Adelaide Test, Australia v India – Day Three: Kohli magic and Almanac launch

As we go into day 3 after a rain interrupted Day 2 many are wondering will the Aussies bat on or declare overnight. I thought they would bat on for 40 mins of long handle stuff but Clarke thinks otherwise as he pulls the pin overnight.

India look solid at the crease until Dhawan inside edges off a relentless Harris for a promising 25. Pujara and Vijay look solid before he is shaken up by some searing Johnson bouncers and edges behind for a well made 53. Enter stand in skipper Virat Kohli who is smashed on the helmet first ball by a rampant Johnson. The players all rush to Kohli to make sure he is ok – rightly so after the events of the past week. He certainly is and goes on to reveal an array of back foot punches and flowing cover drives which the crowd enjoy. Few can make it look so easy.

Nathan Lyon is extracting spin and bounce out of an Adelaide Oval pitch described by Almanac writer Rulebook as a disgrace. Nonetheless he is bowling better than he has for 12 months and the test is set to go deep into Day 5, which is a rare occurrence these days.  Could the great man be wrong? Lyon then removes Pujara playing on unluckily with some overspin.

Rahane looks dodgy from ball 1 but makes a dodgy 62 if that is possible before being caught off guard by extra Lyon bounce and spin. Kohli brings up a  sensational 100 – one of the best seen at the Oval by an Indian, before holing out at fine leg off Johnson to a great catch by Harris. The game is still alive at 5 for 369 with Sharma the key for India on 33 no. A pitch that produces 370 runs in a day is ok in my book.

On to the Alamanac launch what a crowd at the Lutheran Sports Club it feels like 100 strong. I have a chat with historian Bernard Whimpress and we talk about some great sports books. We agree 1964 written by Mike Sexton about the year South go from top to bottom is one of the best – highly underrated.  I wonder if he is here. Imagine our surprise when Mike launches the 2014 Alamnac with some great tales about that very year.

What a great night so many great writers with so many great stories. Some even remind me of my own which I have forgotten. I could stay here all night I want to stay here all night. Hang on I have the write up for Day 3. I better leave, who is going to edit this article? Everyone is here. This night sums up what the Almanac community is all about. It is hard to explain to outsiders but Thanks Footy Alamanac for the privilege of writing for you.

 

And Rulebook in the words of Choco Williams “you were wrong”.

 

Comments

  1. Ah Raj, sounds like a grand day. Memory is the only place where our sporting feats improve as we age.
    As for the question – who is editing? That is why the Almanac is a national enterprise. Its only 9pm over here in Perth.

  2. Malcolm Ashwood says

    Thanks Raj and yep I will happily cop your words my point is more angry in that in should not be a drop in , footy is only played here once a week and if the footy started at 7 and it was raining you could have the pitch covered till 6.45 and to the other extreme there are meters to measure the hardness of the deck so enough water could be flooded on the square . The toss has just become way too important in Adelaide and while never a real pacy deck there was at least enough life to ensure a far more even contest , basically it has become a win the toss , bat and no way you should lose deck too uneven for my liking . No need for a drop in the Saca saw the chance for there debt to be wiped and surprise , surprise did not think of any thing else .
    What a great night and apologies I thought geez , Raj has just snuck off forgetting you had day 3 responsibilities yes it is a privilege to write and be involved with the knackery ( it was a hard venue to leave last night ! )

  3. Luke Reynolds says

    Thanks Raj, good write up. Great to hear the Adelaide launch went so well.

  4. Good on you Raj. An Almanac launch can be a dangerous place for a young player. Glad it went well.

  5. Good stuff, Raj. I agree; Rulebook is wrong!

    I can’t remember a year (including pre drop-in) in which most commentators say that the Adelaide pitch is a road and will produce another draw.

    Every year, the test produces a belting first innings and then hey presto, all hell breaks loose on days 4 and 5 with results aplenty.

    This year, a result may be stymied by a days lost play, but I’m still predicting a sting in the tail, particularly if Rohit can smash some quick runs or if the Aussies can roll the tail quickly with a handy first innings lead.

    See you at the ground.

  6. Always look forward to reading your articles. Sorry I missed the launch. Sounded great

  7. Great article chilavert, the usual adelaide deck produces the the runs. Well no shane warne to spin the Indians out who will ???? will it be Lyon?? Interesting test match.
    Where the is Ashwin ?????? the spinner was bowling pies.
    The young indian batsman have done a good job, the fun will begin when they go and play on the not so friendly batting decks. Seeyou at the boxing day test match

  8. There are definite similarities in Australia V India test matches in Adelaide. In the 10 tests we have batted first every time, bar one. Apart from our collapse in 1991-92, on the opening days the pitch has produced lots of runs. Now, who will win? In the 9 tests concluded between the combatants, Australia leads 5-1, with 3 draws. Though we mightr be marginallly in front so far in the current encounter, that was also the same case in 2003-04, before Agarkar and Co went through the Australian second innings. Who’s the smart money on in this test ?

    Glen!

Leave a Comment

*