Records tumble at Australia’s MCG heist as India’s batting crumbles in Test match thriller – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
It was a win for the ages as Australia kept their chances of making the final of the World Test Championship alive while harbouring hope of snatching back the Border/Gavaskar trophy at the MCG.
Record crowds witnessed a great battle that ebbed and flowed through five pulsating days, and what could be more thrilling than it being decided with less than an hour left.
An amazing turnout of over 365,000 over the five days made it the biggest ever in Australia and they got their moneys worth.
The game had everything that will be remembered, laced with controversy about Virat Kohil’s let off with a smack on the wrists with a feather, for his collision with youngster Sam Konstas, umpiring decisions that lifted more than an eyebrow, and the dismissal of Jaiswal which clearly threw a question mark over the accuracy of modern technology.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged that their plan to go for victory failed to deliver the anticipated platform as his batters faltered and Australia bowled magnificently to run through them. India lost 7 for 43 in the second and third sessions. Only Jaiswal and Rishab Pant entered double figures and any lament about Jaiswal’s dismissal was insignificant in the end. Replays confirmed he did get a double edge despite technology failure.
But what was more concerning was that five recognised batters, including skipper Rohir Sharma, Virat Kholi and KL Rahul only contributed 29 runs between them.
Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon masterminded Australia’s win in the end.
Cummins led by example with a fiery performance with the ball and his return of 3 for 28 off 18 overs earned him a deserving player-of- the- match award. Scott Boland 3 for 34, Nathan Lyon 2 for 34 and Travis Head completed the Indian demolition.
But it was Australia’s tailenders in the second innings, when India had them rattled and against the ropes, that ultimately made the difference when they recovered from 6 for91 to 234 that gave them a fighting chance for recovery.
It was one of the most fiercely contested games in Test match history between two of the game’s heavyweights.
What it has also delivered is the best ever bowling display by Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah who has clearly established himself an all time great of the game with another five for.
