India's ongoing four-Test series against Australia is scaling new heights, as the former defends the Border-Gavaskar Trophy title. The third Test in Sydney settled for a draw, while footage has emerged that Australia could have possibly tried sabotage.
The third Test between India and Australia settled for a well-deserved draw for the visitor, and a frustrating one for the host. Nonetheless, the four-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains locked at 1-1.
Day 5 saw a relentless approach from wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, who played a laudable knock of 97. His knock, along with a 148-run stand for the fourth wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara, played a pivotal role in the draw.
Meanwhile, footage from Day 5 has emerged, which displays that the Australians might have possibly attempted sabotage. During an over break, the stumps camera shows an Australian, perhaps Steve Smith, standing on the crease where Pant was on strike. As Pant had moved away to talk to his partner during the break, the Australian tried to remove the former's batting mark by rubbing his feet on the popping crease.
ALSO READ: 3rd Test: Here are the records scripted on Day 5
Watch the footage here:
After drinks break Aussie comes to shadow bat and scuffs out the batsmen's guard marks.
Rishabh Pant then returns and has to take guard again. pic.twitter.com/aDkcGKgUJC
Although most broadcasters failed to show the footage, it was US-based cricket channel, Willow TV, that did air it. Naturally, some fans were not happy with it, as some even lashed out at Smith, for having already attempted to cheat before, during the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, three years ago, that led to his ban.
Here are some of the reactions:
all class this Aussie side lol, almost as bad as their comm box and crowd
— fundy (@imfundy) is this all u got Smithy ?? Wanna get back to playing Saturday’s on Glenn Mc Grath ???...
I still think u r a top batsman ...
but in terms of Spirit and learning from mistakes ... long way.. u got lost in the middle again son ... disappointed .. no respect left
Steve Smith - once a cheat, always a cheat
— Marc Doria (@ILgrandeMDD)Once a cheater always b a cheater Smith trying tricks to get the wicket
But this is against the spirit of the game
No matter how bigger batsman you r you need to have true sportsmanship spirit in u
These Cheaters won't never change. Such a Shame.
— Awarapan 🇮🇳 (@KingSlayer_Rule)They thought we wouldn’t see it because the Aussie channel was showing some analysis, but us American viewers for some reason dont get the fox cricket analysis nonsense and so we get a shitty stumps cam view & saw this right away
— Mayank (@mank06) once asked for a DRS by asking his team in dressing room,brainfart
Then he cheated, tampered the ball, got suspended, shed crocodile tears and accepted by cricketing fraternity.
Then again he tried to remove batting guard of a more talented player than himself
Nonetheless, there is no official word from any on the same. Furthermore, as India did settle for a well-deserved draw, it hardly mattered, as it looks forward to the deciding Test in Brisbane, from Friday.
Match summary: Electing to bat, Australia posted a total of 338, to which India came up with a subtle reply, but fell short, handing Australia a lead of 94. The host then produced a strong batting performance in the second innings, setting India a target of 407. Nonetheless, the Indians held their nerves, despite a couple of injury concerns, as they fought hard to settle for a commendable draw.
Brief scores: Australia 338 and 312/6 dec (Labuschagne 73, Smith 81, Green 84; Saini 2/54, Ashwin 2/95) drew India 244 and 334/5 (Rohit 52, Pant 97, Pujara 77; Hazlewood 1/20).