Nitish Kumar Reddy picked the perfect time to score his maiden century as India fought their way back into the fourth Test against Australia on Saturday.
All-rounder Reddy was applauded off the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch at the end of Day 3 following his brilliant unbeaten 105 after rain ended play midway through the final session.
India had reached 358-9 at stumps still 116 runs shy of Australia's first innings total of 474 but were in a much healthier position thanks to a 127-run partnership between Reddy and Washington Sundar (50).
The pair fell two runs shy of equalling the record for an eighth-wicket partnership for India versus Australia of 129 which was set by Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar at Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2008.
To the roar of a large contingent of Indian supporters among a record 83,073 third-day crowd at the MCG, Reddy lofted Scott Boland over mid-on to reach three figures just before play was halted.
It was an innings memorable for resolute defence, mixed with classical stroke play. Reddy faced 176 balls, hitting 10 fours and one six, continuing the fine batting form at number eight in the order that has marked his debut series.
In his first six Test innings, he has scored 284 runs – the most in the series by any Indian player – at an average of 71. Reddy will return on Day 4 hoping to grab a few more runs with tail-ender Mohammed Siraj, who was two not out.
Sundar described Reddy's innings as “unbelievable” and said he always knew a century was well within his teammate's ability.
“Mentally he's very, very strong,” Sundar said. “I've known him for quite a few years. The way he went about his business today was amazing. He gives a hundred per cent, that's his approach to life.
“I'm sure this hundred will be talked about and remembered for a very, very long time.”
Seamers Boland, who took 3-57, and Pat Cummins with 3-86 were the most productive Australian bowlers in conditions that offered little assistance despite overcast skies.
Boland said Reddy was a “nice player” whose range of shots proved hard to contain.
“It looks like he's got pretty much every shot in the book,” he said. “Obviously he's playing really nicely. Coming in down in the lower order, he's trying to put the pressure back on us.
“When Reddy got his hundred it was very loud. You would think they were leading the game but we are still in front by 120.”
The MCG crowds have now seen two young talents make their mark this test, with Australia's 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas producing a thrilling knock of 60 on Day 1 of his debut.
Australia's fast bowlers had little joy from the wicket, leaving Nathan Lyon to make key breakthroughs.
Lyon broke Reddy and Sundar's big partnership by having Sundar edge to Steve Smith at slip. The veteran spinner also trapped Ravindra Jadeja lbw for 17, breaking a 30-run stand with Reddy.
Boland grabbed his third wicket of the innings when wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant holed out for 28 with a miscued reverse scoop in the morning that left former India opener Sunil Gavaskar fuming.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” the TV commentator said. “That is letting your team down badly.”
Reddy resurrected India with an innings laden with attractive shots and meaty slogging, joining Sundar with India wobbling badly at 221-7, still 54 runs short of avoiding the follow-on having started the day on 164-5.
He raised his first test fifty with a lofted square drive, despatching a loose Starc delivery to the ropes for four and later brought up the 100-partnership with Sundar with a sumptuous cover drive, made all the more sweet for Indian fans when Lyon stumbled at the boundary to concede a four.
The tourists still have hard yards ahead to deny Australia victory and a 2-1 lead in the five-test series, though, with Sydney hosting the final match in the New Year. “We're in a pretty strong position,” added Boland. “Obviously it could have been better but Test match cricket ebbs and flows.”
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Total funding: Self funded
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Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
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Rating: 3 star
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
The five pillars of Islam
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Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
