Live Cricket Score India vs Australia 2014-15, 4th Test Day 4: Joe Burns lifts Australia’s lead to 348

LIVE: Steven Smith falls but Australia on top

Ravichandran Ashwin (extreme left) claimed two wickets first up © Getty Images

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Joe Burns scored a stroke-filled 39-ball 66, studded with eight fours and three sixes as Australia have taken their overall lead to 348 runs. In all likeliness, they will come out to bat tomorrow, add another 50-odd runs and set India a target of around 400. Here’s Nishad Pai Vaidya’s final report for the day.

Steven Smith fell after scoring a brisk 71 as Australia lost their fifth wicket. Smith completed his 10th half-century, and has also become the highest run-scorer from any sides in India-Austraila bilateral series history. Australia are cruising at the moment despite Chris Rogers’ dismmissal.

Australia have taken their overall lead past 200 in the final session on the fourth day of the final Test. Steven Smith and Chris Rogers are batting fluently at the moment, as the Indians are putting in all their energies to try and pluck out couple of more batsmen from the Australian line-up.

The hosts lost David Warner in the second session, and soon after the play resumed in the final session they lost Shane Watson. The right-handed batsman was cleaned up by R Ashwin, who bagged his second wicket in the innings. Earlier, India were bowled out for 475 as Australia have taken a crucial lead of 97 runs. In their second innings, Australia lost their key man David Warner, dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin in the second over of the innings. While India will be happy to have brought down the difference to only 97 runs after the first innings, the ball is now in Australia’s court as to how they decide to go about their job in this game. The pitch remains excellent for the batsmen, and it will be interesting to see if there are another 20 wickets falling in the remainder of the game.

Australia were right back on top as they were still ahead by more than 100 runs and managed to remove Ravichandran Ashwin as well, who batted extremely well to bring up his fourth half-century in Test cricket. Umpiring standards continue to be a debate in the series as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was batting so well with Ravichandran Ashwin, has been declared out in what seems to be a shocking decision. He added 65 runs with Ashwin to keep Australia at bay.

They started off well in the second session, and have also brought up their half-century stand for the eighth wicket. Australia’s lead is coming down slowly and steadily. The pitch is still supportive to the batsmen and India will hope that their tail is up for the challenge of spending time on the wicket.

India avoided the follow-on but the lack of fight shown by their tail in the recent past would be a worrying factor. Australia would be aiming for a big lead as the deficit is less than 200 runs now. Josh Hazlewood returned to get rid of the overnight batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who was looking extremely positive in the middle. Saha batted very well for his 96-ball 35 but he was surprised by a sharp bouncer which he failed to evade. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has walked in to join Ravichandran Ashwin, and India will hope that there are no more wickets hereon till lunch.

Big blow to India early on Day Four as Ryan Harris struck to remove their main batsman Virat Kohli, who is caught by Chris Rogers at short midwicket for 147. Kohli faced 230 balls and struck 20 fours to score a fine 147, but India pare still behind by more than 200 runs and they have an uphill task hereon. Kohli added 60 runs from about 20 overs with Wriddhiman Saha to keep Australians at bay. But with their in-form skipper back in the pavilion, India were in trouble. Australia would certainly be sensing opportunity to inflict an innings defeat — in case they earn a big lead in the first eassay. The pitch still remains supportive to the batsmen.

End of play on Day Four with Australia being in control for most of the game. Joe Burns smashed a quickfire 69 and his knock has helped Australia get the much-needed boost.

Joe Burns and Brad Haddin are in aggressive mode as well, picking up boundaries and smashing sixes at will. Australia’s overall lead is well past 300 runs now.

Steven Smith falls agonisingly close to a record by Sunil Gavaskar, which remains intact. Gavaskar holds the record of scoring most runs in a series — 774 — and Smith has fallen after scoring 770 runs in this series. Mohammed Shami traps the Australian skipper in front of the wickets. Only Viv Richards (829) and Sunil Gavaskar (774) have scored more runs in four Tests in a series, though both men missed a Test in a five-Test series.

OUT! S Smith lbw b Shami 71 (70)

Australian run-machine Steven Smith completed his 10th half-century, became the highest run-scorer in the history of India-Australia series and also scored his 750th run. Australia are scoring at a brisk rate but have also lost couple of wickets. Shaun Marsh has yet another failure.

OUT! S Marsh c Vijay b Ashwin 1 (4)

Steven Smith has just scored his 750th run in the series | #INDvsAUS 4th Test at #Sydney — http://t.co/3t5DaBn01F

— CricketCountry (@cricket_country) January 9, 2015

What an achievement this is! Chris Rogers was looking completely out of sorts at the start of this series, but he has bounced back and today he has completed his sixth half-century on a trot. Soon after the feat, Rogers is caught in the deep as his final knock at home ends on 56.

OUT! C Rogers c Raina b Bhuvneshwar 56 (77)

55, 55, 57, 69, 95, 52* Chris Rogers joins Mark Taylor & Phil Jacques as the 3rd Australian opener to hit 6 consecutive Test half-centuries! — Victoria Bushrangers (@bushrangers) January 9, 2015

Chris Rogers is perhaps batting for the final time in Test cricket at home, and he is not going to miss the opportunity of notching up a big score. Australia’s lead has gone past 200 and they have also crossed the 100-run mark in their second innings. Meanwhile, dark clouds are hovering over the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Australia are taking on the challenge as they are scoring at a brisk rate. Their overall lead is closing on 200 and it will be interesting to see as to how much they end up adding by the end of the day. Umesh Yadav is into the attack and his struggle with line and length continues. Four boundaries hit in the over, Smith hit three of them.

R Ashwin has provided India the second breakthrough as Shane Watson played one onto his wickets. Play resumed post tea break and India’s plans to continue with Ashwin have paid off. India are attacking the Australians, who too are looking to reply back in the same manner. Steven Smith is the new man in.

OUT! S Watson b Ashwin 16 (17)

Here’s the tea report with Australia continue to have the edge over India.

It’s time for the tea break with Australia extending their overall lead to 135 runs. India would be coming out aggressively in the second session as well.

All of a sudden, both India and Australia have started playing for a result here. Few minutes ago the game was heading towards a draw but it seems like both the sides want to force a result here at the SCG. India are attacking with their line and lengths and aggressive fielding, with Australia counter-attacking with scoring shots. There was a mix-up as well, and had Wriddhiman Saha not erred in collecting the ball, Watson could have been back in the hut.

STATS ALERT: Steven Smith has broken Sir Donald Bradman’s record of most runs (715) in any India-Australia bilateral series.

“Watson was way out. That would have been two fa.” – @mj_slats. Missed run out for India. #PinkTest #AUSvIND #WWOS pic.twitter.com/TME5plBRb9 — Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) January 9, 2015

My India Test side – M Vijay, S Dhawan, C Pujara, V Kohli, A Rahane, K Rahul, W Saha, R Ashwin, R Ashwin, R Ashwin, R Ashwin — Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) January 9, 2015

What a brilliant thought by India to attack the Australians first up, and that too with a spinner! Ravichandran Ashwin has removed the dangerman David Warner in his first over, dashing Australia’s hopes of a brisk start here. Game on!

OUT! D Warner c Vijay b Ashwin 4 (5)

India’s tail doesn’t last long as Umesh Yadav has been dismissed by Ryan Harris, but not before the tired Australian outfit decided to take the third new ball to get rid of the last batsman. Australia take a crucial lead.

OUT! U Yadav c Haddin b Harris 4 (9)

Ravichandran Ashwin’s innings comes to an end but not before the batsman brings up his fourth half-century in Test cricket. Ashwin batted extremely well for his 111-ball 50, but erred by going after a Mitchell Starc delivery which was way outside the off-stump. Australia right back on top!

OUT! R Ashwin c Haddin b Starc 50 (111)

My word. How on earth is that out? #AUSvIND — Trent Copeland (@copes9) January 9, 2015

“@mipaltan: Ek tappi out? Mumbai’s gully cricket rules are now being applied @ International level #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/rGmsdURF1F” — Indian Cricket News (@IndiaCricNews) January 9, 2015

OUT! Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been dismissed in what seems to be yet another atrocious decision against the Indians on this tour. Nathan Lyon pitched it outside the off-stump, with the ball hitting the crease. Bhuvneshwar threw his bat at it as he saw an opportunity to score. The ball hit the bottom of the bat, and the TV replays showed the ball also hit the ground before Shane Watson collected it in the first slip. None of the Australians were very excited about it, but the umpires put the ball in the TV umpire’s court, who has perhaps ended up making an erroneous decision.

OUT! B Kumar c Watson b Lyon 30 (75)

Just bat out this session and then see……. #AusvInd — Pitch Invasion (@pitchinv) January 9, 2015

Fine effort by Ravichandran Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have completed their 50-run stand for the eighth wicket. India are doing just the right work as they are slowly and steadily getting down the deficit which was looking very scary at one point of time.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar collects six runs off the first over post lunch from Ryan Harris. India need to be positive here in this session, there are no troubles for batsmen and the Indians must look ahead to spend time on the wicket rather than going for their shots.

Here’s the report of the first session, which both the teams shared on Day 4.

The very fact that the Australians failed to break the stubborn stand between R Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for last 13.4 overs proves that the pitch is a paradise for batting, and as more the Indians continue to score runs, the hosts will be forced to change their strategies. Australia can be expected to come out very strong and try and earn a 100-plus lead. Time for lunch at the SCG.

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Both Ravichandran Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have done well so far, reducing the deficit slowly and not allowing Australia to make more damages. Bhuvneshwar has not looked to score runs so far yet, indicating that he has come out with the clear message of spending time on the wicket and score only on the lose deliveries. India have gone past the 400-run mark.

Kumar has hard hands while defending Lyon. Expecting a bat-pad catch next over of Lyon. — Gav_Joshi_Aus (@Gampa_cricket) January 9, 2015

Wriddhiman Sahawas looking extremely positive, keeping the Australians at bay. But he has been dismissed by Josh Hazlewood who surprises the batsman with a quick bouncer. India lose their seventh wicket and it’s time for their tail to show some resistance now.

OUT! W Saha c Smith b Hazlewood 35 (96)

Wriddhiman Saha is looking positive there in the middle. He played a fine straight drive to get a four off Mitchell Starc. The bowler then tested him with a couple of bouncers aiming towards his head. The Indian batsmen did extremely well to keep the trouble out of the way.

Huge, huge blow for India as their captain and main batsman Virat Kohli has been dismissed by Ryan Harris. Kohli tries to flick one on the pads on the leg side but finds Chris Rogers at short midwicket. Kohli’s resistance ends at 147 off 230 balls and 20 fours, but India still continue to reel under pressure of the humongous total Australia have put up.

OUT! V Kohli c Rogers b Harris 147 (230)

Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s coverage of Day Four of the fourth and final Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday. I am Devarchit Varma, and I will be bringing you the live updates from the match.

Virat Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha were the overnight batsmen for India, leading the visitors to 342 for five at stumps on Day Three, still trailing Australia by 230 runs. Kohli and Saha added exactly 50 for the sixth wicket after Shane Watson claimed two quick wickets, getting rid of Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina off successive balls to leave India reeling. While Rahane was given out LBW to a contentious decision, Raina disappointed by chasing a wide ball and getting caught behind for a first-ball duck. READ: Highlights of Day Three of fourth Test

Virat Kohli scored the 10th Test century of his career, while KL Rahul compiled the first century of his career, making an excellent 110. Kohli completed his fourth ton in this series, in the process becoming only the second Indian batsman after the legendary Sunil Gavaskar to do so. However, Rahul was dropped earlier by Steven Smith after the spider-cam distracted the Australian skipper. READ: KL Rahul saved by the spider-cam

Rahul brought up his century with a boundary off Mitchell Starc, having faced 253 deliveries. He hit 11 fours and a big six — which brought a huge smile to Kohli’s face — en route to his century. He added 97 runs with Rohit Sharma and over a 100 with Kohli, as India consolidated after an early loss.

Rohit brought up only the second half-century of his Test career with a boundary off the bowling of Ryan Harris. But as usual, was dismissed after getting well set. He was bowled by Nathan Lyon to a delivery that turned in sharply and kept low for 53 runs. IN PHOTOS: India vs Australia, 4th Test at Sydney

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