First Test live: Australia vs India at Perth Stadium
1m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:42am
128th over – Lyon carries on
There are three close catchers, a slip, a catching mid on and a bat pad, showcasing Australia’s aggressive fielding strategy.
Kohli defends the first delivery, displaying his trademark patience.
Kohli desires a run after cutting to backward point, but the opportunity evaporates as Nitish hesitates coming down the pitch, forcing him to retreat.
Now Kohli gets his single out to the covers, increasing the scoreboard pressure on Australia.
Only a slip stands in terms of the close fielders for Nitin, positioning that hints at Australia’s tactical shift.
5m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:38am
More injuries for Aussie quicks
There have been growing concerns regarding Australia’s batting depth, and now the injury woes extend to their fast bowlers in a startling turn of events.
With Michael Neser currently nursing a hamstring injury, West Australian quick Jhye Richardson seemed poised for a recall this summer. However, misfortune has struck once again.
In an unfortunate incident, he’s injured his shoulder while exuberantly celebrating his second wicket in as many deliveries, highlighting the ironic nature of his situation.
Reportedly, a teammate’s enthusiastic high-five led to his shoulder mishap as Richardson hit the ground instantly, clutching the injured area.
Fortunately, he has returned to bowl again, perhaps just having experienced a minor burner.
10m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:33am
127th over – Mitch Marsh continues
Virat Kohli propels a shot to point, moving his total to 68 and continuing to apply pressure on the Australian bowlers.
Massive deviation from Marsh as the ball veers away from Nitish Reddy, yet it’s just beyond his bat’s reach, preventing any edge.
A misfield from Cummins signifies a lapse in concentration, with his lackluster effort at mid-off raising eyebrows.
With a swift shuffle down the pitch, Nitish clips through the leg side, threading the needle between mid-wicket and mid-on despite a brief moment of suspense in the air.
SIX! A remarkable shot from Nitish Kumar Reddy, effortlessly flicking Marsh off his pads for a colossal six, emulating Jaiswal’s explosive shot from yesterday against Mitch Starc. Nitish has mastered this off Marsh’s genuine medium pace—an extraordinary display of talent.
Time for a drink—this is a critical respite that the Australians definitely need.
13m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:30am
Bowled him! Lyon gets his second
In a dramatic turn, Washington Sundar attempts a massive slog sweep, but Lyon skillfully sneaks one under his bottom edge, claiming his second wicket of the innings.
While a bit of extra dip contributed to the dismissal, it was undeniably Sundar’s strange shot choice that sealed his fate—a bizarre play he hadn’t attempted throughout the day.
In strides Nitish Kumar Reddy, a promising talent who previously scored 41 in the first innings and boasts a first-class century and a stunning high score of 442 in under-16 cricket, indicating his capability to score big.
15m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:28am
126th over – Lyon to spin ’em up again
Sundar executes a powerful cut shot, but he’s limited to just three runs by a dense outfield, underscoring the challenging conditions.
Kohli turns a single into the leg side with calculated precision, clearly cautious after a few near misses earlier in the day.
19m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:24am
125th over – One Mitch for another, Starc out for Marsh
Sundar dashes to point as Kohli takes off from the non-striker’s end. Sundar wasn’t keen, but Kohli pulled him through, creating a narrowly avoided run-out opportunity.
Three more runs come off the overthrow, as Carey struggles to execute a long throw from Hazlewood, showcasing Australia’s late-game fatigue.
Sundar powers through the off-side, deserving four runs; however, the sluggish outfield ensures he only receives three, highlighting the challenging batting conditions.
24m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:19am
124th over – Lyon to Washington Sundar
Travis Head stands vigilant at short leg while Marnus Labuschagne positions himself into silly mid-off, showcasing Australia’s attempts to counter Sundar’s technique.
Sundar deftly punches past Labuschagne for a single, showcasing his control.
Two more singles contribute to a well-managed over, reflecting the pair’s strategic approach in navigating Lyon’s spin and bounce.
30m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:12am
123rd over – Mitchell Starc once more
Crushed! Starc presents a full ball outside off, and Kohli smoothly drills the half-volley to the boundary through cover, showcasing his class. Such a delivery is risky against a player of Kohli’s caliber.
Starc attempted to adjust his length, but Kohli remains sharp, navigating the full and wide delivery expertly through point for additional runs.
33m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:10am
122nd over – Lyon gets another look at Kohli
Lyon has looked sharper against the right-handed Kohli, though this time Kohli sweeps hard, managing to turn it for a single without much fuss.
Sundar awkwardly navigates the over, forcing Lyon to display a mix of emotions as he ends yet another over without a breakthrough.
39m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:04am
121st over – Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli
The game is drifting now as Australia remains focused, yet this Indian pair continues to sap the energy from the bowlers.
Kohli attempts a cautious off-drive that isn’t quite executed, resulting in no runs—a testament to Australia’s bowling effort.
41m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 8:02am
120th over – Lyon returns
Will Lyon find some fortune this time around?
Substantial rough remains absent outside Washington Sundar’s off stump, as he stays composed, defending well against Lyon’s attempts.
The drama that characterized the previous overs appears to have settled, bringing a brief respite.
48m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 7:55am
119th over – Mitchell Starc fires up for another burst
Neither batter appears extensively troubled at this stage of the match, suggesting a need for strategic shifts.
Washington Sundar solidifies his stance with a short delivery, managing to keep his score intact to conclude the over.
51m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 7:52am
118th over – Lyon to the left-handed Sundar
Lyon challenges Sundar again, getting close with two balls that skim past the inside edge, leading to half-hearted shouts for LBW.
Lyon is clearly growing frustrated with frequently beating the bat without garnering results.
Only a single is amassed during this tight over, demonstrating Lyon’s persistence despite the lack of immediate rewards.
54m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 7:49am
FIFTY RUNS FOR VIRAT KOHLI
This giant of Indian cricket reaches another half-century on Australian soil, and the crowd erupts in appreciation. After a challenging year, he needed this moment.
This is Kohli’s 11th trip to 50 in Australia, often translating into bigger scores during critical matches. Australian bowlers should be wary of his newfound confidence.
While the match situation wasn’t overly challenging, Kohli will undoubtedly appreciate this time at the crease as Australia frets over his ability to capitalize further.
57m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 7:46am
117th over – Cummins can’t stop, won’t stop
Cummins operates methodically, delivering one ball around the wicket to Sundar before returning over the wicket, introducing Steve Smith into leg slip to strategize further against the left-hander.
A clever drop and run behind square allows Kohli to get on strike once again, inching closer to another milestone.
59m agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 7:44am
116th over – Lyon to Kohli again
Lyon dives into another attempt at Kohli, managing to beat the edge of the bat once more. This time, a delivery strikes the front pad but is well outside the off stump as Kohli tries to maneuver it to leg.
Kohli begins to look troubled for the first time in this innings, as Lyon’s variations display their effectiveness against a top-class batter.
1h agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 7:42am
115th over – Cummins charges in
Washington Sundar’s poised stance suggests he’s expecting short balls, as he keeps both feet firmly behind the crease while Kohli positions aggressively outside his crease.
Cummins aims to exploit Kohli’s positioning, leading to an interesting battle of lengths and techniques.
Unfortunately, it culminates in another maiden over.
1h agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 7:35am
114th over – Nathan Lyon continues
Washington Sundar displays skill by executing a well-timed poke into the off side.
Lyon draws Sundar forward and narrowly misses the outside edge, but Carey struggles to handle the delivery—allowing Sundar to steal a quick run.
Kohli steals yet another quick run as he edges a ball that skids wide of the first slip as the partnership continues to build.
The crowd shares in the tension as Lyon spins one through the gate for four byes—frustration mounts for Lyon as misfortune strikes again.
Lyon finds himself grappling with the ups and downs that accompany the life of a spinner.
1h agoSun 24 Nov 2024 at 7:32am
113th over – Cummins hunting his second wicket
Kohli remains focused and watchful in defense, maintaining composure despite rising pressure.
Cummins shows variety with a bouncer, but it backfires as Carey can only tip it over the bar toward the boundary, leading to four byes.
Four runs. Bad luck for Cummins and Australia as the delivery veers back through Kohli’s gate, surpassing the stumps and evading Carey’s desperate dive.
How does the pressure to maintain concentration impact the performance of both batters during critical phases of the match?
Great composure as he faces Nathan Lyon, responding well to the spinner’s subtle variations. Lyon, eager to break the partnership, delivers a series of challenging deliveries but struggles to find the breakthrough. Sundar’s technique remains solid, allowing him to defend with confidence against Lyon’s spins and turns.
The tension in the game is palpable as both batters maintain their focus, waiting for the right opportunities to score. With Kohli’s recent half-century, the Australians are increasingly wary of allowing either player to settle into a rhythm.
In the context of the match, tension rises as the bowlers search for a way to crack the pair. Lyon, in particular, is becoming more animated, clearly frustrated by his inability to find the edge or create a significant wicket-taking opportunity.
As we move deeper into the innings, each over becomes critical, with both teams weighing their strategies and adjustments carefully in this compelling phase of play. The match’s dynamic continues to shift as the battle for runs and wickets intensifies on the field.
