Paxter

Totally agree on Kohli. His hundred under the easiest of circumstances in Perth should be discounted. India are on a terrible run of results and should be losing this series by a lot more. Probably also time for Rohit, as much as I like him as a player and person.

Another great start to the test for Australia. India look to be on the ropes here after pretty poor tests in both Adelaide and Brisbane. They better bat well when they do get the chance.

Hmmm…still a chance of a result? Australia 44/5(!)

I wonder whether this next test match is last-chance saloon for Daddy Rohit. He is having an extremely poor year with the bat and I think a loss in Melbourne might seal his fate. Kolhi will probably be like Sachin and able to choose his moment.

Seems like JT had Carney in mind to take over. But for now he is nowhere to be seen...

Looks like the Queensland weather gods will win out. There was a reason why this was historically an earlier fixture (Gabbatoir jokes aside!) India are very fortunate to be heading to Melbourne with a 1-1 scoreline. Everything seems to be clicking for Australia now, apart from the openers and the Hazlewood injury. Even if India were playing well, which they aren't, I'd probably still pencil in a 2-1 or 3-1 scoreline from here. But stranger things have happened!

India goneski. Another easy win for Aus in these day night tests at Adelaide. I must say, I used to absolutely love the traditional day tests in Ade. Not a fan of the pink ball at this venue.

Great knock from Head. He has been the difference so many times in crucial matches. Nice to see McSweeney contribute too; he is one for the future. And it was an important 100 or so balls that he faced given Usman and Smith both fell cheaply. You can see a glimpse of the future top order now with McSweeney, Green, and probably Konstas.

India reverting to how they played against NZ. A poor day for them; will take a huge effort tomorrow morning to get back into this match.

More great bowling from Starc and Aus in the first innings. Perth Stadium repeat!

Statistically you’re correct @Jeor - 2024 is one of the lowest test batting average years since uncovered pitches. Pundits have proposed a few reasons for this - ranging from blaming T20 for poor techniques and temperament, through to the rise of “wobble seam” bowling that leads to more deviation off the pitch, which arguably is harder to play than swing through the air. The pitches also have their part to play, as home teams seek to produce result pitches in the context of the World Test Championship. Another reason cited is the balls. Apparently the Kookaburra used in Perth still had visible markings/labels and lacquer after more than an hour of play. I also think this generation of bowlers is just damn good, particularly in the pace/seam department.

Good move by England to get Pope down to number 6. Such a poor starter should never be facing fresh bowlers and a newer pill.

Career best from Jansen made Bumrah’s figures look unremarkable!

Super happy for Bavuma. He is bossing this test match for SA on his comeback from injury. His overall record may be middling at best but he has a lot of ticker.

Any neutral fan worth their salt wants the Aussies to burn in the fiery pit of Mount Doom. Though I guess my sig is a bit outdated these days. Cummins’ Australians are quite demure.

Not really a lot of consolation from Day 4 other than the Head runs. Overall I wouldn’t push the Aussie panic button yet, especially with the pink ball test next. But that was a dominant display by an Indian team with a lot of very new players.

Amazing turnaround. Almost getting embarrassing for the hosts at this point.

Ok that was insane. I wish I’d been able to watch the entirety but time zones are always a problem. A few stray thoughts: - India just did to Aus what NZ did to them. Pretty much the worst conditions imaginable for India and they are still somehow (just!) on top. - That spell from Bumrah might be one of the best ever from a visiting fast bowler. Yes the conditions were favourable but Australia’s batsmen are usually still able to find ways to score. - I still would’ve have picked Jadeja as the spinner but credit to the Indian selectors for picking Reddy and going with the fast bowler focus. - While it was exhilarating, I can’t help but wish for a more even contest between bat and ball as the series progresses. Unless things get super flat in the sun over the next two days, this pitch is the fast bowling equivalent of a raging turner.

Brutal first session for India. Bring back Pujara!

Can’t wait for this series. And even though I’m not a big Perth Stadium fan - nice to see WA get the first test of a big series. Also: welcome back Jeor!

Pretty much perfect TV. Brilliant performances, good pacing, and a tight plot. No silly CGI. Would have worked equally well as a straight-up crime/mafia drama, but the connections to the Batman universe made for some satisfying world/saga building. HBO is on a golden run with HoD; True Detective; White Lotus; Industry; and The Last of Us all at the top of my TV tree for the last two years.

NSW Police have arrested Alan Jones for alleged sexual offences. This follows earlier reports in the SMH from various men.

India can’t catch a break - Gill out of the first test along with Rohit.

I still think Labor has their work cut out for them at the next election. I can certainly see WA electorates flipping back to the Coalition en masse due to the cost of living and housing issues, given Canberra is viewed as a guilty bystander. State governments don't tend to be penalized for these types of macro headwinds. The trouble for the Coalition is that they are loooong way back after the inner-city wipeouts a few years ago. I am not sure they have a credible path to victory if the Teals hang on, but I am a bit out of the loop on current electoral mathematics.

Another factor with the Indian tour is the schedule. Aus has a great record at the first two venues: Perth Stadium (Lyon's record is incredible here) and Adelaide (never lost a day-night test here). Then it's off to the 'Gabba where India pulled of a heist last time, but Aus still have a formidable history. This is vastly different to the last tour, with Melbourne and Sydney featuring in the earlier tests and India picking up a win and a draw at these venues, after the 46 all out in Adelaide. I think it's a very deliberate move to put Melb and Syd at the end of the tour, since these venues would have allowed India to ease into the series. One other thing that is going to be really cool on this tour is the crowds. The last tour was at the tail-end of the pandemic. This time Team India will be out in force.