After the Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas episode, India’s fiery pacer Mohammed Siraj and Australian pacer Scott Boland got physical on Day 2 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.
Earlier, on Day 1 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, Virat Kohli’s physical altercation with Australia’s Test debutant, Sam Konstas, resulted in a 20% match fee fine and a demerit point.
Mohammed Siraj collides with Scott Boland after Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas drama in the Boxing Day Test at MCG
The incident unfolded during the 10th over of Australia’s innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) when Virat Kohli brushed shoulders with Sam Konstas while passing him. This irritated the young Australian batter, and he quickly confronted Virat Kohli, leading to a brief confrontation before the umpire intervened to defuse the situation.
Now, in the 119th over of Australia’s innings, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj delivered a back-of-a-length ball aimed at the stumps, and the Australian spinner Nathan Lyon gently tapped it towards mid-wicket, signaling his batting partner Scott Boland for a single.
Scott Boland responded and took off, but there was a moment of drama as Mohammed Siraj collided with the Australian pacer while attempting to field the ball. Despite the collision, the pair managed to get a single, but the crowd showed their displeasure with some boos directed at Mohammed Siraj at the MCG.
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Notably, Lyon (13) and Boland (6*) have added 19 runs for the last wicket to take Australia to 474 in their first innings of the ongoing fourth Test against India in Melbourne. Earlier, Steve Smith returned to his best form with the bat and hammered his second century in the ongoing Test series.
Steve Smith returns to his beast mode with the bat
Steve Smith played a remarkable knock of 140 runs off 197 balls studded with 13 boundaries and three sixes as well as being involved in four crucial partnerships to help Australia take the upper hand in the ongoing fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test match against India at the MCG.
Smith added 83 runs with Marnus Labuschagne (72), 53 runs with Alex Carey (31), 112 runs with Pat Cummins (49), and 44 runs with Mitchell Starc (15) to take Australia over 470 runs on the board in their first innings in the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Earlier, Sam Kontas and Usman Khawaja also smashed brilliant fifties, while Jasprit Bumrah has yet again shone with the ball, taking four wickets at the MCG. Ravindra Jadeja also scalped three wickets, while two wickets were on Akash Deep’s account. Washington Sundar also caught Labuschagne in his spin trap in the ongoing fourth Test against Australia.
Sam Konstas scripts history at the MCG
Notably, Konstas had become the fourth youngest Australian player to make his Test debut in 19 years and 85 days. The youngest Australian player was Ian Craig (17 years and 239 days), who made his Test debut at the age of 17 years and 239 days against South Africa in Melbourne in 1953.
Craig was followed by Pat Cummins (18 years and 193 days) against South Africa in 2011 and Tom Garrett (18 years and 232 days) against England in 1877.