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

[Starfighter]

the worst cricketer to ever get more than 40 tests surely?

I'd probably go for someone like Alistair Campbell

 

[Spark]

He's been beaten 3 times in 4 balls since I posted. Not great

I still am struggling to believe that this pitch has actually become difficult to bat on but it... seems to have done?

 

[Kirkut]

Bumrah can retire after this series and still be considered an ATG, he has already matched Andy Roberts with the number of wickets.

 

[silentstriker]

I still am struggling to believe that this pitch has actually become difficult to bat on but it... seems to have done?

Definitely has. The ball that took the wicket absolutely kept low. And several others have reared up.

 

[Daemon]

I still am struggling to believe that this pitch has actually become difficult to bat on but it... seems to have done?

Yep Marsh got one that bounced and Carey’s was unplayable. The openers got out to straight balls though.

 

[halba]

I'd probably go for someone like Alistair Campbell

i meant for AUS. Marsh is officially the worst player to get more than 40 tests. contributed in only 15-20 tests out of 46 tests, abject in the others.

 

[Starfighter]

I still am struggling to believe that this pitch has actually become difficult to bat on but it... seems to have done?

Last three tours including this one the Indian bowlers have consistently gotten more seam movement than the Australia ones.

 

[Niall]

What does India need to do to make the WTC final?

According to reddit, its quite messy , that 3-0 home series loss v NZ wasn't ideal.

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

Smith - 3rd & 4th Innings Combined

Innings: 90
Runs: 2819
Average: 38.09
50s: 19
100s: 4
50+ Scores: 23
Highest Score: 142

Sure it's more difficult on a deck that's deteriorating but that's a bit low.

Says a lot.

 

[Nintendo]

I still am struggling to believe that this pitch has actually become difficult to bat on but it... seems to have done?

The uneven bounce has definitely become more pronounced and it feels like ball is still moving at the 37th over. It's hard to compare with India's innings because Cummins was overpitching a ton early and starc just bowled rubbish.

 

[honestbharani]

I think the openers, Smith and Head all got out to straight forward balls. I feel Carey hung back because of Bumrah's release like Deep Das Gupta mentioned more than ball keeping low. Marsh's one did something out of the ordinary for sure though.

 

[Spark]

Yep Marsh got one that bounced and Carey’s was unplayable. The openers got out to straight balls though.

Tbf the openers got plenty of lifting seamers as well. But it just seems so extremely out of character that the MCG would suddenly get dramatically more difficult to bat on after having been so docile for the previous two days, it's difficult to believe the evidence of your own eyes

 

[Spark]

I think the openers, Smith and Head all got out to straight forward balls. I feel Carey hung back because of Bumrah's release like Deep Das Gupta mentioned more than ball keeping low. Marsh's one did something out of the ordinary for sure though.

I think it's the balls between the wicket balls which been more notable. Marnus is in good nick now and well set and he's still playing and missing all the time

 

[Starfighter]

i meant for AUS

Easily then

 

[Spark]

Smith - 3rd & 4th Innings Combined

Innings: 90
Runs: 2819
Average: 38.09
50s: 19
100s: 4
50+ Scores: 23
Highest Score: 142

Sure it's more difficult on a deck that's deteriorating but that's a bit low.

Says a lot.

Sleep deprivation will do that to you

 

[halba]

Tbf the openers got plenty of lifting seamers as well. But it just seems so extremely out of character that the MCG would suddenly get dramatically more difficult to bat on after having been so docile for the previous two days, it's difficult to believe the evidence of your own eyes

and itll be predictably flat once Indian batters come out. So that means Aus batting cannot play any hint of sideways, lateral, movement at all. Most batters in the current gen do not know how to play lateral movement. Bumrah is a freak and Siraj is pretty good too.

 

[morgieb]

Tests we've blown since Sandpapergate:

* Leeds 2019
* Sydney 2021
* Brisbane 2021
* Karachi 2022
* Delhi 2023
* Leeds 2023
* Brisbane 2024

and now quite probably this Test.

How many Tests can you say we've won when hopes were looking glum? Edgbaston 2023 perhaps but even then I don't think hopes were as grim for us as things were for the opposition in those Tests. I suppose Melbourne last year was a 50/50 we won in tight circumstances, but not quite the same thing (and we were hot favourites in that Test). Also perhaps Adelaide 2020 you could say things weren't looking great, but it wasn't quite the level of advantage lost that some of the other ones were.

And maybe we could defend 250, but I don't have much faith unless Starc or Cummins goes full super saiyan.

 

[Arachnödouche2.0]

Need no pesky runs from Cummins and Starc here

 

[honestbharani]

How is the Brisbane test blown? It was just rain.

 

[subshakerz]

India have really turned the tables in admirable fashion here.

Time for Labu to step up otherwise India have plenty of time to chase a middling target on this flat wicket.