Australia v India: second men’s cricket Test, day three – live | Australia cricket team

26th over: India 134-6 (Nitish 20, Ashwin 1) It was the dream start for Australia and with Pant surely goes any hope India have of making this match something bordering on a contest. Smith really made that catch look simple, even though he ended up taking it before the first tip. He moved so early and got himself in perfect position to get both hands safely around the fast moving ball.

Cummins opens from the River End and Nitish gets the scoreboard moving with a glance down to fine leg. There is a bit of extra bounce for the Aussie skipper but both batsmen negotiate it safely to swing the shot.

Starc starts with a cross-dresser outside off, which Pant leaves alone, but the Indian keeper can’t let a second delivery go unnoticed, so he slides down the pitch and drives a powerful shot to ball two. He doesn’t connect, but there is a buzz as the ball approaches the bat and Australia rises unconvincingly for a catch behind. Somewhat reluctantly, Cummins introduces the T badge but DRS quickly shows daylight between bat and ball.

Don’t worry. Before the over is out, Starc hits a perfect line and length, Pant steps forward and pushes a regulating outside edge which Smith tucks comfortably at second slip.

25th over: India 128-6 (Nitish 15)

Fives abound as Australia take to the Adelaide Oval bathed in sunshine.

They are joined by Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy. What do they have in store for us in the next few hours? A game-changing run or a quick meltdown and a few days of golf?

England cruised to victory in Wellington by a mammoth 323 runs for their first series win in New Zealand since 2008. this way. Bring on the Ashes.

Here are some conversation starters for you.

Australia tops the ICC Test rankingsbut only one of their top seven would compete for a place in the World XI at the moment (Travis Head). Is there a precedent for this? What does this mean where Australia is in their cycle? Does batting become less important as the pace of the game increases?

What happens if New Zealand can beat India in India then England can beat New Zealand in New Zealand?

Seven nations are represented in the top ten ranked Test bowlers in the ICC rankings, with seven also featuring in the top 12 ranked bowlers. I want to think it’s good for the game, but I worry it’s a reflection of an era of mediocrity.

How good is Second Death of My Face by WH Lung?

Elsewhere in the Australia vs India action, Australia smashed a mahoooooo 371/8 batting first in the second ODI in Brisbane. Georgia Wall and Ellyse Perry hit quick centuries.

You can follow India’s chase here:

Elsewhere in Test cricket, a century from Tom Blundell delayed England’s inevitable series win in Wellington. You can follow it live here:

If some Indian supporters were hoping the weather might come to their rescue today, I’m afraid the forecast is for bright sunshine in Adelaide, although temperatures will be kept in check by a southerly breeze.

Don’t take my word for what happened yesterday. Here’s how Jeff Lemon saw things

In practical terms, state capping is out of place in modern Australia, a performative dance for politicians to nonchalantly perform around budget allocations or state of origin. Even with the domestic structure of cricket still built on these boundaries, the consensus outside South Australia is that Adelaide Oval is the best ground in the country and Adelaide’s Test in the summer is the most enjoyable. The festival feel is unique, the city always succeeds. Even among grumblings that they have been dealt a struggling West Indies over the past two summers, Adelaide have beaten 50,000 on the first two days both times. For the same team, Perth didn’t get as many for five.

Preamble

Jonathan Howcroft

Hello everyone and welcome to the third and possibly final day of the second Test from Adelaide. India will resume their second innings 128-5, still 29 runs from Australia batting again.

That Australia are in such a commanding position is largely due to the brilliance of Travis Head. The hometown hero delighted 50,000 of his fellow South Australians with a match-defining 140 yesterday, spreading the pink ball all over the place and leading his country out of trouble and into dominance. Head’s value to this side has never been greater and he stood out as Australia’s key man by the end of this series.

With Head scoring their runs quickly in the first two sessions of the day, Australia were unconcerned when they were bowled out shortly after Tea because it meant they could penetrate India at lights out. But it was not a typical ferocious onslaught from the home bowlers with little movement in the air or on the seam, yet India lost half their order within 21 overs. Instead of Australia’s familiar consistency wearing down the opposition, it was a session of middle overs blessed by the occasional jaffa – almost all of which dented a wicket.

After looking a shadow of his former self in the first innings, Mitchell Starc made a trademark opening by inswinging a yorker to blow Shubman Gill’s house. Rohit Sharma also saw his scintillating assurances light up after a beauty from Cummins, but he didn’t look as relaxed as he strolled before going to bed at number six. Around them, Alex Carey took three catches behind the stumps as India quietly fell apart.

Not that Rishabh Pant could care less. He had the time of his life as he improvised his way to 28 off 25 balls, including a flamboyant reverse hook over the slip cordon. As long as he stays at the crease, who knows what kind of total India can come up with? But it will take something miraculous to deny the hosts a series-levelling win, and something memorable to stop that victory from happening before Adelaide Oval can show off another sunset at the Pantone party.

I will be happy to receive your emails during this first session and a half. Please send them to: jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com.