3rd Test at the SCG, Sydney, 7 Jan - 11 Jan 2021

[thierry henry]

Respect for Smith just skyrocketed with the Bieber selection

 

[trundler]

Starc's objectively excellent record is ridiculously lop-sided

 

[Window]

Aus 2 years ago was pretty trash. No Smith or Warner

Warner hasn't exactly been a big contributor thus far but yeah Smith has made a massive difference, well particularly in this game. His 138 will be around the number India will fall short by.

 

[Burgey]

Respect for Smith just skyrocketed with the Bieber selection

See, for me it was the reverse

 

[Spark]

Starc's objectively excellent record is ridiculously lop-sided

in what way? he averages roughly the same home and away. he has two really big gaps in india and the UAE but otherwise has put up at least creditable performances on paper against all test nations in a variety of conditions.

is he supposed to average 18 against everyone?

 

[Spark]

and no, you don't get to throw out his record against sri lanka, not unless you're willing to also throw out the overall result of that series in sri lanka too.

 

[Athlai]

Starc still gives me PTSD

 

[Athlai]

Starc still gives me PTSD

And we are the best team in the world.

 

[thierry henry]

And we are the best team in the world.

Seeing Australia doing whatever it is they’re doing right now, rather than just mercilessly flogging India like you’re supposed to, makes this pretty obvious

 

[morgieb]

Urgh I don't love the idea of bowling Starc right now. Honestly I'd go Green instead, he'd at least hold up an end.

 

[morgieb]

Good lord that hit seems nasty.

 

[vicleggie]

The laws preventing the teams from working on the ball (due to COVID) might really screw Aus here.

Starc is usually a terror with some reverse swing.

 

[Window]

Does that not count as a wide?

 

[OverratedSanity]

Classic Starc not-wide

 

[trundler]

Meh. Starc's average flatters him because half his wickets are tailenders. That series in SL is the only thing of note he's done and while we're at it Umar Akmal's debut ton in NZ was pretty good too. He's a Merv Hughes tier bowler carried by 2 excellent pacers and his test bowling will be forgotten 5 years after he retires. Starc routinely stinks up when it matters and escapes with figures that flatter his average. I don't think he's a bad bowler but this sensitivity is ****ing stupid.

 

[cnerd123]

Cheating Aussies gonna keep cheating

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1348427038349258752

Watch: Steve Smith Criticised For Scuffing Crease During Drinks Break | Australia v India

Watch: Steve Smith has been criticised for his actions during a drinks break, standing at the batting crease and scraping the wicket with his foot.

wisden.com

 

[Starfighter]

I'd like to pop in and congratulate Paine for stopping us from winning this test.

 

[cnerd123]

I'd like to pop in and congratulate Paine for stopping us from winning this test.

Aus is winning this comfortably, this is just that one partnership that looks threatening but won't actually win/save the game

 

[Spark]

Meh. Starc's average flatters him because half his wickets are tailenders. That series in SL is the only thing of note he's done and while we're at it Umar Akmal's debut ton in NZ was pretty good too. He's a Merv Hughes tier bowler carried by 2 excellent pacers and his test bowling will be forgotten 5 years after he retires. Starc routinely stinks up when it matters and escapes with figures that flatter his average. I don't think he's a bad bowler but this sensitivity is ****ing stupid.

Yeah there's nothing more to say than this is just wildly, wildly off the mark and deeply mean-spirited.

 

[morgieb]

How many Tests in recent times go all the way with all 3 results possible? I can think of that Test where Dale Steyn hit Mohammed Shami for six off the last ball after blocking out three overs and that Adelaide Test where Kohli and Vijay put on a massive partnership.