Brisbane: Australia are 21/0 at stumps on Day three of the fourth Test on Sunday (January 17) at the Gabba after a fighting seventh-wicket partnership between inexperienced pair Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur helped India to 336.
David Warner (20*) and Marcus Harris (1*) negotiated a tricky six-over period before stumps to build Australia’s lead to 54 runs and will resume on Monday with the series-decider delicately balanced. Much attention will be centred on Warner, who missed the first two Tests of the series with a groin injury, after he appeared to pull up sore following a quick single to get off the mark.
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Day three was a continuation of the engrossing cricket played by the two sides in this series. Australia were on top when the tourists slumped to 186/6 shortly after lunch, but Sundar (62) and Thakur (67) both made maiden half-centuries in a 123-run partnership that frustrated the home side. Pat Cummins (2/94) finally got the breakthrough after tea when Thakur played around a delivery that clattered into off-stump.
Sundar, who took three wickets in the first innings in a fine Test debut, was well caught by Cameron Green at gully off the bowling of Mitchell Starc (2/88). India were 33 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total of 369 when their brave resistance ended with Josh Hazlewood (5/57) bowling Mohammed Siraj (13) to claim the ninth five-wicket haul of his career.
Playing in his 100th Test, Nathan Lyon’s drive to 400 career wickets stalled on day three with the master spinner unable to add to his tally, finishing with figures of 1/65. India resumed at 62/2 in the morning after rain caused play to be abandoned at tea on the second day.
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Hazlewood helped Australia snatch the momentum when he removed Cheteshwar Pujara (25) shortly before lunch and Mayank Agarwal (38) and Rishabh Pant (23) soon after the restart. After Ajinkya Rahane sent two edges flying through a vacant fourth slip area off his bowling, Starc was finally rewarded when Matthew Wade took two steps to his right at third slip and caught the Indian skipper on 37.
With the series tied at 1-1, Australia must win to claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy while India can retain the coveted prize with a draw.
Brief Scores: Australia 369 & 21/0 lead India 336 (Shardul Thakur 67, Washington Sundar 62; Josh Hazlewood 5-57) by 54 runs.
