Key occasions
forty second over: Pakistan 166-5 (Rizwan 74, Salman 25) Rizwan, rinse one! Sloggo sweepo from the keepo, kneeroll to the bottom as he lumps Lyon a mile over deep midwicket. Goes in the identical path for brace, then slaps one by means of cowl, and that’s after he and Salman began the over with singles. Eleven from it.
forty first over: Pakistan 155-5 (Rizwan 64, Salman 24) Starc to bowl from the Paddington End, two slips and a gully for Rizwan with a deeo pooint and an extended leg. None related as he drills a wonderful straight drive! Starc can get full, and Rizwan slots it again previous him with bottom-handed energy. Hot. Hits the subsequent one simply as firmly however proper at mid on.
fortieth over: Pakistan 150-5 (Rizwan 59, Salman 24) Made 50 in Melbourne, and Salman Agha is up for extra, getting down for a muscular sweep towards Lyon for 4. Carey resets the sphere. Deep sq. leg, quick advantageous leg. So Salman advances and hits straighter, over midwicket this time! Four. Smokes his subsequent on drive, too, however straight on the midwicket fielder.
thirty ninth over: Pakistan 141-5 (Rizwan 58, Salman 16) Shot, lad. Salman goes again to Hazlewood and flicks him stylishly off the pads for 4. Then pulls a shorter one to advantageous leg for 2. Runs coming comfortably when photographs are performed right here. Ball approaching properly. I’m tipping Australia for a giant one once they bat.
thirty eighth over: Pakistan 135-5 (Rizwan 58, Salman 10) Thanks Gus. Here we’re, superb sunshine in Sydney as it’s yearly, and Rizwan producing just a few rays for Pakistan after a depressing begin. He picks off Lyon for a pair off the hip, after buying and selling singles with Salman Agha.
thirty seventh over: Pakistan 131-5 (Rizwan 55, Salman 9) FIFTY for Rizwan! Nice option to do it too, kinking the knees to Hazlewood and swivelling right into a pull shot that pierces the sphere and races to the boundary. Great combating innings from Rizwan – his ninth Test fifty has come from 74 balls and has put some a lot wanted metal into this Pakistan innings. Hazlewood exhibits his appreciation for Rizwan’s efforts with a bouncer that will get Salman ducking. But Salman bounces again with an on drive that yields three runs. This partnership is as much as 35 from 89 balls, a beneficial one for the guests.
That’s me finished for the day. Thanks in your firm and see you on the morrow. Geoff Lemon will deliver you dwelling.
thirty sixth over: Pakistan 122-5 (Rizwan 49, Salman 6) Pakistan’s run-rate is a resolute 3.38 which exhibits that, regardless of 5 of them being rolled, at the least they’re not rattled. Rizwan is batting fantastically, hanging at 70 and shutting in on a advantageous half-century. Salman has survived just a few overs and slapped a boundary so Pakistan have some hope.
thirty sixth over: Pakistan 122-5 (Rizwan 49, Salman 6) Wide from Lyon and WHACK goes Rizwan. The GOAT rips one into the tough in revenge and there’s a half shout earlier than the echo of bat makes it a convincing non-review. Rizwan celebrates by sweeping for one more 4, reaching means down the wicket to catch it on the bounce and ship it to the fence.
thirty fifth over: Pakistan 113-5 (Rizwan 40, Salman 6) A Rizwan single from the primary places Salman on strike and he’s crushed badly as Hazlewood hoops one off a size with a scramble seam. Just when one other maiden appears inevitable Salman breaks the shackles, on-driving handsomely for 4.
thirty fourth over: Pakistan 108-5 (Rizwan 39, Salman 2) Almost a catch! Salman swiped throughout the road to Lyon however the high edge fell wanting the person shut in. Scoring has slowed to a trickle right here as Australia flip the screws and Salman tries desperately to get his eye in.
thirty third over: Pakistan 107-5 (Rizwan 37, Salman 2) Like Batman and the Creature with the Atom Brain, Josh Hazlewood returns. He can sniff a tailender like a fox can odor a hen with a limp and had been whirling his arms in warmup to inform his captain as a lot. Sure sufficient, after leaking a single to Rizwan first ball, he will get one thing to shout about on his third, clipping the highest of Salman’s pad. Onfield determination is YEAH NAH however Australia choose to evaluation. Even then it’s not out, flying a good way over center peg. That’s one other evaluation burned. Just one remaining for Australia now.
thirty second over: Pakistan 106-5 (Rizwan 38, Salman 2) Marsh’s two wickets in 10 balls (one legitimate, one scrubbed) are rewarded with a uncommon fourth straight over. Well earned too. He is various his tempo and discovering bounce, sending by means of a six demon bag of line balls, bouncers and tempters and it’s obtained Pakistan on the hop.
thirty first over: Pakistan 106-5 (Rizwan 37, Salman 2) Rizwan gained’t relent! He’s misplaced his captain however he hasn’t misplaced his nerve, slapping a full ball from Cummins again down the bottom for a 4. Lovely on drive! Then he doubles down, whipping the Australian skipper by means of midwicket for one more boundary. Good batting by the gloveman!
WICKET! Masood c Smith b Marsh 35 (Pakistan 96-5)
Marsh will get Masood! That was good bowling and dangerous batting. The mud was simply deciding on a close to run-out and Marsh rushed in and put a candy fizzer outdoors off. Masood lunged at it with a flashing bat that flinched and caught a thick edge which flew to Steve Smith at second slip. Marsh solid a cheeky look again on the umpire to make sure he hadn’t overstepped once more and will rejoice. He can. Not so Pakistan, who’ve misplaced their skipper for the second time in 10 balls – and with it, a complete lot of hope.
thirtieth over: Pakistan 98-5 (Rizwan 28, Salman 0) Almost a run-out! Rizwan pushed his palms at Marsh’s first ball and stuttered just a little as Labuschagne swooped at midwicket after which threw down the stumps. He seemed dwelling but it surely’s shut sufficient to warrant a re-examination from the third umpire, Yep, properly dwelling. Masood’s snick off has introduced Salman to the crease and formally revealed Pakistan’s tail.
twenty ninth over: Pakistan 95-4 (Masood 35, Rizwan 28) Captain to captain as Cummins cruises in to the stately Masood. The dapper Kuwait-born left-hander has gained many followers on this primary tour as chief together with his high-tempo batting and statesmanlike dealings with press and public. He swishes at a wider fifth ball but it surely misses and in addition evades the sting. It’s a maiden.
twenty eighth over: Pakistan 95-4 (Masood 35, Rizwan 28) Marsh to Masood and the skipper drives deep for a single. Rizwan crouches, able to pounce at these cleverly disguised 126kph half-trackers. But Marsh has guile beneath his brawn and to show it he pushes the fourth ball by means of shorter at 133kph, sending Rizwan again on his heels. Rizwan leaves a tempter on the final. Be good to see Marsh get an honest spell right here but it surely’ll seemingly be one other transient cameo earlier than the frontline stars return.
twenty seventh over: Pakistan 95-4 (Masood 34, Rizwan 28) Almost chops on! Rizwan stabbed at a straight third supply from Cummins’ seventh over and virtually chopped it onto his leg stump. He will get a single earlier than Masood doers likewise and Rizwan pinches two from the final.
twenty sixth over: Pakistan 90-4 (Masood 32, Rizwan 25) Wicket for Marsh?! Rizwan greeted the massive allrounder with a thick edge over gully. Game on! After three extra runs Masood went massive on the fifth supply and edged actually to second slip. Wicket! No, a no ball. Marsh throws again his head and grins ruefully on the overstep and captain Masood does equally, albeit sheepishly.
twenty fifth over: Pakistan 80-4 (Masood 32, Rizwan 17) Cummins crunched by Rizwan! A hearty lunch breeds a hearty shot because the ‘keeper-batter bashes the Australian skipper backward of point. A single to follow says Australia might have their hands full in this second session.
That rough and ready footage of the great Allan Border claiming 11-for at the SCG with what he humbly described as his “left-arm nothings” has jarred a lot of memories loose for readers.
“I was there when Border took his 8 for at the SCG,” writes Adrian Kinslor. “He was as surprised as anyone, though that West Indian team of greats was always susceptible to spun. A great day.”
Adrian recalls it was a turning point for Border’s younger aspect. “Australia had already lost the first three of a five-Test series in December, but had unexpectedly won the 50 over B&H tri-series and went into the game with some confidence. They won this and the subsequent Test and trotted off to England in May with self-belief. Widely derided by the Poms in the press as ‘the worst team to tour England’, they smashed England 4-0 in that 1989 series and did not look back.”
Ah pleased days they had been too, notably after the lean years of the early-to-mid 80s.
The AB clip reminded Brand King “of the time at the Gabba back in the early 90s when, following a day’s play in the Test, me and a few mates got ourselves onto the hallowed turf and started playing a game in front of the player’s pavilion. A handful of youngsters joined in as the players watched on. Suspecting these might be children of the Baggy Green elite, I asked one his name. ‘Dene Border’ he replied innocently, before puffing out his chest with pride and telling me his claim to fame: “My Dad knows Merv Hughes!”
LUNCH: Pakistan are 75 for 4 after successful the toss on the SCG
It took two deliveries for Australia to land the primary blow of the third Test, and one other six earlier than the 1-2 mixture got here collectively in superb fashion. Two wickets – one to Mitchell Starc, the opposite to Josh Hazlewood – inside two overs kicked off the primary session of this Pink Test and one other two scalps shortly afterward to captain Pat Cummins despatched Pakistan to lunch in serious trouble. Even then, the guests confirmed braveness to land some counter punches, combating again by means of Babar Azam and Shan Masood. Now, with the feisty Mohammad Rizwan on his captain’s hip, the fightback is on!
Will Pakistan proceed to rally after lunch to maintain alive their hopes of a primary Test win in Australia since 1995? Or will the house aspect’s bowlers blast them out to present Man of the Moment David Warner a bat on day one of his remaining Test earlier than retirement? We’ll discover out in a sizzling half hour.
twenty fourth over: Pakistan 75-4 (Masood 32, Rizwan 12) As Nathan Lyon wheels in for a remaining over earlier than the break, David Warner has two saggy greens on his head to sub for the 2 he’s misplaced. One is his alternative cap for this Test, and different is Nathan Lyon’s. After a tidy over, Rizwan works the final fizzer off his hip to sneak a run and retain strike after lunch. Here endeth the session.
twenty third over: Pakistan 73-4 (Masood 31, Rizwan 11) Starc will get one other over earlier than lunch and with Rizwan’s latest six and his propensity for chancing his hand irrespective of the scoreline, why not? Sure sufficient, having survived a peach on the third, Rizwan opens up lavishly to whack a large one down the bottom. But the contact isn’t flush and the sphere is tight so it’s a maiden.
twenty second over: Pakistan 73-4 (Masood 31, Rizwan 11) The Hoff has Masood enjoying and lacking once more on this over. The Pakistan chief has to carry his nerve as dropping his wicket earlier than the lunch break could be disastrous. But he additionally has to take care of his optimistic air, backing himself with quick palms and sharp eyes. He does each to the ultimate supply, spinning and slotting Hazlewood to the fence with nice fashion.
twenty first over: Pakistan 68-4 (Masood 27, Rizwan 10) In the air… however protected! Starc shot it broad, luring Masood to have a crack at it earlier than lunch and he did. But regardless of not middling the ball optimistic intent alone despatched it flying broad of the person at level and rolling to the rope for a much-needed boundary. Good contest right here – a brand new captain combating a rearguard motion and a fast-bowling beast slavering for a second scalp earlier than his dwelling followers. Masood takes one other two. But Starc switches the narrative subsequent ball as he strikes Masood on the knee roll. Big shout. Onfield determination is NOT OUT however Australia evaluation… unsuccessfully as replays present it hitting outdoors the road.
twentieth over: Pakistan 62-4 (Masood 21, Rizwan 10) Rizwan rips a SIX! Hazlewood steamed in and put his first ball on a shorter size aimed toward center stump. It was a superb supply however Rizwan likes to rumble. He obtained low and swung arduous and excessive to ship it into the group behind backward sq.. Great shot by The Riz!
nineteenth over: Pakistan 54-4 (Masood 19, Rizwan 4) Double bowling change for Australia as Mitchell Starc comes on for a second spell and is labored for 2 by Masood. Good timing too as a result of Gary Naylor has emailed in to ask: “Do the Aussies not sledge any more? Patrick Cummins came across as very decent, very bookish in season two of The Test, more likely to quote Yuval Noah-Harai than let loose some earthy Anglo-Saxon. Perhaps Davy Warner will give it a last hurrah? But let’s hope not.”
Interesting query, Gary. Mitchell Starc loves a mutter however Pat Cummins tends to let his bowling do the speaking. That mentioned, when Pakistan took the ascendancy in Melbourne final week, the usually calm Cummins was briefly decreased to mouthing just a few frustrations the best way of the Pakistan batters. I’m no lip reader but it surely seemed rather a lot like he was reminding them of Yuval Noah-Harai’s well-known phrases: “Ignorance by itself is not too dangerous. If you combine it with power, this is a toxic mix. For thousands of years, we have gained the power to control the world outside us but not to control the world inside. You could stop a river from flowing, but you could not stop your body from becoming old.”
Well that’s what it seemed like from a budget seats.
18th over: Pakistan 54-4 (Masood 19, Rizwan 4) As Hazlewood replaces Lyon on the Randwick finish and delivers a sometimes miserly maiden over, Arthur Mühlen-Schulte has been in contact from Punta Arenas in Patagonia with a ripping David Warner reminiscence:
“As a not-particularly-successful 12th Man in the Waverley under-14s with Steve Warner’s team, I had the privilege of whiling away my time chucking balls at his insistent 7-8 year old kid brother Davey, who was wielding a bat on the edge of the field in Moore Park. He middled every one like a hyperactive ninja and should have replaced me on the team!”
That’s a picture that rings true, Arthur! Any different junior matadors who duelled with the younger “Bull” Warner on the market?
seventeenth over: Pakistan 54-4 (Masood 19, Rizwan 4) Masood appears good. Here he swivels to Cummins and pulls advantageous whereas rolling his wrists over the ball to maintain it down. Too good a shot for a single however each run counts when your team is four-down for 54. Cummins has 2-16 from his 5 overs and is main Australia’s cost to victory but once more.
sixteenth over: Pakistan 52-4 (Masood 18, Rizwan 3) New batter Rizwan twinkles these toes and slaps Lyon for a single down the bottom. The 31-year-old wicjketkeeper-batter from Peshawar has one other rescue mission on his palms right here. Can he and Captain Masood regular the itemizing ship?
fifteenth over: Pakistan 49-4 (Masood 16, Rizwan 0) Shakeel’s wicket brings Rizwan to the crease. He’s a busy batter with bugger-all to lose right here so we’d see fireworks except Shan Masood can calm him down. Babar’s enterprising counterattack was swinging the momentum again to the guests earlier than Cummins coolly snatched it again for the house aspect.
WICKET! Shakeel c Carey b Cummins 5 (Pakistan 47-4)
Cummins strikes once more! Shakeel had labored him for 2 from the primary ball however Cummins had a plan and the second ball lured the batter in. The supply was a fraction quicker, just a little wider however the scrambled seam bewitched it and Shakeel prodded with out shifting his ft and Cummins zipped it again in, caught a faint edge and Carey gloved the simple probability.
14th over: Pakistan 45-3 (Masood 16, Shakeel 3) Lyon returns and Masood carves him into the covers however the area is tight and no runs outcome. They lastly sneak a few singles as Lyon searches in useless for motion. This isn’t the pitch of AB’s 11-for, it’s a flatter observe the place bat dominates.
thirteenth over: Pakistan 43-3 (Masood 15, Shakeel 2) Cummins to Masood and he runs a single. That brings Shakeel on strike. The 28-year-old from Karachi made his debut in 2022 and boasts a Test common of 68 and he exhibits why right here swatting handsomely for 2. Cummins digs the subsequent one just a little shorter however this curious SCG pitch doesn’t flip it right into a bouncer, as an alternative it stays low and Shakeel doesn’t duck and doesn’t play – it hits him flush on the shoulder earlier than ricocheting into his helmet. Ouch! The Australians are asking after his welfare however Shakeel is in ache and we’ll pause for therapy and a few helmet protocols. Pakistan have been hit usually on this collection, most of it because of dodgy footwork, wavering eye contact with the bouncing ball and poor ducking approach.
twelfth over: Pakistan 39-2 (Masood 13, Shakeel 0) The GOAT is on. Saud Shakeel is the brand new batter however it is going to be their new inclusion, specialist spinner Sajid Khan, who will likely be watching simply as carefully, hoping to see a number of the fabled flip from this Sydney Cricket Ground wicket. As Shakeel tries to stave off a second ball by citing a flapping blanket on the Paddington finish as distraction let’s revisit Allan Border’s 11-for on this floor in ‘88-89…
WICKET! Babar lbw Cummins 26 (Pakistan 39-3)
Cummins strikes! It was a faster ball that swung back in to Babar and he thrust bat and pad at it but only got the bottom half of the latter. Cummins had a shout but must’ve thought it was lacking leg. It was Alex Carey who insisted he evaluation it, and aren’t Australia glad they did! It’s hitting midway up. Danger man Babar Azam is out and Pakistan are again in bother.
eleventh over: Pakistan 39-2 (Masood 13, Babar 26) Almost an edge! Cummins has switched to across the wicket and hist first ball of a second over pitched outdoors off and jagged again to virtually take the highest of Masood’s center peg. After going for an uncharacteristic six runs in his first over, the skipper has discovered his line. Masood is aware of it too and runs a single. Babar faces the music and it’s as much as 11 as Cummins zeroes one in on the pads and a giant enchantment goes up. Onfield determination is NOT OUT however Australia, at wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s insistence, will evaluation the choice…
tenth over: Pakistan 38-2 (Masood 12, Babar 26) Hazlewood rolls in once more, serene and stylish from twenty paces. And there’s an edge from Babar… but it surely bounces earlier than Smith and he makes it an impressive save to cease 4 runs. No one stops this 4 although as Hazlewood digs it in brief and Babar finds it rising benignly and proper within the slot for a ful-blooded pull shot to the fence. Good aggressive, opportunistic batting by Babar!
ninth over: Pakistan 34-2 (Masood 12, Babar 22) Here comes Pat Cummins together with his first spell of the Test. Fresh from his superb 10-for in Melbourne, the Australian captain eases into his dwelling Test with a 130kph half-volley however a full-length dive from Travis Head stops runs. No such luck on the second as Masood works him away for 2 after which single. The fourth ball is to Babar and the little No 4 on drives for 4. Tough shot however he nailed it, splitting the fielders and forcing Cummins to go across the wicket.
eighth over: Pakistan 28-2 (Masood 9, Babar 19) Hazlewood hurling it in at 130kph however Pakistan are eager to the hazard and have agency defences prepared. Masood works one off his ribs for a pair then steals a single to maintain the run charge shifting at higher than three per over.
seventh over: Pakistan 25-2 (Masood 6, Babar 19) BANG goes Babar! Starc went broad of the crease and the right-hander from Lahore carved it away for 4. After a gradual begin, the previous Pakistan captain is now properly in his stride. And he goes once more from the ultimate ball as Starc goes wider and Babar strides out to fulfill it on the up, rocketing it to the rope for one more 4 by means of covers. Great shot Babar!
sixth over: Pakistan 16-2 (Masood 5, Babar 11) Babar Azam and Josh Hazlewood face off once more. These two have duelling since they had been teenage tearaways with Hazlewood very a lot holding the higher hand. The massive man from Tamworth has had Babar’s measure on this collection, usually pinning him on the crease with tight traces and getting him swishing earlier than then dangling a wider ball inside his attain and getting Babar edging to slips. Four balls into the over, Hazlewood performs that card however this time Babar is prepared stepping down and driving handsomely to the boundary, his first of the day.
fifth over: Pakistan 12-2 (Masood 5, Babar 7) Straight ball meets straight bat as Babar punches Starc down the bottom for a pair. Starc’s response is an inswinger pitched on the bootlaces. Babar works it away for a single. Masood swipes on the subsequent one and Babar backs up midway down the pitch earlier than his captain curtly sends him again. Good name with Marnus Labuschagne swooping in and sending the return whereas spinning on his knees.
4th over: Pakistan 9-2 (Masood 5, Babar 4) A swat… however a dot! Babar all the time comes out with a optimistic intent however this state of affairs will check him. Pakistan have proven they’ll match it with Australia’s bowlers however have they got the persistence and the problem-solving talents to mount an early counter-attack on Australia with their tail up. Babar runs a single whereas they suppose it over.
third over: Pakistan 8-2 (Masood 5, Babar 3) Masood scampers a single from Starc’s first supply to take his complete – and Pakistan’s – to 5 runs albeit at the price of two top-order wickets. Now Babar will face Starc – two aggressive cricketers eager to renew hostilities. Will Babar, a 51-Test tyro play his pure recreation and assault? He does, reaching out for a Starc broad ball and scudding it by means of gully for 3. With a pitch doing lots, two uptempo batters on the crease and an Australian bowling assault on fireplace, this will likely be a energetic first session.
2nd over: Pakistan 4-2 (Masood 4, Babar 0) Beautiful day in Sydney and exquisite bowling by Australia has lit up Day 1. Hazlewood finishes with a maiden and Pakistan’s greatest batters, captain Masood and No 4 Babar Azam have an enormous process in entrance of them.
WICKET! Ayub c Carey b Hazlewood 0 (Pakistan 4-2)
Another massive edge on the second ball of an over, this time from Hazlewood’s first over, and the 21-year-old debutant Saim Ayub is OUT! Horror begin for Pakistan and a sensational one for Australia with each openers again within the pavillion after eight deliveries!
WICKET! Shafique c Smith b Starc 0 (Pakistan 1-0)
Edged second ball! An enormous outswinger and Shafique’s horror collection continues as Australia get off to a dream begin in 2024! That was one other dangerous stroke by the opener whose palms – as batter and catcher (or non-catcher, because it had been) – have gotten him into loads of bother on this collection.
1st over: Pakistan 4-1 (Ayub 0, Masood 4) Here we go, people! Mitchell Starc has the brand new ball and he’s thundering in to Shafique. David Warner, who took the sphere together with his three daughters carrying Australia Test shirts with “Warner 31” on the again, is within the slips carrying a brand new saggy inexperienced together with his previous ones nonetheless MIA. After Shafique’s second ball dismissal, new batter and Pakistan captain Shan Masood hits again with a 4.
Players have taken to the sphere and a wholesome SCG crowd is applauding David Warner for a remaining time whereas nursing a obscure disappointment they aren’t watching him pad as much as bat on this first session. Uncle Allen Madden, Gadigal elder, is issuing a sometimes evocative Welcome to Country. Here come the anthems. Surely Warner will shed a tear?
For those that got here in late… The Guardian’s Geoff Lemon has this primer for the third Test
COIN TOSS: Pakistan have gained the toss on the SCG and can bat
Pakistan captain Shan Masood has referred to as appropriately and his boys will put the pads on. Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins admits he would’ve made the identical name however with a bowling assault like his, I doubt he’ll thoughts rolling the arm over on his dwelling floor.
Here are the groups, with Australia unchanged and some adjustments for Pakistan with Afridi being rested, Imam dropped, Saim Ayub making his Test debut and Sajid Khan coming in.
Australia: 1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Mitchell Marsh 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Pat Cummins (capt), 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan: 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Agha Salman, 8 Sajid Khan, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Mir Hamza, 11 Aamer Jamal
Preamble
Hello cricket followers and welcome to the third collection outing between Australia and Pakistan, the fabled ‘Pink Test’ on the Sydney Cricket Ground. Angus Fontaine right here underneath sunny Sydney skies to usher you thru the opening periods with Geoff Lemon to deliver you dwelling.
Australia lead this entertaining collection 2-0 but it surely may have been so totally different had Pakistan not let the second Test slip by means of their fingers in Melbourne. The guests batted and bowled with braveness and aptitude to land some severe punches on the world Test champions. But these fists of fury additionally dropped David Warner within the second over of the match then fumbled an edge from Mitchell Marsh within the second innings which could’ve put Australia to the sword 47-5. Those deadly fumbles value Pakistan essential runs, cruelled hard-earned ascendency and misplaced them a match finally determined by solely 79 runs.
That loss was rivalled this week by David Warner’s saggy inexperienced cap going MIA. As he flew from Melbourne to Sydney for his remaining Test match earlier than retirement, the 112-Test veteran had the misfortune of getting his backpack – during which his caps had been saved – stolen from his suitcase. A nationwide cap-hunt has ensued as airways, lodges, freight firms scoured CCTV for clues and Warner issued an emotional plea for its return.
Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has referred to as on whoever purloined the prized artefact at hand it in earlier than the primary ball is bowled this morning. “A missing baggy green? Well, that’s just not cricket!” the PM texted this morning. “Davey’s earned the right to wear his one final time. If you can help, let’s make it happen.” Can Guardian readers assist on this sacred quest? Drop me a line when you’ve got data on the cap’s whereabouts, or when you merely wish to wax on Warner himself – massive hits, nice recollections, numerous scandals – or on the motion quickly to return.
Can Pakistan hit again right here? Or will Australia’s golden season proceed? We’ll be again with the groups and coin toss shortly.
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