Australia vs India

Todd Murphy will make his Test debut on Thursday while Travis Head has been sensationally dropped as Australia begin its four-Test tour of India in Nagpur ...

Lyon has played 24 Tests in Asia for 118 wickets at an average of 32.28. I think spin makes him play every single ball and brings in (multiple dismissal options). Nathan Lyon has had particular success against Kohli, picking up his wicket four times at an average of 23.25. He’s reportedly told teammates he will go rightie in the Test – likely when coming up against India’s two left-arm orthodox spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. He has three half-centuries with a top score of 71. It's worth mentioning, since he’s been spotted in the nets batting right-handed. Usman Khawaja (1) was dismissed LBW in the second over by an inswinger from Mohammed Siraj. It’s another challenge and makes touring over here even harder when you know the conditions are custom-made for them.” It appears to be a clear ploy to give bowlers an advantage against left-handed batters – with five of Australia’s top seven lefties, compared to just one Indian batter. “That’s part of the challenge of playing away. “Embracing the chaos. [Shock debut, four-year Test return loom as India accused of ‘straight up pitch doctoring’](https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/australia-vs-india-test-series-cricket-news-2023-india-pitch-doctoring-in-nagpur-todd-murphy-debut-family-first-test-teams-selection/news-story/2899cc050a1c6f9112d7bc2c8691fe1a) [‘That’s bulls**t’: ](https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/australia-vs-india-test-series-cricket-news-2023-india-pitch-doctoring-in-nagpur-todd-murphy-debut-family-first-test-teams-selection/news-story/2899cc050a1c6f9112d7bc2c8691fe1a) [India legend savages ‘cheating’ claims over controversial pitch](https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/cricket-2023-australia-vs-india-first-test-nagpur-pitch-cheating-claims-are-bs-says-ravi-shastri-pictures-team-selection-latest-news/news-story/ef4b9409f2db37d5f3128e88e102e402)

In the first part of a three-part series on foxsports.com.au, Australia legends Adam Gilchrist and Jason Gillespie reflect on the first Test of the 2004 ...

“Rather than getting caught up in my own uncertainty or doubt on how I was going to play.” Gillespie and co. [Green the latest Aussie loss as India delivers four-spinner ‘prepare turners’ warning](https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/cricket-news-2023-nagpur-pitch-australia-could-confront-three-or-four-spinners-in-first-test-in-india-latest-inspection/news-story/f3ab8d68c4e660ffbdcdd56eb320b556) [3-1 AUSTRALIA? “Everyone had a lot of trust and faith and belief in each other, and belief in what our strategy and plans were, and just going out there and getting the job done.” “I dived into it actually and it turned out to be a really valuable - not distraction – but a valuable opportunity for me to just focus on the bigger picture,” he said. While the plan with the ball was to be disciplined and patient, the Australians would need to be more proactive with the bat, otherwise they would be a sitting duck for Harbhajan or Anil Kumble. “What we felt was a good option was to maybe attack the stumps more,” Gillespie said, “which in turn bowls to the India batters’ strengths. The Australians were armed with a new bowling game plan, but first had to set the tone with the bat having won the toss for the first Test in Bengaluru. “I speak from a bowling point of view, we learnt that you couldn’t bowl like you bowl in Australia on the subcontinent, which we tried to do in ’01.” Sure enough, Gilchrist was elevated to the top role and tasked with the massive assignment of plotting an Australian Test series win in India. In the first part of a three-part series on foxsports.com.au, Australia legends Adam Gilchrist and Jason Gillespie reflect on the first Test of the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Series. Earlier – and in many ways, this remains the case – the holy grail was winning a big away Test series, with India being the toughest place to tour.

13th over: Australia 29-2 (Smith 6, Labuschagne 14) Siraj gets a spell and Shami returns. Australians will recall the veteran India quick from the 2015 ...

“Sky” has become a people’s hero with his six-hitting in the white ball formats and after 79 first-class matches he will finally gets to pull on the Test shirt for India at the ripe old age of 32. That was a big toss to win and Pat Cummins’ run of luck with the coin has continued. There was much talk in the lead up to this series about Head’s disappointing record on the subcontinent and his plan to combat it with the all-out aggression so successful in the home summer. 3rd over: Australia 6-2 (Smith 0, Labuschagne 0) Even two wickets down after three overs, the names Smith and Labuschagne inspire confidence. His first ball of the series is wide and skids low. He pulls his head in on the last and lets it drop at his feet. He wants more of a look at the leftie and a single is sufficient from this 10th over. However Smith swipes at the fifth ball and pulls it just short of a fielder. 15th over: Australia 33-2 (Smith 6, Labuschagne 19) Shami returns and so does the Australian stalemate. 18th over: Australia 44-2 (Smith 10, Labuschagne 24) Here comes Patel, a slower action to Jadeja but all the venom comes from that final flick of the wrists. 11th over: Australia 27-2 (Smith 6, Labuschagne 14) Siraj steams in for a fifth over, this one to Labuschagne who has now faced twice as many balls as Smith. Australia have broken the deadlock now and the pace is quickening.

Australia meets India in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur. Check out all the live scores and stats in our live scorecard.

[follow along in our live blog](/news/2023-02-09/live-updates-india-vs-australia-first-test-day-one-nagpur/101933640). Check out all the live scores and stats in our live scorecard, or Australia meets India in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur.

Follow along for all the major moments and reactions as India and Australia begin the first Test in Nagpur.

Matthew Renshaw was impressive as a 20-year-old on his first tour of India six years ago, so he knows what local conditions will be like. He is in career-best form and batted with confidence and authority at home, where he is averaging 73.5 in that period. That knock, a 72, was in his debut Test against Pakistan in Dubai. I’ve had a bit of time to make a bit of sense of Travis Head’s shock axing. In seven games, he has just 213 runs at 21.3 for one half-century. Khawaja, 26, walks out of the room in a daze. Labuschagne has been particularly impressive with his sound defence and fluent strokeplay. Head’s numbers in Asia are mediocre. Australia are 2-29 with Smith on six and Labuschagne on 15. He beat the bat to start this over and beat the keeper at the same time with the ball going for byes. Here is the case against the decision. Australia are 2-35 with Smith on six and Labuschagne on 19.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith are at the crease for Australia, who lost Usman Khawaja and David Warner inside the first three overs of the series ...

The bails were ripped off the stumps by Bharat, but Smith was home and there was no edge heard. Jadeja's pace is in the low 90's, that one was 93kph, then the next 89kph. What a delivery, 89kph, genuine turn and real class. Is there a plan afoot? Not sure the sweep is on just yet, if I'm being honest. Bottom edge as Marnus tries to sweep and if he hadn't got that, he'd be out. Another lovely shot from Labuschange, pushing the ball to the long on boundary. He's starting to read this pitch and this turn and is reaping the rewards before lunch. Marnus that's a wonderful shot! Apologies if you covered it earlier Simon, I've only just tuned in - India must be laughing loud and hard to themselves - definitely won the mind battles in Australia dropping Head, who has averaged >50 over last couple of summers. Surely the match referee would have something to say if that was the case? By Simon Smale

Smith 77% after 30 balls. I'm getting the feeling that's because Smith is actively trying to attack the spinners more than Labuschagne is. And at one of those ...

Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das are the only other pair to account for more than 10% of their team’s runs. No other pair has proved as prolific for their team in Tests in recent times than this one. All through this partnership, Smith and Labuschagne have been spectacularly decisive.

Harsh truth for this Aussie generation; wicket drama sparks selection dramas: Burning Qs.

(But) I know a process that works for me, I know the different conditions and how I like to play against them.” But since his brutal Ashes axing back in 2019, Khawaja has gone away and worked on his game as he starred for the Aussies in Pakistan last year. I’ll continue to use them, play them in the best method possible. He’s bowling against the best players of spin in the world in their conditions. “They are the best players of spin in the world. “Peter Handscomb deserves his place back in the squad. “For me, it’s more about the process. “The ball comes out of his hand beautifully, he‘s been working on his variations. That was the other side of it. Head averaged just 22.66 in three Tests against Pakistan, and 7.66 in two against Sri Lanka, with spinners proving to be his downfall. You split the series up and my white-ball was really good, so maybe being a little bit more positive in red-ball cricket,” Head told Foxsports.com.au. After all, the Indians are always mightily tough to beat at home.

IND vs AUS, 1st Test, Day 1 Live: Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne aim to help Australia recover after a poor start. Mohammed Shami cleaned up David ...

- 09:28 (IST)IND vs AUS Live: Time for national anthemsPlayers of both the teams are out on the ground for their respective national anthems. - 09:05 (IST)IND vs AUS LIVE: Australia opt to bat first!Rohit Sharma flips the coin which lands in favour of the Australia skipper Pat Cummins. - 09:50 (IST)IND vs AUS Live: WICKETAnother one bites the dust! - 10:40 (IST)IND vs AUS Live: FOUR!A tad fuller from outside off stump from Mohammed Shami and Marnus Labuschagne comfortably drives it away for a four. - 10:10 (IST)IND vs AUS Live: Australia careful against spin!After Ravindra Jadeja, the next over was bowled by Axar Patel. - 10:48 (IST)IND vs AUS Live: FOUR!A good wristy shot from Steve Smith and he will get a four off it. Like us on [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.robo.ndtv.cricket&hl=en)or [iOS](https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/ndtv-cricket/id418320331?mt=8). - 10:32 (IST)IND vs AUS Live: Smith-Labuschagne pair solid!The duo of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have added 27 runs off 65 balls so far. - 08:08 (IST)IND vs AUS LIVE: Welcome guys!Hello everyone, welcome to this space. - 11:05 (IST)IND vs AUS Live: 50-run partnership!A four from Steve Smith through extra cover and there comes the 50-run partnership between him and Marnus Labuschagne for the third wicket. It was cut shot from the backfoot that helped Labuschagne get a boundary.AUS 44/2 (17.4) The short mid-wicket fielder did give a run but the ball comfortably raced to the boundary.AUS 48/2 (19.4)

Axar Patel has been robbed of a prized Test scalp as Virat Kohli sensationally drops Steve Smith at first slip. Driving hard at a flighted half-volley outside ...

David Warner is batting right-handed to left-arm finger-spin in the nets. [#IndvAus] [February 9, 2023] Two off-spinners together for Australia for the first time in decades— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) Todd Murphy marking his run-up in Nagpur. Can’t be the lefty issue as Renshaw is in. ABC’s Daniel Garb wrote: “The only plausible reason for Head’s omission must be a concern about his ability against spin. [#INDvAUS] [pic.twitter.com/ebJIpGRrrq] [February 9, 2023] AAP’s Scott Bailey wrote: “Massive call by Australia to drop Travis Head. [#INDvAUS] [February 9, 2023] [#INDvAUS] [pic.twitter.com/648ThHCoBP] [February 9, 2023] The hosts will go in as favourites. [February 9, 2023]

India vs Australia, 1st Test Live Score Updates: There is an indication that Suryakumar Yadav might find a place in the starting XI at Nagpur.

Australia: [David Warner](https://indianexpress.com/about/david-warner/), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, [Alex Carey](https://indianexpress.com/about/alex-carey/)(w), Pat Cummins(c), Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland India go with 3 spinners, Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav not in playing XI. India vs Australia 1st Test Day 1 Live Score Updates: Australian skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat first at Nagpur.

Great Aussie mystery a 'f***ing disgrace' amid Cummins' 'buffet' howler: Talking Pts.

It was reminiscent of what Travis Head achieved during the recent home summer against South Africa and the West Indies. Rather than relying on the pitch for variation on Thursday, Jadeja mixed up his pace, release angle and length to ensure the Australians never felt comfortable in the middle. Marnus Labuschagne, Smith, Matthew Renshaw and Pat Cummins were each dismissed by spinners while playing with a straight bat. You split the series up and my white-ball was really good, so maybe being a little bit more positive in red-ball cricket,” Head told foxsports.com.au. “He’s been way too full, and very uncharacteristic of Pat, who genuinely hits a very hard length. other than that, I think I worked really hard and had a sound game plan.” Playing with a horizontal bat negates the side spin on India’s raging turners. “And now he has been axed. The 31-year-old waltzed to the crease with Australia in a spot of bother at 5-109 - subcontinent maestro Steve Smith was back in the sheds and India was one wicket away from exposing the tail. He’s been too full. You wonder what this will do to his confidence. “Australia has always liked Head but he’s been a delicate manage and it’s taken the selectors six years of cursing and cajoling, dropping and recalling to get the man to meet his potential.

Jadeja took the wickets of the three batters who looked assured: Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb. Rohit Sharma led India's reply with 56 off ...

He had cashed in on early wickets, and then had worn out the spinners to draw the errors. Just when it looked like Cummins had got the control back with a maiden to KL Rahul, his second over contained two leg-side offerings for Rohit. Both Jadeja and Ashwin had a shot at a five-for with three wickets, a sight missed for a while as Jadeja last played a home Test in March. Smith got into the habit of defending for big turn but one turned only slightly to hold its line in front of off and beat his inside edge to knock back the off stump. It was an unfortunate time for their best bowler and captain Cummins to have perhaps his worst day with the ball. Eventually Carey played on a reverse-sweep to give Ashwin his 450th Test wicket and end a 53-run partnership in just 11.1 overs.. The second half of the first session was bowled by spinners, but Labuschagne and Smith were equal to the task. The ball turned immediately for Jadeja, and India brought back control through a combination of pace and spin. Labuschagne and Smith managed to hit four boundaries in the next three overs, which brought about a double change: Jadeja and Axar Patel. The one to get Labuschagne was perhaps the best delivery. [Ravindra Jadeja](https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/ravindra-jadeja-234675)made a triumphant return to international cricket with his 11th five-wicket haul to help bowl Australia out for 177 on the first day of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The rhythms of Australia's innings were typical of a turning track.

India have produced a quality first day of the series against Australia - but there has already been some potential controversy in Nagpur.

[Zampa set for shock Big Bash trade](https://www.sportingnews.com/au/cricket/news/melbourne-stars-set-trade-adam-zampa-following-big-bash-season/jdtitsnrrogw3zfyhgcqjnsy) [Australia vs India Day 1 talking points](https://www.sportingnews.com/au/cricket/news/india-vs-australia-1st-test-day-1-scores-analysis-and-talking-points/ox32nit6sr726o6kcdgoiq41) [Marnus Labuschagne](https://www.sportingnews.com/au/cricket/news/australian-star-marnus-labuschagnes-honest-admission-ahead-crucial-india-tour/imsb6jrt14btwnyki6cogqtg) scored a gritty 49 while the likes of Alex Carey and Peter Handscomb got off to starts, but the frailties in the Aussie batting lineup were exposed in the tough sub-continent conditions.

Just after Rohit Sharma clumped Nathan Lyon over mid-wicket, the off-spinner stared suspiciously at the surface. The pitch might have stared back ...

[David Warner](https://indianexpress.com/about/david-warner/) in the space of six balls; Labuschagne and Renshaw in two. He would sweep and reverse sweep to glory for his 33-ball 36, and it was he who rattled India’s spinners more than Smith and Labuschagne, where the spinners knew that a killer ball was lurking and it was a matter of pressing and probing. In doing so, he might have laid the blueprint of batting on this surface, which would progressively get worse for batting as the surface wears on and the redness beneath turns the more prominent colour. [Steve Smith](https://indianexpress.com/about/steve-smith/) and Pat Cummins. [KL Rahul](https://indianexpress.com/about/kl-rahul/) where the ball gripped and turned and clouded his judgement, originated from the surface playing wicked. Labuschagne especially looked unalarmed — he drove [Ravichandran Ashwin](https://indianexpress.com/about/ravichandran-ashwin/), bowled from around the stumps he played inside out through extra cover for three before he paddle-swept him for a four, Smith gorgeously drove [Axar Patel](https://indianexpress.com/about/axar-patel/) through the covers. They get carried away and end up getting frustrated, lose control over their plan and mess up with the lengths. He was not often, rather he was hitting boundaries off even semi-loose balls and trusting his percentage strokes and defence. [Ravindra Jadeja](https://indianexpress.com/about/ravindra-jadeja/) would later say: “This wasn’t a rank turner. Maybe, India’s spinners simply bowled better, tighter and sharper, though without any doubt this was a challenging surface to bat. Maybe, Australia were a fraction overcautious in phases in the first session. Perhaps, this was a case of batsman’s skills providing the pitch a harmless makeover.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine was among those to take note of what Ravindra Jadeja was doing ahead of one of his overs. With Alex Carey and Peter ...

It’s just the perception. “He’s bowling so much so he’s probably got a blister or cut on that finger. “According to the playing conditions, the match referee can independently probe such incidents without needing a complaint to be lodged. What he should have done there, he should have given the ball to the umpire and stand in front of the umpire while he was putting it on his finger,” Clarke said on the Big Sports Breakfast. “While the incident triggered debates on social and mainstream media, it is learned that the Australia team had not brought the matter to the attention of the match referee,” the report said. He then rubbed his hands and finger near and around the ball though it was uncertain what exactly was happening - some suggesting he was putting something on his spinning finger.

So the first wicket of a series that will be dominated by spin is to a fast bowler. Mohammed Siraj has developed a reputation for being a serious threat with ...