Boxing Day Test: Australia toil as Indian all-rounders put on mammoth partnership
India are five wickets down and trail by more than 300 runs ahead of what looms as a defining day in this Test series at the MCG.
Day two did not disappoint with a disastrous mix-up between Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Virat Kohli (36) ending a 102-run partnership for the third wicket.
It kicked off a quick collapse as Scott Boland then dismissed Kohli and Akash Deep. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja got the visitors to stumps with India 5-164 in response to Australia’s 474.
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Reddy or not!
Nitish Kumar Reddy is fast approaching a maiden Test century, currently on 97.
He has already passed the highest-ever score for a No.8 at the MCG, a record previously held by Mitch Johnson, who scored 92 against South Africa.
The 21-year-old’s partnership with Washington Sundar (50*) is the sixth highest against Australia in the past two years.
The pair have put together 126 runs from 279 balls, helping India to 7-348 after meeting in the middle at 7-221.
Washington Sundar reaches 50
Scott Boland has suddenly found some assistance from this surface and has had three close calls in his two over so far.
There have been just 13 runs in the past 10 overs as Australia at the very least begin to build some pressure.
However both men are happy to bide time as Sundar pushes a sharp single to bring up his 50.
Reddy breaks the shackles with a sweep for four to move to 94.
Australia continues to toil
The bowling has been better after the break which has kept the run rate in check but save for one play and miss off Starc there have not been any chances created just yet.
The partnership is now 111.
Starc with ball in hand
Good signs as Starc takes the ball after Marsh.
Perhaps the extended break allowed for some work to be put into his back.
His pace is slightly down but seems to get through the over without too much dismonfort.
We’re back on
Mitch Marsh to continue after the break.
Australia still searching for a breakthrough with Reddy approaching what would be a terrific century.
Restart pencilled in
We’re working towards a restart at 4pm AEST, which is in 17 minute’s time.
Good signs
The umpires have been out on the ground and now the main cover has come off.
It looks like we have an eye on some play shortly. Tea techinically finished 10 minutes ago.
Rain update
The good news from the MCG is that the radar suggests the band of rain will soon pass us by. The umpires are also heading out to chat to groundstaff now.
But the bad news is there is still some light drizzle and with the allocated time for the tea break now over, we are going to start eating into some time. The outfield doesn’t look too wet, but it would still take a bit of time to get us playing again.
Back from the brink
India’s huge show of faith to elevate tail-end batters Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar is paying off as the pair claw the visitors back into the Boxing Day Test. https://buff.ly/3ZSEvW0
Jackson Barrett takes us through day three so far...
TEA TIME!
Tea has been called early and the covers are going on.
It doesn’t appear to be raining at the MCG - yet - but the groundstaff have rushed out to cover the wicket with poor weather incoming.
India are 7/326 with Nitish Reddy unbeaten on 85 and Washington Sundar approaching his half century on 40*.
Only two wickets have fallen today, with Rishabh Pant dismissed with a bizarre shot for 28 and Ravindra Jadeja out LBW from a delightful Nathan Lyon delivery for 17.
India trail by 148 runs.
