On day two of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia's duo of Travis Head and Steve Smith put on a stellar partnership of 241 runs to lift their team to a mammoth total of 405/7. Smith, who has been struggling with form, finally broke his drought and added another record to his name. Head, who has been in top form against India, continues to dominate with the bat in the ongoing series. India faces a huge challenge ahead as Australia takes control of the match.
Travis Head and Steve Smith Star in Australia's Domination
Background
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a four-match Test series between Australia and India, played for the famous trophy named after former Australian captain Allan Border and former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar. The third Test of the current series was held in Indore, India, from March 1 to 5, 2023.
Australia's Stellar Partnership
On the second day of the third Test, Australian batsmen Travis Head and Steve Smith forged a magnificent partnership of 241 runs for the third wicket. Head, who has been in exceptional form against India, scored 129 off 229 deliveries, while Smith, who had been struggling, contributed a well-made 122 off 299 balls.
Head's century was his second in the series, following his match-winning 175 in the first Test. Smith's century, on the other hand, was his first in Tests since January 2023. The pair's partnership helped Australia post a massive total of 405/7 declared, putting India under significant pressure.
India's Challenges
India faces a daunting task in responding to Australia's total. The hosts ended Day 3 on 84/3, with a deficit of 321 runs. Indian batters have struggled against Australia's spin attack, particularly Nathan Lyon, who has taken 10 wickets in the match so far.
Top 5 FAQs
Who is Travis Head? Travis Head is a 29-year-old Australian cricketer who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm off-spin. He has played 61 Tests and 85 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for Australia.
How did Steve Smith perform in the third Test? Steve Smith scored a crucial century in the third Test, his first in Tests since January 2023. His knock helped Australia post a big total and put India under pressure.
What is Australia's current position in the series? Australia leads the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 2-0 after winning the first two Tests in Nagpur and Delhi.
What is the significance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most prestigious rivalries in Test cricket, with both Australia and India being recognized as two of the world's top teams.
When is the next match of the series? The fourth and final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played in Ahmedabad, India, from March 9 to 13, 2023.
Tottenham Hotspur suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of their north London rivals Arsenal, in what turned out to be one of their worst performances of the season. Manager Thomas Frank's tactics and team selection came under scrutiny after he opted for a back three, which he eventually changed at half-time. The defeat saw Spurs record their lowest expected goals (xG) of the season, with just 0.07 xG registered against Arsenal. With just three wins in their last 11 games, Tottenham's season seems to be spiraling downwards and manager Thomas Frank has apologized to fans for their dismal display.
Get ready for a thrilling match as Arsenal, the current leaders of the Premier League table, face off against their rivals Tottenham in the highly-anticipated north London derby. Sky customers can tune in to watch the game on Sky Sports at 4pm or stream it on the Sky Sports app. Non-Sky customers can also catch the action by purchasing a NOW Day or Month pass. Both teams have something to prove as Arsenal looks to maintain its three-point lead while Tottenham aims to climb up the table. Don't miss this showdown at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday November 23 at 4.30pm UK time.
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard scored the opening goal in a 4-1 victory against Tottenham in the North London Derby, for the second season in a row. The Belgian forward expressed his joy post-match, crediting the goal for giving the team the confidence to dominate the game. Trossard also praised the team's overall performance and the support of the fans, who created a stunning atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium. With this win, Arsenal maintains their position at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal's star midfielder Eberechi Eze proved his worth in the North London derby, leading the Gunners to a 4-1 victory over rivals Tottenham with a stunning hat-trick. However, many were left wondering how different things would have been if Eze had joined Tottenham last summer. The playmaker was expected to join Spurs until Arsenal hijacked the deal due to Kai Havertz's injury. Now, Eze has put all talks about his failed move behind him as he dominates on the pitch for the Gunners.
In a highly anticipated Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the home side emerged victorious with a 4-1 win. Arsenal's star player Eberechi Eze was the standout performer of the game, scoring a hat-trick and securing the win for his team. Tottenham's defense struggled to contain the Arsenal attack, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario conceding four goals. Despite some solid performances, including that of defender Cristian Romero, the night belonged to Arsenal and Eze's impressive display.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank took the full blame for his team's embarrassing loss to bitter rivals Arsenal. He apologized to the fans and acknowledged that his tactics were a major factor in the defeat. The statistics also showed that this was the second time Tottenham had used a back three system and failed to score above 0.1 expected goals, leaving them in ninth place in the Premier League. Frank admitted his concerns about the team's lack of aggressiveness and creativity in a game like this, and promised to work harder to improve in the future.
The Indian women's blind cricket team has created history by emerging as the champions of the first ever Blind Women's T20 World Cup, held in Colombo. In a one-sided final against Nepal, India showcased their prowess in both bowling and batting to secure a convincing seven-wicket victory. This remarkable feat not only reflects their talent and composure under pressure, but also sends a powerful message about inclusion and expanding women's sport to new formats and communities. By lifting the trophy, the Indian side has given much-deserved recognition to blind cricket and its athletes both in India and globally.
As Arsenal continues to secure long-term commitments from key players, manager Mikel Arteta expresses his belief that discussions with youngster Bukayo Saka and his representatives are progressing positively. Saka, a central figure in Arsenal's development under Arteta, has become a consistent performer and important leader on the pitch. For the manager, the young star's journey with the club is a legacy they are determined to maintain.
Tottenham's manager Thomas Frank apologizes for their disappointing performance against Arsenal, stating that they were not aggressive enough and did not win enough duels. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also apologizes for their lack of fight and acknowledges the importance of sticking together as a team. Despite their emotional defeat, they aim to learn from their mistakes and move forward for their upcoming game on Wednesday. Interestingly, Frank also addresses the controversial second goal scored by Arsenal, but admits that it wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game.
The recent international break was an eventful one for Arsenal, with injuries plaguing the squad. However, amidst the chaos, one former Gunner experienced a career-high moment. Kieran Tierney, who left Arsenal to sign with Celtic, scored a stunning goal for Scotland to secure their spot in the World Cup. Tierney's former teammates, including Mikel Merino, praised him as a "legend" and "deserving" of the achievement.