As day 3 began in Delhi, Australia would have been full of hope, expecting a total of 200+. However, barely one hour later disaster had struck with poor shot selection and technique seeing the visitors bowled out for 113, losing 9-48 in their third worst batting collapse in their history.
Join us as we rate the Australian players out of 10
David Warner – 2
15 – Subbed out (concussion)
Could this be the last time we see David Warner for Australia? Pressure is mounting on the 36-year-old, after yet another disappointing innings where he looked slow and late in picking up the bowling from India’s pace attack. This lead to a delayed concussion and a minor fracture in his elbow courtesy from the fiery bowling of Mohammed Siraj.
Usman Khawaja – 7.5
81 & 6
Khawaja batted superbly in Australia’s first innings, showing balanced aggression, and never letting the Indian bowlers settle against him. He looked set for a 100 before getting out to a magnificent catch by KL Rahul. Along with many others, he would have been disappointed with his shot selection in the second innings which lead to him being caught at leg gully off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.
Marnus Labuschagne – 4
18 & 35
Labuschagne looked comfortable and barely gave a chance in both innings before getting out to the Indian spinners. He was unlucky in the first innings, with an LBW decision but was clean bowled by Jadeja early on day 3, kick-starting Australia’s untimely collapse. Would like to see him bowl more in the 3rd and 4th tests.
Steve Smith – 1
0 & 9
Another tough game for the Australian vice-captain. His first innings dismissal was unlucky, playing forward to an Ashwin delivery which stayed straight and ended up caught behind off a feather. The 2nd innings dismissal was a terrible shot, especially on a pitch staying low and inconsistent. Smith is yet to reach 50 this series, highlighting Australia’s reliance on him over the past 2 years.
Travis Head – 5.5
12 & 43
Head made it clear he was not going to change the way he played even after being dropped for the 1st test in Nagpur. His dismissal was poor in the first innings, playing outside his body and edging to slips of Mohammed Shami. After being elevated up the order in place of the injured Dave Warner, Head showed how the Aussie side should have batted, using his feet to reach the pitch of the ball and consistently attacking the spinners.
Peter Handscomb – 7.5
72* & 0
Handscomb once again proved why he was selected for this tour of India. He looked like one of the few Aussies who batted with a plan in mind. He was patient yet also attacking and rarely gave chances before running out of partners. His fielding in close was also outstanding, taking half chances and constantly putting pressure on the Indian batters. Unfortunately, he was one of the many Jadeja victims in the 2nd innings, being caught in slips for a golden duck.
Matthew Renshaw – 0.5
2
The selection of Renshaw over Head in the first test because of his ability to play spin has left many scratching their heads. Unfortunately for Renshaw, he is averaging 1.33 from 3 innings this Test series and hasn’t once looked comfortable at the crease. He was one of the many players who got out attempting to play a sweep, wasting a review for a plumb LBW off Ashwin.
Alex Carey – 2
0 & 7 – One catch and one stumping
Carey’s batting and temperament was disappointing this test, at times trying to do too much against the quality Indian spinners, once again being dismissed from a reverse sweep. This is the way Carey plays, however on a low turning pitch, moving his feet will be a better option. His keeping however, was outstanding on a tricky pitch with 3 spinners bowling.
Pat Cummins – 2
1-41
Although getting 33 handy runs in the first innings, he is in the side for his bowling and once again was disappointing, constantly over-pitching and bowling on the pads of the Indian top order. His captaincy was also poor in both bowling innings, with questionable defensive fielding positions where they needed to be attacking and getting wickets. As if all of this wasn’t enough, his slog sweep on his first was the worst shot in a disappointing Australian innings.
Nathan Lyon – 9
5-67 & 2-49
What a performance by the ‘goat’. Lyon bowled some absolutely beautiful deliveries in the first innings, claiming the wickets of 5 of India’s top 7 batters. His line and length was much better compared to the Nagpur test. Although he strayed down the leg side at times, his shorter length and ‘over spin’ made him tough to play on a tricky pitch in Delhi.
Todd Murphy – 5
2-53 & 1-22
After an excellent first test in Nagpur, Murphy was solid without being outstanding. He looked extremely dangerous against the left-handed batters but struggled against some of the Indian right handers. He was clearly under bowled by Cummins in the first innings, with many left puzzled after his excellent performance in the first test.
Matthew Kuhnemann – 4
2-72 & 0-38
Similar to Murphy, Kuhnemann was solid without being outstanding. He won’t forget his first ever wicket, catching Virat Kohli on the pads, just as he was starting to look extremely dangerous. Although he looked dangerous at times, he also leaked quite a lot of runs, going at 3.3 runs an over in the first innings and 5.4 in the second innings. Will struggle to keep his spot in the side for the 3rd test with Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc likely to be fit and available.
