Australia turned the screws on India in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne as Steve Smith hit his second century in as many matches before India's batting failed spectacularly in the final hour.
After struggling initially in the series, Smith roared back into form with a sizzling 140 as Australia amassed a daunting 474 in their first innings of the fourth Test on Friday.
Australia's lower order batted brilliantly as the hosts, who started the day on 311-6, took the score closer to 500 and the match beyond India's grasp.
With more than 87,000 fans in attendance, Australia plundered the runs before being dismissed soon after lunch. Smith's brilliant 140, which included 13 fours and three sixes, ended when he was bowled by Akash Deep in bizarre circumstances, with the ball trickling off his body after charging down the wicket.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah once again carried the bowling load with hardly any support from the other end, finishing with 4-99, while spinner Ravindra Jadeja took 3-78.
There was more hardship awaiting India as captain Rohit Sharma walked out to bat as an opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rohit's promotion to the top meant an in-form KL Rahul was asked to bat at one down, while Shubman Gill was dropped from the XI.
The decision backfired, as was expected. Rohit did not look settled at any stage and spooned a simple catch off Pat Cummins after attempting a strange pull shot.
Rahul steadied the ship with Jaiswal before the former was bowled by Cummins for 24 via a brilliant off cutter.
In walked Virat Kohli and he looked like taking India through to close of play without further damage.
Jaiswal was batting superbly, scoring boundaries at will and also hitting a six. But in the final 45 minutes of play, India lost the plot completely.
Jaiswal, batting on 82, went for a non-existent single to mid on and ended up on the same end with Kohli, run out easily by the wicketkeeper.
From 153-2, India lost momentum. Next over, Kohli – possibly rattled by that run out – again edged a wide and full ball from Scott Boland behind to be out for a well made 36. The tourists were forced to send in night-watchman Akash Deep, who could not survive until the end and was out for a duck.
Rishabh Pant and Jadeja took India to close of play at 164-5, still 310 runs behind Australia and staring at the possibility of a follow on.
Australia are now favourites to take a lead in the series, and they can thank Smith for putting them in that position.
Earlier in the day, Smith padded up again on 68, with skipper Cummins alongside him on eight.
The veteran batsman showed his intent early with a four from Bumrah while Cummins also batted with freedom. They took 15 off one Akash Deep over to bring up their 50-run partnership before Smith hooked Bumrah for six.
Smith reached his 34th Test century with a boundary off Nitish Kumar Reddy, which came on the back of a return to form at the last Test in Brisbane where he made 101.
It was a patient innings from the 35-year-old and moved him alongside four other players on the all-list of century-makers, including Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara.
The rest of Australia's lower order also showed good application to take the total past 450. Cummins (48), Mitchell Starc (15) and Nathan Lyon (13) showed good application to keep India on the field as long as possible.
Rohit's captaincy deficiencies were laid bare once again as he allowed the game to drift, failed to plug the gaps and even let tail-enders take easy singles.
Having failed spectacularly as captain and batsman, this is most likely the end of Rohit's Test career.
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MATCH INFO
Group B
Bayern Munich v Tottenham, midnight (Thursday)
'Midnights'
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Sean Kirrane (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Falaj Hazza – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Arim W’Rsan, Dane O’Neill, Jaci Wickham
6pm: Al Basrah – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Kalifano De Ghazal, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Oud Al Touba – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Pharitz Oubai, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Sieh bin Amaar – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Oxord, Richard Mullen, Abdalla Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: AF Ramz, Sean Kirrane, Khalifa Al Neyadi
8pm: Al Saad – Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Sea Skimmer, Gabriele Malune, Kareem Ramadan
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Remaining fixtures
- August 29 – UAE v Saudi Arabia, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
- September 5 – Iraq v UAE, Amman, Jordan (venue TBC)
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
