Summary
That’s about all you need from me I think.
A strong Indian bowling performance goes unrewarded thanks to the capricious Melbourne weather. Considering how much rain has fallen in Victoria over the past 24 hours it’s a miracle the match remained alive for so long. That it did was also enormously frustrating with the breaks in the showers lasting long enough to tease the possibility of play resuming only for further downpours to dampen spirits.
Onwards to Sydney for the conclusion of this series on Sunday. Catch you then.
Match abandoned
That’s it. The rain has won. Only 19 overs were possible after all. Australia will feel the better of the two sides after struggling through their innings. India will rue an opportunity lost and move to Sydney on Sunday needing a win to level the series.
Pffffft - raining again.
Revised target - 46 from 5 overs
They are giving it one final go. 10.02pm is the latest possible restart and they are going to try to make it for a five-over thrash.
By the way, the cut-off for the match to restart is 10.02pm.
To keep me occupied I’m going to take inspiration from Colombo and share some moments from the archive of when canines and cricket collided.
The full white plastic sheeting is on in a flash. Obviously we now have to wait for the rain to stop, then the pitch to be cleared, meaning more time and overs will be lost. Welcome to Melbourne, the most liveable city in the world.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
The players jog on preparing for the restart, and..... the rain starts again!
Ok, so 75 minutes since the last ball of Australia’s innings was bowled we shall have a run chase.
Revised target - 90 from 11 overs
9.37pm restart.
Still waiting for the announcement of the restart. Warm-ups have been underway for some time and the umpires have been in discussion with the curator. Expecting a revised start time any second.
Don’t get too excited just yet but the rain has stopped - again - and the players are warming up once more.
Returning to miserable Melbourne, we’re into the maths now with overs sure to be lost when play restarts.
India's target at MCG
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 23, 2018
in 19 ov - 137
in 18 ov - 132
in 17 ov - 126
in 16 ov - 121
in 15 ov - 115
in 14 ov - 109
in 13 ov - 103
in 12 ov - 97
in 11 ov - 90
in 10 ov - 83
in 9 ov - 76
in 8 ov - 69
in 7 ov - 61
in 6 ov - 54
in 5 ov - 46#IndvAus#AusvInd
Let’s look elsewhere for our cricket fix, say Colombo, where England are powering to a sizeable first-innings total in the third and final Test of their series with Sri Lanka.
The headline news: Jonny Bairstow has a century, Ben Stokes has a 50, and there’s a dog on the pitch.
A GOOD BOY AT DEEP COVER #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/4pYeE8swDy
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) November 23, 2018
Dog on the field in the cricket pic.twitter.com/mTycLlzDBX
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller79) November 23, 2018
They are fast-moving showers at the tail-end of a much bigger front that has deluged Melbourne in recent days but they are bumping into one another with disappointing frequency. We’re going to end up in mangled DLS territory pretty soon.
GAHHHHHHHH! Rain = back. Covers = on. Me = ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
An amendment to India’s run chase - they will have only 19 overs to reach 137.
Play to resume at 9.03pm.
Warm-ups now underway for India’s run-chase. The rain has stopped, a rope is being dragged around the outfield. Play will resume shortly.
Innings Break
Rain curtails Australia’s innings on 132-7 after 19 overs. The DLS method has set India a target of 137 from their full complement.
Updated
Nooooooooooooooo. The rain has returned and the restart is on hold for the time being.
That’s right, play will resume in a couple of minutes with no overs lost.
The covers are coming off. Aiming for an 8.43pm restart.
Updated
Or maybe not. The rain has stopped and the groundstaff are getting busy again.
Hmmmm, maybe I spoke too soon about the weather relenting, the heavier covers are coming out to protect the square. I reckon 132-7 might be Australia’s final numbers.
Still raining in Melbourne but much lighter now. We have to be back on in about 15 minutes to avoid Australia losing their 20th over.
Rain stopped play
The umpires dragged play until the end of the over but they couldn’t ignore the rain any longer. There are some heavy fast-moving showers blowing through Melbourne and we just have to hope there are enough breaks between them to see a conclusion to this game.
Updated
19th over: Australia 132-7 (McDermott 32, Tye 12) Momentum all Australia’s way as the penultimate over begins with four wides, Bumrah making one take off from short of a length. The bowler responds well though, beating Tye for pace with three deliveries in a row, the last one of which is under torrential rain! The weather has slowly deteriorated but the umpires have kept the game moving, to their credit, but it is chucking it down out there.
Tye gets off strike with a single but Bumrah then skids one through McDermott for his 16th dot from 23 deliveries. The 24th goes for four though! McDermott stepping to leg, anticipating the yorker, and angling his bat to work the ball through first slip.
Updated
18th over: Australia 122-7 (McDermott 28, Tye 11) Khaleel also returns to the attack but Tye fancies him, slapping him through cover then thick-edging to third-man for consecutive fours before lofting a straight drive for a couple. McDermott likes him too! Oh boy, carting that one miles over cow corner with a fair old wallop. McDermott guiding Australia to something competitive here. Huge over for the hosts.
Updated
17th over: Australia 103-7 (McDermott 21, Tye 1) Bumrah is too quick and too good for Tye, skidding two past the outside edge, then forcing a defensive stroke from ball three. The fourth is played with much greater skill by Australia’s number 9 but only earns a single. McDermott now has to take control but he can only work a single from his only delivery of the over.
WICKET! Coulter-Nile c sub (Pandey) b Kumar 20 (Australia 101-7)
Kumar returns with Kohli looking to his pacemen to see off this Australian innings. He’s immediately back onto that testing length he found early, earning a couple of dot balls, but then he strays, offering enough width for McDermott and NCN to work some singles then dropping short enough for Coulter-Nile to swivel and pull with incredible force for six! That wasn’t that short, and that boundary is a long way away.
Coulter-Nile tries to go downtown again next delivery but this time over the off-side. Unfortunately for him he picks out the safe hands of the sub fielder Pandey and his cameo ends before it could cause too much damage.
WEATHER FORECAST: Cool to mild.
— Gigs (@AndrewGigacz) November 23, 2018
CRICKET FORECAST: Coulter-Nile#AUSvIND
15th over: Australia 92-6 (McDermott 17, Coulter-Nile 14) Coulter-Nile finds the boundary again, this time a four with a back-foot drive through midwicket but it’s another serviceable over from Pandya who ends with 1-28.
14th over: Australia 83-6 (McDermott 15, Coulter-Nile 7) What’s all the fuss about? NCN calmly strokes his first delivery into the sightscreen like a PGA Tour golfer smoking a three-wood on the range. Despite that massive blow India are still dominating this match. Kuldeep ends with 1-23 but he deserved better.
WICKET! Carey c Pandya b Kuldeep 4 (Australia 74-6)
Kuldeep finally has his much-deserved wicket. First ball of his fourth over, loopy and slow, too tempting for Carey to resist and he’s down on one knee, slog-sweeping, but hitting out to the massive MCG boundary he doesn’t get enough on it and Pandya makes no mistake. Australia reeling.
Updated
13th over: Australia 74-5 (McDermott 13, Carey 4) India’s spinners are rattling through their spell, conceding few runs and asphyxiating the Australian batsmen who know they need to start finding the boundary. Five singles are all that are available from Pandya’s third over.
Aus have been 5-62 or fewer ten times in T20Is. They have won two of them. #AusvInd
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) November 23, 2018
Updated
12th over: Australia 69-5 (McDermott 11, Carey 1) Australia cannot pick Kuldeep and the left-arm wrist-spinner is unfortunate not to snag a wicket. Carey is fortunate with a mistimed sweep to avoid LBW and a catch behind, then McDermott almost nicks to the keeper. Just as the pressure seemed destined to bring about a dismissal McDermott sweeps securely for four.
WICKET! Maxwell b Pandya 19 (Australia 62-5)
Maxwell is easing into his work, Dilscooping a couple then executing that vertical bat lap-sweep (what’s it called?) for four. But, oh no! Instead of using that as a platform to score big he’s beaten all ends up by a beauty from Pandya! The ball was flighted in from around the wicket by the left-hander, it gripped, turned, and beat the defensive prod aimed towards the legside, castling into the off stump.
Updated
10th over: Australia 54-4 (Maxwell 11, McDermott 6) Teasing over from Kuldeep, lobbing them down around 80kph and inviting Australia to force the issue. In this phase of the game McDermott in particular is happy just to preserve his wicket and the over rattles through with little to report.
@JPHowcroft Cricketers injure themselves in warm ups because it’s the only time they exercise.
— Rick Back (@rickback180) November 23, 2018
That’s Mr Back replying to my post prematch when news of Billy Stanlake’s injury came through. A little harsh, I think, especially considering a couple of the rigs in the modern game - Stoinis and Faf du Plessis in particular.
9th over: Australia 52-4 (Maxwell 10, McDermott 5) More spin from India with the left-arm of Pandya from around the wicket. Australia happy to deal in singles to steady the ship and provide a platform for aggression later on.
8th over: Australia 46-4 (Maxwell 8, McDermott 2) Time for a change of pace now with Kuldeep’s left-arm wrist-spin. He keeps the runs to a minimum despite failing to land a couple.
7th over: Australia 41-4 (Maxwell 5, McDermott 0) This has not been a great display of shot selection from Australia, Stoinis the latest to perish from a run-scoring delivery. Aside from the wicket in that Bumrah over the bowler beat Maxwell on a couple of occasions for good measure.
WICKET! Stoinis c Karthik b Bumrah 4 (Australia 41-4)
Short and wide from Bumrah and it ends Stoinis’ skittish innings. The allrounder failed to time a square cut, sending the ball straight to the beanie-wearing Karthik in the deep. Not good.
epa07183941 Dinesh Karthik of India celebrates after catching out Marcus Stoinis of Australia during the second T20 International match between Australia and India at the MCG. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/EPA
Updated
6th over: Australia 40-3 (Maxwell 4, Stoinis 4) Almost a second in the over for Khaleel! Stoinis doesn’t commit to a pull and is lucky to watch his top edge fly over the slips for four. The next delivery keeps a little low and skids under the tentative prod. India well on top.
Meanwhile, on pay TV, Shane Warne has just gone on a rant about Usman Khawaja’s criticisms of how former players critique the current generation without fully understanding the modern game. In so doing Warne proved Khawaja’s point to the letter. I look forward to Channel Seven’s coverage kicking in.
The mighty MCG 👌 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/CrbFYKNqGD
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2018
Updated
WICKET! Short b Khaleel 14 (Australia 35-3)
Khaleel into his third over and he’s glad his spell hasn’t been curtailed. Three balls into the six a decent line and length delivery is hoicked onto the pegs by Short, sending the zing bails flying and the bowler tearing away in one of the more extravagant celebrations.
Updated
5th over: Australia 34-2 (Short 14, Maxwell 3) Bumrah has his first trundle and he looks a handful with his unconventional action getting plenty of skiddy bounce. He beats Maxwell with a beauty but otherwise the Australians are watchful, accumulating steadily until Short feasts on length again, square-driving for four.
4th over: Australia 27-2 (Short 10, Maxwell 0) That was unnecessary from Lynn, trying to smash every ball out of the ground despite lacking timing on this tacky wicket. Two huge early wickets for India.
WICKET! Lynn c Pandya b Khaleel 13 (Australia 27-2)
Khaleel continues with his left-arm over the wicket fast-medium. Lynn has the adrenaline pumping now after that previous over escape and the scene has the feel of a baseball set-piece with the batter swinging at every delivery and the bowler mixing up his variations to disrupt the timing. It’s a lovely duel with the bowler beating the bat a couple of times wide and full outside off but Lynn responding with a clubbed four.
The honours go to Khaleel eventually though, Lynn unable to restrain himself, slicing a drive to another wide delivery but it’s caught by the cover sweeper running in.
Updated
3rd over: Australia 19-1 (Short 10, Lynn 7) Huge let-off for Short, Pant shelling a diving catch in front of first slip following another beauty from Kumar that drew a regulation outside edge. Then a huge let-off for Lynn! Six dot-balls were enough for the big Queenslander, sending his seventh ball high towards fine-leg but Bumrah makes an absolute horlicks of what should have been a routine take on the boundary. Instead of pointing his palms upward near his chest and accepting the adulation of a majority-Indian crowd he creeps inside the rope, mistimes a jump and palms over a six.
Updated
2nd over: Australia 9-1 (Short 7, Lynn 0) Khaleel Ahmed is on that same length as Kumar for a couple of deliveries but then floats one up a tad fuller that Short takes advantage of, pounding a straight drive for four. The next three are an overcorrection short enabling Australia to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
“To be pedantic,” which is my absolute preferred opening to an email, “this is the first Australian international cricket match of the day, the day being Friday 23/11 - the Women’s game was held on Thursday 22/11,” reports Julian Johnson. I could have sworn I was in front of my TV earlier today watching that game. Never mind...
Ideal start for India at the MCG.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2018
Watch via Kayo: https://t.co/4RaLpNkrJn #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/IA55tF89f6
Updated
1st over: Australia 2-1 (Short 1, Lynn 0) All about length for Kumar in a superb opening over. He was too short to drive, too full to pull or cut, and his ability to make the white Kookaburra nibble off the seam kept Australia’s top three on their toes.
WICKET! Finch c Pant b Kumar 0 (Australia 1-1)
Finch goes second ball (his first) reaching for a good length delivery wide offside off stump and sending a regulation edge through to the keeper. That was wide enough to go after but it kissed the deck and skipped away a fraction off the seam.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar with the ball. D’Arcy Short on strike. Remarkably, play will begin on time.
The teams are making their way onto the MCG. India in all blue with plenty of layers adding some core bulk to a few of them. For Australia D’Arcy Short and Aaron Finch are in their predominately black outfit with flashes of yellow and green.
As an indication both of how wet it’s been today in Melbourne and how extraordinarily the MCG drains away water, tomorrow’s grade cricket matches have already been called off.
Hashtag getthebeersin.
All @vicpremcricket matches scheduled for Sat 24 Nov have been cancelled. A one-dayer will be played next Sat 1 Dec (coloured gear, white balls). All Women's matches (Sun 25 Nov) report to grounds.
— Vic Premier Cricket (@vicpremcricket) November 23, 2018
Updated
Another cricketing talking point this week came in the form of Australia’s 14-man squad announcement for the opening Test of the summer. It was a big deal for Victoria with Marcus Harris and Chris Tremain gaining recognition for their consistent form over a number of seasons, and there was a recall for state captain Peter Handscomb.
This is the second Australian international cricket match of the day and Australia’s men will be hoping to emulate the women’s team who earlier cruised to the final of the World T20 with a comprehensive victory over West Indies. The Southern Stars will meet old enemies England in the decider.
This is always more fun if you contribute so get sending those tweets (to @JPHowcroft) and emails (to jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com) about anything you wish. It would make sense to keep your missives cricket related, but if there’s anything on your mind you just want to share, send it this way.
Twenty minutes until the scheduled start and a shower blows across the MCG. The hessian is being dragged over the strip but the remainder of the square remains uncovered.
The MCC is still hopeful of a crowd in excess of 50,000 despite the inhospitable conditions. More than 60,000 tickets have apparently been sold with initial projections of a crowd upwards of 70,000 on a dry night.
India XI
India are unchanged. “We just need to do the little things better,” said Virat Kohli about what this eleven needs to do differently tonight compared to the Gabba.
An unchanged Playing XI for #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/7AlPUXPj1B
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 23, 2018
Australia XI
One change for Australia with Billy Stanlake rolling his ankle during the warm-ups and Nathan Coulter-Nile taking his place. Replays of the incident show the big quick landing awkwardly on the boundary rope during a fielding drill.
What is with cricketers injuring themselves in warm-ups?
Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), D'Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Ben McDermott, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2018
Late change with NCN in for Big Billy #AUSvIND
India win the toss and will bowl
Both skippers were keen to have an early bowl but the coin fell Virat Kohli’s way and Australia have been invited to bat first on a surface that has only had about 20 minutes to breathe in the past 24 hours.
India win the toss and elect to bowl first #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/8XMJfHjNSB
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2018
While we’re waiting for more news from the middle, catch up with some other cricket happening elsewhere on the site, namely the third Test between Sri Lanka and England where England are rattling on nicely at lunch on day one.
Covers coming off and both teams are out in the middle warming up. Things looking good! 🤞 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bCY2ATzSSV
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2018
The good news is the teams are out, warming up, and there’s every chance we’ll start near enough on time. The main rain has now passed but there remain some lingering showers. It is quite remarkable how quickly these modern grounds drain. There is no chance this match would have gone ahead a decade ago.
Here’s confirmation of the anti-cricketness of today’s weather.
Coldest Melbourne day on 23 November (lowest maximum) was 14.0C in 1984.
— InsightLane (@insightlane) November 23, 2018
Maximum to now was 13.8C at 12:50PM.@BOM_Vic @AndrewGigacz #melbourneweather
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to OBO coverage of the second T20I of this three match series between Australia and India. The opening delivery from the MCG is scheduled to be bowled at 6.50pm local time (7.50am GMT).
The first instalment in this trilogy up at the Gabba the other night was jolly good fun. Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell gave it some welly, spidercam became spidercan’t, and India completed the statistical quirk of outscoring Australia in their run-chase but still managing to lose. Future civilisations will surely look back at cricket and wonder what the heck it was all about.
Anyway, hopefully some of that frivolity carries over into tonight’s contest. I doubt it, because is Melbourne is currently at its inhospitable worst, squelching morosely through almost 24 hours of rainfall and shivering its way to a top of 14C, a number bestowing today with record inclemency (and we are some way below that as evening draws in). It remains to be seen if play will begin on time, or if a full 40 overs will be bowled. The main weather fronts have passed through Melbourne CBD but an archipelago of showers trails in its wake.
Both sides will be keen to play: Australia to continue the momentum from Brisbane; India to prevent the T20s sparking a local resurgence ahead of more important contests. India arrived as near-enough favourites for the four-Tests and three ODIs but like a tail-end slog before the innings break, a couple more results in the T20s could see Australia head to Adelaide on 6 December with a spring in their step.
Stay tuned for more as tonight’s order of service emerges from the gloom.
