5th Test Border Gavaskar Trophy January 3-7 1000hrs @ the SCG

[adogsfan5]

Happy Jane McGrath day to all.

 

[Speck]

Big day for Khawaja and Lab here. If one of them can hang in there and anchor the innings while Konstas, Smith, Head, Carey and Webster can play more freely it will make a huge difference for us.

 

[Lunchtime]

Too much focus on externals (pitch, off-field drama, selection debates, ...). Can't control that stuff
Right now this team needs to focus on what they can control - bowl good line and length, set appropriate fields, take catches when they come, and most importantly put value on their wicket when they bat. If they don't get bowled out they regain the BGT. It's as simple as that - doesn't matter how many runs they are chasing - just stay in. The runs will come naturally. It's Test cricket FFS - they are supposed to be the best in the world but it's like they have forgotten how to play Test cricket.

They are the best in the world in what is a pretty weak era currently and past 10-15 years collectively of world Test cricket.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Scotty B has arrived

lol Sam practicing the ramps

 

[Bedi]

Every single bloody run is going to count today, so looms to be a fascinating day's cricket

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Every single bloody run is going to count today, so looms to be a fascinating day's cricket

Yep plus the potential extra half hour to get a result.

 

[Neese]

That Smith dropped catch would have been Webster's 2nd wicket. Good job from Webster this test.

 

[Plugger35]

A bit depressing to think this could be the last day of test cricket for the summer and it likely will be with India's lead only 145.

 

[Neese]

Smith never went to bed, he’s been shadow batting all night

Shadow catching.

 

[Pistol Night]

A bit depressing to think this could be the last day of test cricket for the summer and it likely will be with India's lead only 145.

Us taking 4/0 will be nice though

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Us taking 4/0 will be nice though

Are you doubting Scotty B

Hangable offence

 

[Neese]

It's exciting in that we just don't know what is going to happen today.
Fascinating series.

 

[beez]

A bit depressing to think this could be the last day of test cricket for the summer and it likely will be with India's lead only 145.

Would love some long-form journalism on the sehnsucht or saudade of this cricketing summer, especially given how we feel like we have been robbed of a longer battle between the two sides.

C'mon Gideon, do your thing.

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

All four results still possible.

Australia win easily without Bumrah bowling....

 

[Anzacpaul]

Australia win easily without Bumrah bowling....

Like when he went to hospital yesterday and we still collapsed?

 

[Neese]

They bowled fine without Bumrah yesterday though...

 

[cats_09]

Love that account

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Australia win easily without Bumrah bowling....

As if he’s not bowling lol could bowl off 2 steps and get Khawaja out

 

[10Dulkar]

They bowled fine without Bumrah yesterday though...

The pitch offering more assistance than Melbourne helps the less skilled bowlers like Reddy. It's a bit like when England won in India on a turner because their less vaunted spinners needed that turn from the wicket as they didn't have the guile of the Indian spinners.

 

[cats_09]

This isn't great if you're Smith

 

[aabp1978]

Our batting is very flaky and that’s at best. When a bloke on debut was your best bat…

This. We cant chase anything above 150..and even then it would be 7 to 8 down. We are no chance (hope I am wrong..but whatever has happened to our inability to bat in the last 10 years isnt changing on a seaming pitch in Sydney…)

 

[Buzz Hawk]

Open with Starc and give him a chance at redemption.
Was a liability with the pill yesterday.

 

[Borisdog]

Open with Starc and give him a chance at redemption.
Was a liability with the pill yesterday.

Has to be Cummins and Boland.

 

[kickazz]

It was only 1 hour into Kontas' Test career lol. Kohli tried to bully him straight away.

That's all it was

People secure in themselves laugh off the Konstas bravado.

Insecure people get aggressive

 

[Pistol Night]

Bit of Marnus to fire everyone up.