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Akash Deep, Bumrah ensure India successfully avoid follow-on
Australia, who were down to just two front-line pacers, saw more overs taken out of the game by rain and had their victory push thwarted by solid half-centuries from KL Rahul (85) and Ravindra Jadeja (77) as well as a dogged unbeaten 39-run stand for the last wicket between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah that helped India avoid the follow-on. India ended the day still 193 adrift of Australia’s 445 but Australia will now have a maximum of 98 overs, weather permitting, to close out India’s innings, build a quick lead and then give their Hazelwood-less bowling attack enough time to push for victory.
In the absence of their fast bowling partner, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc toiled for 18.5 and 16 overs respectively on the fourth day and might have even paved the doors for victory with a little bit of luck. Cummins was denied off the very first ball of the day’s play when Rahul, resuming on 33, edged a length ball only for Steve Smith to put down a regulation chance at second slip.
Viewed with the benefit of hindsight, it turned out to be a pivotal moment in the day for India, whose batting travails in a heavily-truncated third day’s play meant they already faced a tough prospect to get to 246 – the magic number that would force Australia to bat again and ensure further time taken away from the game. India recovered from almost being 51 for 5 before eventually being reduced to 74 for 5 inside that first hour of play.
Captain Rohit Sharma, the other overnight batter, was made to pay for his first mistake after being worked over by Cummins in his probing five-over burst. The Australia skipper played with the out-of-form Rohit’s weight transfers by bowling a sharp, short ball before a follow-up full delivery, which as it turned out wasn’t full enough for the drive. Sensing a rare scoring opportunity, Rohit reached for it and feathered an edge to the ‘keeper with the ball still only 23 overs old.
It was then that Rahul and Jadeja got together to stitch India’s best partnership of the innings. Both batters batted with great control with Rahul, in particular, continuing to make good decisions after getting into good positions with his technique. He picked only the really full deliveries for his shots as well as favouring the square drive to the more expansive variant towards extra cover. He waited for the bowlers to bowl straighter to him, which he then flicked, tucked away or on-drove.
As has been the case through the series, batting got significantly easier once the ball was more than 30-overs-old and Rahul and Jadeja added risk-free runs before the 67-run stand was ended against the run of play by Smith, who atoned for his earlier drop by anticipating and leaping to his right to hold on to Rahul’s attempted cut off Nathan Lyon.
Jadeja set about putting together another half-century stand with Nitish Reddy as Australia now faced a race against time with only 13.2 overs of play possible through the middle session during which time Jadeja, playing his first game of the series, got to his 22nd Test match fifty. The seventh-wicket pair managed to see off a Starc spell after 67-minute rain delay but weren’t as lucky against Cummins, who produced a nip backer to Reddy that dislodged his bails via an inside edge. At that stage, India still needed 51 to avoid the follow on with only the three fast bowlers left to partner Jadeja.
India had Siraj batting at No.9 and Jadeja’s decision to leave him to face six deliveries from Starc proved to be a mistake as the left-arm quick found the outside edge of the tailender for a sharp catch behind the stumps. Jadeja tried to farm the strike with Bumrah and managed to add a six off Lyon followed by a fortuitous four off Cummins before a well laid out short ball plan ended the all-rounder’s innings on 77, with Cummins grabbing his fourth wicket.
At that stage India were still 33 runs away from making Australia bat again, but Deep and Bumrah held firm against a two-man pace attack that was now visibly crumbling under the bowling loads it had undertaken. Bumrah got inside the line to a Cummins bouncer and pulled him for a six before starting to calmly nudge singles in the gaps. Deep added another crucial boundary by slashing Starc over the cordon.
India had come to within 14 runs off the follow-on mark when Cummins was forced to go back to Lyon to replace Starc. The Australia captain willed himself on to keep bowling from the other end in search of the last wicket, which would have brought him another five-fer, and ended up conceding seven runs off his 20th over. In his 21st, he was edged over the cordon for a four by Deep which took India past the important milestone. As if to celebrate the moment, which was marked with much gusto in the Indian dressing room, Deep slogged Cummins for a six over deep mid-wicket before the umpires took the player off for bad light.
Brief scores:
India 252/9 (KL Rahul 84, Ravindra Jadeja 77; Pat Cummins 4-80) trail Australia 445 (Travis Head 152, Steve Smith 101; Jasprit Bumrah 6-76) by 193 runs.
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Bondi Beach gunmen who killed 15 after targeting Jewish celebration were father and son, police say
New South Wales Police say 15 people, including a 10 year old girl were killed in a shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday – their ages range from 10 to 87
The attack happened while an event was being held to mark the start of Hanukkah – police say they’re treating it as a terror incident
The two gunmen were father and son, police say. The 50-year-old man also died at the scene while the 24-year-old remains in hospital in critical condition
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls the attack “an act of pure evil” that “deliberately targeted” the Jewish community
(BBC)
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Those who receive education and recognition under the government have a responsibility to society- Prime Minister
The ninth phase of the islandwide programme to recognise outstanding achievers at the G.C.E. Advanced Level implemented by the Presidential Fund, was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday 14 th of December at Temple Trees.
Under this phase, students from the Western Province who obtained excellent results at the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations in the years 2023 and 2024 were recognised. Accordingly, 361 outstanding students from the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts were awarded scholarships amounting to LKR 36.1 million by the Presidential Fund.
Addressing the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Presidential Fund is a public fund belonging to the people, and that the government has made a special effort to ensure it is perceived and functions in the interest of the general public.
The Prime Minister further noted that the government has succeeded in transforming the Presidential Fund which previously was seen as accessible mainly to those holding special power or positions, and characterised by complex procedures difficult for ordinary citizens into a simplified system that allows applications to be submitted online and through Divisional Secretariat offices near you.
The Prime Minister emphasised that all these programmes are being implemented with the objective of developing human resources in a manner compatible with the contemporary world with the aim of moving the country forward. She further stated that the government is committed to nurturing human resources capable of understanding and navigating the complexities of the modern world.
She noted that in this regard, a new agenda has been initiated to bring a transformation into the education system from 2026 onwards, with the aim of producing productive and responsible citizens.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need to nurture a responsible human resource that values democracy, loves and protects the environment, demonstrates leadership, compassion, and a sense of collectivity.
The Prime Minister reiterated that every government has invested in the education of students using public funds generated through the taxes paid by all citizens, and noted that, it is because you possess the ability to serve society and provide leadership
The Prime Minister stated, the recognition conferred today is an investment in you and those who receive education and recognition under the government bear a responsibility to serve society.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, stated that while the Presidential Fund had previously been known among the public primarily as a source of financial assistance for severe illnesses such as heart disease, the scope of its utilisation has been expanded under the new government, with education identified as a key focus area.
He further noted that the government’s vision of inclusivity is closely aligned with the objectives of the Presidential Fund.
The event was attended by the Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the Presidential Fund, Roshan Gamage; Members of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Chandima Hettiarachchi, and Lieutenant Commander (Retired) Prageeth Madhuranga; Governor of the Western Province Hanif Yusoof; the Chairman of the University Grants Commission; members of the Board of Management of the Presidential Fund; public officials; the students who were recognised; and their parents and guardians.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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Education should not be a burden to children at this moment. Priority must be given to their psychosocial well-being – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that education should not be a burden to children during the recovery period after the disaster, and priority must be given to their psychosocial well-being. The Prime Minister emphasized that this approach would help foster a supportive school environment during disaster situations.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held with education authorities of the Nuwara Eliya District on measures to restore educational activities and reopen schools for students following the recent disaster situation.
Although the Ministry of Education has decided to reopen schools island-wide on the 16 th of December, the Prime Minister noted that the authority has been granted to the relevant provincial and district authorities to make decisions regarding the reopening of schools in the affected areas.
The Prime Minister further stated that prior to reopening schools located in high-risk areas, recommendations from the National Building Research Organization must be obtained, and special attention should be paid to access roads and infrastructure. The Prime Minister further mentioned that teachers and students who have experienced hardships should be allowed flexibility in wearing comfortable attire.
During the meeting, District education authorities informed that, despite numerous challenges, educational reforms are progressing rapidly, and that 51% of teacher training activities in the Nuwara Eliya District have already been completed. Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister further stressed that these challenges must be overcome collectively in order to move forward to achieve a better position than before following the disaster situation.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne; Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Manjula Suraweera Arachchi; Members of Parliament Kalai Chelvi and Anushka Tilakaratne, Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Ms. Thushari Tennakoon; and several government officials.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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