1st Test (D/N), Adelaide, Dec 16 - Dec 20 2020

(89 ov)233/6
stumps

A most engrossing return to Test cricket for both these teams, let's hope it stays that way through the rest of this Test match and series. Australia are ahead at the moment, but not irretrievably so for India

What a day of cricket. Terrific bowling from Australia's five-man attack, but there was some high-quality batting from India's three most experienced batsmen too. At 188 for 3 you would have said India were slightly ahead, but a run-out at the most inopportune moment, with the new ball minutes away, opened the door for Australia, and they barged through with Starc and Hazlewood picking up two quick wickets. Ashwin and Saha, however, have put on a useful 27, and if they can extend this partnership through at least the first half hour tomorrow, India could push towards a reasonable first-innings total. This is an interesting pitch: bouncy - with the odd ball climbing especially steeply - but not particularly quick, with quite a few edges not carrying to the cordon. It might be the sort of pitch India's fast bowlers could enjoy, where they bowl at the stumps rather than hanging it out in the corridor. For now, though, I'd say Australia are the happier side.

AngeloMathews will miss the Test series in South Africa as Sri Lanka named squads for England, South Africa Tests