AUS vs IND 4th Test – With India making a remarkable comeback on the back of Bumrah and Siraj’s masterclass, only to see Marnus Labuschagne lead the Australian recovery, stretching the lead to 333 runs at the end of the fourth day in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
India’s openers were champing at the bit to go for a thrilling run chase as Aus were 172/9, but the last wicket pair of Lyon and Boland frustrated the visitors. With both batters looking solid, adding nonchalantly 55 runs unbeaten without any discomfort to take hosts to 228/9.
Indian bowlers couldn’t breach Boland’s compact defence, while Lyon was the aggressor, who is not out on 41 off just 65 balls.Veteran gave a practice catch to Rahul in the last over only to see Bumrah overstepping as the cliffhanger is on the offing with every outcome seems possible. Earlier India scored 369 in the first innings as Reddy scored 114 , which meant the hosts got a significant 105-run lead.
AUS vs IND 4th Test – Bumrah Rattle’s up the Aussies
Australia in reply got a quite nervy start in their second innings with Sam Konstas, who played a pulverising knock in the first innings, didn’t have any clues as Bumrah got his revenge with a nip-backer for 8. Usman Khawaja had a fair bit of luck with Jaiswal grassing a tough chance at leg gully, while he was beaten on countless occasions.
India induced 41.6% false shots in the first ten overs as Kohli seemed to be leading the team and fuelling their bowlers with the MCG crowd getting into the act.
Khwaja’s luck ran out eventually as he was castled by Siraj’s ripper that crashed into the top of off stump for 21 after grinding out 65 balls.
Marnus and Smith endured a tough passage of play as tourists were right in their face. Smith fell in trying to up the tempo as he threw a kitchen sink behind as the floodgates were open for India. Bumrah dismantled Head and Marsh to get his four-fer while Siraj ripped through Carey’s defence to leave the hosts in tatters at 91/6.
However, Marnus and Cummins dovetailed to take out the hosts from shallow water, getting aid from Jaiswal, who spilt both batters’ catches. Labuschagne cashed in on and notched his fifty. Just when the seventh wicket partnership crossed fifty and looked ominous, Siraj stepped up and trapped Marnus in front to send him packing for 70.
Mitchell Starc got run out due to a misunderstanding, and Cummins was taken out by Jadeja, but not before the Australia skipper scored valuable 41 runs to play out the rescue act, propping up the hosts from 91/6 to 173/9.
Lyon, Boland Add 50 for the 11th Wicket
As India were on the verge of bowling out the Aussies, the pair of Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland had other plans as they put on a clinical performance with the bat, as they kept on defending and chipping away with singles and doubles. The pair added 55 runs in 110 balls, playing out nearly 19 overs towards the fag end of the day as Australia end the day at 228/9, taking the lead to 333 runs.
India have a daunting task in hand on Day 5 to as they are expected to chase anywhere around 350 runs, with the pitch having no demons in it and clearly it is good sign and if the Indian batters can show some application and play to the merit of the ball, then they will have a very good chance of chasing down the target.
