Event of the Day: Australia versus India
Our event of the day is the second day of the fourth Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India lead the Test series 2-1 and have already began to dominate in the 4th Test. After the first day of play, they are 303 for 4 with no signs of slowing down. Be sure you don’t miss what is set to be another exciting day of cricket. India came into the 4th and final Test of their Australian tour with a 2-1 lead and after winning the toss, the visitors elected to bat and made Australia pay. India had replaced their opening pair for the 3rd Test but due to Rohit Sharma returning to India for the birth of his daughter there has had to be another re-shuffle for this 4th Test. Hanuma Vihari has moved down the order to fill Sharma’s spot in the middle order with opener K. L. Rahul getting a quick recall after having some disappointing performances so far in the series. Sadly this poor run continued for Rahul, as he was one of the few players who Australia managed to contain, being caught at slip after scoring only 9 runs. Rahul’s dismal performance across the Australian tour will no doubt lead to questions about his immediate future with the national team.
However, his opening partner, Mayank Agarwal, is another story. Agarwal came in as part of the new opening pair for the 3rd Test and went on to score 118 runs in the match. In the first inning of this 4th Test, Agarwal was caught after scoring 77, continuing to prove that he has the calibre to lead India’s batting efforts. Cheteshwar Pujara continued to be the heart of the Indian batting, scoring 130 on the first day. Pujara is currently not out and will return to the crease when play resumes today. After Agarwal was caught, the Indian offense slowed slightly. Virat Kohli scored 23 and Ajinkya Rahane managed 18. The other batter returning to the crease this morning is Vihari, who is currently standing on 39 runs, already an improvement on his performance in the 3rd Test. The Australian bowling attack have worked hard but have not found many answers. Josh Hazlewood has been the pick of the bowlers so far with 2 wickets, including the key wicket of Kohli, and bowling at an economy rate of 2.55. Australia will need quick wickets in the morning session if they are to gain a foothold in the game. Whatever happens, we are guaranteed a thrilling day of cricket with India pushing for their first series win in Australia ever.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to Premiership Rugby, where Sale Sharks host Saracens at the AJ Bell Stadium. Sale are 7th in the Premiership with 5 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses. Meanwhile, Saracens are 2nd with a single loss, sustained to first-place Exeter. Sale and Saracens have met twice already this season, tying in the 2nd round of the Premiership Rugby Cup and Saracens taking a 31-25 victory at home in mid- November. Both sides are hungry for success; Saracens for another title and Sale are eyeing up a top-four finish and a place in the Champions Cup next season, so expect a hard-fought match today. Elsewhere, Tranmere Rovers host Spurs at Prenton Park in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. On the PGA tour, the Sentry Tournament of Champions continues at the Kapalua Plantation Course. It’s Day 5 of the ATP Qatar ExxonMobil Open. In the NBA, the Phoenix Suns host the LA Clippers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. In the NHL, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Winnipeg Jets to the PPG Paints Arena.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by ICC Cricket