Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is set for a grandstand finish at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, after a solid 55-run stand for the final wicket between Nathan Lyon (41 not out) and Scott Boland (10 not out) helped Australia extended its lead to 333 runs on Day Four.
At stumps, Australia reached 228/9 in 82 overs, surviving a deadly four-wicket haul from Jasprit Bumrah, which had reduced them to 91/6, with the pacer clinching his 200th Test wicket in the process. But Marnus Labuschagne stood up to make 70, while skipper Pat Cummins made 41 to stage Australia’s initial recovery.
But Lyon and Boland batted together for 110 balls, and ensured their resistance left India agitated in front of 43,867 fans. It would be interesting to see if Australia would continue batting or declare overnight and push India into a remarkable chase – the highest-ever in the MCG – on final day’s play, something which will make many fans recall the epic 2021 Gabba chase.
In the morning, India added only 11 to the overnight total before Nitish Kumar Reddy holed out off Nathan Lyon for 114. Pat Cummins believed he had Siraj caught at slip, as the third umpire said it was a bump ball. Reddy flat-batted Lyon for four, before slicing to long-off as he became the last batter to fall for India, ending his memorable maiden Test hundred which lit up MCG.
But the highlight of the first session was India putting in a disciplined bowling effort, especially with their impressive intensity in using the new ball to excellent effect. Australia’s second innings began with a reprieve for Usman Khawaja, as Yashasvi Jaiswal at leg gully dropped his catch off an ever-excellent Jasprit Bumrah.
Despite that drop, Khawaja struggled for fluency against Bumrah, while Akash Deep caused trouble to Sam Konstas as the duo and Siraj got some seam movement. Bumrah finally struck in his mesmerising new-ball spell when he got one to nip back in and beat Konstas’ forward defence to rattle the top of the middle stump.
12 overs later, Khawaja’s painful stay at the crease ended when he went for an extravagant drive, but was castled through the gate by Siraj. Smith and Labuschagne then successfully negotiated the rest of the session to ensure Australia’s lead went past 150 before lunch break came.
