SL v AUS: Steve Smith Joins 10,000-Test Run Club After Lengthy Wait

Steve Smith has officially joined the exclusive 10,000-Test run club, becoming just the fourth Australian cricketer to achieve this rare milestone. Steve Smith’s Near-Miss At The SCG The 35-year-old right-hander, Steve Smith reached the landmark in the first test against Sri Lanka in Galle, after an agonising wait following his near-miss earlier this month. Steve Smith’s Milestone Moment In Galle Steve Smith had only been one run away from 10,000 during Australia’s game against India at the SCG, when he was dismissed for 9,999 runs. Many wondered if he would ever reach or cross that exact threshold. On Thursday in Galle, however, Smith’s wait finally ended in spectacular style as, with the first ball he faced, he made his 10,000th. He had walked to the crease with Australia at 2-137 in the opening session and immediately went on the attack, striking a single to mid-on off Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya. The crowd erupted in applause as Smith raised his bat, sharing a brief embrace with his batting partner Usman Khawaja. Steve Smith Celebrates The Achievement The moment was bittersweet for Steve Smith, who looked sheepish as he acknowledged the crowd, however, the achievement was monumental. He is now part of an elite group that includes Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting, all of whom have surpassed the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket. Notably, all three were present at the SCG for the match where Steve Smith’s wait began. Galle’s Quiet Celebration Galle, though, was an altogether low-key affair and only a small number of Aussie supporters were out to cheer on Smith at this small seaside venue. Nonetheless, the achievement it still carries does great importance for the cricket world. He now joins some of the game’s greatest players, with only Brian Lara reaching the milestone in fewer Tests than Smith’s 115. Alongside Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, and Ricky Ponting, Smith is one of only a few to have achieved such a feat in under 200 innings. Among active players, only England’s Joe Root, with 12,972 Test runs, has a higher tally than Steve Smith. A Year Of Near Misses And Achievements For Steve Smith Steve Smith had come into the Australian summer 315 runs shy of the milestone and had been inching his way back with centuries in successive tests against England in Brisbane and Melbourne. When he walked into Sydney for the New Year’s Test, he needed only 38 runs; yet he was caught for 33 early on the second day of the match. The next two departures in the 9,990s brought him into the Sri Lanka series to finally gain the mark he had long pursued. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SL v AUS: Unfinished Business On Steve Smith’s Mind As Australia Returns To Galle

As the opening test of the 2025 series against Sri Lanka comes around, Steve Smith is ready to go back as Australia’s captain. Steve Smith Returns To Galle As Captain The Galle International Stadium is a beauty and an eye opener to what lies in store. Having seen everything and anything in his distinguished career, it was only on Tuesday that Steve Smith came to this shrine to find himself warmly culturally greeted with energetic Sri Lankan folk dancers, masks and even flame throwers, but the Australian captain had eyes for only one thing, the 22 yards of turf that were going to decide the match. An Uncertain Deck At Galle As is always the case, the battle will be fought at Galle. First item on Smith’s agenda was to get a close-up look at the surface from every angle, something he did with equal parts curiosity and urgency. The pitch, as of the eve of the Test, seemed to be in a rather unpredictable state with heavy rainfall earlier in the week leaving thick clouds and extreme humidity hanging over the stadium. There is no telling how it’s going to come out despite all the ground staff’s efforts-be it cutting short the grasses or employing that UV light device-as is often so in Galle, it shall be one major determinant of match intensity. Drama At Galle Through Time From Nathan Lyon’s debut in 2011 to the very narrow contests of 2022, Galle has always been a stage for drama between Australia and Sri Lanka. But this series carries an extra weight for the Australians: they have already qualified for the World Test Championship final, but their record in Sri Lanka is at stake. Australia hasn’t won a Test series on the island in 14 years and, for Smith, it feels like something he wants to put right. Electric Atmosphere At Galle The atmosphere at Galle is electric, the local crowd adding their fervour to the mix. The Papare music of the Galle Cricket Club and the busy fort add to that distinct energy, defining this coastal venue. The game is everything, but above all the celebrations outside of the pitch. With nothing much to lose, Australia feels it is quite set on the right note at making the record straight. For Steve Smith, nothing proves the point in this task of accepting the challenge to lead his team into victory. Josh Inglis To Debut Josh Inglis is all set to get a match day call, this contest could turn out to be both interesting as it is demanding. And so much for this series for the batsman Steve Smith—is a chance of completing what hasn’t been complete yet. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
What Did Australia’s BGT Win Tell About Their Present And Future?

Australia’s comprehensive 3-1 series win over India in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a result that showed the team’s mentality, depth and future potential. Some testing moments were seen, especially from India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah and challenging pitch conditions, however, the win raises several questions about Australia’s squad, their immediate future and their long-term plans. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from the series with a focus on what lies ahead for Australia. How Long Can Usman Khawaja Continue Playing For Australia? At 38, Usman Khawaja’s test future for Australia is now in question. His series against India was a tough one—he managed only 184 runs at an average of 20.44, which was a disappointing return for the opener. Khawaja was struggling against Bumrah, getting out to him six times and his last 24 innings average is just 28.68. However, his captain Pat Cummins feels that Khawaja is still playing well and can continue as long as he’s contributing. However, with his 39th birthday looming during the 2025-26 Ashes, how long can Khawaja continue to hold on to his spot? Performances in tough conditions in Sri Lanka and India may provide him with a temporary reprieve, however, a tour of the West Indies and a World Test Championship Final could well determine his immediate future. Can Australia Accommodate Both Beau Webster And Cameron Green In The Same XI? Beau Webster’s performances at Sydney, have given selectors plenty to think about. He looked the most assured batter on show when things were toughest and can also offer off-spin which adds value to his package. With Cameron Green recovering from back surgery, it is possible both might play in the same side especially with Green set to be used as a batter-only short-term solution. However, how might Australia squeeze both into the one XI? Beyond Nos. 4 and 5, to be taken up by Travis Head and Steven Smith, reshaping the top order to make way for both looks a challenge in itself. So if Green ever returns to top form, being able to include the luxury of keeping both in the same team at least offers further balance to Australia. Will Scott Boland Future Regularly For Australia? Scott Boland’s strong record of 56 wickets at 17.66 has given him a safety, however, a regular spot in the Australian XI by no means is sure. Boland was pretty good in the last two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Melbourne and Sydney. At 35, Boland’s future depends on managing his knee issues and with Hazlewood and Starc also in the twilight of their careers, Australia could soon need to look to younger quicks to maintain their strength in attack. What Does Australia’s Squad Depth Say About Their Future? Australia has a fine balance of experience and youth. With only two players below 30 in the side for the India series, things are looking bright for the young contingent. Todd Murphy (24) seems likely to be part of the Sri Lanka tour. Sam Konstas (19) did a fine job on debut. Cameron Green (26), Josh Inglis (29) and Beau Webster (31) give the side some excellent future options. While some might say the old core of the team is getting on, Australia’s selectors feel this transition will occur organically. The blend of experience and youth with an ever-changing squad ensures a bright future, as they now look to retain their World Test Championship title while continuing their hegemony in test match cricket. What Does All Of This Mean For Australia’s Forthcoming Tours? The series win over India showed that Australia has the power and flexibility to win in the short term, however, raises big questions about the roles of players like Khawaja, Green and Boland. Decisions made in the next series against Sri Lanka, the West Indies and the Ashes will define Australia’s future. The old guard and the new faces are going to be a perfect blend in defining the team’s test cricket journey in the years to come. Do let us know how does the future look like for Australia in test match cricket? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: India’s Tour Of Australia Dissected

Team India has had a disastrous Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The men in blue were expected to do much better by their fans. However, let’s understand what went wrong with the Indian Cricket Team during their tour of Australia. Team India’s Early Concerns India’s tour of Australia started with a question mark over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, many wondering what the team would do if he wasn’t available. However, Bumrah not only played but also produced a series of scintillating performances, almost single-handedly keeping India in the hunt. His leadership and bowling inspired the rest of the attack. However, despite his heroics, India’s chances of success ultimately crumbled without him in the final stages of the series. Team India’s Batting And Leadership Struggles The most notable subplot of the series was the disappointing batting. While Rohit Sharma led by example, his own batting form let him down, whereas Virat Kohli, even at his best attempt to rally his team, made only an indelible mark in the second innings of the Perth test with a crucial century but couldn’t convert stars into substantial innings. Virat and Rohit, who form the spine of Indian batting were not well supported by the rest of the batters. KL Rahul, starting quite sensibly, again became invisible in important moments of the game, something like his ill-judged shot against Scott Boland at the SCG. Team India’s Haphazard Selections And Missed Chances What was concerning at the selection end too. Introducing Harshit Rana at Perth when things were already down and not sending Washington Sundar to bat before the overcast SCG is a dubious policy. Further changes in opening combo, like asking Rohit Sharma to bide time to bat below five, haven’t helped. Among these selection mistakes, all through the series it was such strategic blunders also that provided flavor to chaos this tour epitomized. Australia’s Consistent Performances With chaos all around, India’s bowling remains a strength still led by Jasprit Bumrah. Nevertheless, without appropriate support from their batting lineup, the bowlers did not win any of the moments where they needed them to win this series. It was a case of a very balanced performance by Australia. For Pat Cummins, his tie-up with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as well as great contributions from the bat of Steven Smith and Travis Head kept his team ahead. Gambhir’s Tough Decisions In the end, team India’s failure to bring their best games through key individuals in addition to few tough selections they made in a series resulted to be very pricey. Now the series ends losing the BGT, the head coach Gautam Gambhir needs to take many tough calls on players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Ahead team India will have to find a gap and rebuild again for challenges it will face again in the upcoming WTC cycle. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Australia Beat India, Take Home The BGT And WTC 2025 Final Berth

And the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is coming to Border’s land. Australia have beaten India 3-1 and have taken home the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia Take The Border-Gavaskar Trophy And WTC Final Berth Australia has won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 against India to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 Final. The win came on Sunday when Australia defeated India by six wickets. Australia will now take on South Africa in the WTC 2025 final, which is scheduled for June 11, 2025, assuming they do not lose any points for slow over-rates in their remaining games. Australia stand second in the WTC chart, have a win percentage unassailable by the third-placed team even if they are beaten 2-0 by Sri Lanka in the series that’s about to commence. India’s WTC 2025 Final Hopes Dashed By Australia India has been out of contention for the WTC 2025 final. Having lost 3-0 to New Zealand, India had to beat the Australia or draw the five-match test series to remain in contention. The outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy proved India’s exit, though. Bumrah’s Injury Worries Jasprit Bumrah, despite suffering from back spasms during the Sydney test, was named Player of the Series for his outstanding performance. He claimed 32 wickets in the series, though his absence from the field in the fourth innings, where India had to defend 162 runs, left them a bowler short. Bumrah, who bowled only 10 overs before leaving the field, was candid in expressing frustration but at the same time listened to his body and said, “You have to respect your body. You have to accept what it is and move forward.” Webster’s Impressive Test Match Debut For Australia Beau Webster, on test match debut, played a crucial role in Australia’s victory. Chasing down the target, Webster remained unbeaten on 39, including a boundary off Washington Sundar to seal the win. His composed performance helped Australia complete the chase, marking a memorable start to his test career. Steve Smith’s Near Miss On 10,000 Test Runs Apart from that, Steve Smith was looking forward to achieving a milestone. Unfortunately, with just four runs, Smith was dismissed and stranded on 9999 test match runs for Australia. A short ball by Prasidh Krishna got the better of him. Australia was at 58/3 at that point. Usman Khawaja (41), Travis Head and Webster helped stabilize the game and take Australia to a comfortable victory to clinch the series and book their spot in the WTC 2025 final. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Steve Smith Finally Finds His Hands At The GABBA

He was never out of form, he was just out of runs. Or maybe he was just finding his hands. And today, he silenced his critics with a fantastic ton against the Indian Cricket Team. Yes, we are speaking about none other than Steve Smith. Steve Smith Returns To Form With 33rd Test Match Ton On Day 2 of the third test match at the GABBA, Steve Smith finally silenced his doubters and ended his yearlong century drought with a resolute and disciplined 101 runs against India. His 33rd Test century came before an electrified Brisbane crowd as the former Australian captain showed mental resilience and patience in a challenging battle against India’s relentless bowlers. A Steve Smith Sunday Masterclass Smith’s innings came off 185 balls and was a masterclass in composure. He found his rhythm despite the pressure of the moment and the testing spells from India. His drives and cuts were a reminder of the class that has defined his illustrious career. Dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah with an edge caught behind at slip, Smith departed with his trademark focus and poise, having re-established himself as one of cricket’s finest battlers. Steve Smith Celebrates Calmly The 82nd over of Australia’s innings was the turning point when Smith hit a boundary off Akash Deep and then took a single off the next delivery to take his hundred. Smith’s calm celebration was cheered by teammates and fans. Smith’s century was not just a personal triumph, it signaled his return to form during a crucial moment in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This century marked his first since December 2022 and his 10th century against India in 22 Tests and so far he has averaged over 60 against India. This was Smith’s first hundred in 2024. Therefore, it proved that Steve Smith is back to all guns blazing as more big knock would be needed in days to come. Steve Smith Century Sets Australia Through Fire Steve Smith shared an instrumental 241-run partnership with Travis Head for the fourth wicket, a partnership that proved crucial in pushing Australia past the 300-run mark on Day 2. Both Smith and Head capitalized on their opportunities to put Australia in a strong position against a competitive Indian Cricket Team. Rohit Catches Smith It was only by a spectacular catch from Rohit Sharma that ended Steve Smith’s innings at 101 while returning him to the pavilion. He had also given enough momentum and confidence to Australia going into the remaining parts of the game, despite being dismissed. Captain Cummins Backs Smith Steve Smith’s return to form came just days after Australian skipper Pat Cummins publicly backed him during his lean patch with the bat. Smith’s great display at the GABBA only seemed to reinforce that confidence, as he rode out the pressure and delivered when it mattered most. Over 2,000 runs against India alone and a proven record in big moments, Steve Smith has set the tone for a strong finish to the series. With this century behind him, all the remaining matches at Sydney and Melbourne will be focused on by Smith to continue his form, thus making his position stronger as one of the cricketing world’s most consistent performers. Steve Smith Turns To Be Mentally Strong Steve Smith’s drought-breaking century was a display of his mental toughness and ability to stay composed under pressure. In a year filled with challenges, Smith’s test match century against the Indian Cricket Team has not only lifted his personal confidence but has sent a clear message to the world, Smith is back in the groove and his hunger remains undiminished. As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy unfolds, all cricket fans and pundits can only wait to see if Steve Smith manages to maintain his rhythm with the bat and take Australian cricket to further heights of success. With his 33rd test match century now in the record-books and Australia in such a strong position at GABBA, Steve Smith has surely written another remarkable chapter to his storied career. Has there been a more popular hundred in the recent times? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: What The Pitch Has To Offer At The GABBA?

Australia and India are set to lock horns in the third test at the GABBA in Brisbane and focus will turn to what the GABBA pitch will offer as both sides seek to break the deadlock in the series at 1-1. The GABBA has a history of providing bounce and pace and the state of the pitch could well dictate the outcome. GABBA’s Specialty The GABBA’s reputation as a testing ground for touring teams is already well entrenched, with its lively pitch often revealing the fragilities of the visiting batters who have not had long to settle into the conditions of Australia. The Australian players have long argued for the GABBA to maintain this position as the early summer conditions normally provide much livelier wicket. Insights From The Curator At The GABBA David Sandurski, curator of the GABBA, confirmed that early-summer pitches generally have more bounce and movement, which suits the bowlers. Pitches later in the season might have a bit more wear and tear, while ones early in the season usually are a bit fresher and might have a bit more in them. This is in line with previous trends, where the GABBA has consistently offered more for bowlers earlier in the summer compared to matches played later in the season. Australia To Play Carefully At The GABBA The Australian players know well about the difference in handling of the pitch, based on past experiences and what is going to happen in the latter part of the summer after this instance in 2021. The series against India was lost and Australia was unable to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India defeated Australia at Brisbane, a venue which Australia had never lost at since 1988. That particular test was played in mid-January. What to Expect At The GABBA? For the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the GABBA pitch is expected to remain as pacey and bouncy as it has been in the past. Sandurski confirmed that the pitch would be prepared to offer good carry and a traditional GABBA wicket. However he also said that there would be a better balance between bat and ball, almost a comparison to the solitary Sheffield Shield game played here in the season so far. In that game, 15 wickets fell on day one and though runs were hard to come by initially, the track did ease out to let batsmen get set and score. An Evenly Poised Contest And if the series level beckons and there seems every prospect that the coming days will see plenty of rain in Brisbane, it promises to be quite an interesting contest. Australia will look to exploit the conditions at the GABBA, while India can look at seeing some form from their top order as they failed to make them appear in the first two tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The pitch appears to be good for everyone and at GABBA, it shall indeed prove to be a fascinating battle. Whom do you think will go one-up in the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Ellyse Perry Hits A Unique 150 In ODI Cricket

Ellyse Perry has made history by becoming the first Australian female and eight overall to play 150 One-Day International (ODI) matches in women’s cricket. Perry achieved this when she was included in the playing XI of Australia for the third ODI against India at the WACA in Perth. Perry’s achievement speaks of her longevity and excellence in international cricket, thus making her one of the best in the sport. How Perry Became A Double-Sport Icon? Ellyse Perry is a name that will go with success in both cricket and football. She started her elite sport journey as a teenager. It is surprising that at the age of 16 years, Ellyse Perry made her debut for the Australian Women’s Cricket Team. Simultaneously, she made her first appearance with the Matildas, the Australian Women’s Football Team, just 13 days later. With these great achievements in two international games, Perry is one of the few athletes to participate for her country in the multi-disciplinary fields at an international level. So far, Perry is the only one who has represented Australia both in the cricket and the football World Cups. Perry’s Career Defined By Achievements A force to be reckoned with in women’s cricket, Ellyse Perry is the world’s top-ranked all-rounder and has collected a plethora of awards throughout her career. She was the ICC Women’s Cricketer Of The Year in both 2017 and 2019 and was crowned the ICC Player Of The Decade in 2020. At home, she won the Belinda Clark Award for Australia’s Women’s International Cricketer Of The Year three times (2016, 2018, 2020). Perry’s Impact On The Game Perry’s list of cricketing achievements would be a thing to believe. She helped Australia lift the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the years 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023. She even won Player Of The Match in the final of the 2010 edition of the tournament. Perry is credited with the best bowling in an ODI by an Australian woman, which was also 7 for 22 against England from 10 overs. She gained Player Of The Series while touring women’s Ashes in 2019 in England. How Perry Became A Versatile Athlete Across Multiple Formats? Perry’s success is not limited to cricket alone. In the Women’s Big Bash League in 2019, she became the first player to score 2000 runs. Her consistency in international cricket, with numerous half-centuries and a historic 213* in the Ashes 2017, speaks volumes of her resilience and adaptability. How Perry Is An Inspiration Beyond The Field? Off the field, Ellyse Perry is a passionate supporter of women’s sports. She has written a four-book series encouraging young girls to chase their dreams. Perry inspires others through her charitable work with organizations such as the McGrath Foundation and Sporting Chance. Perry’s Legacy Of Excellence Ellyse Perry’s achievement of representing Australia in 150 ODIs simply adds to a glorious book on her career, making her one of Australia’s most revered and powerful sportswomen. Do you know the other female cricketers who have surpassed the 150 ODIs landmark? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: The Travis Head-Ache Continues For India

Travis Head continued to torture the Indian Cricket Team as he struck a brilliant century on Day 2 of the second test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Adelaide. One who always comes good at the right moment, Head’s knock was yet another reminder of his dominance against India, having already made his mark in the ICC World Test Championship 2023 Final and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final. Travis Head’s Second Test Century Against India This is Travis Head’s eighth career test match century and second against India in test match cricket. Having played a dogged 89 in the first test in Perth where Australia lost heavily, Head faced India’s pace attack yet again and sent Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj packing. Head’s first test match hundred against India came in the WTC Final in 2023 when he was sublime to post an innings of 163 as Australia took control. Travis Head’s Masterclass At The Adelaide Oval Travis Head became the first South Australian cricketer to achieve three centuries at the legendary Adelaide Oval. Head’s consistently managed to find openings with relative ease and ensured continued momentum for his side in an important 65-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Marnus Labuschagne, who made 64. His controlled batting kept the game in play for the hosts and hence he was a vital participant in Australia’s innings. Travis Head A Constant Hurdle For India Travis Head has been the thorn in the side of India across formats. Be it test match cricket or ODIs, Head at the crease often sends out trouble signals for India. If Indian bowlers fail to get him out early, Travis Head can snatch the game from them as he did once again in this series. Travis Head And Marnus Labuschagne Steady The Ship Australia started Day 2 at 86/1, appearing very stable until Jasprit Bumrah made a quick breakthrough with the wicket of Nathan McSweeney. He followed that up with another important wicket, Steven Smith, back to the pavilion for just 2 runs. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the Australian ship by combining for a 65-run partnership before Labuschagne was dismissed for a well-made 64 by Nitish Kumar Reddy, providing India with much-needed breakthrough. At the time of writing, Australia were at 280 for 5 in 76.3 overs, with Travis Head on 119* off 128. Head’s presence at the crease remains crucial as Australia aim to extend their lead in this crucial second test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Will Travis Head continue to wound India or will the Indian bowlers stop the bleeding? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: What Makes Australia Dominate In Pink Ball Tests?

As Australia prepares for another day-night test match in Adelaide, there is a lot to look forward to as this side is confident of avenging the heavy defeat at India’s hands in the first test. However, Australia’s brilliant record in pink-ball tests stands at its own pedestal. Notching up all seven of the day-night tests at the Adelaide Oval and 11 of 12 overall at their home, they have their best track record. Following are the factors that feature why Australia is dominating day-night tests. Win The Toss And Batting First In Pink Ball Test The secret to Australian success in day-night tests seems to be winning the toss and batting first. Indeed, they have won all seven of their matches when deciding to bat first, posting monstrous totals-often well over 400 runs. An earlier success by West Indies batted first and scored 311 and then went on to win the match by eight runs is an excellent example of how batting first gives a head start. Of the 12 day-night tests played at home, ten have seen the team winning the toss opt to bat. England were exceptions in Adelaide (2017) and Hobart (2022), both of which they lost after failing to build on their early advantage. In like manner, New Zealand in 2015 and Sri Lanka in 2019 could not make a mark after opting to bat, managing scores of just 202 and 144, respectively. Even when South Africa declared at 259/9 in Adelaide in 2016 to bowl under lights, Australia’s unbroken partnership at stumps showed how important it is to have a solid first innings score. India’s 2020 loss, despite having a first-innings lead of 53 runs, remains one of the rare exceptions to this pattern. The New Ball Effect The new pink ball used in day-night tests significantly upgrades the performance of seam bowlers compared to its red version. Fast bowlers have particularly flourished under this condition, especially the Australian fast bowlers. Since 2015-16, the average for fast bowlers in the first 20 overs of a red-ball test has been 33.02. However, in pink ball tests, it drops down to 24.56. Australia’s fast bowling has been very effective with the pink ball, averaging just 18.87 in the first 20 overs, compared to 25.01 with the red ball. Even the visiting quicks, on average, have done a better job with the pink ball (33.94) than with the red (45.91). That gap makes batting in the early sessions of a pink ball test much tougher than in day games. Batting Issues In The Final Session The last session of a day-night test, which is generally played under lights, is the most challenging for batsmen. Fast bowlers reign supreme in this phase with an average of 20.30, as opposed to 23.03 in the first session and 32.01 in the second. The Australian bowlers are even more lethal, with an average of 14.66 under lights in all 12 day-night tests. Visiting bowlers have an average of 32.08 under lights. Interestingly, the Adelaide Oval presents a different picture, where the fast bowlers do well in the first session (23.02) than in the third (25.66). Australia’s pacers are as deadly in the afternoon, with an average of 17.42 and 18.26 respectively. Nathan Lyon’s Performance While Australia’s fast bowling cartel has shone in day-night test matches, Nathan Lyon has also played a crucial role in his side’s dominance. As a spinner, Lyon outshines visiting spinners in such conditions. Since the 2015-16 season, Lyon has averaged 25.58 in pink ball tests and 31.80 in red ball tests at home. His ability to take wickets at the right time and at a faster rate than with the red ball, has made him a valuable player in Australia’s current dominance. The visiting spinners, however, have fared poorly in Australia. Since 2015-16, they have averaged 62.31 in red ball test matches and 64.44 in pink ball test matches, while Nathan Lyon has been a contrast to all of them every time. Leading Run Getter In Pink Ball Tests Marnus Labuschagne has been outstanding in pink ball tests. With 894 runs at an average of 63.85 and four centuries, Labuschagne is the highest run-getter in pink ball test matches for Australia. Travis Head with two hundreds is the next best. Leading Wicket Taker In Pink Ball Tests Mitchell Starc has been Australia’s leading wicket-taker in pink-ball Tests. With 66 wickets at an average of 18.71, he is the only player in Australia to have taken 50-plus wickets in this format. Along with Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have also kept excellent records, with averages under 20. Australia In Pink Ball Tests Australia’s near-perfect record in day-night tests at home comes from a couple of factors. All these have been part of the bat-first strategy, the effectiveness of seamers with the new pink ball and the dominance of Australian bowlers under lights. Nathan Lyon’s success as a spinner in these conditions adds to Australia’s formidable reputation. With Labuschagne, Starc and Lyon leading the charge, Australia remains a force to be reckoned with in day-night test matches and continues to make it hard for opponents to beat them on home soil. Will Australia keep dominating in the pink ball test or will India have the upper hand this time in Adelaide? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye