🏏Australia vs India, 3rd Test: Brisbane, 14 - 18 Dec 2024, Day 5 🏏 - Page 55

Ben G: "There have been many disparaging comments among former players and in the Western media about the Indian team's celebration after avoiding the follow-on. Given where they were in this test, India's reaction was hardly a surprise. If anything, the criticism of their reaction exhibits disappointment and sour grapes at having not gotten India all out."

Matt: "Interesting comment by Lyon. A lot of talk about how not having to follow-on was a victory for India, but I think the reaction of Kohli at not having to bat again is a victory for Australia." I think the 'celebrations' were more because they knew that defeat was all but eliminated as a potential outcome. At that stage of the match, a loss and a draw were the only two results India were looking at, so it was a minor battle won. Let people have their little joys, I say!

Nathan Lyon: "Yeah it's really frustrating. It's been the trend of the week. I still feel we have a lot of cricket left in the game. We just need the weather to go away. [On Indian dressing room's reaction to avoiding the follow-on] Yeah there's a few of us who spoke about [how we're] surprised about their reaction. We have played well and driven the game to where we are. Frustrating but we are still sitting in the changing room 185 in front. I still feel if we bat well, we can push for an Australian win. We can't control the weather. What we can control is our process. Especially against Jasprit Bumrah, he's been excellent this series. [India's reaction] looked like their top order did not want to bat if we enforced the follow-on. Pushing to enforce the follow-on was pretty challenging with Josh out. Mitch and Pat, they've been brilliant for Australia for a number of years and I'm very privileged to be part of this Australian bowling attack. Their work ethic is excellent. We pride ourselves on our fielding. And we did that watching the Australian guys before us. [On R Ashwin] Nothing but respect. Just the way Ash has conducted himself on and off the field for a number of years now, and his skillset is incredible. We've got different opinions on different things, there's no right or wrong. But to have those conversations with a bowler like Ashwin is amazing. From different variations to different tactics, understanding what he's trying to do. We are both very different. So our conversation this morning was brilliant and I hope we have more through the series and in the future as well. [On India using three different spinners] It's an interesting question. You've got someone sitting [on the bench] with 530-odd Test wickets and I'm walking to the ground, scratching my head saying 'what are you doing?'. He's proven that he is one of the world's best spin bowlers to ever play the game. I'm expecting Ash to play in Melbourne and Sydney. [It] more than surprises me. That's the quality of Indian cricketers they have in that squad. You've got Ashwin with 530-odd wickets [536] and then Jadeja over 300 wickets [319]. It's pretty remarkable to see the quality of players sitting on the bench. It's a good headache to have. [On a message to himself before he made his Test debut] Trust yourself. I was very lucky to be in the side I came into, with Michael Clarke as captain and a lot of great players in and around that team, to have that support."

So, that will be lunch. Travis Head was able to dismiss Akash Deep and wrap India's innings up, securing a 185-run first-innings lead for Australia. But that was all the cricket that was possible as first lightning forced a delay, and then it started to pour. It is bright out there now, but there are more showers in the forecast. So we should be starting at 12.40pm according to the lunch timings, but the time of the restart really depends on the weather.

Ravi: "A result would be a miracle but such a sweet surprise after a last few days of frustration with on off play."

Huzefa: "Well, if it's bright out there and the conditions are playable then just get out there and play. There have been enough breaks already and there will be a few more for having lunch. Common sense must prevail!"

India's bowlers are out there warming up, Gnasher says. We'll probably have a restart soon.

Bumrah to Khawaja, out Bowled!! Wow what a beauty! He's gone straight through the gate! Good length delivery angling back into off-stump, Khawaja was rooted to his crease and just pushed at it, loose shot really, there was a big gap between bat and pad and the ball went straight through to flick a bit of the back pad before hitting the top of off-stump. Not sure if Khawaja expected that to straighten off the deck, he was done all ends up. India have got an early one here. Khawaja b Bumrah 8(7) [4s-2]

Bumrah to Khawaja, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

End of over 3

Wicket maiden

AUS: 11/1

CRR: 3.66

Marnus Labuschagne

0 (2b)

Nathan McSweeney

2 (9b)

Jasprit Bumrah

2-1-2-1

Mohammed Siraj

1-0-8-0

Richard A: "Worth the wait to see that gorgeous ball from Bumrah to bowl Khawaja. It's a shame this pitch didn't get more use - all through the game it has had just a little bit of movement, while staying miraculously good to bat on given the weather. "

End of over 4

1 run

AUS: 12/1

CRR: 3.00

Nathan McSweeney

3 (15b)

Marnus Labuschagne

0 (2b)

Mohammed Siraj

2-0-9-0

Jasprit Bumrah

2-1-2-1