Can't let him dictate terms: Smith on tackling Ashwin in future Tests

Australia’s top batsman Steven Smith has been out of form in the ongoing Test series against India, unable to play any significant innings in both the Tests. According to the 31-year-old himself, he believes that he has let the Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin dictate terms to him while batting.

"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,” Smith told SEN radio.

Saying that he would like to be a 'bit more aggressive’ to the bowlers and had ‘made them change things’, Smith lamented on the fact that he hasn’t really been able to do that to Ashwin in this series.

Smith also said that to tackle Ashwin and to get into a bit of form, his scheme is to spend more time in the middle. "At the moment I'm searching for a time in the middle; that's the most important thing for me. When I look at this year, 64 balls is the longest I've spent in the middle, during those one-day games,” he said after the Melbourne defeat of the Aussies.

"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," he added.

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One of the greatest comebacks: Shastri lauds Team India after MCG victory

Indian coach Ravi Shastri was ecstatic with the Indian victory over Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground and termed it as one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket, after India were humbled in Adelaide, getting out for their lowest ever score (36 runs) in Test cricket history. "I think it will go down in the annals of not only Indian cricket but world cricket as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the game," Shastri said while talking to the broadcasters after India’s eight-wicket victory. Praising the character of the team, Shastri said, "To be rolled over for 36 in three days and then get up and ready to punch back was outstanding. Boys deserve all credit for the character they showed. It's a real character." The 58-year-old further said that this victory would work like magic for Indian cricket fans all over the world who have gone through so much in the time of the pandemic. "I think it's a great present from the team for the millions of fans around the world to have a happy new year, bringing some smiles on the faces going into the New Year," he said. The two debutants in Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj played crucial roles in the victory where Siraj took five wickets in the game while Gill made a brave 45 in the first innings and 35 not out in the second. "That's the brand of cricket we have been playing for the last three or four years. When you saw these two debutants show that kind of flair, discipline, and maturity, it was great. Today Siraj's numbers were outstanding,” said Shastri.

Daily Round-up | 29 Dec: India third Test venue confirmed

India's venue for the third Test match confirmed!

AUS vs IND: Cricket Australia confirms SCG as venue for 3rd Test

Amid the rising uncertainty about the venue of the third Test between Australia and India, Cricket Australia has confirmed that the New Year Test will take place on its traditional vene at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Notably, there were discussions in Cricket Australia ranks as Sydney was reporting a number of Covid-19 cases in the past week. Cricket Australia in its statement said that the decision to host the Test at the SCG has been taken after various rounds of consultations on the issue of Covid-19 outbreak in the Northern beaches of Sydney. Both sides will travel to Brisbane where the health guidelines as per the Queensland state government are in action and hence Cricket Australia had to weigh in various options after meetings with New South Wales and Queensland state health officials. “Despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am delighted to say Cricket Australia remains on track to deliver the men’s international series as scheduled. We have met regularly over the past week to assess the unfolding public health situation in Sydney and gauge its impact on border restrictions around the country. To date, we have been able to deliver a safe and successful summer thanks to our detailed biosecurity protocols and the amazing work of so many great people behind the scenes. To that end, we have made the decision to keep the New Year’s Test at the SCG, which has a wonderful recent history of hosting the Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day on the third day of play,” Cricket Australia’s Interim CEO, Nick Hockley said. The ongoing Border Gavaskar series is levelled at 1-1 after the touring Indian side bounced back strongly at the MCG to register an eight-wicket win after facing a humiliating defeat in Adelaide.

South Africa downs an injured and weakened Sri Lanka in centurion

The South African team aided by some inspiring bowling performance by the pacers, wrapped up the first Test against Sri Lanka, defeating the visitors by an innings and 45 runs at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. As soon as Kasun Rajitha was caught by Keshav Maharaj off Anrich Nortje, South Africa finally gave their fans some reason for joy after not so comprehensive results against England and Australia lately. For the Proteas, the pacers divided the eight wickets with four each for Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder. Kusal Perera was the only Sri Lankan that looked in some sort of control during the second innings of the islanders. The heroes of the previous innings Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella couldn’t really get going in these innings, while Sri Lanka was already devoid of the services of free-flowing Dhananjaya de Silva due to injury. Wanindu Hasarnaga also fought a lone battle at the end scoring his maiden Test fifty for the Lankan Tigers. He scored 59 of 53 balls with the help of 12 fours and one six. Earlier in the South Africa innings, the batsmen led by Faf du Plessis made full use of a depleted Sri Lankan bowling attack (injury to Rajitha and de Silva), scoring freely and getting to mammoth 621. The 34-year-old du Plessis got out in an antagonizing manner on 199, while Dean Elgar had got out 95 in the first innings. Keshav Maharaj, Temba Bavuma, and Aiden Markram were the other three who went past the 50 run barrier for South Africa. Faf was announced Man of the Match for his marathon innings. The next game would begin from 3rd January at the Wanderers.