For the second time in a row, Australia has failed miserably facing spin in Asia, with India rollicking home to a massive first Test win in Nagpur on Saturday.
After claiming a big first innings lead of 223, Australia was rolled for 91 in the second innings to end the match on day three.
That makes it Australia’s second-consecutive innings loss in Asia, after being rolled by Sri Lanka for 151 in Galle in July.
While we have no official records, this is easily the worst report card we’ve given the Australians in years — and surely one of the worst of all time.
Scroll down to see how every Australian fared.
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USMAN KHAWAJA — 1
1 and 5
Didn’t make disastrous errors but still paid the price. He got a good inswinger from Mohammed Siraj in the first innings and there were some questions over the ball-tracking. It was at very least an awfully tight call. He was loose in the second innings though as he was baited into a big drive by Ravichandran Ashwin.
DAVID WARNER — 1
1 and 10
More low scores from David Warner which could invite some pressure yet again. His dismissal in the first innings was a familiar one with Mohammed Shami coming from around the wicket and attacking his stumps with success. He battled to 10 in the second innings off 41 balls before he was trapped in front. The wicket always felt like it was coming.
Warner’s stump annihilated, out for 1! | 01:18
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE — 4
49 and 17
Not a great display by any means, but Labuschagne at least offered some resistance to the spin and will hope he has set a good base for the rest of the series. He impressed with his 49 in the first innings, which was comfortably the highest score of any Australian. He looked to be positive in the second but was slow in his decision making and got stuck on the crease to be plumb lbw.
STEVE SMITH — 3.5
37 and 25*
Dug in during one of the only Australian partnerships of note in the Test, with Smith and Labuschagne putting on 82 runs in the first innings. It was crucial given Australia lost 2-2 to start the innings. Smith left a gap between bat and pad and, in a over with plenty of natural variation from Jadeja, it was inviting danger. Sure enough, the ball went on with the arm and through the gate to bowl him. In the second innings, he played a lone hand to score an unbeaten 25. He was lucky to be unbeaten though as he was bowled again by Jadeja on a no-ball. Loses a mark for his slips fielding, which was below his normal standards.
MATTHEW RENSHAW — 0.5
0 and 2
What a nightmare. Controversially retained over Travis Head, Renshaw was out for a golden duck in the first innings after he was also caught on the crease. Faced just seven more balls in the second innings when there was a repeat. He at least got off the mark this time to make sure he didn’t cop a zero.
Renshaw DUCK after taking Head’s spot | 00:32
PETER HANDSCOMB — 3
31 and 6
For all the talk of having more right-handers in the XI, Peter Handscomb didn’t look much more comfortable on his Test return. He did survive 84 balls in the first innings which he deserves credit for, but the scoring was tough before he was eventually out for 31. Lasted just six balls in the second innings before he, too, fell to Ashwin in the massive collapse.
ALEX CAREY — 5
36 and 10
Had the most impactful stay in the first innings. No Australian to pass 10 had a strike rate higher than 40, but Carey scored at more than a run-a-ball with his sweeping, and reverse sweeping, once again the start of his game. It was an impressive cameo, even if Australia needed a truly big score. Carey couldn’t replicate it in the second innings, however, to leave the tail exposed and the worst time. With the gloves, however, Carey was brilliant. Conceding only six byes while keeping to nearly 100 overs of spin is no easy gig.
PAT CUMMINS — 3
2-78
Bowled one of the worst opening three overs he has ever bowled for Australia in Test whites to get India’s first innings off to a flyer. It improved somewhat, but he still conceded nearly four runs-an-over. His spell did, however, include a wonderball to dismiss century-maker Rohit Sharma, while he also dismissed Axar Patel on 84. It was too little too late, but his ability to take the big wickets should be noted. Used his reviews brilliantly on day two, less so on day three, while his tactics were accused in commentary of being too conservative, with a lack of short balls and alternative options being tried.
NATHAN LYON — 3
1-126
The figures probably didn’t tell the full story. Nathan Lyon beat the bat many times across days two and three, but only had the one wicket to show for it. Nonetheless, Todd Murphy easily asked more questions with his brand of side-spin — as opposed to Lyon’s overspin — having more of an impact.
Murphy’s dream debut five wicket haul | 02:08
TODD MURPHY — 9
7-124
What a debut. The fifth-best by an Australian in their first Test, and the third-best when narrowed down to the first innings. Murphy claimed seven wickets on debut, and was the only bowler to, with any sort of consistency, ask questions of the Indian batters. In truth, he looked like he had been a Test player for years — there were no signs of nerves, and very few loose balls. Australia can breathe easy because we’ve surely found Lyon’s heir.
SCOTT BOLAND — 2.5
0-34
That was a quiet Test from the cult hero, playing his first match for Australia away from home. As always, Boland was tidy and was hit for just two runs-an-over. But it’s hard to recall any genuine chances being created by the Victorian in the wicketless display.
Murphy recounts ‘special couple of days’ | 06:09
