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Hello and welcome to Guerilla Cricket’s live blog of the third Test between India and Australia. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is deliciously poised at 1-1, and the battle for ascendancy kicks off at the Gabba. We’ll bring you all the important updates as the race for the World Test Championship final heats up!
At least one result – an India win – was all but ruled out after a heavily pruned third day’s play in Brisbane which offered only 33.1 overs of stop-start action. Even with just two days left and forecasts for more rain, Australia will fancy ambitions of a 2-1 series lead as their pace merchants led by Mitchell Starc blew India’s top-order away after the hosts posted 445 in the first innings.
The saving grace for India has been KL Rahul, who is applying himself at the crease unlike his teammates. Renowned for his performances in seam-friendly overseas conditions, the opener has faced 64 balls for his 33. He is being partnered by captain Rohit Sharma in the middle.
The poor weather isn’t helping India one bit and they’ve lost one more wicket in what was another small passage of play. 246 is the first target to avoid the follow-on and that looks like a long shot at the moment.
While the stop-start cricket does take a significant toll on a batter’s concentration and rhythm, the Indians have been guilty of erroneous shot selection. None more so than Virat Kohli, who is finding it hard to get over his obsession with driving full and wide balls.
India desperately want Kohli to quell his impatience and he’d do well to seek inspiration from the below mentioned exhibition of self-discipline.
Newlands 2022 was a rare occasion when Kohli subjugated his fetish for chasing wide tempters.
Shouldered arms to 66% of his first 50 deliveries and made the second-least runs in an inns after facing 100 balls to eventually construct a gritty 79 off 201.https://t.co/xxwGyH71pq
— Aryan Surana (@iamaryansurana) December 16, 2024
Around four overs were bowled in a tiny passage of play after the latest rain-enforced interval. However, the weather Gods continue to be unkind as play has to be paused for the meantime due to the return of rain.
It’s been a start-stop day, along expected lines. Another spell of rain tailgating the resumption post Lunch. ‘Looking a bit more significant’, says Matthew Hayden on comms. Plenty of clouds overhead and the staff have been quick to bring in the covers. Could be a length wait.
Over the last few years word has gone around the international circuit regarding Kohli’s proclivity to chase full and wide tempters, and Josh Hazlewood has dangled the carrot perfectly here. He gets the desired result as the experienced campaigner walks into the trap, driving too far away from his body to nick behind.
KL Rahul is looking good at the other end despite the blow to his left wrist. He really needs to go big if India harbour any aspirations of a comeback in this Test.
Edged and gone! Australia are dominating the contest and how. Full and angled across the right-hander by Starc. The line is well outside off and Gill couldn’t resist a big booming drive away from his body. The ball flies off the outside edge and an alert Marsh leaps to his left at gully to snaffle it with both hands. Superb catch and India are under tremendous pressure after conceding a huge first-innings total.
Wicket second ball. Yashasvi Jaiswal can’t believe what’s just transpired. His mouth is agape in awe. 139kph, half-volley on middle and leg, Jaiswal flicks and chips the ball straight to Marsh at short midwicket. The youngster was seen practising the flick, which spelt his doom in Adelaide, a lot during the break and he’s perished playing exactly that shot. Starc sticks his tongue out as he wears a big smile. He knows it’s a soft dismissal. The Aussies rejoice!
Starc gets Jaiswal second ball of the innings!#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/DSEQaY12zz
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2024
Australia have a mighty big total on the board, thanks to tons from Head and Smith followed by a 88-ball 70 from Carey. For India, Bumrah provided the star act as he picked up a six-for but the others were made to toil hard without much fruit. Australia have managed to add 40 runs in 16.1 overs to their overnight score. Strangely enough, the hosts didn’t show a lot of urgency to get the game moving on the third day considering the weather forecast but they are in the box seat regardless.
Australia have not declared. Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon are coming back out after a drizzle forced the players off.
Mitchell Starc’s cameo comes to an end and India have managed to pick one of the three wickets they need early on the moving day. Australia are sitting on a mountain of runs so the onus is on the visitors to keep the damage by the tail to a minimum. Though they face a roadblock in the form of keeper-bat Alex Carey who has just crossed fifty.
And that's 50 up for Alex Carey!#AUSvIND | #MilestoneMoment | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/VUSvPYNyck
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2024
Australia will be eyeing quick runs as play resumes on the third day of the third Test against India in Brisbane.
The hosts resume at 405/7 at the Gabba, with Alex Carey (45*) and Mitchell Starc (7*) occupying the crease on a day that could see rain play spoilsport again.
