Cricket Highlights, 06 Mar: IND vs SL (1st Test – Day 3), PAK vs AUS (1st Test – Day 3)

The 3rd day of the 1st Test between India and Sri Lanka, and the 3rd day of the 1st Test between Pakistan and Australia rolled on the field yesterday. Continue reading the article to know the interesting happenings of the day’s games.

IND vs SL (1st Test – Day 3)

India has defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in just three days, courtesy of Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round performance in the Mohali’s Test. Jadeja took 9 wickets in two innings with the ball in hand in addition to a century in the first innings.

Batting in reply to India’s 574 runs, the Lankans were 108 for four at the end of the second day. From there, on the morning of the third day, Sri Lanka was all out for 174 runs. Pathum Nissanka, who was unbeaten on the previous day, remained unbeaten on 61 off 133 balls in the first innings. Charith Asalanka scored 29 runs. Towards the end, four Lankan batsmen returned to the dressing room with zero runs.

In the first innings, Ravindra Jadeja scalped the maximum number of 5 wickets for 41 runs in 13 overs. Besides, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah took 2 wickets each and Mohammed Shami got 1 wicket. After being bowled out for 174, Sri Lanka naturally had to follow on. It was a tough task for them to take the lead by batting in the second innings, it was looking quite impossible for Sri Lanka to top the huge mountain of 400 runs.

Pathum Nissanka, who was unbeaten on 61 in the first innings, was dismissed in the second innings for just 6 runs. The Lankan batting line-up collapsed like a house of cards after Lahiru Thirimanne was run out for zero. Niroshan Dickwella remained unbeaten on 51 runs. Dhananjaya de Silva scored 30 runs, Angelo Mathews scored 28 runs and captain Dimuth Karunaratne scored 27 runs for the Lankan cricket team.

In the end, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 178 in the second innings. For India, Jadeja and Ashwin took the highest number of 4 wickets each. The fast bowler Mohammed Shami picked up the last two wickets for the hosts.

Scoreboard:
India (1st Innings) – 574/8 (D) (129.2)
Sri Lanka (1st Innings) – 174/10 (65.0)
Sri Lanka (2nd Innings) – 178/10 (60.0)
Result – India won by an inning and 222 runs
Player of the match – Ravindra Jadeja

PAK vs AUS (1st Test – Day 3)

The visiting team, Australia is in a good position to respond to Pakistan’s 476 runs in the Rawalpindi’s Test. Usman Khawaja and David Warner, the two openers, put together a huge pair of 156 runs. However, the end of Khawaja’s innings was regrettable because he couldn’t get a century for just three runs.

Warner returned to the dressing room with 68 runs off 114 balls after being bowled by Sajid Khan. After playing an innings of 97 off 159 balls, another opener Usman Khawaja returned to the dressing room with a catch of Imam-ul-Haq in the delivery of Nauman Ali.

On the third day of the match, Pakistan managed to take only two wickets of Australia after bowling 72 overs. Due to the lack of light, the game ended before 28 overs.

At the end of the third day, Australia’s total stood at 271 for 2 in 73 overs. Marnus Labuschagne is unbeaten on 69 off 117 balls and Steven Smith is on 24 off 55 balls. Australia is still 205 runs behind Pakistan.

Scoreboard:
Pakistan (1st Innings) – 476/4 (D) (162.0)
Australia (1st Innings) – 271/2 (73.0)