**Official** 4th Test at Melbourne, 26-30 Dec 2024

[Spark]

Smith has risen to the occasion in a way I had hoped Virat would have this series. I still think Virat has another ton in him though.

If he does it'll be today, this looks very friendly right now

 

[Starfighter]

Washington getting turn and bounce...

I'm hoping Lyon might finally find some purchase, especially as he'll hopefully bowl slower than these two.

 

[Prince EWS]

Australia should declare soon?

Nah they should keep batting for a while if they can as long as they're scoring quickly.

 

[Niall]

Actually that seems like a great reason Ashwin wouldn't have been better for the role. If they wanted a frontline option then Ashwin is still better, but as someone to bat a bit and be used as a defensive afterthought Washy is the better call.

Plus he did retire. They might have selected him for this one if he didn't.

Their isn't that much difference when it comes to batting between Washy and Ashwin IMO. Washy might be slightly better but he's not exactly Harry Brook.

 

[silentstriker]

Nah they should keep batting for a while if they can as long as they're scoring quickly.

Maybe a few overs before tea? They can get another 120 by then probably.

 

[Prince EWS]

Their isn't that much difference when it comes to batting between Washy and Ashwin IMO.

Disagree.

 

[Prince EWS]

Maybe a few overs before tea? They can get another 120 by then probably.

Yeah that's about right but I don't consider a session away "soon"

 

[Spark]

think aus just shaded that session slightly

 

[the big bambino]

Interesting comment on India's selection. They shouldn't have forced him into retirement and played Ashwin and Gill instead of Reddy and Sundar. Ashwin would've been trusted to bowl the overs they haven't given Reddy while Sundar hasn't looked dangerous.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Managed to get my hands on the ICC Code of Conduct report for Kohli courtesy of a Gideon Haig article. Interesting reading.

 

[vicleggie]

Just saw the scorecard

Any chance of India being saved by rain?

 

[vicleggie]

He wouldn't make it out of Melbourne

He wouldn't make it off the floor after he falls from the force of Boland's superior physicality..

 

[vicleggie]

Seeing Bumrah have 3 6's hit off him almost makes him look human

Is that you Isa?
(Jks)

 

[the big bambino]

Just saw the scorecard

Any chance of India being saved by rain?

Maybe in Sydney.

 

[Burgey]

Must say, even though a few have beat the bat - though mostly when Bumrah, who could get seam movement off marble, has been bowling - the ease with which these two have batted makes me think India should have an easy time. Albeit hopefully Cummins will set better fields.

Bit of up and down bounce. A Cummins wicket

 

[the big bambino]

Jhye's not overly tall. Just about Punter's height.

 

[halba]

any chance of a Smith double and declaration by Pato? 61 runs req.

 

[Darwin Award]

50th First-Class century for Smith too.

It was it also his 5th Boxing Day test century and his first in 7 years too.

 

[Spark]

Bit of up and down bounce. A Cummins wicket

It looked a tailor made Cummins wicket yesterday but it seems to have settled this morning - though tbf an exhausted attack isn't who you'd expect to exploit it

 

[halba]

Jhye's not overly tall. Just about Punter's height.

Marshall the greatest test fast bowler, is only 1.8m height. But generally most bowlers are pretty tall.