23 IST: That was a good ball from Ishant. Pitches at length but moves away from the right-hander at the last moment. Handscomb looking to defend, gets beaten all ends up.

12:16 IST: Jadeja to bowl from the other end.

12:10 IST: Welcome back to the post lunch session. Australia would look to rebuild after losing those three wickets in the first session. India, on the other hand, would look to pick up wickets at regular intervals. Ishant Sharma to start things off for India.

At Lunch on Day 1 of the 3rd @Paytm Test, Australia -109/3 (Smith 34*, Renshaw 44). Follow the game here - https://t.co/d3NMQQCro5 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/TW1HyGsXyw

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 16, 2017

India's session. Australia will rue the three wickets they have lost after a very good toss to win

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 16, 2017

11:31 IST: So that is lunch. India came back really well in the session after Australia went off to a flyer with Warner, Renshaw getting off the blocks quickly. Jadeja struck with the new ball to remove Warner with a full toss. Umesh Yadav looked by far the best bowler in the session. With Umesh getting rid of Renshaw, Ashwin took care of Shaun Marsh. Australia go into lunch 109 for 3.

11:22 IST: Another bowling change. Jadeja comes back on. Replaces Ashwin.

11: 19 IST: Big shout for LBW! Umesh gets it to tail back into the right-hander Handscomb but replays show it was missing leg.

Photo Credit: BCCI

The Marsh edge brings Handscomb to the crease with about 15 minutes to go until lunch: https://t.co/EgbDSOUWdB #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/cvuCpHtQ1R

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 16, 2017

11:14 IST: Wicket! The verdict is OUT! There is definite bat there and a very good catch by Pujara at short-leg. Ashwin gets his first wicket. India coming back strongly after the Aussies went off to a flying start. Australia 89 for 3. Marsh out for 2.

11:12 IST: Huge appeal for bat-pad. Marsh is in trouble here. Umpire Ian Gould says not out. India go for the review.

11:09 IST: Almost squared up the new man Shaun Marsh on that occasion. This is a very good spell from Umesh. He is troubling the left-handers here.

11:02 IST: Wicket! Umesh again finds the edge but this time it carries to first slip. Virat Kohli making no mistake. Renshaw has to take the long walk back. Out for 44. Umesh picks up his first wicket.

11:00 IST: Umesh finds the edge but falls short of second slip. Renshaw lucky to get away with that.

Warner'll can't complain abt surface,can he?!But seriously,so far so good!OZ won vital toss no doubt..!Spinners r in fray already.!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) March 16, 2017

10:52 IST: Umesh comes back into the attack for his second spell.

10:48 IST: Jadeja gets this one to turn of the pitch. Big appeal for LBW. Hit outside the line. No damage done. Renshaw survives.

10:40 IST: So Ashwin and Jadeja are bowling in tandem. Australia going along nicely after losing Warner. Runs are coming thick and fast for the Aussies. 72 for 0 in 18 overs.

10:36 IST: Smith now gets into the act. Hits Jadeja against the spin to pick up a boundary.

A sneak peak inside the combox, boys getting ready for a big day 1 of this 3rd test match! #INDvAUS Vid 2/2 pic.twitter.com/eoIvfAPCA1

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 16, 2017

10:31 IST: Lot of action in the first hour of play. India got the first breakthrough in the form of Warner. Jadeja took the wicket. Renshaw, on the other hand has looked in no trouble whatsoever. Australia 64 for 1 after 15 overs as drinks being called for.

10:28 IST: Australia 61 for 1 after 14 overs.

As a kid, I know how excited I was when a test match came to Hyderabad. Can imagine the feeling in Ranchi. Hope it is a good one

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 16, 2017

10:20 IST: Renshaw looks to be in great touch. Finds the cover boundary once again of Ashwin.

10:16 IST: Wicket! Lucky breakthrough for India. A full toss hit straight back at Jadeja. Great caught and bowled chance taken. Australia lose their first wicket. Warner takes the long walk back to the dressing room.

10:14 IST: Australia bring up the 50-run opening stand. This is a good start for the Aussies.

10:13 IST: Second change of the morning. Ravindra Jadeja replaces Umesh Yadav.

10:10 IST: Australia off to a great start. 44 for 0.

Photo Credit: BCCI

10:00 IST: First change of the morning. Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack. Replaces Ishant Sharma. So a contest within a contest begins. Warner would do good to stay positive against Ashwin. Already a bit of turn for the off-spinner.

9:58 IST: Nice juicy half volley outside off-stump by Umesh Yadav and Renshaw is not going to miss out on that. Great cover drive. Australia 31 for 0 after 6 overs.

9:54 IST: Ishant again straying down the leg-side and easy pickings for Renshaw. Another boundary to his name. Australia 22 for 0.

9:50 IST: Renshaw uses the pace of the ball and stears it down through the vacant third-man region. Picks up his third boundary of the innings. Australia 15 for 0.

9:45 IST: Great comeback by Renshaw. Clipped it through the on-side and picks up a boundary.

9:43 IST: Huge Appeal for LBW! Great length and caught Renshaw in the crease. The umpire rules it in favour of the batsman. Replays suggest it pitched outside leg-stump.

9:42 IST: Good delivery from Ishant. Caught Renshaw in two minds. Beaten at the end outside off-stump.

9:40 IST: Australia 6 for 0 after 2 overs.

9:37 IST: Umesh Yadav to share the new ball with Ishant Sharma. Warner gets off the mark straight away with a couple.

9:35 IST: Four! First runs for Australia. Renshaw tucks it away off his legs for a boundary.

9:32 IST: Ishant Sharma to start proceedings for India with the new ball. Matt Renshaw to take first strike.

9:30 IST:  So we are about to get underway. Both the Australian openers are out there in the middle. The Indian team is in a hurdle at the moment. The first session will be important for both the teams.

9:25 IST: For Australia it is important that they get a big first innings score here after winning the toss.

#TeamIndia Playing XI for the 3rd @Paytm Test in Ranchi #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/C4HSubEhD6

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 16, 2017

9:22 IST: Ranchi becomes the 26th Test venue for India. What a moment for all the Ranchi fans.

9:20 IST: So both the openers are out there in the middle. We are just minutes away from the first ball.

Getting in the zone #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/NMfVmFk9Rb

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 16, 2017

9:07 IST: India Team: M Vijay, KL Rahul, CA Pujara, V Kohli*, AM Rahane, KK Nair, WP Saha, R Ashwin, RA Jadeja, UT Yadav, I Sharma

Australia Team: DA Warner, MT Renshaw, SPD Smith*, SE Marsh, PSP Handscomb, GJ Maxwell, MS Wade, SNJ O'Keefe, NM Lyon, PJ Cummins, JR Hazlewood

9:02 IST: For India there is only one change. Murali Vijay comes in place of Abhinav Mukund. Australia on the other hand have gone with Glenn Maxwell in place of injured Marsh. Pat Cummins comes in place of Mitchell Starc

9:00 IST: Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first

To add to the picture, the Ranchi pitch may well play a vital role. In both the previous Tests, the track played an important role and the rival captains on Wednesday had differing views on how this pitch would play.

India skipper Virat Kohli refused to attach any importance to the track and felt that the external conditions would determine how the pitch would behave.

However, Kohli's Australian counterpart Smith was firm in his belief that another rank turner was on offer and the Ranchi track would be no different from what they got in Pune and Bengaluru. He thinks it would start "breaking up" from the second day.

It will be interesting to watch what unfolds in the Jharkhand capital.