Aussie rookie Todd Murphy has a new bunny and his name is Virat Kohli … as India collapse on day one of the third Test.
Australia is 2-0 down and face an enormous mountain to climb to regain some respectability in their series against India.
Ahead of day one of the third Test, where Australia will be without captain Pat Cummins, we look at the pressing questions facing coach Andrew McDonald and his team.
5:03PM ‘INDIA NOT IN A GOOD PLACE’
Australia has hit back in superb fashion to start the third Test in Indore, with India 7-84 at lunch on day one.
The pitch has come under fire for turning square in the first session of the match, but Australia’s bowlers have been good enough to capitalise and India has been guilty of some loose shots.
Nathan Lyon (3-23) and Matthew Kuhnemann (3-14) have been superb, with Todd Murphy (1-12) also impressing by claiming the crucial scalp of Virat Kohli.
Australia will be flying with confidence, but at the same time wary that they will have to bat last on this deck which has been ragging.
4:55PM SEVENTH WICKET FALLS AS INDIA COLLAPSE
India is getting a taste of Australia’s pain after collapsing to 7-82 on the cusp of lunch on day one.
Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann both have three wickets each, with the third spinner Todd Murphy claiming the crucial scalp of Virat Kohli.
Steve Smith has made some inspired bowling changes as captain and after the first over DRS review disaster, has also found his rhythm with the reviews.
Smith and Lyon sent an lbw shout upstairs after it was given not out on-field, and Srikar Bharat was shown to be dead.
4.46PM MURPHY MAKES VIRAT HIS BUNNY
NSW-raised sensation Todd Murphy has a bunny … and his name is Virat Kohli.
The Australian rookie now has Kohli three times in as many Test matches in his first series in Test cricket.
It was a crucial wicket because Kohli looked a class above the other collapsing Indian batsmen and had worked hard to get to 22.
Getting Kohli trapped lbw has left India 6-71 after a chaotic first session of the third Test on a questionable pitch.
Australia’s big challenge now is getting Axel Patel out early, given the spinner has been arguably the best batsman of the series so far.
4:00PM INDIA FIVE DOWN BY DRINKS ON DAY ONE ON HELLISH PITCH
Now it’s India’s turn to collapse, with Australia taking five wickets in the first hour of play.
In extraordinary scenes at Indore, Matthew Kuhnemann has three wickets and Nathan Lyon two with India 5-45.
The pitch is already a rank turner and as happy Australia will be with their bowling performance, it will be their turn to bat on it soon.
The five wickets have all fallen in the space of half an hour of play, and for just 17 runs.
Test greats Matthew Hayden and Ravi Shastri have both criticised the approach of the Indian batsmen, comparing their reckless shot-selection to Australia’s chaotic collapse in the second Test.
Hayden and Shastri said as poor as the pitch is, batters need to find a way to get themselves in on the pitch.
But overall, Hayden is scathing on the pitch.
“I’ve got a problem with this pitch. No way in the world a spin bowler should come on in the sixth over,” Hayden said on Fox Cricket.
“That’s massive turn. That’s the kind of turn you’d expect day three. You’ve got to give the batters a chance. “We’re judging players on their performances in Test cricket. Day one, day two should be about batting.
“It shouldn’t be keeping low, turning a mile on day one. Forget about the result, it shouldn’t be that way in Test match cricket.”
3:53PM ALARMING SCENES AS PITCH CREATES DAY ONE HAVOC IN INDORE
The microscope is on curators and the BCCI after alarming signs from the Indore pitch on day one.
Not even halfway through the first session and the ball is already turning sideways and barely bouncing in an ominous sign for how long this Test will last.
Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann both have two wickets each, with India reeling at 4-44.
Dangerman Ravi Jadeja is the latest Indian back in the sheds, after Lyon had him caught sharply by Kuhnemann, just one ball after the batsman survived a DRS decision.
It would be party time for Australia except they also have to bat on this deck and they will have to bat last in the match after losing the toss.
Journalists and fans have exploded on twitter about the quality of the pitch.
It’s been quickly pointed out that this Test was meant to be staged in Dharamsala but was moved at the last moment because that ground allegedly wasn’t Test match ready.
It’s difficult to see how it could have been worse than this.
3:36 KUHNEMANN MAKES IT TWO IN TWO OVERS, LYON STRIKES
Queensland spin rookie Matthew Kuhnemann has made it two wickets in two overs to put Australia on top early in the third Test.
Kuhnemann has dismissed both Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to leave India 2-34.
Then Nathan Lyon came into the attack licking his lips at the mega turn on offer.
Lyon continued his brilliant record over Indian wall, Cheteshwar Pujara, bowling him for 1 to leave India 3-36.
Gill edged Kuhnemann to first slip, with Steve Smith taking a superb catch.
Smith opened up about his degenerative back condition before the Test, after he was criticised for not being able to get low enough to take some key chances in the opening two Tests.
But Smith made no mistake with this one, further credit to him after an inspiring bowling change.
Kuhnemann has 2-2 from two overs.
The wicket looks absolutely dire. Lyon’s delivery had very little bounce, whereas in the previous over keeper Alex Carey wore one on the helmet from a high bouncing ball.
3:27PM KUHNEMANN GETS ‘HUGE TURN’ TO SAVE AUSTRALIA’S BLUSHES
Australian captain Steve Smith has redeemed himself after his team butchered two reviews in the first over of the Test, with an inspired bowling change bringing about a key Indian wicket.
Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann was brought into the attack after a morning of agony for Australia.
Mitchell Starc should have had Indian captain Rohit Sharma out twice in the very first over – including the first ball of the Test.
But it hasn’t hurt Australia as much as it could, with Kuhnemann coming into the attack and getting Rohit for 12.
India is 1-32 after Kuhnemann came on and started turning it square.
In ominous signs for the length of this Test match, Kuhnemann was extracting huge turn and got Rohit out stumped.
In his 36-ball stay at the crease, Rohit was out three times and then ultimately tried to charge Kuhnemann only to come up with thin air.
Bizarre innings from the Indian champion who has been so good this series.
“Good move by the Australian captain Steve Smith,” Indian great Sunil Gavaskar said of Smith’s decision to bring on Kuhnemann.
3:14PM AUSSIES IN HORROR START AFTER FAILING TO REVIEW FIRST BALL NICK
First-ball specialist Mitchell Starc should have struck again … only Australia didn’t take the review.
In a horror moment to start the third Test, Australia declined to go upstairs for a big sound off the outside of Rohit Sharma’s bat on the very first delivery of the Test match, before also failing to review another shout that should have been out lbw.
As bad as Australia’s reviewing was, it was shocking umpiring.
Particularly the nick should have been an obvious decision.
Replays confirmed Steve Smith and Starc’s worst nightmare, that there was a thick edge and Rohit should have been on his way.
“Oh my goodness me. They’ll be horrified. Absolutely horrified,” Matthew Hayden said in Fox Cricket commentary.
“It was all over our ears up here. The woes continue.”
It is a massive blow for Australia after losing the toss. Rohit has been India’s best batsman this series.
Rohit immediately shot a look back to the slips cordon after nicking the ball, which should have been another indication to the umpire along with the loud noise.
Starc also trapped Rohit lbw but Smith declined not to go upstairs.
On a day when wickets could be hard to come by, it was a crushing double blow.
Starc famously got a wicket on the first ball of the last Ashes series.
2:30PM SELECTORS TO BRUSH BOLAND DESPITE CHAPPELL PLEAS
Steve Smith has lost the toss and Australia will be forced to bowl first in the third Test in Indore.
It is theoretically a massive blow to Australia’s chances, with India winning the first two Tests inside three days after losing the toss. Now they get the chance to dictate by batting first and getting the best of the conditions.
Australian cricket great and former selector Greg Chappell had pleaded for Scott Boland to play the third Test, but selectors have stuck with three spinners for the third Test in Indore.
Chappell’s argument was Australia should play to its strengths and favour fast bowling over going spin heavy, like India. But it would appear that argument has been ignored by selectors who believe in the spin triple threat of Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy.
Mitchell Starc returns for the first time in the series in place of captain Pat Cummins, who has returned to Australia for family reasons.
Cameron Green is in for David Warner and his concussion sub Matthew Renshaw, pushing Travis Head to open the batting.
Smith is the Australian captain.
India has made two changes with Shubman Gill coming in to open the batting instead of KL Rahul, and Umesh Yadav coming in as a pace replacement for Mohammad Shami.
Australia has stuck with three spinners and one specialist paceman for the third Test at Indore.
Mitchell Starc replaces Pat Cummins and Cameron Green comes in for Matthew Renshaw, who was a concussion sub for David Warner.
Steve Smith is captain.
Cummins has returned home to be with his mother who is terminally ill. Warner fractured his elbow in the second Test.
The Indore square has red and black clay wicker’s but this is being played on the latter.
Indore is hot even at this time of the year and the black clay is laid over the red soil to help it keep together for longer.
Australia is expecting the same conditions that saw India’s spinners tie them in knots in the first two Tests.
The side has been desperate to get Green in as the all rounder frees up selection.
“It certainly helps with Greeny available giving us two genuinely quick options,” Smith said. “It gives us the ability to play three if we want to, the surface looks pretty similar to the last couple of Tests. I dare say we are going to see a lot of spin bowled in the Test match. It’s certainly an option for us.
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann
1. HOW WILL STEVE SMITH HANDLE THE CAPTAINCY?
The sad return of Pat Cummins’ to Australia to be with his sick mother has opened the door for Smith to take the reins as skipper for the third time since being appointed vice-captain. Smith averages 67.73 with the bat when captaining Australia in Tests, as opposed to 55.33 when he doesn’t have the ‘c’ next to his name. And it was in India in 2017 that Smith had arguably his greatest overseas tour as captain. Australia fell short in the end, but Smith piloted the team to a famous win in Pune as well as smashing three centuries. Smith made some starts in the first Test but struggled by his lofty standards in the second Test. Will the responsibility of leadership spur him onto the match-defining score Australia so desperately needs?
2. WILL AUSTRALIA’S BATSMEN PLAY THE SWEEP SHOT?
It’s not easy to change a game plan mid-series, but Australia’s batters must tweak their approach from the dismal second Test failure in Delhi which surrendered the series to India. A cavalcade of irresponsible sweep shots contributed to one of the most embarrassing collapses in Australian Test match cricket, and spin twins Ravi Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin won’t be letting up in the third Test at Indore. However, Cameron Green has not ruled out employing the sweep shot, if conditions allow – given it was the signature shot in the brilliant 77 he made against Sri Lanka in Galle last year.
3. WHERE IS THE FUTURE FOR TRAVIS HEAD?
The assumption is Head will revert back to his middle-order role after this series, but is it guaranteed? With David Warner’s Test match future under a cloud there is no obvious successor at the top of the order should selectors decide to make a change. England great Michael Vaughan feels Head will have success batting in his usual position at No.5 because the Duke’s ball in England will stop swinging after 30 overs. However, unleashing the freewheeling Head at the top of the order would certainly send a message to Baz Ball that Australia is ready to fight fire with fire. Watching how Head handles the next two Tests opening the batting will be intriguing.
4. CAN MITCHELL STARC PERFORM WITH A SORE FINGER?
The big left-armer will have to push through the pain barrier in Indore, with the middle finger on his bowling hand still not entirely comfortable in the release of the ball. But Australia desperately needs Starc back in the attack and as big a loss as Cummins is, the addition of Starc might give the attack a new edge. Starc’s ability to get tailenders out is without peer, and that’s what Australia has failed to do in the first two Tests with Axar Patel running away with matchwinning innings coming in at No.8. Starc is also rated one of the best exponents of reverse swing in the modern era and his footmarks can create extra trouble for Indian batsmen when Nathan Lyon comes onto bowl. Starc is Australia’s best subcontinental quick and could make a huge difference if his finger allows.
5. BOLAND OR A THIRD SPINNER?
Test doyen Greg Chappell wrote a strong newspaper column, adamant Australia erred tactically by not backing in Scott Boland for the second Test in Delhi. Chappell argues Australia should be playing to its strength – fast bowling – rather than trying to get sucked into the spin game India is playing with more skilled operators. Boland kept things extremely tight in the first Test but did not take a wicket. In the second Test selectors felt they needed to add the left-arm variety of spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, but that left them with only one fast bowler. Cameron Green’s return certainly makes it less risky for Australia to play three spinners, but is it the right call? If Boland was brought back, the next question is who drops out – Kuhnemann or impressive rookie, Todd Murphy? With Nathan Lyon and Travis Head in the side, Murphy’s off-spin might be more dispensable, but it would be a massive call given how outstanding the 22-year-old was on debut in Nagpur.
6. CAN PETER HANDSCOMB BOOK HIMSELF AN ASHES TRIP?
Selectors might have originally brought Handscomb back as an Indian specialist, but his return to the squad could become more permanent if he finishes off the last two Tests with a bang. Handscomb has an OK record in England, his country of birth, and the versatility he brings to the squad with his skills as a back-up wicketkeeper cannot be underestimated. To his credit, Handscomb looks to have returned to Test cricket a more complete batsman, and his temperament, fitness levels and fielding abilities are all first class. Hard to think of a better middle-order back-up option for the Ashes, although Josh Inglis has just scored a century in Sheffield Shield cricket and probably deserves inclusion as a specialist No.2 keeper.
7. WHAT’S THIS TEAM REALLY MADE OF?
The third Test is a massive Test for the fibre of this Australian dressing room. The chips are down, the squad has been decimated, but yet the tour is only half over. There is so much to play for. Australia can cement qualification for a rematch against India in the World Test Championship with a draw or a win in the final two Tests. Momentum is also a big thing in cricket, and Australia desperately need to reclaim its mojo in the last Test cricket they’ll play before the big winter in England. Staying in the fight is the big challenge.
Originally published as Australia v India 3rd Test: Live stream, scores, updates, scoreboard, start time and teams