When Aaron Finch was choking on his Adam's apple, the last cure on his mind was a cigarette.
The dangers of fielding at short leg were highlighted when the Australian opener copped a sturdy Virat Kohli pull shot straight to the neck, gasping for air as he dropped to his knees.
Play stopped for a moment when Finch went into a coughing fit, requiring a gulp of water to clear his passage ways.
MORE: Cheteshwar Pujara shines again as India claim advantage
But his skipper had another suggestion that left Finch in stitches.
“Do you want a dart?” Paine was heard asking Finch through the stump mic.
Finch responded with a grin: “I haven’t had one in six months”.
"You want a dart?"
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) December 8, 2018
No sympathy from Tim Paine to @AaronFinch5 😂😂😂
LIVE #AUSvIND: https://t.co/vGh7RJWWZH pic.twitter.com/IGuTYo8Pha
Finch is known to be fond of a smoke, but according to Fox Cricket commentator Mark Howard, the Victorian has given up his bad habits.
“He gave the cigarettes away six months ago and without giving away too many secrets, he reckons it’s changed his life,” Howard said in commentary.
Stump mic conversation after Aaron Finch hit in neck at short leg and delays next ball.
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) December 8, 2018
Tim Paine: "Do you want a dart?"
Finch: "Nah haven't had one in six months!" 😂 #AUSvIND
Finch's breath was also taken away when Ishant Sharma made a mess of his wicket, inside-edging just his third delivery straight onto the stumps for an unwanted duck.
And the stumps weren't always friendly to Paine throughout day three, previously picked up dropping an F-bomb when the heavens opened up on Adelaide Oval.
Tim Paine not happy "it rained for ten minutes " followed by an F-bomb. Who said he doesn't fire up! Indeed it was raining when Head and Starc got out. But a bit heavy now #AUSvsIND
— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) December 8, 2018
Australia head in to day four trailing India by 166 runs, left to clean up the remaining seven wickets as first innings centurion Cheteshwar Pujara continues to create headaches.
Luckily, spinner Nathan Lyon delivered a late breakthrough with the dismissal of Virat Kohli, sending off the Indian skipper for a record-breaking six occasions.
