2 days Ago
Stump mic has revealed Australia’s cheeky build-up to the wicket of Shubman Gill on the last ball before lunch on Day 1 of the fifth Test in Sydney, with the hosts having the ultimate last laugh. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
India’s start to the series finale had already been chaotic after winning the toss and batting — exemplified by Virat Kohli’s first-ball reprieve by third umpire Joel Wilson . So as the Aussies pushed for one final over before the first main break, Gill, like many other batters on the cusp of a session’s end, showed every intention of trying to make the 25th over the final before lunch and help nullify Australia’s momentum. As veteran spinner Nathan Lyon looked set to finish his over before the 12:30pm cut-off for lunch, Gill’s attempt at making it to lunch unscathed became less subtle, coming down the wicket to prod his bat on the pitch.
His tactics were much to the dismay of Steve Smith at first slip and Marnus Labuschagne at leg slip, sparking a conversation between the trio that aged like fine wine only one ball later. Marnus Labuschagne: “Easy, got it in easy!” He needs to call for the ‘sprain’ Steve Smith: “This is bull****! Oi, let’s play!” Shubman Gill: “You take your time Smithy, no one says anything to you!” SS: “Just play mate. Let’s play.
” ML: “Take your time son.” And only 10 seconds later, Gill unsuccessfully tried to negate Lyon’s line and length by charging down the wicket. A 90.
6km/h sliding ball saw him edge to Smith at first slip for a comfortable catch at chest height, and depart for 20 off 64 balls. His wicket saw India head into lunch on Day 1 reeling at 3/57, with openers KL Rahul (four runs) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) dismissed earlier in the morning. Smith briefly noted the interaction at the lunch break with Fox Cricket’s Isa Guha, noting that the back and forth was working in their favour at lunch approached.
“Shubman has trying to take his time there (and) it probably played into our hands,” Smith said. “He decided to run at the last one, and I think he was trying to launch him (Lyon).” After missing the first Test of the series through a thumb injury and the fourth after being omitted, Gill averages 20 with a high score of 31 from four hits with one innings remaining this summer.
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