New Delhi: Australia have resigned to the idea of settling for a draw in the third Test against Australia in Brisbane despite being the dominant side throughout the rain-hit game.
Australia scored 445 runs in the first innings after being sent into bat at the Gabba. With major chunk of overs being washed out on the first and third day, India were able to avoid follow on, ending the fourth day at 252/9, still trailing by 193 runs.
It left Australia needing a day to win the match and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. With rain forcasted on the fifth and final day of the match too, Australia’s bowling coach Daniel Vettori accepted that chances of their win are slim.
Australia looked set to enforce the follow-on as India were reduced to 213/9, still 33 runs short of avoiding the mark. But Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep’s unbeaten 39-run stand scuppered Australia’s plans and tilted the balance of the game towards a draw.
“I think the only way to force the game was to enforce the follow-on. There was desperation to get that final wicket. We thought we had a real chance after Jadeja was dismissed, but credit to Bumrah and Deep for a fighting partnership,” Vettori said.
“The challenge for Australia was compounded by multiple rain interruptions throughout the day. “Unfortunately, the amount of time lost to weather has made it difficult (to force a result).”
India’s tail wags
Australia were hamstrung by the injury of pacer Josh Hazlewood, who is likely to miss the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar series with a right calf strain that he suffered at the Gabba.
It put greater workload on Aussie skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Together with Nathan Lyon, they came close but Bumrah and Akash Deep denied them with some dogged determination.
Bumrah remained not out on 10 off 27 balls while Akash Deep was unbeaten on 21 off 31 balls to ensure that Australia have to bat in the third innings after staving off whatever Australia threw at them, including short-pitched deliveries and Lyon’s spin.
The fourth and the five matches of the series will be held in Melbourne and Sydney, from December 26 and January 3, respectively.
India were able to avoid follow on, ending the fourth day at 252/9, still trailing Australia by 193 runs in the third Test at Brisbane. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
