Australia 530 (SPD Smith 192, Ryan Harris 74, CH Rogers 57, BJ Haddin55, SR Watson 52, Shami 4/138, UT Yadav 3/130, R Ashwin 3/134 and 7 for 261 (CH Rogers 69, Shaun Marsh 62*, DA Warner 40, I Sharma 2/49, R Ashwin 2/56 UT Yadav 2/73) lead India 465 (Virat Kohli 169, Ajinka Rahane 147, Ryan Harris 4-70, MG Johnson 3/135) by 326 runs
Four days of fascinating Boxing Day test at Melbourne left behind a wide open contest. When the final day will dawn, all three results will remain a possibility.
Another quick 30 may put the already stiff target on a slightly wearing wicket beyond reach of Indians. India mopping up Aussie tail quickly may chase and overall the target making the Sydney test very interesting affair.
A draw may also be the likely outcome. Four days at the iconic venue already presented nail biting contest of top quality cricket. Now the stage is set for an epic end of high drama test cricket.
India responded manly to massive Australian first innings total of 530 mainly indebted to a Herculean endeavor by young Australian captain Steve Smith 192 and contribution of another few Harris 74, Rogers 57, Haddin 55 and Watson 52.
Virat Kohli and Ajinka Rahane batted like champions in a record breaking 261 fourth wicket partnership. But India’s loosing of 7-wicket for 56 runs after Rahane got out gave Australia a very critical 65 runs lead.
Indian late middle order miserably failed once again. Mitchel Johnson removed the last two Indian wickets before crowd could even take their seats on the fourth morning. His was a poor bowling analysis at the end of the third day as he leaked over a century of runs claiming Kohli’s wicket only. But the last two wickets however gave his analysis some credence.
Sky was overcast and suddenly from somewhere the dropping pitch started aiding reverse swing. Indian bowlers bowled with purpose and urgency. After Warner made a kick start and Rogers playing his characteristics solid innings wickets fell at regular interval keeping the visitors well in the contest.
Ishant, Yadav and Shami reversed at pace and Ashwin bowled very intelligently. Rain interrupted day’s play was extended considerably to recover most of the overs lost.
Australia managed to reach 261/7 gaining a healthy lead of 326. Given the quality of Indian top and middle order batting and keeping in mind the near successful chase at Adelaide Smith and team management will definitely remain in a dilemma what target should be enough? How many overs and time will be required for getting 10 Indian Wickets?
Australia requires only a draw to wretch control over the Border Gavaskar trophy. India has to win to keep the series alive.
The Boxing Day test 2014 over the last four days has witnessed fluctuating fortunes, fascinating contest of the willow and the leather. Final day will dawn pregnant with the promise of an exciting finale.
Test cricket is the ultimate contest. People loves test cricket for such mysterious nature of cricket where every day every session remains uncertain like the game itself.
A win for Australia, an Indian Victory and a drawn test, it can be anything from here on. Day five at MCG is going to witness romantic cricket for sure.
BDST: 2032 HRS, DEC 29, 2014
