Update as of Day 5: Game is drawn now thanks to yet another rain delay that left little opportunity for the Aussies to close out the match. Yes, they might have finally bowled India all out for 260 before they fell off so quickly when they’ve batted the 2nd time & declared right on the spot after the Aussies had enough; but then the rain came to say it’s too late. Hence, the series remains tied at 1-1 apiece Test with two more left to play for going into Thursday next week for the annual Boxing Day Test showdown at the MCG in Melbourne.
What does the Aussies have to do to keep themselves focused on the right track & not let India take way the series trophy that they haven’t had for a long time?
I know Josh Hazlewood has been the glue of that “Fast Bowling Cartel” cohort over the past decade alongside Mitchell Starc & Pat Cummins but better still, should’ve kept Scott Boland and hold Hazlewood back at the next right time like the New Year’s Sydney Test instead of rushing back to like now. Unfortunately, that didn’t go well when he suffered a calf strain while warming up first thing yesterday as he won’t be back for a while – don’t know when but not for the rest of this series.
With the batting, not bad considering how good we were other than the sugar rushed Day 5 spell they had to put in ahead of the declaration. Although Travis Head wasn’t feeling good earlier today due to a tight quad issue on his thigh, let’s hope it won’t be too serious since he has been the saviour to our batting card. But not much of a chance now for Nathan McSweeney to nail down his spot as Test Opener at least for now unless he goes back to Shield level with South Australia & scores consistently big over the next 12 months if he continues to get sent back for peanuts.
There’s a few others waiting in-line to make their first steps with the Baggy Green like the 19-year-old sensation Sam Konstas from NSW & St George (Hurstville) in Sydney Premier Cricket – we will find this out towards the end of 2024 for sure before it’s stay or go time for McSweeney who does in fact hail from Queensland.
For now, still long way to with still lots to play for as anything can happen in this Border-Gavaskar Trophy. And shoutout to Ravi Ashwin by the way on his decorated International career following his retirement post-game as he won’t be taking any further part from now, even though there’s still a bit of play left in this series. It won’t be the same without him from someone who has been India’s primary spinner for a long time as we wish him the best of luck.
