TUESDAY DECEMBER 29 2020 SPORT 61 MCG in box seat to snatch SCG Test Indian players are happy SAM LANDSBERGER with the controversial dismissal of at HEALTH officials could wipe the MCG yesterday Australia’s Test superstars out despite Hot Spot (inset) of the Big Bash League if the failing to show any mark third Test is played at the SCG on the Aussie skipper’s as Melbourne firmed to host bat. Picture: AFP back-to-back matches. The MCG could be locked in to secure Sydney’s match as early as Tuesday, which would mean the Border-Gavaskar series bypasses NSW and travel exemptions would be needed to enter Queensland for the fourth Test match at . There was a firm belief on Monday night that something would have to drastically change in the next 48 hours to salvage Sydney’s hopes of hosting a Test. Australia chief executive Nick Hockley has been locked in talks with Queensland Premier Annasta- cia Palaszczuk over the past week, desperately trying to save the SCG Test. CA’s No.1 priority has been to safely secure passage for players, coaches and broadcasters in and out of Sydney after the recent COVID-19 outbreak. But the availability of its Test stars for the final week of the BBL, after the series against India has finished, has also been a factor. If Tim Paine (Hurri- Aussies feel the Paine of DRS canes) and drawcards (Sixers), Marnus Labus- chagne (Heat) and (Strikers) fly into Bris- bane after spending time in Sydney they could be required nology in this Test. While the cap- sent to hospital for calf scans after “They’re bowling pretty well, pret- swer in the top order after a gritty to serve a period of quarantine, tain’s dismissal was painful for bowling just 3.3 overs yesterday, and ty straight and making it quite hard knock of 40 (137). jeopardising their involvement Australia, the deeper issue of its brittle Mohammed Shami and Ishant Shar- for us to score. Wade’s on-drive off Jasprit Bum- in the BBL. top six remains the hot spot requiring ma already sidelined, there was an “Our intent is to go out there and rah to take him to 27 was one of the Cricket officials are confi- urgent attention. opening for Australia to exhaust score runs, obviously. But they’re shots of the day and he confirmed the dent that the fact players have The Aussies appear set to travel six India. making it quite challenging at times. pitch wasn’t one that should be troub- remained in a biosecure bubble home Tests against India without any Instead it fell in a hole and Wade “We haven’t gone deep enough yet ling the batsmen. would enable them to slip of their batsman celebrating a cen- lamented the soft nature of some dis- to really cash in on tired bowlers late Wade said the Aussies wanted a straight into the BBL regard- tury. missals. in the day.” lead of at least 100 runs to stay in the less of the Test itinerary. Australia’s highest individual score “Just some disappointing outs – Wade has fallen to spin twice at the game. Queensland accepted AFL in that run is 79, struck by back-up myself included,” Wade said. MCG, but looked the best of Austra- Off-spinner will start clubs from during the opener Marcus Harris at the SCG in a “Getting out to spin sometimes can lia’s batsmen. the second innings on a hat-trick, state’s second wave of dead-rubber in January last year. be frustrating when you’ve done a The temporary opener is looking with Australia’s attack literally left to COVID-19 this year and al- With Indian seamer Umesh Yadav heap of work. more and more like Australia’s an- do all the work. lowed them to play games while in quarantine. NZ IN CONTROL Smith, Warner among best of the decade NOT even a Neil Wagner broken toe could stop New Zealand’s pace attack RUSSELL GOULD same team, despite not having duo have made 50 Test hun- of the decade, again the only dominating day three of the first Test worn the gloves in a Test since dreds in the past 10 years, Aussies in a line-up that in- against Pakistan, but its efforts to quickly AUSTRALIAN stars Steve 2008, which was outside the Smith 26 since his 2019 debut cluded MS Dhoni as captain. wrap up the innings were stalled by a late Smith and qualification period. and Warner 24 since earning Meg Lanning and three of stand from Mohammad Rizwan have both made the Interna- Smith and Warner were his in 2011. her fellow Aussie T20 World and Faheem Ashraf at Mount Maungan- tional Cricket Council’s Test certainties in a team jam- Mitch Starc made the ODI Cup-winning heroes made ui. The Black Caps’ pace foursome took team of the decade, but the packed with the best players team of the decade, along the women’s T20 team of the 5/50 in the first two sessions, before Paki- announcement wasn’t with- the world has seen since 2010, with Warner, the only two decade. Lanning was named stan rallied to be all out for 239 at stumps, out controversy. including Indian megastar Aussies named. captain of both the ODI and 192 in arrears. Rizwan and Ashraf pro- Retired Sri Lankan great , who was named Australian white-ball cap- T20 teams of the decade, in vided a face-saving 107-run partnership Kumar Sangakkara was Test captain. tain and Glenn recognition of her standing in for Pakistan. Neil Wagner picked as wicketkeeper in the Between them, the Aussie Maxwell made the T20 team world cricket.

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