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Australia is trying to construct on its benefit after a commanding win within the first Check in Perth, whereas Pakistan desperately wants to search out type to get again into the collection.
Scroll down for reside updates from what’s certain to be a rammed MCG on an iconic day in Australian sport.
3.15PM: HUSSEY REFLECTS ON HALL OF FAME HONOUR
‘Mr Cricket’ Mike Hussey has expressed his gratitude after as we speak being named within the Australian Cricket Corridor of Fame.
“I can’t imagine it actually,’’ Hussey stated. “It’s a wierd form of feeling. It feels a bit surreal. My overwhelming emotion might be gratitude.
Former girls’s captain Lyn Larsen was additionally inducted.
READ MORE HERE
3PM: WARNE’S LEGACY LIVES ON
Australian cricket legend Shane Warne is being honoured at this Check and coronary heart well being checks can be found for patrons to take on the MCG.
His youngsters Jackson, Summer time and Brookie spoke to Fox Cricket earlier as we speak about what the initiative means to them and their household.
2.35PM: AUSSIES WERE IN ‘SURVIVAL MODE’
Joe Barton
The scene on the MCG is getting extra bleak by the minute – as an enormous storm approaches, and it was making life out within the center a nightmare for Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
The Australian batsmen have been in ‘survival mode’ in keeping with former Check star Michael Hussey, as they waited for the rain to hit.
Play has since been halted, with the forecast wanting somewhat grim – however within the hour earlier than they have been pressured from the sector Pakistan’s quicks had the ball hooping beneath overcast skies.
And that was not a enjoyable state of affairs for Australia’s main batsmen.
“Clearly the sunshine has light a bit bit there, clouds are coming over and it’s swinging round a bit. Simply attempting to get by means of this little interval,” Labuschagne informed Fox Cricket throughout a drinks break, as he grinded his strategy to 14 off 47 balls.
“It’s darkish, let’s simply depart it at that.”
Smith and Labuschagne have added simply six runs in nine-and-a-half overs, crawling alongside at simply 0.63 runs per over.
“It’s been an excellent problem for them, that final half an hour or so specifically,” Hussey stated.
“They’re simply in survival mode, actually. Making an attempt to get by means of unscathed and hope the sunshine can enhance later within the day.”
Through the rain delay, why not have a crack at our quiz?
2.23PM: THE COVERS ARE ON
Dangerous information on the MCG.
The drizzle has began and gamers have rushed from the sector.
The principle covers are on.
Australia is 2-114 with Marnus Labuschagne 14 not out and Steve Smith 2 not out.
1.45PM: RAIN CLOSES IN ON MCG
The rain which was purported to wipe day one of many Boxing Day Check out fully appears to be on the best way.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s radar is exhibiting a big band of rain is closing on Melbourne’s outer japanese suburbs and heading within the course of the MCG.
Earlier projections had a ten per cent probability of 6mm of rain at 2pm and a 25 per cent probability of 2mm of rain.
The MCG has additionally issued a extreme climate warning to the group of about 60,000 individuals.
“Extreme climate might have an effect on the native space within the following hours. Within the occasion of extreme climate, patrons are requested to observe directions from occasion employees and search shelter from uncovered areas of the venue,” a message on the MCG scoreboards learn.
Fingers crossed.
1.36PM: PAKISTAN STRIKES AGAIN
Recreation on!
Usman Khawaja flashes at a ball that’s most likely too shut to chop and Salman holds on at second slip.
It’s Hasan Ali with the wicket and Australia is 2-108.
Instantly the Aussies are feeling a bit of warmth as Steve Smith joins Marnus Labuschagne.
“He’s bowled effectively Hasan Ali. He’s seemed essentially the most threatening,” says Mark Waugh on Fox Cricket.
“They wanted that Pakistan (and) Hasan Ali is the person.”
1.35PM: LANGER’S BRUTAL TAKE ON WARNER DROP
Former Australian coach Justin Langer didn’t mince phrases when talking about Abdullah Shafique’s drop.
The primary-slip fielder gave David Warner a life on two with an effort Langer stated was “unattainable to drop”.
“It’s unattainable to drop these for a global participant,” Langer informed Channel 7.
“That’s as simple a catch that you just’ll ever see in Check cricket. You’re proper, Pakistan – I stated it earlier than the Check Sequence began, I stated it earlier than this Check – if Pakistan have gotten any probability of combating again on this collection, they need to subject higher than they did.
“That’s an unattainable catch to drop. Whereas he’ll really feel sick about it, it’s not acceptable at worldwide stage.”
1.15PM: HOPE FOR PAKISTAN AFTER WARNER WICKET
Former Australian opener Simon Katich has urged Pakistan’s quicks to bowl fuller within the second session as they search for a means again into the Boxing Day Check.
The wicket of David Warner earlier than lunch has given Pakistan some hope after a lacklustre opening session on the MCG.
Talking on SEN, Katich stated: “There’s sufficient motion on the market, I simply assume Pakistan most likely didn’t fairly bowl full sufficient to the left-handers and so they additionally didn’t take that probability. It might have been a completely totally different session.
“Take an early catch, get an early wicket, expose Labuschagne who didn’t make runs within the first Check in Perth. It’s an excellent batting alternative now as a result of the solar has come out, wicket seems to be all proper. There’s nonetheless just a bit bit there in the event that they get it on that fuller size.”
1PM: KHAWAJA ECLIPSES AN ENTIRE COUNTRY
Robert Craddock
Check cricket has seen extra of Usman Khawaja batting in 2023 than the complete South African Check staff.
Khawaja claimed cricket’s most weird stat of the 12 months when he confronted his fifty fifth ball towards Pakistan on the MCG which meants he had confronted 2745 balls in complete in 2023.
That’s another than the complete South African cricket facet who’ve confronted simply 2744 coming into tonight’s Boxing Day Check towards India at Centurion.
It’s a reflection each of Khawaja’s gorgeous 12 months and South Africa’s lack of Checks.
Khawaja, undefeated on 36 off 80 balls, has performed 13 whereas South Africa have performed simply three.
The Proteas, operating low in funds and seeing white ball cricket as their route to higher days, have performed only one towards Australia and two towards the West Indies.
12.30PM: WARNER FALLS IN LAST OVER BEFORE LUNCH
Pakistan has the breakthrough.
After a sluggish bowling effort for a lot of the primary sesion, it’s the spinner Salman who will get David Warner.
Warner went for the large drive however solely succeeded in edging to a grateful Babar Azam at slip.
They’ll take lunch now as effectively after Warner’s dismsissal for 38 with Australia 1-90.
Boy did Pakistan want that.
And with it being lunch, we’re going to take a brief breather.
12.05PM: O’KEEFE — YOUNG GUNS IN LONG-TERM MIX TO REPLACE WARNER
Kerry O’Keefe has thrown two rising Victorians into the combo to be Australia’s long-term substitute for David Warner.
O’Keefe, who floated New South Wales teenager Sam Konstas as an choice in the course of the Perth Check, stated Harry Dixon and Dylan Brasher have been abilities selectors ought to be monitoring.
Brasher scored 79 not out within the tour match towards Pakistan at Junction Oval this week, whereas Dixon has been tuoted as a future worldwide after blitzing England in youth Checks.
O’Keefe informed Fox Cricket the pecking order to interchange Warner was changing into clearer.
“I’ve obtained to say the highest tier is Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft. Cameron Inexperienced is on the subsequent tier as a smoky to go from six to at least one,” O’Keefe stated.
“And on the subsequent tier are three very gifted younger fellows. Harry Dixon, Victoria, (Dylan) Brasher the Victorian and Sam Konstas, New South Wales. Brasher obtained a 70 odd not (out) towards Pakistan within the warm-up recreation.”
Earlier, Mike Hussey warned towards selecting a makeshift opener to interchange Warner.
11.50AM: WARNER MOVES AHEAD OF WAUGH
David Warner has grow to be Australia’s second-most prolific worldwide batter of all time throughout this innings.
Warner has gone previous Steve Waugh throughout three codecs after reaching 20 on the MCG.
Ricky Ponting continues to be about 9000 runs in entrance at No.1 although.
11.25AM: WASIM’S WARNING FOR BBL STAR RAUF
Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has warned Haris Rauf dangers being forgotten if he continues to prioritise T20 cricket over Check matches.
Rauf opted out of the Check tour of Australia to play within the Large Bash League for Melbourne Stars, a call which was condemned by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“Haris Rauf has obtained tempo, everyone knows that. If he needs to play at this stage, Check cricket, if he needs to, it’s a quite simple answer,” Akram stated on Fox Cricket. “You go play first-class cricket, at the very least play five-six video games, bowl some spells and get your physique sturdy after which come again (to) Check cricket. However I suppose his advisers throughout him need him to be a T20 specialist. And bear in mind, no one remembers T20 performances. It’s Check cricket we speak about on a regular basis.”
Michael Vaughan added:“It’s all the way down to the gamers to determine. You’d hope that Check cricket continues to be the head. It’s the toughest format. It challenges your mentality, your physique. We’ve talked about accidents, nevertheless it challenges you, significantly as a quick bowler.”
11.10AM: TEAMMATES’ SUPPORT FOR KHAWAJA
with Jacob Kuriype
Mitchell Starc has echoed captain Pat Cummins’ help of Usman Khawaja after the opener’s plans to don stickers of a dove with an olive department on his bat and footwear have been vetoed by the ICC.
Khawaja known as out the ICC for “double requirements” through Instagram on Monday night time, posting a montage of photos together with his bat, and the bible verse on Labuschagne’s bat alongside the ICC’s laws.
“We’re all proper behind Uzzie there and his views and the way he needs to go about it,” Starc stated on SEN Radio forward of play on day one of many Boxing Day Check. “Definitely he has obtained the backing of the changeroom. Some inconsistencies which have gone on prior to now – it’s what it’s. The changeroom definitely helps him in his views there.”
“Sure, we’re cricketers and we’re definitely out on the sector to carry out in what we do, however we’re additionally people with emotions and beliefs and I believe it’s an area to precise these as effectively.
“There’s clearly a line however definitely our changeroom backs anybody with views on the world or points or what could also be. In Uzzie’s case, he’s definitely obtained the backing of the changeroom and the way he feels in regards to the state of affairs for the time being.”
10.43AM: WARNER DROPPED
That may be a large early let-off for David Warner and an enormous miss from Pakistan.
Shaheen will get the sting from Warner and it flies to first slip at an excellent peak for catching.
However Abdullah Shafique hardly will get a hand to it and Warner has an early reprieve.
“Are you able to imagine it? Afridi can’t. Large life for Warner. That’s the worst attainable begin for Pakistan. You cannot be giving these form of possibilities to this form of batting line-up. That’s fairly effectively so simple as it will get,” says Adam Gilchrist on Fox Cricket.
On Channel 7, Waqar Younis says: “As simple because it will get. When you’re not going to catch these, you’re going to be in hassle.”
10.40AM: NO BOLAND FOR BOXING DAY
Scott Boland took extra wickets in his fist 10 Checks than Glenn McGrath or Shane Warne … however will he play an eleventh?
Life’s robust on fringe quicks lately. As a result of each match counts within the new World Check Championship, relaxation and rotation have grow to be soiled phrases.
Pat Cummins, who as soon as stated Boland was his favourite participant, was very optimistic about Boland getting a go this season regardless of his omission at his beloved MCG towards Pakistan within the second Check.
READ MORE FROM ROBERT CRADDOCK HERE…
10.25AM: WHY PAKISTAN BOWLED FIRST
Pakistan captain Shan Masood says the current success of groups which have bowled first on the MCG was a consider his facet’s determination to subject on day one of many Boxing Day Check.
He informed Fox Cricket: “Simply having seemed on the MCG for the previous three years, the bowling first facet has completed effectively. There’s been a little bit of climate round, so we’d similar to to (take) each alternative we do with the ball.”
Masood acknowledged sending the Australians in was a danger, however needed to again his bowlers to extract one thing from a pitch which has been beneath covers for the previous two days.
“I believe (the pitch) has modified. We have been on the T20 World Cup right here final 12 months. Fairly comparable look. You possibly can see even then there was numerous lateral motion,” he stated.
“So we will count on that to remain the identical by means of the course of the sport. Hopefully it gained’t crack up like Perth, on the finish of the day, that’s why we have took that danger to bowl first.
“And I believe there will probably be sufficient for the bowlers. However there’s all the time one thing for the batsmen. Whoever performs effectively, there’s all the time worth on your photographs and we’ve seen respectable scores at this floor as effectively.”
Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has his doubts.
When requested whether or not the guests have sufficient firepower to bother the Australian batters, he stated: “It is going to swing. That is why they gained the toss and elected to subject. Firepower? Perhaps not. The tempo isn’t there. However expertise with Hasan Ali coming in and Mir Hamza coming in, they gained’t give away pointless runs and that’s what I believe they need to do once they come on to bowl.”
10AM – TOSS
with Jacob Kuriype
Australia will bat first after Pat Cummins misplaced the toss was despatched in by Pakistan captain Shan Masood.
Defying custom considerably, Masood opted to take the ‘danger’ of bowling first after recognizing a good quantity of grass on the MCG wicket. The vacationers have gambled on a seam-heavy assault, naming 4 quicks alongside the part-time spin of Agha Salman.
Australia named an unchanged line-up from the XI who demolished Pakistan within the first Check in Perth – which means hometown hero Scott Boland is not going to get an opportunity to repeat his Boxing Day Check heroics of years passed by.
Cummins stated he was desperate to have a bowl additionally beneath overcast skies, however admitted he wasn’t too upset to present David Warner and Usman Khawaja an early shot at setting the tone on Boxing Day.
“(Profitable in Melbourne) could be the cherry on prime,” Cummins stated of the prospect of ending 2023 with one other victory.
TEAMS
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan XII: Imam-Ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Hasan Ali, Aamir Jamal, Mir Hamza, Shaheen Afridi
SKULL BACKS PAKISTAN TO BOUNCE BACK
Former Australia spinner Kerry O’Keeffe believes Pakistan is best set-up for achievement within the Boxing Day Check than it was for the collection opener.
The touring facet has rung the adjustments for the MCG encounter, with wicketkeeper Safaraz Ahmed dropped for Mohammad Rizwan after a lean outing in Perth. All-rounder Faheem Ashraf has additionally been omitted, whereas seamer Khurram Shahzad has been dominated out by means of damage. Changing the duo will probably be two of Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza and spin-bowling all-rounder Sajid Khan.
“I believe Pakistan look stronger (than the primary Check),” O’Keeffe informed Fox Sports activities Information. “They’ve omitted Sarfaraz Ahmed, and introduced in Mohammad Rizwan – that’s a plus, Rizwan has type towards Australia.
“Faheem Ashraf leaked far too many runs final Check, Hasan Ali will most likely play, he’s a striker, he will get individuals out.
“And Sajid Khan is their spinner … can he bowl Australia out on the final day? That’s the query. He’s a 30-year-old journey man, he’ll help the faster bowlers, nevertheless it’ll be the seamers that decide whether or not Pakistan win this Check match.”
Australia has confirmed an unchanged XI.
HEAD EYES DUAL MILESTONE
If this 12 months has belonged to any Australian cricketer, it’s Travis Head.
Head etched his title into cricketing folklore with a matchwinning century within the World Cup ultimate, nevertheless it’s towards the purple ball he has actually made his presence felt.
The southpaw is Check cricket’s second highest run-scorer in 2023 (902 at 45.10) and can obtain a profession first if he tallies 98 runs within the Boxing Day match. That might take him to 1000 Check runs in a calendar 12 months for the primary time and previous 3000 profession runs.
The one batter to have loved a extra prolific Check 12 months is Usman Khawaja (1168 at 55.61). Talking to the vastly differing roles they play for the facet, Khawaja has confronted greater than double the deliveries Head has in 2023 – 2689 to 1183.
Steve Smith with 852 runs at 42.65 rounds out an all-Australian top-three for Check run-scorers within the calendar 12 months.
Regardless of a stint on the sidelines with an injured calf, Nathan Lyon is prime of the tree for Check wickets with 43 at 23.62.
INDIA-PAKISTAN BLOCKBUSTER WOULD BLOW BOXING DAY AWAY
Waqar Younis has backed the thought of a blockbuster Pakistan-India Check on the MCG.
“Why not? That might be superior,” the previous Pakistan captain informed ESPN.
“We performed Australia again within the days, I believe, in England and that was actually taking place as a result of England has obtained numerous Pakistan (neighborhood).
“It was a packed home.
Simply think about Pakistan-India enjoying right here on the MCG with 100,000, over 100,000 individuals.
“It’d be superior.
The push for the MCG for use as a impartial venue to host the 2 nations in a one-off Check or collection gathered momentum after greater than 90,000 followers watched the rivals in Melbourne in the course of the T20 World Cup.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Business, Victorian Tourism Business Council and State Authorities all threw their help behind the idea.
Wasim Akram informed this masthead in September: “I believe the MCG as you noticed within the final World Cup could be the proper venue.
“Pakistan would even be a really perfect venue if India needs, but when India needs a impartial venue, then I believe Australia could be a really perfect place.”
Initially printed as Boxing Day Check reside: Comply with the motion from Australia v Pakistan second Check
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