AUS vs IND: 3rd Test – Australia take command on rain-curtailed opening day
The third Test of the four-match series between Australia and India commenced today in Sydney. Tim Paine was lucky to win the toss on a flat pitch and Australia, on a rain-curtailed day, managed to make the most of the good conditions. Despite losing David Warner early, Marnus Labuschagne and Will Pucovski batted well to notch up fifties. Steve Smith also looked in good touch as the hosts ended the day strongly at 166/2 after 55 overs.
Talking points of the day:
Composure from Will Pucovski
Will Pucovski finally made his Test debut and looked like the one who belongs to the grand stage. India’s bowlers tried to unsettle him with some well-directed bouncers and the youngster was rattled a bit as well. But soon he regained composure to play some brilliant strokes. After the rain break, he looked more settled and managed to notch up a half-century. He got out after scoring 62 runs.
Rishabh Pant dropping catches
India ended Day 1 of the Sydney Test with only two wickets in 55 overs. But they could’ve ended with many more had Rishabh Pant not dropped Pucovski twice. Ravi Ashwin managed to eke out an edge early in the second session when the debutant was on 24. But Pant couldn’t hold on to the catch. Mohammed Siraj then surprised Pucovski with a bouncer and Pant put up a great effort to hold on to a catch only to ground it in the end. Pucovski was on 32 then. The youngster ended up scoring 62 runs which also let Australia off the hook early in the game.
Pant gives Puc a life! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/PwhpHuJI4D
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021
Steve Smith’s ‘intent’
Steve Smith, after the second Test, had admitted that he allowed Ravi Ashwin to dominate in the first two matches. However, in Sydney, a completely different version of Smith came to the fore. He was determined to not play out many dot balls in the innings and raced to 15 scoring three fours. He also stepped out to Ashwin to smash him over his head and eventually ended the on 31 with five fours. Signs are ominous for India the way Smith is batting at the moment.
