Seven-year-old Archie Schiller, who was added to the Australian team for the boxing day test match, was presented with his Baggy Green before the start of the iconic game. The leg-spinner had first joined the team during the training session before the start of the first Test and was confirmed for a place in the squad for the third Test. After being presented with the Test cap, he also walked out for the toss along with captain Tim Paine as co-captain.
Archie also had words of wisdom for Australian team as he gave a message to the players. “Hit sixes and get wickets”, was the boy’s message for the team before the start of the Test.
As for the play on Day 1 at MCG, India won the toss and decided to bat first in the Test. The two new opening batsmen, Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal provided a steady start to the team as they shared 40 runs for the first wicket in 18.5 overs.
After surviving a wicketless first hour, India suffered the first blow when Pat Cummins dismissed Vihari (8 off 66). The right-handed batsman did bat slowly but he isn’t a regular opener and would look to do better in the second innings and solidify his case for the opening role.
