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

[TheJediBrah]

I’m just not very good tbh.

Just like your posts

And your face

 

[Shri]

Even if they get the last wicket quickly an hour before tea will give Australia about 40 overs to bat. Even if they scored 200 that's only a 300 lead and you've then given India 135 overs to get 300

Any declaration will only come 30-40 minutes before stumps

240 and above hasn't been chased at the mcg in like 100 years

 

[Shri]

most balls siraj has faced in his career sorted by innings

aus should relax imo

this will likely be 2-1 aus in 2 days time

 

[Window]

Stating the obvious but this discussion on the pacing and timing of declaration in the third innings is exactly why batting for time is an essential component of test batting. I wouldn’t mind if Reddy just blocked and killed time, though relying on Siraj to hold up the other end, even for 2-3 balls an over is probably asking for too much.

 

[halba]

I'm assuming this one's a draw. Very flat pitch.

Where do both teams go from here?

Scg:

Aus -

1. Mitchell marsh's career has ended with this match. He somehow got 46 tests. He's not contributed in at least 20-25 of them. Expect an overdue debut from Webster for Sydney.

2. Resting the very tired Starc. There are only 3 days between tests. Jhye returns to the XI

3. If Boland or Cummins are sore, Fergus O Neill will make his long awaited debut. Only 23 years, he has been excellent in his start in FC cricket. As we saw with Konstas, it's time to debut younger fresher cricketers.


Ind-

They are unlikely to drop the captain for the final test, but Prasidh will come into the XI for the largely ineffective Akash.

 

[Qlder]

People seemed to have forgotten Australia top 6 bats crashing to 5-33 last test going for a declaration...India still very much in this

Not a lot of confidence in Konstas pulling off another blinder if he bats the same way either

 

[Johan]

People seemed to have forgotten Australia top 6 bats crashing to 5-33 last test going for a declaration...India still very much in this

Not a lot of confidence in Konstas pulling off another blinder if he bats the same way either

The pitch is about the same level as the 2017 Dreaded MCG pitch and this game still looks like one that'll have a result, won't put my money on 33-5, 200-5 maybe.

 

[halba]

Expecting a debut if Boland/Cummins pull up sore for SCG. Jhye will come in for Starc automatically. Starc is simply unfit now.

O neill - he has 94 wickets in a promising start in FC, at only 19 AVE

Only 23 years old , tall at 6,4. moves the ball off the seam. He will definitely feature soon. We need wickets. Most of our bowlers are 34-35+ years old.

Fergus O'Neill Profile - Cricket Player Australia | Stats, Records, Video

Read about Fergus O'Neill cricket player from Australia profile, stats, rankings, records, videos, photos at ESPNcricinfo

www.espncricinfo.com

Possible XI for sydney

Konstas
Khawaja
Labuschange
Smith
Head
Carey
Webster (for the underperforming Marsh)
O Neill (for the tired Boland, hes 35 years of age)
Cummins
Jhye (for the injured Starc)
Lyon.

 

[ashley bach]

What an effort from Reddy this series. With this knock, consistently our best batsman.

View attachment 43761

@centurymaker with questions to answer

 

[Burgey]

I think days 4 and 5 are both extended to make up for the rain. Will factor into the timing of any declaration

 

[Burgey]

Expecting a debut if Boland/Cummins pull up sore for SCG. Jhye will come in for Starc automatically. Starc is simply unfit now.

O neill - he has 94 wickets in a promising start in FC, at only 19 AVE

Only 23 years old , tall at 6,4. moves the ball off the seam. He will definitely feature soon. We need wickets. Most of our bowlers are 34-35+ years old.

Fergus O'Neill Profile - Cricket Player Australia | Stats, Records, Video

Read about Fergus O'Neill cricket player from Australia profile, stats, rankings, records, videos, photos at ESPNcricinfo

www.espncricinfo.com

Possible XI for sydney

Konstas
Khawaja
Labuschange
Smith
Head
Carey
Webster (for the underperforming Marsh)
O Neill (for the tired Boland, hes 35 years of age)
Cummins
Jhye (for the injured Starc)
Lyon.

Only an Indian supporter would want O’Neill to dayboo

I also think if Richardson plays then Webster will come in for Marsh as insurance unless the latter makes a score tomorrow.

 

[Prince EWS]

I'm assuming this one's a draw. Very flat pitch.

Where do both teams go from here?

Scg:

Aus -

1. Mitchell marsh's career has ended with this match. He somehow got 46 tests. He's not contributed in at least 20-25 of them. Expect an overdue debut from Webster for Sydney.

2. Resting the very tired Starc. There are only 3 days between tests. Jhye returns to the XI

3. If Boland or Cummins are sore, Fergus O Neill will make his long awaited debut. Only 23 years, he has been excellent in his start in FC cricket. As we saw with Konstas, it's time to debut younger fresher cricketers.


Ind-

They are unlikely to drop the captain for the final test, but Prasidh will come into the XI for the largely ineffective Akash.

Lol @ Fergus O'Neill

 

[Burgey]

If Boland or Cummins are sore, Fergus O Neill will make his long awaited debut.

Are you his mother? Because literally no one else has long been awaiting an ONeill dayboo. He bowls half rat power on under done Shield decks.

It would be more likely Bartlett or Abbott.

 

[ashley bach]

lol if the reason Boland doesn't play is because he's tired.

 

[silentstriker]

Assuming Australia have a ~100 run lead - they would bat until maybe an hour before end of day tomorrow? Try to get lead above 350-375? And give themselves 3.5 sessions?

 

[Singh Is King]

Reddy with five overs and a duck. Glad to see the six bowler strategy working out. Reddy has truly outperformed in this series and has done exceptionally well with the bat - so this is not a knock on him. He has come in under pressure situations and totally outperformed the top order and done everything asked of him and more - totally grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

But he is not an international quality bowler and he averages 23 in FC cricket with the bat. Like what the **** is the thought process that you think a guy averaging 23 in FC cricket will consistently outperform dudes averaging 50+? Because if you truly think that, get rid of the Ranji trophy and call it a day because it’s clearly completely useless as a competition.

Why were you judging a 21 year old first record with such extremity? Egg on face....

 

[Qlder]

Expecting a debut if Boland/Cummins pull up sore for SCG. Jhye will come in for Starc automatically. Starc is simply unfit now.

O neill - he has 94 wickets in a promising start in FC, at only 19 AVE

Only 23 years old , tall at 6,4. moves the ball off the seam. He will definitely feature soon. We need wickets. Most of our bowlers are 34-35+ years old.

O'Neil is not even in the squad which is the same for 4th and 5th test. Spare pace bowler options are Richardson and Abbott

 

[Singh Is King]

So much over rating of Reddy. He's done well for a #7 or #8 but with Pant batting #5 he's taking the spot of a pure middle order bat or a 4th bowler, which he's nether. His highest score is 42 while his best bowling is 1/21 (bowling only 5-6 overs per innings)

He's 21 years old for crying out loud... and he scored a 100 after you said this hahaha

 

[TheJediBrah]

240 and above hasn't been chased at the mcg in like 100 years

Just because the opportunity to chase it hasn't arisen. There have been a few dull draws played out with days 4 and 5 extremely easy to bat on in the last decade. Other than 2021 which was a seaming paradise for bowlers, you would most likely lose posting anything under 250 to chase

 

[Burgey]

Assuming Australia have a ~100 run lead - they would bat until maybe an hour before end of day tomorrow? Try to get lead above 350-375? And give themselves 3.5 sessions?

It depends on whether the wicket is deteriorating. If there is a declaration I wouldn’t be surprised if they back themselves to bowl India out inside a day, especially if it’s extended to make up for rain