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Posted: 2014-12-14 05:16:00

6.18pm: AUSTRALIA WINS! What an astonishing victory!

Ishant Sharma is stumped for a duck, giving him a pair for the match, as Nathan Lyon takes his seventh wicket for the innings. His match figures are a career-best 12-286. But more importantly, he’s done what he so desperately wanted to do — bowled Australia to victory. India can’t believe it. They were cruising at 2-242 shortly after tea but then lost eight wickets for 73 in an astonishing final session. Virat Kohli in his first Test as Indian captain must be feeling wretched right now. He was the seventh man out at 304, just 60 runs short of the victory target, and he won’t forgive himself for playing virtually the only lofted shot of his innings. In the end, Australia won with 48 runs to spare but rarely on the last day did the margin ever look like being that comfortable.

ONE BLOT ON THE DAY: Australian captain Michael Clarke admits the scans on his injured right hamstring “weren’t good” and he will struggle to take any further part in this series, with Tests in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney still to come. His first innings century here, weighed down by his grief following Phillip Hughes’ death and then the sharp pain of back spasms, was arguably the greatest of his career. Interesting dilemma for both Australia and India heading to the Gabba. Australia presumably will stick with Brad Haddin as captain after he steadied the ship today but how can India possibly drop Virat Kohli as captain after he almost single-handedly won this Test, even if MS Dhoni is ready to play? The odds he so nearly bucked; the last 12 Australia-India Tests have all been won by the home side.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the running blog. Goodbye from the Adelaide Oval.

VICTORY: Nathan Lyon’s career-best lifts Australia.

Live ball-by-ball updates:

6.08pm: WICKET! It’s almost over. Australia takes the new ball at 8-314 and Mitchell Johnson strikes with the first delivery, trapping Varun Aaron in front for one. 315 is the record for the highest victory run-chase at this ground — set back in 1901-02 by Australia against England — and that’s exactly what India is now. But they only have one wicket left and Johnson is giving Ishant Sharma the full treatment. This more exciting than Bodyline, according to the good people of Adelaide because today’s crowd, 24,836 breaks the fifth day record set during the infamous Bodyline Test here in 1933. And the overall attendance, 113,009 is the highest ever for a non-Ashes Test, beating the mark set during the Tied Test series against the West Indies in 1960-61.

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The Australian cricket team have finished an emotional first Test off with celebrations near the 408 tribute to their mate Phillip Hughes.

6.01pm: ANOTHER WICKET! Australia closing in on a gripping victory as Ryan Harris gets a well-deserved wicket as Mohammed Shami skies an attempted drive and is well caught by Mitchell Johnson. Vijay, in particular, had done nothing but defend against Harris, scoring just 14 runs off 62 deliveries he faced from him so it was only justice that the veteran of the side should get some reward. India now down to just two wickets with still 51 runs needed. It’s suddenly starting to get very claustrophobic for Karn Shama and Varun Aaron.

Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay of India run between the wickets as bowler Ryan Harris of Au

Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay of India run between the wickets as bowler Ryan Harris of Australia falls over during day five. Source: Getty Images

5.48pm: WHAT A WICKET! Is that the matchwinner for Australia? Mitchell Marsh, fielding at cow corner, has a heart-stopping moment as Virat Kohli skies the ball towards him but he holds his nerves as he dives forward and more importantly holds the catch. How he holds it no-one knows because he takes the Australian method of pointing his fingers skywards to ridiculous extremes as he accepts the catch centimetres above the turf. Kohli’s brilliant innings comes to an end on 141 and he is inconsolable, standing crouched over his bat at the wicket for fully half a minute after his dismissal. Half an hour ago Lyon had a millstone around his neck but now he has 6-148, 11 wickets for the match. Prior to this Test he had never taken a 10-for. India 7-305 still needing 59 runs more. Australia three wickets. There’s still more twists to come in this match.

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Nathan Lyon is keeping Australia's hopes alive in the first Test against India at Adelaide Oval.

5.37pm:WICKET! Oh the drama of it all. Wriddhiman Saha, having just hit Nathan Lyon for a six and a four, goes the windy whoosh again, misses and is clean bowled by Lyon for 13. India now 6-299, needing 65 to win. Australia can take the new ball but so far they’re sticking with the old one. After all Nathan Lyon now has 5-143. What’s more, pace spearheads Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson must be getting tired, having bowled 17 overs and 15 respectively. Why, one wonders, has Shane Watson only contributed two overs?

5.24pm: WICKET! Nathan Lyon grabs his fourth wicket of the innings and the ninth of the match, getting one to really grip and spin to Rohit Sharma who can’t control it, the catch lobbing to leg slip where David Warner takes an excellent catch in his left hand. India now 5-279, 85 runs short of victory. Gutsy keeper Wriddhiman Saha joins Kohli out in the middle as Siddle returns to the attack. Australia needs wickets. He needs wickets.

Australia's Chris Rogers celebrates with teammate Nathan Lyon, second left, after catchin

Australia's Chris Rogers celebrates with teammate Nathan Lyon, second left, after catching out India's Ajinkya Rahane, left. Source: AP

5.17pm: Kohli nudges Mitchell Johnson deliberately through the slips for four to move to 121, his highest Test score. What a match this man is having. His two centuries the first time it has been done on debut by a captain since Greg Chappell against the West Indies at the Gabba in 1975-76.

5.12pm: 100 runs needed by India off 132 balls. Put it like that, in one-day terms, and it looks a cinch, especially with six wickets still in hand. But this is Test cricket and the Australian bowlers are putting the squeeze on. At what stage does Kohli cut loose? He’s the key, unconquered on 117.


4.53pm: DRINKS. India’s required run rate has risen to 4.57 runs per over, needing 119 runs off 26 overs with six wickets in hand. Both teams are showing signs of fraying under the pressure but while captain Virat Kohli is there, India will fancy its chances. But if Australia could capture his wicket, the tail could fold quickly.


4.46pm: ANOTHER WICKET! ANOTHER STINKER DECISION! Ajinkya Rahane is ruled out for a duck, caught by Steve Smith off Lyon, his second wicket of the over. But it’s a dreadful decision by umpire Erasmus. Replays show there was no hint of bat hitting ball. Now the Test is back on an even keel, Australia needing six wickets, India needing 121 runs, with the mercurial Rohit Sharma joining his captain out in the middle.

Australia celebrate after dismissing Ajinkya Rahane of India. Picture: Scott Barbour/Gett

Australia celebrate after dismissing Ajinkya Rahane of India. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Source: Getty Images

4.41pm: WICKET FOR AUSTRALIA! Opener Murali Vijay falls for 99, lbw to Lyon. He can’t believe it and stands motionless at the crease for several seconds, not believing he has missed his fifth Test century by one run. Suddenly, it’s game on. Australia needs another seven wickets, India another 122 runs.

Nathan Lyon and the Australian team celebrate the wicket of Murali Vijay. Picture: Robert

Nathan Lyon and the Australian team celebrate the wicket of Murali Vijay. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Source: Getty Images

4.36pm: CENTURY TO KOHLI! The Indian captain pushes to wide mid-off and scampers through for his second century of the match. What an extraordinary performance from him on debut as Indian captain. The wheels are starting to fall off for the home team, with acting captain twice leaking byes in this Ryan Harris over.

India's Virat Kohli reacts after reaching a century. Picture: James Elsby

India's Virat Kohli reacts after reaching a century. Picture: James Elsby Source: AP


4.32pm: There’s a sight you don’t see often on a cricket scoreboard, both batsmen on 99.


4.29pm: If India pulls off a remarkable victory here, it will be the greatest successful run chase in the history of the Adelaide Oval. The best stands to the credit of Australia, scoring 6-315 to beat England in 1901-02. Currently India is 2-230 chasing 364. Vijay on 99, Kohli on 97. The race is on to the century.

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Australian skipper Michael Clarke has left Adelaide Oval for scans with a suspected injury to his right hamstring.


4.12pm: Immediate change of tactic from Nathan Lyon after the tea interval, switching to around the wicket to bowl to Kohli. And he should have had instant success as the Indian captain was struck on the pad plumb in front attempting to sweep him. Replays show the ball would have hit the top of middle stump but for the second time today South African umpire Marais Erasmus gets it wrong and rejects the appeal. Stand by for a new round of arguments on the merits of the DRS system. All pretty pointless really. India doesn’t want it. And that’s the end of it. Bizarrely, there has not been a single lbw decision given so far in this Test.

4.02pm: A MITCH Marsh dropped catch just before the tea interval ensures the momentum will be fully behind India as the First Test at the Adelaide Oval heads into its final session today ...

Read the full report at tea

Mitch Marsh drops a catch during day five of the First Test. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty

Mitch Marsh drops a catch during day five of the First Test. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Source: Getty Images

3.12pm: Lyon given a rest after bowling nine overs unchanged for 43 runs after lunch, with Siddle taking over from the River Torrens end. But he’s down a little on speed in this Test, bowling in the low 130’s kph. Kohli looking rock-solid although Vijay’s concentration seems to be wavering. But he wouldn’t want to get out to a loose shot with his hyper-competitive captain looking on from the other end.

Peter Siddle of Australia bowls during day five. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty

Siddle of Australia bowls during day five. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Source: Getty Images


3.02pm: Michael Clarke has been sent for scans on his injured hamstring. He must be on first name basis with local hospital staff by now. Meanwhile, India is quietly positioning itself for a final session blitz. Now going at 3.34 runs per over. The required run rate for victory is 3.72.

Michael Clarke leaves the field after injuring himself. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty

Michael Clarke leaves the field after injuring himself. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Source: Getty Images

2.54pm: India’s target now under 200 as Kohli square cuts Lyon for four to push the total to 2-165, 199 runs short. The Australians are leaving the backward point area undefended to encourage the Indians to cut against Lyon’s spin but both batsmen seem more than happy to rise to that challenge. Now the mettle of this Australian team is about to be tested, with Kohli and Vijay making batting look relatively easy.

Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli of India celebrate. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty

Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli of India celebrate. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Source: Getty Images

2.47pm: 100 partnership up for Virat Kohli (60) and Murali Vijay (66), brought up with magnificent Kohli cover drive off Nathan Lyon whose figures have blown out somewhat to 1-77 off 19 overs. The wonder is stand-in captain Brad Haddin hasn’t switched him around to the Cathedral end to see if English umpire Ian Gould is more amenable to giving an lbw decision than South African Marais Erasmus. Not that Erasmus has got it wrong, with the exception of the one bad call when Vijay should have been lbw on 24. The longer this partnership goes, the more the pressure on Lyon will increase. Sadly, his flatter trajectory today suggests he’s very much aware of it.


2.32pm: Virat Kohli now has the most runs ever by a batsman in his first Test as Indian captain (115 and 52 not out), surpassing Vijay Hazare’s 164 against England in Delhi in 1951.

Virat Kohli batting as wicketkeeper Brad Haddin looks on. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty

Virat Kohli batting as wicketkeeper Brad Haddin looks on. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Source: Getty Images


2.29pm: The sight no Australians wanted to see, Michael Clarke limping from the ground after seemingly straining his right hamstring attempting to field a ball at wide mid-on team physio Alex Kountouris comes out on the field but there’s nothing he can do for the Australian captain there. If there was any doubt over whether Clarke will be stood down from the Brisbane Test starting on Wednesday, this injury surely has removed it. And the first signs of concern starting to appear in the Australian ranks as Kohli edges one through the vacant third slip region to bring up his half century. India now only 215 runs short of victory with eight wickets in hand.

Michael Clarke goes down injured. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty

Michael Clarke goes down injured. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Source: Getty Images

2.07pm: Indian captain Virat Kohli signals his intent by lofting the first ball he faces from Nathan Lyon after lunch over the fence at square leg. India going at the rate of a run a minute after the break, but it almost came to an end on 2-127 when Kohli on 36 was struck low on the pad by Lyon. The ball would definitely have hit the stumps and all the Australians go up in a triumphant appeal but umpire Erasmus says “No”. And he’s 100 per cent right. The ball struck Kohli just outside the line of off stump and he was playing a shot, albeit not a very effective one. But that was the first ball from Lyon that kept low and he’ll draw some encouragement from that.

Ricky Ponting on the Test:If Australia wins it will be because of three amazing efforts in the first innings

1.11pm: That’s lunch on the final day, with the game still neatly poised. India is 2-105, still requiring another 259 runs in two sessions for victory, Australia another eight wickets. No real demons emerging from this Adelaide Oval pitch. The bounce is helping Nathan Lyon, with the ball occasionally springing like a cobra up at the batsman, but is also is hurting him, with umpire Marais Erasmus adjudging in a number of appeals that the ball would have bounced over the stumps. Virat Kohli is well poised on 25 if he decides to boldly make a charge for victory in his first Test as captain, while Murali Vijay has had his share of luck but is still there on 47.

Full lunch report:Honours and luck shared on crucial final morning of First Test


12.24am: If Lyon is the key to victory for Australia then Virat Kohli is absolutely crucial to India’s chances. His past 10 scores for India have been 62, 127, 22, 49, 53, 66, 139 not out, 60, 66 and 115. And already the Indian captain has moved to 16 off only 23 balls.

11.59am: WICKET! Nathan Lyon makes the breakthrough, having Pujara caught behind by Brad Haddin for 21. India 2-57, still needing another 307 runs for victory. Pujara played a forward defensive anticipating spin — he had every reason to expect it because the ball has been turning sharply — but it was the arm ball and took the edge. Indian captain Virat Kohli comes to the wicket and immediately goes on the offensive, wristily attacking Lyon right from the start.

Nathan Lyon celebrates taking the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara. Picture: Robert Cianflone/

Nathan Lyon celebrates taking the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Source: Getty Images


11.50am: ONE BAD DECISION APIECE. India might have been on the receiving end of a poor umpiring decision earlier when Dhawan was given out caught off his shoulder but the morning’s ledger is squared as Nathan Lyon is denied Murali Vijay’s wicket. Umpire Marais Erasums turns down a prolonged appeal for lbw but replays show the ball would have gone on to hit middle stump. Vijay survives on 24 but has a scare when an edge off Ryan Harris falls just short of first slip. India 1-57 off 17 overs at drinks. The required run rate at the start of play was 3.72. India currently averaging 3.35 runs per over. This looks like going right to the wire.

Nathan Lyon appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Murali Vijay. Picture: Michael Dodge

Nathan Lyon appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Murali Vijay. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Source: Getty Images


11.13am: Nathan Lyon brought into the attack after only seven overs and Murali Vijay’s eyes immediately light up. He clearly wants to get after the Australian spinner like he did in the first innings but Clarke has set a precise in-out field and if the Indian opener intends taking the aerial route he’ll have to go all the way. Fascinating contest between bat and ball.


11.07am: Nathan Lyon comes on to replace Ryan Harris.


10:56am: SHOCKING WICKET DECISION! Australia breaks through for its first wicket but it should never have been given. Dhawan is adjudged by umpire Ian Gould to have gloved a Mitchell Johnson down the legside to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin but the replays clearly show the ball came off his shoulder. Johnson ran past Dhawan and gave him a serve as the left-hander stood in his batting stance, understandably glaring at Gould.


It’s the first real howler of the Test although Saha got an unlucky one in the first innings when he was given out caught off his pad. But India have no grounds for complaint. They point blank refuse to accept the Decision Review System technology. India 1-18.

Mitchell Johnson celebrates after dismissing Shikhar Dhawan. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty

Mitchell Johnson celebrates after dismissing Shikhar Dhawan. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Source: Getty Images


10.50am: First boundary of the innings for India but it was oh-so-nearly the first wicket for Australia as Dhawan French cuts Ryan Harris down to the fine leg fence. The ball was almost a repeat of the one from Harris that bowled him in the first innings but India has moved into double figures. India 0-16 after four overs.


10.11am: Lots of questions to be answered on the final day of the Adelaide Test but already one has been answered. Michael Clarke has declared on the overnight score, setting India a victory target of 364. Australia has 98 overs to get the 10 wickets it needs to go 1-0 up in the series. All eyes turn to Nathan Lyon ...

10.00am: Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of the final day of the first Test in Adelaide as Australia battle India for a win. All times AEDT.

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