Brisbane Heat Clinch Thrilling Victory Over Adelaide Strikers in Last-Ball Showdown
December 22, 2024
No Comments
Read More »
The third day of the third Test match between India and Australia at the Gabba was a test of patience and perseverance for players and fans alike, punctuated by bursts of cricket action amid persistent rain. Here’s how the drama unfolded:
The day began with the threat of rain that had already curtailed much of the previous day’s play. However, the weather did not entirely wash out the cricket, allowing for some significant moments on the field. Early on, the skies were overcast, and the pitch had some moisture, potentially favoring the bowlers.
Despite multiple interruptions due to rain, the teams managed to play 30.2 overs. This was a testament to the ground staff’s efforts to keep the match moving, albeit with significant delays.
Australia, having started the day on a strong note, concluded their first innings at 445. The standout performances came from Travis Head and Steve Smith, both notching up centuries that solidified Australia’s position. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, ending with an impressive 6 wickets for 76 runs, showcasing his mastery of reverse swing and seam movement in the conditions. However, the rest of the bowling attack struggled to make similar inroads.
Innings Break!
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 16, 2024
Akash Deep takes the final wicket as Australia are all out for 445 runs.
Six wickets for @Jaspritbumrah93, two for Siraj and one wicket for Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Scorecard - https://t.co/dcdiT9NAoa…… #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/RVPGIJetVA
With the weather playing a significant role, India’s batting had little time to settle. They found themselves in immediate trouble as Mitchell Starc made an early impact, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal off just the second ball of their innings. This was followed by a collapse, with India losing four wickets for just 51 runs, still trailing by a hefty 394 runs.
Virat Kohli, who was expected to anchor the innings, fell for just 3 runs. KL Rahul, however stood firm amidst the chaos, scoring unbeaten 33, providing a semblance of stability as play was repeatedly halted by rain.
Bumrah’s Fifer: Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul was highlight, showing his class under pressure, although it wasn’t enough to prevent Australia from posting a formidable total.
Australia Bowling Attack: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins were relentless when the ball was in play, exploiting the conditions to put India under pressure. Starc and Hazlewood were particularly effective, with Starc claiming two early wickets.
Rain Delays: The day was characterized by multiple stoppages, with one notable instance being when play was halted right after Rishabh Pant’s dismissal, leaving India at 48/4. This further underscored the challenge of playing in Brisbane during the wet season.
Two wickets in quick succession.@Jaspritbumrah93 picks up yet another 5-wicket haul 🔥🔥
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 15, 2024
Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head depart.#AUSvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/UbTZesATz4
With the weather forecast still predicting intermittent rain, the match hangs in the balance. India will look to Rahul for resistance and hope for a miraculous recovery, while Australia aims to capitalize on their first innings lead to push for a series lead. The game has all the making of a thrilling contest, provided the weather permits.
As we move into the next days, the resilience of both teams will be tested not just by the opposition but by the elements as well. The Brisbane Test has become as much about battling the weather as it is about cricketing prowess.
The Gabba remains a venue of surprises and, with the series tied at 1-1, this Test could tilt the scales significantly. Fans will keep their fingers crossed for more cricket than rain in the coming days.