🏏Australia vs India, 3rd Test: Brisbane, 14 - 18 Dec 2024, Day 5 🏏 - Page 52

🏏Australia vs India, 3rd Test: Brisbane, 14 - 18 Dec 2024, Day 5 🏏

Australia Coach Makes Big 'Desperate' Revelation As India Avoid Follow-On In Brisbane Test.

Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori admitted that a resilient partnership between Indian tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep foiled their plans to enforce a follow-on.

Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori admitted that a resilient partnership between Indian tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep foiled their plans to enforce a follow-on, while also defending the decision not to declare the home team's first innings in the third Test which seems heading towards a draw. With the Indian batters, barring KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, failing once again, it was the obstinate 39-run unbeaten partnership between Bumrah and Akash Deep that saved India the blushes as the tourists avoided a follow on a rain marred day four on Tuesday. "I think the only way to force the game was to force the follow-on," Vettori said at the post-day press conference.

Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori admitted that a resilient partnership between Indian tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep foiled their plans to enforce a follow-on, while also defending the decision not to declare the home team's first innings in the third Test which seems heading towards a draw. With the Indian batters, barring KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, failing once again, it was the obstinate 39-run unbeaten partnership between Bumrah and Akash Deep that saved India the blushes as the tourists avoided a follow on a rain marred day four on Tuesday. "I think the only way to force the game was to force the follow-on," Vettori said at the post-day press conference.

"There was a desperation to get that final wicket. We thought we had a really good chance when Jadeja was dismissed, but it was a real fighting partnership from Bumrah and Deep.

"Unfortunately, just the amount of time that's been lost from the game has made it difficult," he added.

Akash Deep, making his debut in Australia, walked in to bat at 213 for 9, with India still needing 33 runs to avoid the follow-on that could have cost them the game. Alongside pace spearhead Bumrah, he guided India to 252 for 9, frustrating the home team.

Australia had ended day three on 405 for 7 but chose to bat, consuming a considerable amount of game time on a rain affected day four rather than declare their innings.

Asked if declaring was on the table, Vettori said, "No, I think we always acknowledge that first innings runs are going to be vitally important in this game.

"You don't really want to plan for weather, because we've seen on these days where it can blow past, and you can get on with things, and then it can settle in.

"So I think the conversation was mainly around, let's make the most of this first innings, trust a very good bowling unit to be able to deliver on this wicket like they did today." Australia were handed a major blow as pacer Josh Hazlewood sustained a calf injury, ruling him out of the rest of the match.

Vettori said losing one of the best bowlers in the world did affect Australia's game plan, but the rain breaks helped the pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins without any additional burden.

"Weather allowed us to operate in terms of breaks with Mitch and Patty able to come back on multiple occasions. If it had been full 90 overs, it would have been a lot tougher to manage. We always have the luxury to bowl Nathan (Lyon). So that alleviated a little bit of the concern.

Hello and welcome to day five from the Gabba.

30 minutes to go for the final day of the 3rd test match.

What is going to happen?

1. Will rain have the final say?
2. Will Australia have the final say?
3. Can India save the match?

Enjoy the interesting last 8 hours on the final day of the test match.

We're in for another frustrating day of weather according to Andrew McGlashan who is at the ground: "Going to be another day of dodging showers in Brisbane so not sure how much cricket we'll get. Hard to see how this becomes anything other than a glorified net if we lose any time today, and damage limitation in terms of protecting quick bowlers and hoping there are no (more) injuries. There could be a couple of interesting narratives to watch when/if Australia bat again - Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney could do with some runs ahead of Boxing Day. Tickets for day five are $10 with children 15 and under free. All proceeds go to the Usman Khawaja Foundation."

Ramc: "How is current weather in ground?" Dry at the moment. But as per nearly every day this week, it is unlikely to stay that way for very long.

Mark: "Even with a full day it is hard to see how Australia can force a result without some ridiculous hitting and a monumental Indian collapse. Hard to imagine. India *could* certainly chase 330 in two and a half sessions with the right mindset."

Redders: "Australia's short-pitched bowling tactics yesterday evening really ought to be scrutinised. I can remember a time when it was almost unheard of to bowl consistently short to tailenders. In recent years, it seems it has become almost compulsory! Whatever happened to "top of off, with an occasional bouncer"? Nos. 10 " It was certainly being discussed last night. Not the first time in recent memory Australia have gone that way unsuccessfully. It happened at Headingley last year when they were well in front in the game.

Anish: "No disrespect to no 11's. But India's third highest score has come from number 11, speaks volumes of where India has to improve.

As we enter the final day of the Gabba Test, two results are realistically possible, an Australian win or a draw. KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, the Akash Deep-Bumrah 10th wicket pair ensured that India avoided the follow-on much to the obvious delight of the camp. Rahul 's 84 was the standout innings while Jadeja's 77 stood out for pure quality. With Australia down by a bowler, the workload was largely shared by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins and the last 30 minutes showed signs of them creaking under tiredness. They'll come out fresh today, but they do need to get this last wicket early, score runs at a fairly good clip and then give themselves enough overs to try and bowl India out a second time. Add to this, they'll need to keep one eye on the weather which isn't expected to be their ally today. India have a simpler job, bat and bowl well and go to the Boxing Day Test with the series level at 1-1.

As things stand, Australia have 98.1 overs to try and force a result. This not considering the expected rain breaks as happened during the course of the Test. They currently lead by 193 runs, will have to bowl India out, bat for a while, set a target and then come black to take 10 wickets a second time around, all with a bowler short. Draw the heavy favourite at the moment? We should have a prompt start to the day's play, but heavy rain is forecast later in the afternoon.

End of over 78

1 run

IND: 258/9

CRR: 3.30

Jasprit Bumrah

10 (38b 1x6)

Akash Deep

29 (39b 2x4 1x6)

Nathan Lyon

23-1-55-1

Pat Cummins

22-2-81-4

Head to Akash Deep, OUT

Carey thinks he has stumped Akash! And he has! Tossed up and drifting across, drawing a forward defence, it slides on with the arm, Akash had dragged his back foot out trying to reach pout to defend, it beats the edge, Carey whips off the bails and Akash hadn't slid his foot back in time. Great wicketkeeping

Akash Deep st †Carey b Head 31 (44b 2x4 1x6 60m) SR: 70.45

India all out for 260. An excellent last wicket stand of 47 mean India don't have to bat again. Australia lead by 185. How they play this second innings will be intriguing. McSweeney and Khawaja would love some runs. The latter has turned 38 year old today.

Craig: "An interesting finish. Head was probably only bowling to minimise over rate penalties in case India got to 80 overs. But he has finished the job before they got there."

Matt: "Can't understand how Head didn't get a bowl last night. Lyon has been pretty impotent this series and it would have mixed things up a bit!"

"Fascinating conundrum for the Aussies. Do they dangle the carrot? The challenge with a draw here is they are one loss away from failing to regain the trophy. Conversely with our depth under fire, straining the bowlers might not be wise. Patty has been shown to be conservative, this could turn into a net session."

Arnold: "So much heat on the aussie bowlers for the tactics yesterday and yet with 3 bowlers they've managed a 180 run lead. Credit where it is due please." Seven wickets between Cummins and Starc from 46 overs. Phenomenal effort. And Rahul was dropped off Cummins' bowling as well.

The lights are on. It's very gloomy. There's some nasty weather dotted around Brisbane on the radar but none has hit the ground yet.