MONDAY DECEMBER 29 2014 58 MONDAY DECEMBER 29 2014 DAILYTELEGRAPH.COM.AU DAILYTELEGRAPH.COM.AU MONDAY DECEMBER 29 2014 CRICKETSPORT 5937

THIRD TEST BOARD V INDIA MCG — DAY THREE Catch of the day and his career AUSTRALIA 1st Innings C ROGERS c Dhoni b Shami ...... 57 D WARNER c Dhawan b Yadav ...... 0 BEN HORNE blowtorch heading into the “I thought the ball was Indians S WATSON lbw Ashwin ...... 52 Boxing Day Test, but his going to drop about a metre S SMITH b Yadav ...... 192 drought-breaking half-century short, so I set myself up to dive S MARSH c Dhoni b Shami ...... 32 took two all-time and spectacular grab may have forward and it carried further J BURNS c Dhoni b Yadav ...... 13 classic catches yesterday to regenerated his career. than I thought.” B HADDIN c Dhoni b Shami ...... 55 enter rare company as just the It was a memorable moment But later that morning M JOHNSON st Dhoni b Ashwin .... 28 fourth Australian wicketkeeper reminiscent of ’s Haddin made up for the R HARRIS lbw Ashwin ...... 74 to claim 250 career dismissals. famous athletic, full-stretch bumble the best way possible, N LYON b Shami ...... 11 It hasn’t all gone Haddin’s catch to dismiss Clive Lloyd in a dismissing Pujara with a catch J HAZLEWOOD ...... 0 Extras (1b 9lb 1w 5nb) ...... 16 way with the gloves this Test, 40-over match more than four Dean Jones described as the Total ...... 530 take up but his stunning full-length decades ago. greatest he has seen by a Fall: 0 (Warner), 115 (Rogers), 115 horizontal dive to his right on A photo in the Members’ Bar wicketkeeper at the MCG. (Watson), 184 (Marsh), 216 (Burns), just the second ball of day at the WACA captures the West Suspended at chest height 326 (Haddin), 376 (Johnson), 482 three showed that at 37 years Indian great looking over his above the ground, Haddin (Harris), 530 (Lyon), 530 (Smith). of age there are no worries shoulder to witness his demise. managed to clasp the ball in : I Sharma 32-7-104-0 (5nb), U about his agility. The vice- grassed the webbing of his right glove Yadav 32.3-3-130-3, M Shami 29-4- Then off the last ball of day Indian batsman Cheteshwar to mark his 250th, as Shane 138-4 (1w), R Ashwin 44-9-134-3, M three, a second magical catch Pujara with a simple chance off Watson ducked for cover Vijay 5-0-14-0. time: 590 mins. Overs: 142.3. to dismiss Indian centurion late on day behind him. off , two that would have kept him “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a INDIA 1st Innings fight to also featuring a full-tilt dive to up at night. better wicketkeeping catch on M VIJAY c Marsh b Watson...... 68 his right, will also lead highlight “It was a total misjudgment this ground than that,” Jones S DHAWAN c Smith b Harris...... 28 reels for years to come. on my part,” Haddin conceded said on radio. “He was C PUJARA c Haddin b Harris...... 25 Haddin was under the before play. Superman for a split second.” V KOHLI c Haddin b Johnson...... 169 A RAHANE lbw b Lyon...... 147 K RAHUL c Hazlewood b Lyon...... 3 MS DHONI c Haddin b Harris...... 11 R ASHWIN c and b Harris...... 0 M SHAMI not out...... 9 Extras (1lb, 1w)...... 2 Total ...... 8-462 Mitch Fall: 55 (Dhawan), 108 (Pujara), 147 (Vijay), 409 (Rahane), 415 (Rahul), 430 (Dhoni), 434 (Ashwin), 462 (Kohli). Bowling: M Johnson 29.2-5-133-1, R BEN HORNE Then Kohli on 88 nicked one be- Harris 25-7-69-4 (1w), J Hazlewood 25- tween Haddin and , 6-75-0, S Watson 16-3-65-1, N Lyon 29- 3-108-2, S Smith 2-0-11-0. but the keeper didn’t move and the Batting time: 537 mins. Overs: 126.2. AUSTRALIA were given a glimpse of first slip grassed the catch. their worst nightmare yesterday at the Lyon finally got Rahane lbw and MCG when Mitchell Johnson was also claimed the of debutant smashed around for the first time since Lokesh Rahul, but not before Peter THE TWEET his career renaissance before leaving Siddle had added to the clangers by “IS it a bird or is it a plane ... No it’s the field with a hamstring scare. dropping him the previous ball. Haddin!” The good news on an otherwise dis- Australian coach Darren Leh- — Former Aussie batsman Dean Jones astrous day three for the hosts was that mann gave his players a dressing marvels at Brad Haddin’s catch to Johnson returned and lion-hearted down for the spate of dropped catches. start the day, complete with a screen quick Ryan Harris (4-69) stemmed the “It could have been a totally differ- grab of the wicketkeeper in full flight. tide late on as India finished on 8-462 ent day but it’s not,” Harris said. to trail by 68 runs at stumps. “(Lehmann) … was very disap- The bad news was the hosts squan- pointed with the fielding. We’ve got NO FREEBIES dered their stranglehold on the third pretty high standards. No one likes to THE first 402 runs of India’s innings Test when a brilliant 262-run partner- drop catches but that was well below came off the bat, breaking a 60-year ship from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Ra- standard today. record. It took until the 107th over for hane showed England how taking “You can’t give batsmen like Ra- Australia to concede an extra. down Johnson can expose Australia. hane and Kohli second chances be- Since took over as cause they do what they did today.” Australian captain everything he has A year after destroying England on Brad Haddin takes a spectacular diving catch to dismiss and THE NUMBER: 3 touched has turned to gold, but yester- Boxing Day, Johnson was taken apart (inset) repeats the dose to end Virat Kohli’s innings. Pictures: Colleen Petch THAT’S the amount of daily visits day he experienced utter despair and by Kohli and Rahane for figures of injured captain Michael Clarke is was exposed to criticism for the first 1-133 off 29.2 overs. His only joy came paying to his medical staff. The time for perceived defensive tactics. right at the death when Brad Haddin hamstrung batsman had surgery after Test greats and Bill took his second stunning screamer of Fiery customer happy to let Aussies know he only has respect for ‘a few of them’ breaking down in the opening Test Lawry questioned Smith’s fields defend- the day to finally send Kohli packing. Fired-up Virat claims Australia’s ‘big mouths’ just bringing out best in him and remains hopeful of being a part of ing 530 as a lack of pressure allowed Earlier, Kohli got his own back on the Aussie World Cup campaign. Kohli (169) and Rahane (147) to surge to Johnson when he smashed the pace- î FROM BACK PAGE “I’m not going to out there to take un- someone doesn’t respect me I’ve got unnecessarything that comes words to mouth or chat I don’t from stayno reasoncalm. I todon’t respect mind. them,” I will give Kohli it myselfrespect.” and Kohli take revealed him on the as Aus-well,” on theAussie field. quick It really Ryan excites Harris, me who and has career-high scores during a stand in man to the fence on three consecutive necessary words or chat from some- no reason to respect them,” Kohli said. someone.respect.” I’m going out there to play onsaid the defiantly. field. “I’m out here to play Kohlitralians said. had “Ilabelled don’t mindhim a giving“spoilt a bringstaken thefour best of India’s out in eightme. They , don’t said which they scored at 4.5 an over. deliveries. Kohli went up a notch after the bowler one. I’m going out there to play cricket. “I’m out here to play cricket, not to cricket.Kohli There’srevealed no the good Australians reason I cricket“It really not to excites earn anyone’s me and respect. brings wordbrat”. back and neither does he.” seemhe had to beno learningissues with the Kohli. lesson.” THE MILESTONE Australia had another horrible day Two overs later, Rahane took over fielded a in his follow-through “There’s no good reason I should earn anyone’s respect. As long as I’m shouldhad labelled respect him someonea “spoilt brat”. unnecess- theAs best long out as in I’m me. scoring They don’t runs seem I’m Kohli“I said said ‘maybe he was that’s unaware the way of re-I Kohli“I respect said he’dhim toldand himselfI know thereall the BRAD Haddin’s acrobatic diving catch in the field, grassing three catches and and clubbed the Australian spearhead and threw it back towards the stumps, respect someone unnecessarily if they scoring runs I’m happy with it. If you arily“I ifsaid they ‘maybe are not.” that’s the way I am. tohappy be learning with it. theIf you lesson.” like it, good. portsam. I Australiaknow you felt guys India hate would me and crack I wasboys no in point the changebacking rooms off from respect his at- him to dismiss Cheteshwar Pujara misjudging another to give India a for two fours over midwicket and an- hitting Kohli on the upper thigh with are not.” like it, good. I knowKohli you was guys dropped hate onme 88 and at Islip like in Kohli“I don’t said really he had care told what himself they whenlike that’,” placed Kohli under said. pressure. “So I don’t tackingbecause strokeplay he’s come afterout and saying his bat a few does yesterday brought up his 250th Test giant leg-up in their bid to keep the other through the offside. his score on 84. Kohli was dropped on 88 at slip in “I don’t really care what they think Johnson’sthat’,” Kohli next said. over and proceeded to therethink was as far no as point respecting backing me off or from me mind“When having you’re a chat on on top the you field can and say words.the talking,” Harris said. “Where he dismissal. His average of 2.1 dismissals series alive. In the last over before the Since last summer’s Ashes, John- “I was really annoyed with him hit- Johnson’s next over and proceeded to as far as respecting me or me respect- smash“So Iany don’t hopes mind the having home a chatside hadon hisrespecting attacking them. stroke I’veplay after got asaying nice anythingit worked you in my want,” favour. Kohli said. gets“So that I decided from I’m when not sure. he (Johnson)There’s a bit per innings is only shaded by Adam new ball was due, spinner Nathan son rarely has been taken to breaking ting me with the ball and I told him smash any hopes the home side had of ing them. I’ve got a nice friendship ofthe claiming field and a itbig worked first-innings in my favour. lead. afriendship few words. with a few of them. “We“I like are playing two-nil against down andAustralia we still comesof banter on toout bowl, on I’mthe goingfield but to backif that Gilchrist in the upper echelon of the Lyon dropped a sitter off his own point. But yesterday an aggressive ‘that’s not on, try to hit the stumps claiming a big first-innings lead. with a few of them. “I like respect playing a few against of them Australia but if “So“But I someonedecided when who ishe saying (Johnson) any- tookbecause them it’s veryon today hard forand them showed to myselfdoesn’t and stay take out him there on as and well,” comes Kohli out leaderboard. It was the best way to bowling to give Rahane a life on 70. India proved Johnson is still human. next time, not my body’,” Kohli fumed. “I respect a few of them but if “But someone who is saying any- someonebecause it’s doesn’t very respecthard for me them I’ve gotto comesthing thatonto comesbowl, I’mto mouthgoing toI don’tback whatstay calm. we can I don’t do with mind. the I bat.” will give it said.here, he needs to have a look at that.” bring up a 250 celebration at the MCG since … Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge on grand final day. Smith and Kohli breath of fresh air among old timers who are still producing goods THE STREAK 1143 days and counting. That’s how ROBERT CRADDOCK and Pakistan’s Younis Khan perfect time. He and the likes of BRENDON MCCULLUM (New Zea- of 60. It’s all there. This was the year this year, including 319 against Ban- freakishly talented multidimensional The cagey left-arm spinner, who has of the finest fast men of any era. long it’s been since Shane Watson has — are age 37. Kohli, and Sri land): Wonderful entertainer who has the boy became a man. gladesh, 221 against Pakistan and 147 cricketer who has played 97 Tests in taken over from Muttiah Murali- JIMMY ANDERSON (England): taken more than one wicket in a Test And the top five bowlers Lanka’s Angelo Mathews redefined himself as a Test player this YOUNIS KHAN (Pakistan): Just the against England. Averages 63 at a row. Has preserved his career bat- tharan as Sri Lanka’s No.1 bowler, His next Test will be his 100th and innings. In the 36 innings Watson has THE magic of Steve Smith and Virat on the annual wicket-takers’ are shaping as the poster year with two double centuries, a triple mention of his name will forever home and 53 away, which means he ting average of more than 50 despite will finish the year with 60 Test four more Test wickets will make bowled since, he’s taken one wicket 16 Kohli has been the perfect Christmas list — , men of the future. century and rip-roaring 195 off 134 haunt Australian bowlers who found is a freak on home soil and still world the burden of wicketkeeping. Scored wickets, easily the most of any Test him England’s leading wicket-taker times and gone without on 20 gift this year for a game craving new Jimmy Anderson, Mitchell Here’s my World XI for balls against Sri Lanka last week. His his blade broader than a warehouse class on foreign soil. a Test ton against Australia in an- bowler. Accurate, patient and cre- ahead of . This was a occasions. young superstars. Johnson, and Dil- 2014. 33 sixes for the year is twice as many as wall in the recent series in the United ANGELO MATHEWS (Sri Lanka): other strong year. ative all at once, he took nine wickets typical Anderson year — tireless toil Just when historians were about to ruwan Perera — are also older DAVID WARNER (Australia): anyone else. Question marks remain Arab Emirates. Two hundreds and a Like Steve Smith he became captain MITCHELL JOHNSON (Australia): in an innings against Pakistan. netted him just one five-wicket haul pencil in 2014 as the year of the sen- than 30. No one has bettered his six centu- about his ability to tame the best at- double hundred in succession against of his country at 25 and hasn’t let His 22 wickets in three Tests sen- DALE STEYN (): Slick, but a solid spread of lesser hauls gave THEY SAID IT ior citizen, along came Smith and The moral? ries for the year and his 2014 strike tacks with just one century from 38 Australia represented the epic high- them down, averaging 90-plus this tenced the Proteas to a rare home professional and ruthless, he cleaned him 40 wickets at 22. “Mitchell Johnson is getting Kohli to stop them mid-sentence. is still essen- rate of 80 runs per hundred balls Tests against Australia, England and light of another great year. year. Scored Test tons against Eng- series loss as he left a path of destruc- up weak batting line-ups from the VIRAT KOHLI (12th man, India): hammered, absolutely hammered.” It was a close thing, though. tially the homeland of the makes him a true dam-buster. South Africa but his game has risen to (Sri land at Lord’s and Headingley. The tion which saw the premature retire- West Indies and Zimbabwe, scythed Had a horrible series against Eng- That was Bill Lawry as Ajinkya As the final round of Test matches strong, hardy veteran. Scored centuries in South Africa and freakish heights. Lanka): Debonair batsman whose World Cup could be the stage for ment of . His fire was through Sri Lanka on the spinning land in England but his three centu- Rahane belted three fours off one for the year draws to a close, two of It’s also searching for the United Arab Emirates as well as STEVE SMITH (Australia): What Test average of 58 makes him an him to blossom into one of the big- blunted by flat decks in the United deck of Galle and picked up two ries against Australia in Australia Johnson over as the star seam bowler the top three run-scorers for the year new, young fresh stars, so Australia. Seems to be getting bet- more can we say? Five centuries plus underrated superstar if there is such a gest names in the game. Arab Emirates. four-wicket hauls against Australia shaped him as a true world-class per- slumped to the figures of 0-100. — Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara Smith has arrived at the ter by the year. a 97, an average of 87 at a strike rate thing. Scored more runs than anyone AB DE VILLIERS (South Africa): A RANGANA HERATH (Sri Lanka): in South Africa. Picks himself. One former and a player of rare charisma.

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