Event of the Day: Australia versus India
Our event of the day is Day 4 of the 2nd Test between Australia and India at Perth Stadium. The tourists currently lead the series 1-0 but have it all to do in this second Test, where Australia currently lead by 175 runs after ending the third day on 132 for 4. India are looking for their first ever Test Series win in Australia and even though they are ranked the number one Test team in the world, Australia are notoriously hard to beat on home soil so it is all to play for in Perth. As cricket fans would have expected, Virat Kohli has been marvellous during this series so far. After India’s first three batsmen were bowled out in relatively quick succession in their first innings, the responsibility fell to Kohli, as it very often does, to steady the ship and get their innings back on track. The world’s best batsman did exactly that, scoring 123 in a spellbinding day at the crease and putting his side right back in contention with a team score of 283.
On the other side of the ball, India registered a respectable first innings bowling, with Ishant Sharma the star man, grabbing four wickets and limiting the hosts to just 41 runs whilst the ball was in his hand. Everyone in the world of cricket knows how difficult it is to win a Test match against the Australians on their home patch. It was much to the hosts’ disappointment, then, when they fell behind in the series after the first match, leaving themselves with it all to do if they are to continue their sparkling run of home form. In the first innings of this 2nd Test, the Australians batted beautifully, setting a decent score of 326. However, they will need to push on in the second innings and advance from 132/4 to set the Indians a challenging fourth innings target to chase. Today is a vital day in the context of the series.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NFL fixture between the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints. Carolina go into this one with a record of 6-7 after losing their last five games. Meanwhile the Saints have fared much better than their NFC South rivals this season and have a winning record of 11-2. With the division wrapped up and their playoff berth confirmed, Drew Brees and the Saints will look to forge some impressive end-of-season form as they are set to go into the playoffs as one of the favourites for the title. Elsewhere, there is action at the oche as Day 5 of the Darts World Championships gets underway at Alexandra Palace, where the star-studded field are all chasing the £500,000 top prize. In the second round of the FA Cup, Southport welcome Tranmere Rovers to the Merseyrail Community Stadium with the winners earning a third round tie against Tottenham Hotspur. Finally, in the NHL, the Anaheim Ducks travel to face the Pittsburgh Penguins at the PPG Paints Arena, as the Ducks chase their fourth straight win.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by ICC Cricket