**Official** 5th Test at Sydney, 3-7 Jan 2025

[Burgey]

You're right, it isn't a big deal. Just not a fan of the way Konstas is going about it. Probably the best thing for him would have been one of those reverse ramps early on debut skittling him, to humble him into playing a way that might deliver on his promise. But he's got this ****y overconfidence that isn't going to serve him well. Unless I hear that he's been given a license to go all out for the odd 50 off 25.

I do think he was picked to play as aggressively as possible tbh, because the standard approach by the top order just wasn’t working at all. I’d be surprised if he was also told to chirp Bumrah though.

I find the interactions with the crowd noteworthy more from what it says about the leadership in the team than it does the kid himself. It seems they’re happy for him to clap along or whatever with the crowd which wouldn’t have been looked on too favourably under previous regimes. It’s also the sort of **** which will send opposition supporters mental like it did with Greg Matthews and NZers back in the day. It’s the sort of **** which looks wholesome when your own bloke does it but which looks arrogant when someone else does.

objectively it’s harmless, but it’s always been seen as someone being distracted.

 

[TimAngas]

Given that there is now highly likely to be a result in this game, the final session in Melbourne (assuming India weren't somehow going to win) will have no bearing on who will end up holding the trophy.

 

[Burgey]

Love heading out on a warm ish day with the boardies in the back pack so we can head across to Allianz for a swim in the pool during the luncheon adjournment. It’s the in-stadium version of heading back into the ground on your way back from the beach or the shops

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Will only accept the two funniest outcomes of Konstas being bowled first ball or making a run a ball century with reverse hooks.

 

[SteveNZ]

I do think he was picked to play as aggressively as possible tbh, because the standard approach by the top order just wasn’t working at all. I’d be surprised if he was also told to chirp Bumrah though.

I find the interactions with the crowd noteworthy more from what it says about the leadership in the team than it does the kid himself. It seems they’re happy for him to clap along or whatever with the crowd which wouldn’t have been looked on too favourably under previous regimes. It’s also the sort of **** which will send opposition supporters mental like it did with Greg Matthews and NZers back in the day. It’s the sort of **** which looks wholesome when your own bloke does it but which looks arrogant when someone else does.

objectively it’s harmless, but it’s always been seen as someone being distracted.

For the record, I love the interactions with the crowd. I thought it was awesome Konstas was out signing autographs and taking photos after his knock in Melbourne. We as fans are everything and if he can bring a generation along with him, to me so much the better.

There's good things about him, he can clearly play and I have no issue with the infectiousness of youth. I love it. I just think the edges need to be knocked off a bit (and they will) about picking the right battles, knowing when to play the percentages of batting and so on. I'm not necessarily a Test match purist, I don't mind the way the game has gone in the last 3-4 years at all with the aggressive nature of it...but I think he'll find as long as this game lives, there's a balance that won't be achieved by trying to reverse lap the best bowlers in the world or charge them 3 overs from stumps. Rishabh Pant is finding that out now, and he's got uber talent.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

It was interesting to see the Indian bowlers lose it against him after one ball

Their pitch map in that short period was terrible

Having said that, he’s playing a very low % game and the chances of it coming off regularly are pretty remote unless he dials it back somewhat

He seems to have lots of Crawley and Duckett rolled into one player and not all of the good bits. Obviously it's early days and the bravado after the first test getting under the Indians skin means he basically has licence to repeat it here but it'll be bloody fun watching him I the coming years.

 

[centurymaker]

Given that there is now highly likely to be a result in this game, the final session in Melbourne (assuming India weren't somehow going to win) will have no bearing on who will end up holding the trophy.

Not really. If it was still 1-1, Rohit would still be captain and India would almost certainly lose this test and the series 2-1. At least now there's a chance of saving the trophy.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Not really. If it was still 1-1, Rohit would still be captain and India would almost certainly lose this test and the series 2-1. At least now there's a chance of saving the trophy.

Which could basically vanish entirely in the opening session.

 

[centurymaker]

Which could basically vanish entirely in the opening session.

For Australia?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

For Australia?

India.

Aussies are 120-2 at lunch then game is almost done.

Unless India bowl out Australia for under 100 (which I'd never rule out) then they are struggling with that first innings score. It's not big and pitches usually flatten out on day 2 and 3.

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

Marsh's final 40 innings average doesn't look impressive but that's almost his career average!

Thats right. Marsh averaged 33 in Test cricket. Call me controversial but I don't think Geoff Marsh was that good to be honest in Test cricket. He had a higher average in ODI cricket. His overall red ball (First-Class) average was just below 40 (average of 39).

 

[centurymaker]

India.

Aussies are 120-2 at lunch then game is almost done.

Unless India bowl out Australia for under 100 (which I'd never rule out) then they are struggling with that first innings score. It's not big and pitches usually flatten out on day 2 and 3.

Ball seamed around the entire day yesterday along with variable bounce. Even after 70 overs, it was still doing a lot, unlike the previous tests- when it would be fine to bat once the ball was 30-35 overs old. The middle order could make hay against the older ball.

This is different; there's no respite. The most difficult pitch this series. And unlike MCG, the edges are carrying as well. Even if Australia get 100-2, they can still be bowled out for a lead under 50. And given the amount of grass on the surface, I don't see it flattening out this soon especially as it's not had much sun on it.

 

[silentstriker]

Wow did the pitch get changed overnight?

 

[centurymaker]

The way to get a decent score on this surface is to bat aggressively. Make your runs. And hope that luck is on your side. If Aus last 70 overs, should aim to get 250-280, rather than 150-180 like India.

 

[centurymaker]

Wow did the pitch get changed overnight?

?
It is still behaving like yesterday... though less movement and more pace as you'd expect on day 2

 

[Starfighter]

Ah yes, once again the 'wobble seam' or as it used to be known, seam bowling. Exactly the same delivery as Davidson's 'cutter' that he was bowling in the late 50s.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Ball seamed around the entire day yesterday along with variable bounce. Even after 70 overs, it was still doing a lot, unlike the previous tests- when it would be fine to bat once the ball was 30-35 overs old. The middle order could make hay against the older ball.

This is different; there's no respite. The most difficult pitch this series. And unlike MCG, the edges are carrying as well. Even if Australia get 100-2, they can still be bowled out for a lead under 50. And given the amount of grass on the surface, I don't see it flattening out this soon especially as it's not had much sun on it.

India are a one man attack though...

 

[SkyBlue]

Some pathetic sledging going on there

Could backfire very quickly.

 

[cricman]

Marnus shielding Konstas from Bumrah

 

[Spikey]

I didn't hear anything at all lmao