Australia win toss, to bat in fourth test at MCG
MELBOURNE :Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat in the fourth test against India on a scorching day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.
Mitch Marsh Sport News
"Won't Be Surprised If...": Pat Cummins' Big Verdict On MCG Pitch For 4th Test Against India
Ahead of the fourth Test against India at Melbourne, Australian skipper Pat Cummins said that the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch looks "nice and firm" with a "bit of grass coverage" and it could help spinner Nathan Lyon as well. With the series level at 1-1, both sides will be playing the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test with an aim to secure an all-important series lead needed to push a case for the ICC World Test Championship final. Speaking ahead of the game in a pre-match presser, Cummins said about the pitch, "Pitch looks really good, quite consistent to what it has here for the last few years, I think, you know, a bit of grass coverage, feels nice and firm, so they (curators) have done a great job here for, you know, probably the last five, six years, their pitches and I suspect the same this year."
Boxing Day Test Weather Forecast: Rain Drama Likely On These Days
India are likely to ring a few changes when they take on Australia in the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Reports have claimed that India captain Rohit Sharma will open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, while KL Rahul will drop a slot down to no. 3. India could possibly line-up with two spinners -- Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja -- with either Shubman Gill or Nitish Kumar Reddy likely to face the axe. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep will keep their place in the pace bowling department.
IND vs AUS Brisbane Test Weather Report: Rain To Play Spoilsport On Day 1? Forecast Paints Grim Picture
Team India will look to bounce from a 10-wicket defeat as they take on Australia in the third Test of a five-match series, starting Saturday at the Gabba in Brisbane. The series is tied at 1-1 as India won the series-opener by 295 runs in Perth, before Australia outplayed them in the pink-ball Test last week. India are likely to make a couple of changes with Akash Deep and Washington Sundar likely to get the nod over Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana, respectively.
Mitchell Marsh's DRS Brain-Fade In Pink-Ball Stuns Australia Great: "All Of A Sudden..." - Watch
After surviving a close DRS call on Day 2, Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was finally given his marching orders by Ravichandran Ashwin in the ongoing Pink-Ball Test in Adelaide. This came after a huge controversy erupted when India went for a DRS appeal for an LBW against Marsh. While third umpire said there are no conclusive evidence that the ball hit the pad first and stayed with the on-field umpire's decision, the replays suggested otherwise.
"Remarkable To See...": Nathan Lyon 'Surprised' Over R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja Being Dropped For Perth Test
Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon said he is confident of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh bowling for Australia in the upcoming pink-ball Test against India, starting in Adelaide Oval on December 6. He added that if needed, he can take up extra bowling workload coming his way. "I honestly think we'll see Mitch Marsh bowl. I'm not concerned about Bison's (Marsh's) fitness if I'm being honest. He's been brilliant for us in the games (since) he's come back in ... I've got full confidence in Bison, happy to bowl his overs. I'm very clear on my role within the team so nothing really changes with me. If I get the opportunity to bowl more overs I'll jump at it," said Lyon to reporters on Wednesday.
"Thing We'll See Mitchell Marsh Bowl" In Adelaide: Nathan Lyon Amid Star's Injury Concerns
Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon said he is confident of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh bowling for Australia in the upcoming pink-ball Test against India, starting in Adelaide Oval on December 6. He added that if needed, he can take up extra bowling workload coming his way. "I honestly think we'll see Mitch Marsh bowl. I'm not concerned about Bison's (Marsh's) fitness if I'm being honest. He's been brilliant for us in the games (since) he's come back in ... I've got full confidence in Bison, happy to bowl his overs. I'm very clear on my role within the team so nothing really changes with me. If I get the opportunity to bowl more overs I'll jump at it," said Lyon to reporters on Wednesday.