14 Sunday, January 10, 2021 Sports SCG TEST ENTHRALS Cummins claims four as Australia dominate AGENCIES 26* at the other end. India SYDNEY Australia’s Pat Cummins would’ve probably scored a successfully appeals for the few more runs, were it not for PAT Cummins led a fantastic wicket of India’s Mohammed another sensational direct-hit, bowling performance by the Siraj on the third day of the this time by Labuschagne to hosts as India were bowled third Test at the Sydney Cricket catch Jasprit Bumrah short. In out for 244 before Australia Ground (SCG) in Sydney on all, India suffered three run- made 103/2, extending their Saturday. (AFP) outs in their innings of 244. lead to 197 runs on day three Jadeja copped a blow to his of the third Test in Sydney on gloves off a Mitchell Starc lift- Saturday. er and was also unable to take Australia’s quicks got the the field later, adding to In- ball to talk on a pitch that ap- dia’s growing injury concerns. peared to be flat, putting their Australia looked to be pos- side in the driver’s seat. Mar- itive after securing a healthy nus Labuschagne and Steve 94-run lead. Debutant Will Smith then made an unbeaten Pucovski, who scored a fine 68-run partnership to ensure fifty in Australia’s first -in the hosts finished the day well nings, got going with a crack- Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates with Barce- and truly on top. ing cut shot off Saini, but was lona’s Spanish midfielder Pedri (right) after scoring a goal during the The match hung in the bal- soon dismissed for 10 by Siraj, Spanish League match against Granada at the Los Carmenes stadium ance at the start of day’s play with the bowler getting one to in Granada on Saturday. (AFP) with India resuming at 96/2. nip away and take the outside Australia’s bowlers, however, edge. His partner Warner fell appeared determined to seize for 13 when he looked to play Messi double the initiative in the morning a sweep off Ashwin only to be session. They tirelessly pep- low to beat Pant’s pull and hit trapped in front. pered Cheteshwar Pujara and him on the elbow and while the The two wickets caused sends him top of Ajinkya Rahane with short ‘keeper-batsman continued Labuschagne and Smith to stuff. The ploy worked when after treatment on the field, he adopt a slightly more con- Rahane finally chopped a didn’t look quite as fluent and servative approach initially scoring charts and Cummins bouncer onto his soon nicked off to Josh Hazle- but they grew in confidence stumps. wood for 36. To make matters after spending time in the One brought two as Ha- worse, Pant was unable to take middle to blunt the new ball. Barca back to third numa Vihari was run out in an the field in Australia’s innings Labuschagne played some instance of fielding brilliance as he was taken to the hospital superb shots, scoring freely DPA the Danish substitute. by Josh Hazlewood. Vihari set for scans. Cummins then pro- on both sides of the wicket. BARCELONA “I’m pleased to score the off for a quick single after driv- duced a perfect away-seaming He went to stumps only three two goals and to get another ing Lyon to mid-off but Hazle- delivery to Pujara to have him short of a second fifty in the BARCELONA moved to third win,” said Griezmann. “We wood dived to cut the ball off, dismissed for the fourth time game, while first-innings in La Liga with a 4-0 win over have to keep picking up three collected it cleanly and then this series just after the bats- centurion Smith went to Granada thanks to two goals points and then let’s see what fired a direct-hit while still on man brought up his fifty. close at 29*. apiece from Lionel Messi and happens.” Earlier a brilliant the ground to catch Vihari just R Ashwin was the next to Australia will fancy their Antoine Griezmann. Youssef En-Nesyri hat-trick short. fall, run out for 10, after a spot chances of going up 2-1 in Messi’s double left him gave Sevilla a 3-2 win over Rishabh Pant and attack anything short or wide, the second new ball was taken of slightly lazy running. Aus- the series, while India will on 11 goals for the season and Real Sociedad. Cheteshwar Pujara played in while Pujara continued to hold early in the second session, tralia had little trouble clean- mull over growing injury makes him top scorer in Spain The Moroccan striker contrasting styles to take India the fort with caution. Things however. ing the tail up even as Ravin- concerns as the teams head - in a season where he has opened his account on five to lunch. Pant was happy to started changing quickly once A Cummins bouncer kept dra Jadeja scored an attacking into day four. struggled for form. minutes scoring from close Barcelona took the lead on range from Fernando’s assist. 12 minutes when a Sergio Bus- A minute later Diego Car- quets pass intended for Messi los put past his own goalkeep- FA Cup holders was diverted into the path of er to level the score. But En- Maiden call-ups for Baartman, Dupavillon Griezmann by Roberto Soldado. Nesyri scored an exceptional The French forward was second on seven minutes drib- Arsenal down offside when he scored but bling past three Real Sociedad as SA name squad for Pakistan Tests with Soldado having given him defenders before shooting Newcastle 2-0 the ball it did not matter and past Alex Remiro. the goal stood. On 14 minutes Alexander AGENCIES Tests. in extra-time Granada were upset about Isak made it 2-2 scoring from JOHANNESBURG Rabada missed both Tests the second too. Messi doubled a corner to compete an ex- against Sri Lanka due to a the lead curling a left-foot shot traordinary first quarter hour. SOUTH Africa will receive a groin injury and his return to DPA past Rui Silva from just inside The game calmed down boost as Kagiso Rabada and full fitness will provide some LONDON the area after being played in but there was no stopping Dwaine Pretorius return after welcome experience to lead the by Griezmann. En-Nesyri completing his hat- recovering from injuries, while attack. Pretorius too has been FA Cup holders Arsenal pre- Busquets had handled in trick scoring from Lucas Oc- the spin attack is strengthened cleared to play after recovering vailed against Newcastle 2-0 the build-up but Messi’s 10th ampos’ cross a minute into the by the inclusion of Tabraiz from a hamstring strain. in extra-time to continue goal of the season stood and second half. Shamsi and George Linde. Convener of Selectors their defence into the fourth three minutes before half time Jules Kounde denied Real As many as five members Victor Mpitsang was cau- round. he had goal number 11. Sociedad their third heading of the 21-member squad could tious about the alien nature of The first 90 minutes at Pedri was flattened on the Mikel Merino’s header off the make their Test debuts in Pa- conditions in Pakistan to the the Emirates ended goalless edge of the area and Messi line with 15 minutes left. kistan, with seamers Ottniel squad, but remained confident despite Newcastle’s Andy curled a low free-kick past “It’s my best day in a Se- Baartman and Daryn Dupa- that they possessed enough Carroll missing a chance to Silva to make it 3-0. This time villa shirt,” said En-Nesyri. villon recieving their maiden depth in key areas. clinch victory in the closing there could be no complaints “But we know it’s just one call-ups in the format. Bats- Mpitsang said: “Consider- seconds. for Granada. On 63 min- win, it doesn’t mean anything men Sarel Erwee and Keegan ing that the conditions that will Emile Smith Rowe, who utes Barcelona got the fourth more than that and we have to Petersen are both yet to make be faced are largely unknown almost got sent off but saw with Griezmann scoring with keep going to achieve our ob- their Proteas debuts in any to the South African team, we the red card decision re- delicate volley after receiving jective.” The fixture between format, while Kyle Verreyne wanted to strengthen the at- versed by the video assistant Ousmane Dembele’s pass. Atletico Madrid and Athletic has only appeared in ODIs to tack with the skill sets that referee (VAR), opened the Barcelona were home and Bilbao was postponed due to date. Tabraiz Shamsi’s inclu- Tabraiz Shamsi and George scoring in the second half of dry now and Ronald Koeman heavy snow in Madrid. sion means he could make his Linde have to offer, while giv- extra-time. gave Messi the last 20 minutes The weather had prevent- first red-ball appearance for ing players like Daryn Dupa- Pierre-Emerick Au- off with Martin Braithwaite ed the Athletic squad from South Africa since 2018. villon and Ottneil Baartman bameyang then doubled the taking in his place. travelling to Madrid, where Quinton de Kock’s side are gave them 120 points in the continue that success on their an opportunity after making score from close range with Granada’s misery was com- the game was supposed to take buoyed by their recent 2-0 se- ICC World Test Champion- first visit to Pakistan in 14 strong cases for themselves in three minutes left to ensure pounded when Jesus Vallejo place at the Wanda Metropoli- ries win over Sri Lanka, which ship, and will be looking to years where they will play two recent seasons.” the Gunners are through.