WTC Final Highlights, India vs Australia Day 3: Australia 123/4 at stumps, stretch lead to 296

22:42 (IST)

That brings us to the end of our coverage of Day 3 of the ICC World Test Championship Final, with Australia surging ahead despite brave knocks from Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur as well as quality spells from the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja. The Aussies will feel they have one hand on the trophy already, having stretched their lead to 296 with six wickets in hand and two full days in store. India will have to pull off something extraordinary if they are to snatch the trophy from their hands.

On behalf of my colleagues at Firstpost, this is Amit signing off, bidding you all good night!

22:38 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

“I’m okay, feeling all right. It’s painful, but manageable. I don’t think so. Really happy the way I batted today. We had a very good day today. The partnership between Jadeja and I and Shardul and myself. We were targeting 320 and 330 today. We bowled in partnerships. That was a really good catch. We all know he’s a really good fielder. Australia’s slightly ahead of the game. For us, it’s important to stay in the moment, go session by session. We know funny things can happen in the game. He bowled really well. Footmarks helped him. I still feel this wicket will help seam bowlers,” says Ajinkya Rahane in a chat with the broadcasters after the match.

22:35 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 44 overs,Australia 123/4 ( Marnus Labuschagne 41 , Cameron Green 7)

STUMPS ON DAY 3: Mohammed Shami bowls out the last over of the third day, nearly dismissing Cameron Green on a couple of occasions in his 10th over, as Australia end the day on 123/4, stretching their lead to 296 with six wickets in hand and two full days ahead of them. Marnus Labuschagne remains unbeaten on 41, having faced 118 deliveries so far today in what has been an innings of remarkable patience.

22:25 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 42 overs,Australia 120/4 ( Marnus Labuschagne 39 , Cameron Green 6)

Change from both ends apparently, with Umesh Yadav being brought back for one final burst before stumps. Jadeja gets a break after a superb spell in which he accounted for the wickets of Steve Smith and Travis Head, the two centurions from Australia's first innings whose 285-run partnership has been the difference between the two sides so far in this game. India will hope Shami and Umesh are able to snare another wicket before the close of play. Labuschagne, meanwhile, appears to be stonewalling his way through, having faced 113 balls for his 39 so far.

22:17 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 40 overs,Australia 116/4 ( Marnus Labuschagne 36 , Cameron Green 5)

Jadeja and Shami collect a maiden each, the latter returning to for another burst with 15 minutes left in the day's play, replacing Siraj in the attack. Australia's lead, meanwhile, is 11 short of 300 at the moment.

22:10 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 38 overs,Australia 116/4 ( Marnus Labuschagne 36 , Cameron Green 5)

FOUR! Exquisite from Green, who stretches his long levers and drives a full, wide delivery from Siraj through the covers, collecting his first boundary in the process. The all-rounder will hope to get some quick runs on the board in the remaining overs of the day.

22:01 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

OUT! Jadeja dismisses Head twiced in three deliveries. While Umesh drops an easy chance at deep midwicket on the first occasion, there's no such error from Jadeja as he plucks a catch off his own bowling to dismiss the top-scorer from Australia's previous innings. AUS 111/4

Head c and b Jadeja 18(27)

21:50 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 34 overs,Australia 103/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 36 , Travis Head 10)

Back-to-back maidens for Jadeja. Head, meanwhile, collects the first maximum of the innings in the third delivery of Siraj's second over of the spell, hooking a short ball towards fine leg where Ravindra Jadeja ends up misdjudging the trajectory of the ball, taking several steps forward only to watch the ball sail over his head. What's more, it's a front-foot no-ball by Siraj, so it wouldn't have mattered even if Jadeja held on to the catch. The 100 comes up for Australia later in the over after a steep bouncer from Siraj glides over the keeper and runs away to the third man fence for four byes.

21:46 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 32 overs,Australia 90/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 35 , Travis Head 3)

Jadeja bowls out a wicket maiden after getting rid of Steve Smith at the start of his fifth over. Travis Head, Australia's hero in the first innings who turned the game on its head with an attacking approach, walks in next and Rohit opts to bring Siraj back to counter him. Head gets off the mark with a brace off Siraj and follows it up with a single.

21:33 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

OUT! Steve Smith perishes for 34, getting a thick leading edge while attempting to smash Ravindra Jadeja down the ground. Shardul Thakur settles under the ball and collects the ball safely as the solid third-wicket stand is broken. Uncharacteristic shot from Smith, one that brings about his downfall. AUS 86/3

Smith c Thakur b Jadeja 34(47)

21:31 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 30 overs,Australia 86/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 35 , Steven Smith 34)

Jadeja and Thakur continue after the drinks break, the latter collecting his first maiden in his sixth over as Labuschagne opts to block his way through the over.

21:21 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 28 overs,Australia 83/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 34 , Steven Smith 32)

Smith moves into the 30s with a streaky boundary in Jadeja's third over, getting a thick outside edge that goes past Shubman Gill at slip and runs away to third man. Tidy over from Thakur next up, with just a single coming off it. Drinks brought to the field at the end of the 28th over, with Australia's lead going past the 250-mark with eight wickets in hand.

21:16 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 26 overs,Australia 74/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 33 , Steven Smith 24)

Steve Smith brings up the fifty partnership with Marnus Labuschagne for the third wicket with a single off the final delivery of Shardul Thakur's fourth over. Excellent work by the two, who have consumed 71 balls so far and have put Australia back in control of the proceedings.

21:06 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 24 overs,Australia 68/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 31 , Steven Smith 20)

Bowling change from both ends, with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja getting introduced for the first time today, replacing Umesh. Thakur replaces Siraj from the other end, and concedes a boundary to Labuschagne first ball into the new spell, with a short-of-length delivery getting pulled towards the square leg fence.

20:58 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 22 overs,Australia 60/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 26 , Steven Smith 17)

FOUR! Absolutely glorious from Labuschagne, who gets down on one knee and drives an overpitched delivery from Siraj outside off through the gap between extra cover and mid off. He moves to 26 with that shot. Partnership's now worth 36. Siraj ends the over with a sharp bouncer that forces Labuschagne to arch his back and avoid getting hit on the helmet grille.

20:50 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 20 overs,Australia 51/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 19 , Steven Smith 15)

Labuschagne brings up the fifty for Australia by guiding a short-of-length delivery from Siraj towards third man and getting enough time to come back for a third. Decent little partnership between Labuschagne and Smith for the third wicket. Four off the 20th.

20:39 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 18 overs,Australia 46/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 16 , Steven Smith 13)

Steve Smith is off to a brisk start following Khawaja's dismissal, collecting a couple of boundaries and striking at over 100, much like Travis Head did on the opening day. And his presence suddenly has brought about a change in Labuschagne, who is timing his shots a lot better and has managed to collect a couple of fours. Meanwhile, Rohit brings Siraj back in place of Shami.

20:34 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

FOUR! Second boundary for Smith, who's off to a confident start! Gets on the backfoot and punches a short-of-length ball from Umesh outside off in front of square. AUS 44/2
 

20:32 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 16 overs,Australia 40/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 16 , Steven Smith 8)

FOUR! Pulled away by Smith towards the square leg fence after Shami fires a bouncer at him. That is followed by a boundary to Labuschagne in the final delivery of the over as he guides a full delivery along off past mid on. Nine from Shami's seventh over.

20:27 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 15 overs,Australia 31/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 12 , Steven Smith 3)

Steve Smith walks out to bat after Umesh gets Khawaja caught-behind, and gets off the mark right away after clipping the ball towards deep square-leg, getting enough time to come back for a third. Umesh follows it up with a poor delivery, a length ball fired down leg that Labuschagne tucks past the keeper towards the fine leg fence for four.

20:18 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

OUT! Khawaja gets the marching orders as Umesh strikes after tea! The opening batter perishes after poking at a fullish delivery bowled well outside off, getting an audible nick with keeper Bharat collecting the ball safely behind the stumps. Khawaja had been playing defensively for so long against Shami and Siraj, and decided to target Umesh, a move that didn't work in the end. AUS 24/2

Khawaja c Bharat b Umesh 13

20:13 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 13 overs,Australia 24/1 ( Usman Khawaja 13 , Marnus Labuschagne 8)

Change from both ends, with Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav replacing Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur respectively after tea. Shami starts off with a no-ball but keep things tidy in the remainder of the over and gets one to rear up from good length, something Siraj managed to do plenty of times earlier in the innings. Umesh begins his spell with a maiden.

20:10 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne make their way back to the centre as the final session of the 'Moving Day' gets underway at The Oval. Mohammed Shami returns to the attack, replacing Mohammed Siraj who bowled a superb five-over spell before tea. Labuschagne to face the first ball of the evening session.

19:46 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 11 overs,Australia 23/1 ( Usman Khawaja 13 , Marnus Labuschagne 8)

TEA ON DAY 3: Thakur bowls the final over of the session with keeper Srikar Bharat walking up to the stumps for a change. Safely negotiated by Labuschagne, who blocks his way through the over before collecting a single off the last delivery. Australia head to the interval with a lead of 196. Khawaja and Labuschagne, meanwhile, will hope to see off Siraj's spell and try and wear the ball out before taking the attack to the Indians.

19:39 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 10 overs,Australia 22/1 ( Usman Khawaja 13 , Marnus Labuschagne 7)

First bowling change of the innings, with Shardul Thakur replacing Shami from the Vauxhall End. Siraj, meanwhile, continues to dish out the hostile stuff to Labuschagne, getting another short-of-length delivery to kick up and hit the batter on the fingers, resulting in Labuschagne wincing in pain and requiring a quick look from the Aussie physio. Siraj follows it up with another vicious delivery that jags back in sharply and hits ML on the thigh pad, flooring him. Box office stuff this minutes before the tea interval.

19:23 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 7 overs,Australia 12/1 ( Usman Khawaja 7 , Marnus Labuschagne 3)

A second mix-up between Labuschagne and Khawaja in as many overs, this time Labuschagne being sent back by his partner after driving towards mid off, where Umesh collects the ball and promptly hits the stumps at the striker's end. Fortunately for Australia, Labuschagne managed to drag his bat past the popping crease by then. The two will need to have a discussion about their running between the wickets and their communication.

19:18 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 6 overs,Australia 12/1 ( Usman Khawaja 7 , Marnus Labuschagne 3)

FOUR! Khawaja hooks a short ball from Siraj towards the square leg fence to collect the first boundary of the innings. Earlier in the over, Labuschagne and Khawaja were involved in a mix-up following an excellent stop by Shubman Gill at gully. Gill, however, failed to throw it to skipper Rohit standing at the non-striker's end, allowing Labuschagne to dash forward and complete the single.

19:11 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 5 overs,Australia 5/1 ( Usman Khawaja 3 , Marnus Labuschagne 0)

Ideal start for India, thanks to another early strike by Siraj as he gets rid of Warner, who had collected 43 in the first innings. Out walks Labuschagne, who was snoozing in the Australian dressing room before being woken up by the collective roar of the Indian fans following Warner's dismissal. The Aussie No 3 cops a painful blow by a delivery that rears up from good length and hits him on the hand. Wicket maiden for Siraj in his second over. Khawaja, meanwhile, collects a brace off Shami's bowling in the following over after steeing the ball past gully with soft hands.

19:02 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

OUT! Mohammed Siraj gets another left-hander caught-behind with the brand new ball! This time it's David Warner who gets the marching orders after poking at the ball that moves away a tad. Clean, low grab by Bharat, who has been great behind the stumps so far in this match. AUS 2/1

Warner c Bharat b Siraj 1(8)

18:59 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 2 over,Australia 1/0 ( Usman Khawaja 1 , David Warner 0)

Mohammed Siraj steams in from the other end, and appeals confidently for caught-behind against Usman Khawaja, the man he had dismissed on the opening day in this very manner. The umpire shakes his head this time though, and skipper Rohit decides against going for the review after a word with keeper Bharat. Turns out to be a deflection off Khawaja's thigh pad. Siraj starts off with a maiden.

18:53 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 1 over,Australia 1/0 ( Usman Khawaja 1 , David Warner 0)

Usman Khawaja gets off the mark in the World Test Championship final! The southpaw, who had been dismissed for a 10-ball duck on the opening day, clips the ball behind square leg off Mohammed Shami in the fourth delivery of the innings, opening his account with a single.

18:50 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

Usman Khawaja and David Warner make their way to the centre to begin Australia's second innings, with Mohammed Shami getting ready to bowl the first over. Khawaja will hope to make up for the 10-ball duck in the first innings. Australia, meanwhile, have a 173-run lead at the moment, and will look to bat out the remaining overs of the day without much fuss to put the game beyond India's reach.

18:36 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 69.4 overs,India 296/10 ( Mohammed Siraj 0 , )

OUT! Mitchell Starc grabs the final wicket as Shami ends up poking at a short delivery from the left-arm pacer, getting a bit of his glove to the ball that results in an easy catch for keeper Alex Carey.

With that, India have been bowled out for 296, conceding a sizeable 173-run first innings lead to Australia. The lead would've been a lot more had it not been for the fighting contributions from the middle-order trio of Ajinkya Rahane (89), Shardul Thakur (51) and Ravindra Jadeja (48).

Shami c Carey b Starc 13(11)

18:33 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 69 overs,India 294/9 ( Mohammad Shami 11 , Mohammed Siraj 0)

Cameron Green thinks he's got two in two, successfully appealing for LBW against Siraj the very next delivery after getting Thakur caught-behind. And the Aussies are walking off even as Siraj signals for the review, with Usman Khawaja preparing to put the pads on and David Warner and Steve Smith almost reaching the dressing room. They are ordered to march back to their respective fielding positions are UltraEdge shows a thick spike off the inside edge. Chance for Siraj and Shami to guide India past 300.
 

18:30 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

OUT! Shardul Thakur's fighting knock finally comes to an end as he ends up nicking a full wide delivery that nips away slightly, kissing the outside edge and comfortably landing in keeper Alex Carey's gloves. Excellent knock from the all-rounder, one that gave Rahane some much-needed support, allowing India not only to avoid follow-on, but to get close to the 300-mark as well. IND 294/9

Thakur c Carey b Green 51(109)

18:23 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

FOUR! Shardul Thakur brings up his fourth Test half-century in style with an excellent drive through the gap between extra cover and mid off off a full delivery from Cummins. Takes 108 deliveries to reach the milestone, collecting six fours along the way. He'll hope to bat till the very end and try and reduce the deficit to 150 or less.

18:20 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 67 overs,India 282/8 ( Shardul Thakur 41 , Mohammad Shami 10)

FOUR! FOUR! Mohammed Shami decides to take on the Aussie attack head on, collecting back-to-back boundaries off Scott Boland not long after arriving at the crease. Produces a lovely straight drive off an overpitched delivery before getting a thick inside edge that results in the ball running away to fine leg. 11 off Boland's 20th over.

18:13 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

BOWLED! Cummins grabs his second wicket in as many overs after lunch. Umesh was looking to block this, but the ball straights and pitching along off and middle and clips the top of the stumps. IND 271/8

Umesh b Cummins 5(11)

18:11 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

FOUR! A welcome boundary from Umesh Yadav, one that helps India avoid the follow on! Dug in short outside off by Cummins, Umesh rides the bounce and plays it late to guide it through the gap between gully and backward point. IND 271/7

18:05 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 64 overs,India 265/7 ( Shardul Thakur 38 , Umesh Yadav 1)

Umesh Yadav, who has a First-Class century to his name, walks in at No 9 after Rahane's dismissal, and gets off the mark with a single off Cummins. Shardul Thakur, meanwhile, will have to bat deep if India are to get to 300-320 from here.

17:55 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

OUT! Breakthrough for Australia and it's the big wicket of Ajinkya Rahane, who departs for 89. Facing Cummins, Rahane punches away from the body but gets an edge en route to Cam Green at gully. Rahane c Green b Cummins 89

17:47 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

17:32 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has said that India need to play fearless cricket in order to win major tournaments like the WTC. “The idea is to give them confidence that even if you don’t do well, give your best. That way we will probably lift a few cups. Just play fearlessly,” Bhajji said. Click here to read more on that. 

17:17 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

Virat Kohli was trolled on social media following his dismissal for just 14 on Thursday. The former India skipper, however, took to his Instagram page to share a cryptic story in what seemed like a response to his critics. Click here to read the full story. 

17:04 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 60 overs,India 260/6 ( Ajinkya Rahane 89 , Shardul Thakur 36)

LUNCH ON DAY 3: The last over of the morning session on Day 3 is as dramatic as it can get. Pat Cummins appeals successfully for LBW against Shardul Thakur in the third delivery, only for Thakur to overturn the on-field decision after going for the review as Cummins is found to have overstepped. Australia then go for the review two balls later, this time for a possible caught-behind though UltraEdge shows nothing when the ball is passing Thakur's blade. Thakur then blocks the final ball, with Cummins kicking the ball away in frustration, telling you everything about the mood of the Aussies at the moment.

At the end of the first session on the 'Moving Day', Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur have revived India's hopes with an outstanding seventh-wicket partnership that's still going strong. The pitch hasn't exactly eased out at The Oval; those two have copped a handful of blows to their body and negotiated one challenging delivery after another to get here.

16:56 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 59 overs,India 259/6 ( Ajinkya Rahane 89 , Shardul Thakur 36)

FOUR! Ajinkya Rahane brings up the century partnership with Shardul Thakur for the seventh wicket in style, punching a back-of-length delivery from Nathan Lyon through the cover point region! The sweeper running to his right from backward point puts in a slide, but is unable to prevent the boundary. Rahane follows it up with another four two balls later, this time off a square drive.

16:51 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 58 overs,India 249/6 ( Ajinkya Rahane 80 , Shardul Thakur 35)

FOUR! Flicked away towards the backward square leg fence by Thakur after Green fires a full delivery at the leg stump. Partnership touching the three-figure mark now. Another 10 minutes to go for lunch.

16:49 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

FOUR! Nathan Lyon is introduced shortly before lunch, and Rahane welcomes him into the attack with a boundary off a lovely cover drive! IND 243/6

16:46 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 56 overs,India 239/6 ( Ajinkya Rahane 74 , Shardul Thakur 31)

DROPPED! Another chance put down by the Aussies as Rahane gets another reprieve! The senior batter gets a thick edge off a full delivery from Green, and David Warner standing at first slip makes a complete mess of the opportunity, with the ball popping out of his left hand and falling just short of keeper Carey. Rahane makes the most of the opportunity and collects a brace, moving to 72 in the process.

16:41 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

5000 runs and counting for Ajinkya Rahane in Test cricket! Jinx becomes the 12th Indian batter to go past the milestone in the Test format, getting there with a brace off Cameron Green that takes him to 70. And it has only been made possible by a fantastic run in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year as well as solid IPL, which helped bring him back in the mix in the five-day format. IND 233/6