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And for those who like a water cooler discussion, here’s a good one from the first day’s action…
For those who missed day one, here’s Geoff Lemon’s report…
Preamble
Namaste cricket fans! Welcome back to the ‘tiger capital’ of Nagpur for day two of the first Test between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Day one had all the intrigue, controversy, fierce competition and beautiful bedlam we’ve come to expect from subcontinental cricket. Both teams named exciting debutants – 22-year-old off-spinner Todd Murphy for Australia, and 32-year-old T20 phenomenon Suryakumar Yadav for India.
Australia also dropped a bombshell by dropping the bombastic Travis Head. Despite clattering 525 runs at 87.50 in the home summer his 21.30 average from seven Tests in Asia was enough for selectors to sever Head from the XI and bring Peter Handscomb and Matthew Renshaw back from exile as the new No 5 and 6.
Before winning the toss, Pat Cummins urged his men to “embrace the chaos”. They took him far too literally.
David Warner and Usman Khawaja were back in the sheds within 13 balls, undone by pace and bounce (and perhaps age). Predictably, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne picked up the pieces and set about rebuilding the innings. But with their rapid-fire dismissals after lunch, Australia’s decision to axe Head blew up in their face. In conditions tailor made for a stroke-maker and counter-attacker they instead got Matthew Renshaw and a big fat golden duck.
Alex Carey looked the best of the batters, reverse sweeping his first ball for four and chancing his hand until he gambled one time too many on 37. Left with only the tail, Peter Handscomb perhaps showed the baggy green bunnies too much faith, dabbing singles when he might’ve been better off swinging lustily. In the end, it was too little too late as Australia’s bottom-order collapsed, all out for 177.
When Rohit Sharma carted Pat Cummins for three successive fours in the first over, the intent was clear: attack and keep attacking because sooner or later the pitch demons will be unleashed and there’ll be a ball with your name on it. India duly rattled along to 77-1, just 100 runs behind, with only the loss of KL Rahul to a lovely caught and bowled by young Todd Murphy. That sole dismissal to a young spinner – following a fizzing five-for by Ravi Jadeja – is the flicker of hope Australia will take into what should be an entertaining day two of this Test.
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