Almanac Cricket: Australia v India – 4th Test, Day 1: Cricket Snicks from Madras

 

BOXING DAY TEST: Day 1

 

CRICKET SNICKS FROM MADRAS

 

The first question I got this morning as I reached the MCG was:  ‘Are we in Melbourne or Madras’?  You could be forgiven as the multitudes have descended from the Sub-Continent to be here. Many Indian women in colourful traditional clothing.

 

Full house as usual for Boxing Day in Melbourne.  The weather has slowed people down. They’re late.  Expected temperature of 40 degrees here at the home of cricket in Australia. Don’t think they will get anywhere near the expected crowd.

 

 

Fair dinkum’, stone the crows! I walk into the alternative box and have been confronted by a painting of the grandson. Is this football or cricket season?

 

The biggest talking point will be how will the Greek wonderboy, Sam Konstas, perform? It could be the only talking point.

 

91,000 plus pairs of eyes on the Aussie newbie. We expect so much of the teenager.  Takes 2.2 overs before he scores his first runs in the big time. The Indian openers have been unplayable, beating thee bat seven tims in the first couple of overs. What will the response be? If the prod, they’ll eventually nick.

 

Siraj gives him a spray and Team India joins in.  Give him curry!

 

Well the curry was spicy as Konstas ramps to leg, ramps to third man by two off the great Jasprit Bumrah.  Fourteen runs from three balls. The temerity of the boy.  Young man, this is Jasprit Bumrah!

 

First mini-session to Australia. Khawaja matching the young tyro but not with the extravagance, just sweet timing.

 

The Greek adonis is moving his mouth. twitches and rumbles and words to himself are coming out.

 

Best opening partnership for Australia this series 50 off a few balls over ten overs.

 

Eighteen off a Bumrah over by Konstas takes him to 45. What an innings.  Long time since I have seen a third man and fine leg in a Test match, and the ball still goes over their heads.

 

A break every 40 minutes todas hot!

 

The batters are doing it pretty easy now as the temperature continues to rise.

 

As usual when you praise the batters a wicket falls. Jadeja traps the Konstas dead in front for a brilliant 60.  The selectors are now all smiles.

 

Members only half full and yet the game is ‘sold out’. ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen (and Australians) go out in the midday sun’, with apologies to Noel Coward. Spare seats everywhere.

 

The new breed of cricket, for the moment, Sam is showered and out signing autographs within 30 minutes of his dismissal.  Love it!  Wonder how long it will last.

 

Good session for Oz and draining for India at 1/112, a great start.

 

Plenty of pigeons around in the members today and not one of them named McGrath!

 

Uzzie plays and misses a lot during his innings but he is still there to blunt the attack.  As for Marnus he will need more than a massage tonight. I feel for him as he keeps getting hit. Som very painful blows.

 

Play is now more like a regular test match as there is little going on except for Mr L’s misfortunes. Batters sapping the energy of the bowlers.

 

Uzzie reachs 50 from 102 balls. Played safely and surely making it easier for the selectors for the fifth and final test in Sydney next year.

 

No venom in the Indian attack now. Uz and Mar playing with ease.  The game is meandering along in Australia’s favour.

 

Normal transmission has resumed and after the dismissal of Uzzie (60) B1 and B2 have continued Australia’s control of the game and just after Tea Australia has reached 2/216.

 

Normal fare for Test cricket.

 

Many people have decided it’s too hot and they left for an early getaway.

 

B1 and B2 have frustrated and now are upping the tempo of the game as the scoreboard rattles along. The bowlers have whittled and Washington who came in for Gill in a shock move has bowled 23 overs.

 

Washington back on, Labuschagne (72) confident, lofts a drive, Kohli marks overhead and goes back to slot a goal. Hasn’t lost his agility or his tongue and an occasional bump. Wears the same number as Wayne Carey.

 

Head, who has had a great summer already, lets one go from Bumrah and is bowled. No score!! He must have known that the ball was big. Two quick wickets and India are back in the game.

 

Cricket scribes have pens poised as Moose Marsh enters the arena.  One of the most maligned players ever in Test cricket. Another failure here and his future will be questioned – yet again!

 

Lovely cover drive from The Moose opens his score. Four runs. Noticed today that the Oz batters have danced down the pitch to JB to alleviate his length.

 

Marsh is out trying to hook and surely that must be his last chance. He has played some woeful shots this series and hardly bowled.

 

India back in the game and they have Oz 5/246. Bumrah has 3/58 of 17 overs and that includes an 18 in one over from you know who.

 

Now, if India can remove the consistent Carey, then they will have had a great day finally.

 

Smith (B1) reaches another 50 and my question now is will he be asked to play on next season against England who are bringing out the kids from Bazza’s Kindergarten.

 

SPD heard me and clobbers a couple of sixes cobber.

 

He is in good touch.

 

Again Carey is amongst the runs and he is certainly adding to his CV when he applies for the captaincy in a couple of years. So consistent. Intelligent.

 

New ball late in the day as the lights shine bright. Carey gets a kicker straight through to Pant who makes no mistake.  Turned out to be a great day of cricket despite Australia’s early dominance. India last hour has been exceptional to put them back in the game.

 

Does not seem to be any drama with the wicket and runs for the taking tomorrow in cooler conditions.

 

The attendance of 87,242.

 

Australia 6/311 Smith 68 not out, Bumrah 3/75

 

 

 

 

More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.

 

 

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