WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2018 16 India unveil new opening pair India dumped openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul after a lean run of form while Australia recall Mitchell Marsh Relieve pressure Indian rookies Mayank • Despite winning to level the series in Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari Perth, Australia opted for change by re- to open for 3rd Test Both teams are passionate calling Marsh, whose part-time seam- and desperate to win. ers will help relieve pressure on the India will be without Obviously, things happen on home side’s pace attack on a pitch that injured• spinner Ravichandran the field. But as long as the is not expected to offer as much for the bowlers as Adelaide or Perth. Ashwin for the third line isn’t crossed. VIRAT KOHLI Part of the thinking also revolves Test against Australia around the potentially decisive fourth and final Test in Sydney, with only a Experienced middle-order three-day recovery period if Melbourne batsman• Rohit Sharma was goes the full five-day distance. before the team was announced. Handscomb is the fall guy, axed after declared fit and resumes “So the key is to stay in the moment, scoring just 34, 14, 7 and 13 across four his place in the side stay in the present. We just need to play innings. consistently good cricket and not get “I’m sure Pete would be upset. I think AFP | Melbourne too excited or taken aback from situa- he’s had conversations with the selec- tions in the match.” tors that there’s a few things they would India’s batsman Cheteshwar Pujara smiles during a training session in Melbourne Kohli, who scored a battling century like him to work on and Pete is open to ndia axed both openers yesterday in Perth but was criticised for failing to that,” Paine said. while Australia recalled allrounder Adelaide and Perth, failing to play their strain, with left-arm finger-spinner acknowledge the crowd when he was He added that he did not believe IMitchell Marsh at the expense of part alongside the likes of Virat Kohli Ravindra Jadeja brought in as part of a controversially given out, also said he dropping a player from a winning XI struggling batsman Peter Handscomb and Cheteshwar Pujara. four-man attack. would not be looking for confrontations would impact Australia’s momentum. for the high-stakes third Test. They have paid the price with debu- Skipper Kohli, who had some testy with Paine in Melbourne. “No I don’t think so, we did it last year With the four-Test series tied 1-1, tant Mayank Agarwal expected to open exchanges in Perth with Australian “Both teams are passionate and des- during the Ashes as well. The majority much is riding on the Boxing Day show- the batting with Hanuma Vihari, who is counterpart Tim Paine, insisted the perate to win. Obviously, things happen of this decision has been based around down at the Melbourne Cricket Ground set to be bumped up the order. defeat there was in the past and his on the field. But as long as the line isn’t it’s a long series, we’ve played on a lot where up to 90,000 fans are expected, Experienced No.6 Rohit Sharma was team was starting with a new slate in crossed,” he said. of hot days and our bowlers have had a and India can’t afford another top or- declared fit and resumes his place in the Melbourne. “I’m sure Tim and myself understand big workload,” he said. der flop. side after missing the Perth Test. “As a team, whether you’re 2-0 up what happened and we don’t want to “We believe Mitch can come in and Murali Vijay and KL Rahul scored But ace spinner Ravichandran Ash- or 1-0 down, what has happened in the do something unnecessary. We want do a really good job with the bat and just 95 runs between them in eight win, who also missed that game, has past has no significance to what is go- to lead our teams well and play good obviously he’ll give great support to innings across the opening two Tests in failed to recover from an abdominal ing to happen in the next Test,” he said cricket that the public wants to see.” our bowlers.” Klopp open to Liverpool Relish rather than fear Old signings in January Trafford, Solskjaer tells United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants his side to relish the challenge Reuters | London of meeting the fans’ demands at Old Trafford iverpool will be open to Lsigning players in the Jan- AFP | Manchester uary transfer window should they need reinforcements to anchester United return aid their Premier League title Mto Old Trafford for the challenge, manager Juergen first time under Ole Gunnar Klopp said on Monday. Solskjaer’s management against Klopp’s side has suffered a Huddersfield on Boxing Day number of casualties in recent with a new-found swagger after weeks, with defenders Joel scoring five goals in the Pre- Matip and Joe Gomez ruled out mier League for the first time until mid-January with injuries. in five years. While full back Trent Alex- The Norwegian’s caretaker ander-Arnold and midfielder spell in charge until the end of Naby Keita could return against the season got off to a dream Newcastle United on Wednes- start as United threw off the day, Klopp suggested further shackles, that led to turgid foot- fitness problems could force ball and deteriorating results him to rethink his transfer under Jose Mourinho, to thrash strategy. Cardiff 5-1. “I’m very happy with what United still face a huge chal- Manchester United’s Norwegian caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (C) I’ve got, but you don’t know. Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates at the end of a match lenge to make up an eight-point celebrates with his players That’s why I always keep the gap just to qualify for next sea- door open, in case something Anfield return son’s Champions League via a 1999. priorities, even in his most suc- happens and we need to have top-four finish. He was serenaded through- cessful spells with Porto, Chel- a look,” Klopp told a news con- Klopp expects former Liver- But for now the luxury of just out by the visiting fans in the sea and Inter Milan. ference. pool boss Rafa Benitez to re- being able to enjoy watching a Welsh capital at the weekend “If a few more things happen ceive a warm welcome when he side play with freedom and the as United hit five for the first ‘Work harder’ then we need to have a look KNOW WHAT returns to Anfield for the fifth attacking principles that have time since Alex Ferguson’s final However, the levels of committ- because there are a monstrous time as a visiting team manager. underpinned the club’s history game in charge. ment he demanded from those number of games still and it’s Benitez, who won the 2005 is enough to excite United fans “I just hope in the next five sides was not evident in the really important that we can Champions League with Liv- again. months I do a good enough current United squad. always react. Rafa Benitez has won erpool, has endured a difficult “I think the boys are look- job for them to keep singing For the first time this season, “If something will dramati- the 2005 Champions season with Newcastle, who ing forward to playing at Old my name when someone else United outran their opponents cally change then we need to League with Liverpool are 15th in the league and five Trafford and that’s impor - comes in,” added Solskjaer, against Cardiff. have a look, that’s all. If nothing points clear of the bottom three. tant. We should be looking whose positivity has imme - “A Man United team should happens, then I would say we “I think the supporters of this forward to that, they are the diately lifted a squad down - never ever be outworked,” said will not do anything.” club are famous not to forget best fans in the world,” said trodden by Mourinho’s mood Solskjaer to highlight the min- Liverpool powered past Wol- on the horizon. people who did an outstanding Solskjaer when questioned swings. imum he expects. verhampton Wanderers 2-0 on “The most important thing job here,” said Klopp. whether some of the current “Just to be positive. Take “Doesn’t matter which team Friday to extend their lead to for us is (the reaction) after you “I heard that nobody was re- United squad have been inhib- risks,” said Jesse Lingard, who you play. You should run more four points after rivals Man- win the last game - that is why ally happy with the amount of ited by the pressures of play- scored twice in Cardiff, at what than them and then your skills chester City suffered a shock the Wolves game was such a money they (Newcastle) had to ing at home in the famous red Solskjaer’s message has been. will give you the chance to win 3-2 defeat by Crystal Palace. big challenge (after win against sign players. shirt. “If you lose the ball, win it the game.” Klopp has urged his players Manchester United),” he added. “Rafa is too experienced to Solskjaer is certainly a fa - back, and play the United way - A good work ethic should to maintain their focus when “So I was really happy with carry that for a full season, vourite of the United faithful attacking football, entertaining be the minimum required of a they host Newcastle at Anfield our attitude. That is what we those emotions. They are re- having scored 126 goals in 11 football. For us as players, we Manchester United team, but on Boxing Day, with potentially need - to stay angry, greedy and ally settled and in a good mo- seasons as a player, including enjoyed it today.” Mourinho’s tactics also didn’t season-defining games against in the job. That is what we have ment results wise. It is always the one that famously won the Rarely has enjoyment ever help his side’s running statis- Arsenal and Manchester City to do against Newcastle.” difficult to play against them.” Champions League final in been top of Mourinho’s list of tics.