22 Saturday, March 18, 2017 SPORTS India reply strongly in awe of the way he goes about it. Australian batsman Glenn “So he’s a guy that people Maxwell celebrates his Ranchi feed off. And he’s a very inspirational leader with the way he’s gone about his career,” llrounderA Maxwell said of his skipper who is the world’s top-ranked Test hailed his batsman. “awesome” skipper Left-arm spinner Ravindra after Jadeja claimed his eighth the duo’s 191-run five- haul in his 29th helped match to return with figures post a of 5-124. formidable first Jadeja ran out last man Australian team 54-0 at innings total against (0) to deny Steve Smith plays a shot India in the third Test Smith the chance of posting in Ranchi yesterday. the second double century in Maxwell, returning his 53rd match of his career. stumps to the five-day side Smith though registered after nearly three years the highest score by an Sri Lankan cricketer in the wilderness, Australian captain on Indian (L) cracked his maiden Test soil after surpassing Michael plays a shot as Bangladesh century on day two but it Clarke’s 130 in Chennai in game since making his debut in 2013. wicketkeeper Mushfiqur was Smith’s unbeaten 178 the 2012-13 series. It was an especially The right-handed allrounder, known Rahim looks on that was the bedrock of the satisfying innings for the Australian for his explosive limited-overs exploits, tourists’ 451. captain after the build-up to the match was delighted to make an impression in Opener Lokesh Rahul had been dogged by accusations that he the five-day format. led India’s strong reply had systematically abused the decision “I was so happy to be able to walk in the final session with review system (DRS) in the last Test. back on the field with the Australian the hosts ending the day Test team with the Baggy Green cap on 120 for one. India still Making it count on,” said an elated Maxwell. trail the visitors by 331 The 28-year-old Maxwell set the tone “I know how bad it felt when I played runs. for Australia’s continued dominance that last game in Dubai (in 2014) and Murali Vijay (42) and with his first Test ton in just his fourth didn’t play again... I just wanted to make (10) it count, every opportunity I get.” were at the break Scoreboard at stumps on day two: India’s plight was deepened by the after Rahul was out caught absence of skipper who Australia 1st innings behind for 67 off fast (overnight 299-4; Smith 117 , has been off the field since Thursday bowler . Maxwell 82 not out) afternoon with an injured shoulder. Rahul, who hit 9 fours in M. Renshaw c Kohli b Yadav 44 While vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane his 102-ball stay, registered D. Warner c & b Jadeja 19 stood in as skipper, Kohli is expected to his fourth fifty of the series S. Smith not out 178 don the pads and bat in what remains a ri Lanka were 54-0 at stumps on the third to put on 91 runs with S. Marsh c Pujara b Ashwin 2 crucial Test for the hosts. day after out Bangladesh for 467 opening partner Vijay. P. Handscomb lbw b Yadav 19 Fast bowler Umesh Yadav, who took Sruns in their first innings of the second Test in But it was the epic G. Maxwell c Saha b Jadeja 104 three , said that Kohli “is fit Colombo yesterday. partnership between Smith M. Wade c Saha b Jadeja 37 to play” after having taken to the nets P. Cummins b Jadeja 0 and Dimuth Karunaratne and Maxwell that steered S. O’Keefe c Vijay b Yadav 25 and added that the pitch has more were the batsmen at the crease, with both Australia to the highest total of N. Lyon c Nair b Jadeja 1 runs to offer. “Difficult to stop runs on having made 25, as Sri Lanka reduced the series so far after the visitors J. Hazlewood (Rahul/Jadeja) 0 this wicket. They took four-and-half Bangladesh’s 129-run first innings lead to 75. resumed the day on 299-4. Extras (b9, lb11, nb2) 22 sessions to score 450. It’s a 100-run- Earlier made 116 while “I think we were 4-140 and Total (all out, 137.3 overs) 451 a-session wicket. We also made 120 Mosaddek Hossain and luckily I had Steve at the other end today...Plus minus 20-30 runs, but we’ll added 75 and 52 runs respectively as Bangladesh who is quite experienced,” Maxwell India 1st innings try to get there,” said Yadav. went past Sri Lanka’s first innings score of 338 told reporters. L. Rahul c Wade b Cummins 67 The series between the world’s top and built up a substantial lead. “He probably lifts the team to M. Vijay not out 42 two sides is tantalisingly poised at 1-1 C. Pujara not out 10 finished with 4-82 while left- another level because he makes the Extras (lb1) 1 with India needing at least a draw to arm spinner Lakshan Sandakan also impressed game look so easy. Total (1 wicket; 40 overs) 120 have any chance of winning back the with 4-140 at the P. Sara Oval. “We watch him play and everyone’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy. (AFP)