Recent Match Report – Australia vs India 2nd Test 2020

Join us for updates, analysis and color during the opening day of the second test

Welcome to our live coverage of the third day of the Australia Verses India Test series from Adelaide. Join us for updates, analysis and color. You can find our traditional ball-for-ball commentary here

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11.30 am: Exciting opening time

It was an exciting start to this test with a bit of life on the field, which means a good battle between bat and ball. Matthew Wade, who played very well for an hour, gave away his wicket by putting R Ashwin in the leg side where Ravindra Jadeja clung to an excellent catch despite almost colliding with Shubman Gill. In an interesting move by Ajinkya Rahane, who replaced Virat Kohli as captain, he brought Ashwin within the first hour and there was an early inning. Umesh Yadav hasn’t been as consistent as Jasprit Bumrah, but two wickets are a good reward for India and put some pressure on Australia.

11am: Early strike for India

India has been rewarded for good early bowling by removing Joe Burns for a duck. Jasprit Bumrah was particularly challenging with the new ball and found a thin edge from Burns in his third over, ducking back-to-back Boxing Day for the opener. There is an encouraging pace and there are signs that India can make it work hard. Matthew Wade looked very confident and had some nice rides through the offside position against Umesh Yadav.

10.15 am: Remembrance of Deano

Here’s Dan Brettig from the MCG on how one of Australia’s greats will be honored

Tribute to Dean Jones will take on many and varied dimensions throughout the test. An entire bay of MCG seats has been carried over to a large image of Jones, while spectators are encouraged to “sink” in homage to Jones’ habit of doing the same when he played. Jones ‘family will be at the MCG for the match, with a tea time video tribute scheduled at 3:24 PM, recognizing Jones’ baggy green cap number and also his highest first-class score of 324 against South Australia in a Day / Night Sheffield Shield competition in the MCG in 1994-95.

10:05 am: Australia bat first

The coin fell in Tim Paine’s favor and he was happy to hit first. Wonder of Ajinkya Rahane was happy he didn’t have to make the decision. If there is early life, Jasprit Bumrah should be able to find it.

Here’s a little more about India’s other debutant Mohammed Siraj

9.50 am: Pitch report

Damien Fleming, on Channel Seven, says there is 11mm of grass on this field. That might interest the fast bowlers on both sides, but it’s definitely a bat first day. It’s a bright, sunny, warm day. India must leave that battle performance of Adelaide behind as soon as possible.

9.30 am: Boxing Day in the G

Welcome everyone to one of the iconic days on the cricket calendar: Boxing Day at the MCG. For a long time it seemed like this wouldn’t happen, so it’s great that the series is here and we will have 30,000 spectators. Just to summarize where we are in this competition, India needs to find a way back from pooling for their lowest test score (36) in Adelaide a week ago. We already know they made four changes in an attempt to do that – two of them enforced with the absence of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami – but it will be a mighty task. Australia is still without David Warner and has appointed an unchanged team. It is not often that both XIs are confirmed 24 hours after the game. The toss is half an hour away.

India will have two debutants: Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj. If you’d like to learn a little more about Gill, a hugely talented batsman, check out this piece below.