Key posts
State of play
Travis Head – and his delightful century on Saturday – are shaping as the decisive factors in this match. Australia have already made deep inroads into India’s second innings, and the visitors needs runs – and quickly. It’s virtually certain that the match will finish today before the series moves to its next destination at the Gabba.
India 5-128: Pant 28*, Reddy 15*. Australia lead by 29 runs
The word on the ground in SA
Another glorious day in Adelaide ahead of what should be the final day of this Test. A few sore heads in this city after a rowdy and enjoyable day yesterday from fans who lapped up Australia’s dominance. Rishabh Pant is the key today. If he bats for an hour or more, Australia could find themselves with a tricky little run chase. Some Aussie boys are already thinking about a round of golf tomorrow, so they’d love to get the job done as quickly as possible. Starc needs three of the next five wickets to bag his third 10th wicket haul in Tests.
Across the ditch: England close in on win
England continued to inch towards victory on the third day of the second Test in Wellington on Sunday in the face of some dogged resistance from New Zealand, who were still 383 runs behind on 6-199 at tea.
Joe Root earlier secured his 36th Test hundred before England skipper Ben Stokes declared on 6-427 to present the Blacks Caps with a mammoth target of 583 to level up the series at 1-1.
England’s rampant seam attack removed Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra before lunch, which was brought up five minutes early by a rain shower.
Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell showed some spirit to put together a defiant partnership of 47 before the former was caught behind off an outside edge for 32 to give first-innings hat-trick hero Gus Atkinson his first wicket of the day.
Reuters
England’s Shoaib Bashir and Ben Stokes.Credit: Getty Images
Video: Head was the hero of Adelaide
Vote: How long will this last?
The story of day two
By Tom Decent
Travis Head has criticised Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj for giving him a heated send-off and also accused the tourists, including Virat Kohli, of taking things too far during wicket celebrations.
The South Australian continued his magnificent run of scores in Adelaide by belting a third straight Test century at his home ground before receiving a send-off from Siraj that has lit the fuse for the rest of the Border-Gavaskar series.
India’s early ascendancy in the five-Test battle slipped away on a fast-moving Saturday as the tourists ended day two at 5-128 in their second innings, still trailing Australia by 29 runs after Pat Cummins (2-33 from eight overs) and Scott Boland (2-39 from seven) ripped through a wobbly top order.
On a day when Marnus Labuschagne hit his way back into form with a fighting 64 and India’s frustrated bowlers had their worst day of the series, Head brought up his eighth Test hundred and second against India.
Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj exchanged words after the South Australian was dismissed.Credit: Getty Images
Good afternoon and welcome
Hello and welcome to our comprehensive coverage of the Adelaide Test. It’s been rollicking cricket so far. This match could yet finish early on day three, but the match will still be remembered quite fondly. Australia are in prime position to level the series at 1-1, needing only five more wickets to end India’s second innings. The visitors trail by 29 runs, so it’s anyone’s guess whether Australia will need to chase a tiny target or a sizeable target to wrap up victory.
