Claire Polosak set to become first female match official in men’s Test match
Australia’s Claire Polosak is set to become the first female match official in a men’s Test match when she takes up the fourth umpire’s role in the third Test between India and Australia on Thursday.
The 32-year-old from New South Wales has already earned the distinction of being the first woman on-field umpire in a men’s ODI match in ICC’s Division 2 league between Namibia and Oman played at the Windhoek in 2019.
In the India-Australia Test match, the on-field umpires will be two former pacers Paul Reiffel and Paul Wilson while the TV Umpire will be Bruce Oxenford.
Kudos to Claire - hope to see you as on-field umpire soon!
As per ICC rules for Test matches, the fourth umpire is appointed by the home cricket board from their nominees to the International Panel of ICC Umpires and from the host country.
The duties of a fourth umpire include bringing on the new ball, carrying drinks on to the field for the umpires, checking the batteries in the light meter, observing the pitch during the lunch and tea intervals to make sure there is no interference, and bringing on new bails.
The fourth umpire can also take over the third umpire’s position if something happens to one of the on-field umpires, in which case the third umpire takes over on-field duties.
Exciting last day of the test in the store. India need to score 309 to win or bat out the day to draw. India is poised well for both. They could’ve been a bit better position if not for the wicket of Rohit. The pitch seems to have eased out a bit from 4th day’s play. But, India has other worries too. Jadeja most probably won’t bat. Pant may, But he would be more wary of protecting his elbow. So, India has a brave task ahead tomorrow.
Remarkable resilience shown by India. They had lost Jadeja to Injury. Vihari, Pant and Ashwin battled on through Injury and saved the day. A win also looked possible till Pant was on the crease.
A bigger test awaits India in Brisbane. India’s injury woes worsens further with Bumrah also ruled out. Ashwin & Jadeja already ruled out.
India’s bowling is now thread bare and totally comprises of Rookies. India now looks more like India A. Some may even wonder whether India is even left with 11 players. All front line bowlers injured, In batting also India will be without Kohli, Rahul, Vihari, Jadeja. Pant in all probability be available. Mayank is also under injury cloud. If he is not available, Shaw will get a new chance. Kuldep will also get an opportunity to don whites.
Probable India XI : Gill, Mayank/Shaw, Pujara, Rahane, Rohit, Pant, Saha, Siraj, Saini, Natrajan, Kuldeep.
If Pant is fit enough to keep, India can lay both Shaw & Mayank and offset weakened bowling with bolstered batting. There is Shardul in the mix too, Will he get a nod ahead of Saha?
We are in for an exciting series finale tomorrow. India need 324 to win the series, Australia need 10 wickets in possible 98 overs. Both the team would fancy their chances. Though some might say that only two results are possible. Either a drawn match or Aussies winning it. They may think 300 in a day looks impossible. But, There is a big BUT of rain in the way (Pun Intended! ). The rain that stopped play today are expected to last overnight. Forecast is that it’ll rain all night in Brisbane. Doesn’t look good for an on time start for tomorrow.
So, We are all set for an exciting day rain gods permitting.
India claim stunning series win, end Australia’s Gabba streak
Rishabh Pant was the hero as an injury-ravaged India ended Australia’s 32-year undefeated run at the Gabba, executing a record-breaking final day chase to win the Test by three wickets and the series 2-1.
In Sydeny and Today, Aus fancied their chances for a match and series win, But India had something else in store for them. Indians shown unbelievable resilience and grit.
For me today’s hero are Pujara & Pant. Pujara took about a dozen body blows and stood firm for 200 balls. It took wind out of Aus pacers. It was Pujara’s innings that made sure Lyon had t bowl till end due to tired Au pacers. Pant held his nerves and took India home on a tricky pitch.
Two of the factors that I consider proved critical in India win.
Australia seems to be too dependent on Warner/Smith and a bit on Labuschane. A not so well performance by the trio and Rest failed to take over the burden. Australia doesn’t look like a strong batting team. They conceded 20 wickets twice to rookie Indian attack.
Many injuries also seems to have worked to India’s advantage surprisingly. Aus was prepared for India batting with Kohli, Agarwal, Rohit, Jadeja, But they had to bowl to Gill, Sundar, Shardul, They might not have been expecting Pant to be regular fixture too. It seems they hadn’t many plans for them. Pujara and Rahane were but not many plans work against Pujara I guess!
Aus were planning to bat against Bumrah, Shami, Ishant, Umesh, Ashwin, Jadeja. But they were suddenly facing Siraj, Natrajan, Shardul, Saini, Sundar. They didn’t know what to expect fully.
). The rain that stopped play today are expected to last overnight. Forecast is that it’ll rain all night in Brisbane. Doesn’t look good for an on time start for tomorrow.
