India v Australia: second Test, day two – live

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Speaking of the run rate in NZ, Ben Stokes has just hit consecutive sixes to become the most prolific six-hitter in Test history. Second on the list behind the England captain is England coach, Brendon McCullum.

Mark Waugh and Sanjay Manjrekar have taken a close look at the pitch and they reckon it already looks like a day three or four pitch; dry with plenty of scarring. The best time to bat was yesterday, so don’t expect the kind of run rate we’ve seen over in NZ.

How’s the weather in Delhi? It’s dry and still with temperatures starting in the low 20s and climbing to the high 20s. Keep an eye on the smog.

If one Test match isn’t enough for you, feel free to keep an eye on New Zealand v England over here. The tourists continue to breathe new life into the old format, ticking along at six rpo as they look to set the Black Caps a challenging fourth innings chase.

And here’s Geoff Lemon’s view from the press box.

On the first day of the Delhi Test, Peter Handscomb appeared to have solved the puzzle. For a time, Usman Khawaja found a way, too. On a pitch that offered sharp turn from ball one even if it was slow enough to sometimes play off the surface, their partnership in the middle of the innings was worth 59, while Khawaja was the consistent presence in helping add 108 beforehand and Handscomb in another 94 afterwards. A total of 263 does not equal cricketing riches, but it was an advance on the previous week’s capitulation in Nagpur.

Here’s the report from the close of day one.

This is a worthwhile opportunity to engage with the issue of concussion in sport and the specific challenge it presents to cricket. Substitutions such as this are surely a step in the right direction.

Here is the substitute Renshaw, ambling to the ground in full kit like a third grade stalwart’s cousin, roped in at the last minute after a bout of gastro has gone through the village. Someone somewhere can be heard muttering “cometh the hour…”.

David Warner ruled out with concussion

Some notable breaking news from the Australian camp before play on day two. David Warner has been withdrawn from the remainder of the Test with concussion after being hit on the helmet while batting yesterday. Matthew Renshaw is his replacement.

Preamble

Hello everybody and welcome to the OBO for day two of the second Test between India and Australia. We’ll be under way at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi at 9.30am local time (3pm AEDT).

Honours went to the hosts on the opening day, but for the first time this series they didn’t have things all their own way. Australia built four handy partnerships after winning the toss and electing to bat, but none of them blossomed into the kind that can define a contest. 91/1 became 108/4, 167/4 became 168/6, and 227/6 became 263 all out.

Most of the work was shouldered by Usman Khawaja and his reverse-sweeps, and Peter Handscomb staying leg-side of the spinning ball. There was also a timely return to form with the bat for Pat Cummins, providing rare justification of his status at No 8.

India were typically reliable with the ball. Mohammed Shami hit an excellent length for his four wickets, in the process perhaps making Australia rue their decision to select only one frontline seamer. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja shared the remaining wickets, continuing their stranglehold on Australia’s middle order.

It promises to be a cat and mouse day with India in no hurry to repeat their strategy of the first Test and bat long enough once to close out the game. Australia’s trio of spinners will be put through their paces on a surface offering uneven bounce but, so far, nothing spiteful.

Remember, you can join in by sending me an email or fly a tweet to @JPHowcroft.

Australia have their work cut out in the field as India resume their first innings in the second Test. Photograph: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images