Australia v India – Perth, Day 5: The Australians mop up
PERTH DAY 5 2018
With no free buses this morning it was a 40-minute constitutional for me. Walked down Hay Street with its splendid buildings down through the beautiful manicured Queens Gardens past the home of cricket the WACA and the alma mater of Simon Katich, Andrew Embley, Reece Conca, Tim Zoehrer and Henk Vogel , to name just a few, Trinity Grammar and then over the bridge to The Ark.
Beautiful day for a walk.
Vihari (24) and Pant (9) start the day with no nonsense. We will see today what Pant is made of and whether Vihari is good enough to hold his spot for Melbourne.
No sooner down than Vihari (28) goes bat, body, Harris from Starc. India 6/119. He was probably a bit stiff as the ball could have gone just about anywhere.
Cannot see any hope for the visitors now as they have the longest tail in Test cricket at the moment. They might make merry for a few moments but an all-day stint not on the cards. Pant is intent on staying around and is not intent in scoring singles early in the overs.
Pant’s big hits are dropping short today so he asks for a bat change They bring out five but I am positive he sticks with his original club.
Unfortunately, it does not work. He drives at Lyon and is splendidly taken by Handscomb (does he miss any?) at mid-wicket. Out for 30 and India are now on the brink at 7/137. Lyon has 3/39.
Starc gives Yadav (2) a peppering and finally gets him caught and bowled. Starc now has 3/46 and India are 8/139.
No let up for the batsmen? Cummins relieves Lyon and continues in the vein of Starc. Not sure this is necessary for the Indian tail. Ishant (0) swings and feathers it through to Paine 9/140. Cummins ends it all when he catches Bumrah (o) of a huge swing only for the ball to go back to the bowler. Game over Australia win by 147 runs. Six wickets for 28 runs this morning.
A fine performance by Australia who thoroughly deserved the win. They were the far better side throughout except when Kohli looked impregnable. In particular the bowling quartet are proving very hard to control and the Indian batsmen will have to go back to the drawing board and learn how to get behind the ball if they are to get back into this series.
Now for Melbourne. Australia would not surprise me if they made no change and gave Handscomb one more chance. His fielding is superb, remember the Kohli catch? The rest of the team certainly played their part with “team” being the key word.
For India they will hope that Ashwin and Shaw are fit as they are sure to drop one of the existing batting line-up and a fast bowler (Yadav).
As for the historic new Test arena? Twenty wickets tells its story but the ground does lack cricket atmosphere and the crowds overall were disappointing. The WACA for me.
About Bob Utber
At 84 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named 'Chloe on Flinders' and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
India tail just pathetic curator could be excused for having the roller ready as soon as the 6th wicket fell
( or ready to turn the hose on today ) teams for Boxing Day test match will be interesting
Nathan Lyon continues to go from strength to strength thanks Citrus Bob
Thanks CB. Another great match and thanks for your daily reports. Having seen Perth Stadium in July from a distance- cheers PB I agree with your naming it the Ark!
Wonderful that the series will be alive come Boxing Day. Look forward to your summaries and analysis then!
Great result but I can’t believe how pathetic India’s tail batted. Once again Australia’s bowlers got the team out of a jam. Hopefully Head will hook downwards in the Boxing Day test Rulebook is spot on when he says Lyon is going from strength to strength. Great to see Paine giving it back to Kohli (day 4 that is)
Following on with the Kohli / Paine confrontations I noticed the Indian skipper wasn’t so chirpy when Lyon dismissed him for a measly 17. In fact his mouth was clamped shut. Anyway, it’s all good for the game and I look forward to the Melbourne Test
Enjoyed your reports, Citrus. Thank you.
It is an indictment on India that their tail is so long. It is imperative these days that at least some of the bowlers must be able to bat even just a little.
Thank you everyone for your comments. I really appreciate what people think and say about my writings.
Seems that everyone is in agreement about the Indial tail. I don’t think I am wrong in saying it is the worst I have ever seen from an International side and I go back to India’s first visit in 1947 -48.
Opposition bowlers must be loving it. Surely they know how to play a straight bat?
I hope the media do not make “hay” on the Paine/Kohli confrontation for the remainder of the series. Let it die down of the field and it will on.
Congratulations to the fourth estate for hardly mentioning S,W & B in late reports and to you “Tragics” as well. If this success of the Australian team continues it will make interesting copy when the team is selected for England.
Festive wishes to all at The Almanac and look forward to seeing some of you at the G>
Thanks for the reports Citrus. An enjoyable read.
Enjoyed your reports throughout this Test CB.
Two magnificent games of cricket so far. The MCG Test has been set up beautifully. Hope to see you there.
Thrilled to see T.Paine get a Test win as captain. Fine leader.