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Live report - Australia vs India, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 4th day

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Monday, 28 December 2020 16:28

Welcome to our live report of the fourth day of the Australia-India Test from Melbourne. Join us for updates, analysis and colour. You can find our traditional ball-by-ball commentary here

*Most recent entry will appear at the top, please refresh your page for the latest updates. All times are local.

11.30am: Steve Smith on his struggles

Steven Smith has spoken about his lean series to SEN Radio this morning:

"At the moment I'm searching for time in the middle; that's the most important thing for me," he said. "When I look at this year, 64 balls is the longest I've spent in the middle, during those one-day games.

"For me, that's important. I find a lot of rhythm out in the middle. You can bat as much as you want in the nets but there's nothing that can replicate what a game can do, so that for me is what I'm searching for at the moment. That can be tough to do, particularly in a Test match when you've got some quality bowlers."

And on his battle with Ashwin, he added:

"I probably haven't played Ashwin as well as I would've liked; I probably would've liked to have put him under a bit more pressure. I've sort of let him dictate terms and that's something I've probably never let any spinner do in my career.

"I've sort of taken it to them, been a bit more aggressive and made them change things. I haven't allowed that to happen, probably because I'm searching for just being out there for long enough. It's kind of a two-edged sword in a way, but I think I've just got to have the confidence to take it on and play my game."

11.15am: The new ball

Australia have got through the first phase of the day up to the 80-over mark but have only been able to squeeze out 16 runs. They will now have to combat the new ball to have a genuine chance of building a competitive lead. India hustled through their overs, especially R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, building pressure on Cameron Green and Pat Cummins. Both batsmen played quite well - bringing up a fifty partnership - although found it difficult to break the shackles.

10.35am: Have your say

10.00am: A twist to come?

India are on the brink. Australia lead by just two runs with Cameron Green and the bowlers to try and haul the lead towards something defendable. It's a huge ask. Even if India don't break through straightaway the new ball is available in 14 overs. Still, stranger things have happened and in this of all years we probably shouldn't rule out anything. If India do wrap up the game it will have to go down as one of their finest ever victories: bowled out for 36, Virat Kohli goes home, Mohammed Shami injured and then yesterday Umesh Yadav limps off as well.

Plenty of questions for Australia to ponder especially around a batting line-up that has completely lost its shape. The return of David Warner can't come soon enough. They won't make wholesale changes (for one, the biosecure bubble doesn't really allow it) but there isn't really a player in the top six who can claim to have played at the top of their game yet - although a nod to Matthew Wade for how he has adapted to opening.

Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo

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