Jasprit Bumrah (right) and Akash Deep withstood the Australian onslaught to guide India past the follow-on target. (AAP: Jono Searle)
Australia’s chances of winning the third Test at the Gabba suffered a huge blow as India wagged their tail which helped them avoid the follow-up attack and forced Australia to bat again.
They also sapped the stamina of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who toiled on a sweltering day in Brisbane, after their pace partner Josh Hazlewood suffered a calf injury before the match that looks set to rule him out for the rest of the series.
- Scorecard: View all live scores and statistics
- Five quick overs: Five quick overs: Hazlewood is brought down by Smith, who brings down a sitter and grabs a screamer
With Mitch Marsh bowling just two overs, Cummings, Starc and spin bowler Nathan Lyon had to shoulder the heavy bowling load on another rain-interrupted day as they tried to keep India below 246 to ensure Australia could keep chasing points and bowl India out for another win.
Unfortunately, a strong partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep for the 10th wicket reduced India’s score from 9-213 to 9-252.
If India could catch up with the remaining score, Australia would have to take one more wicket on the fifth day and then bat again or declare their match meaningless and potentially lose the Test.
If Australia had been able to bowl the tourists out for 245 or less, they could have immediately re-entered them and tried to take the final 10 wickets to win the match, and the safety of their second-innings batting would have greatly reduced the risk of failure.
While Akash and Bumrah helped India cross this crucial milestone, the day started with a crucial 67-run partnership between KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, which Steve Smith added to the proceedings after Rahul bowled him for 33 off the first ball.
Rahul went on to score 84 before Smith dismissed him with a brilliant catch before Jadeja added another 53 with Nitish Kumar Reddy.
When Jadeja finally fell for 77 and India had just one run left, it looked difficult for them to get Australia to bat again.
But just before the umpire called the over due to bad light, Akash and Bumrah withstood a heavy bouncer attack but not before Akash slammed Cummins for a six.
Recap all the action from day four in Brisbane in our live blog below, and check out the full ScoreCentre.
Key Events
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Stumps: India 9-252 (Akash 27, Bumrah 10)
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INDIA AVOIDS THE FOLLOW ON!
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OUT! JADEJA FALLS INTO THE TRAP!
Live updates: Australia vs India
We’ll be back tomorrow
(Getty Images)
I’m afraid tomorrow is going to be a depressing day in every way.
But that’s okay, because we’re here to bring you everything that’s going on regardless.
If you can, I’d love for you to join us – even if it’s just to get some batting practice in with Australia’s top players.
On behalf of Simon Smale and Jon Healy I say goodnight to you all.
Tomorrow’s forecast? A draw
(Bill of Materials)
Starc and Cummins both looked cooked
Looking at Starc, I feel it is best to bat all day tomorrow. Looks exhausted. If we beat him, it will be a series win.
– Chris
I think you are right, Chris.
Both fast bowlers looked exhausted.
Mitch Marsh only threw two pitches on the day, so he obviously didn’t live up to expectations either.
This may be a blessing in disguise.
The unexpected win could lead to Australia not fielding any bowlers for the rest of the series.
Stumps: India 9-252 (Akash 27, Bumrah 10)
(Getty Images)
Well, India had a great finish in the end and no doubt they saved the game with great defence at the tail end.
When Jadeja was out, it felt like Australia could easily beat India and force them to go on the attack.
But that is not the case.
Hats off to Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah for making the most of the runs available and doing enough to surpass the subsequent totals.
India still trails by 193 runs, but that must be the basic fact, right?
There is simply no way Australia can win the game now if they fail to keep pushing forward, especially with all the rain expected tomorrow.
Bad light delay
Incredibly, impossible, really, the batsmen have walked away with their clubs raised because of bad lighting.
Just seconds after Cummings hit the biggest six of the game so far, they were called off because of dim lights.
This must be a tree stump, right?
INDIA AVOIDS THE FOLLOW ON!
It’s right on top of Nathan McSweeney’s head!
Will Mickey Marsh take it? It doesn’t matter.
This could be India’s way to stay in the series!
Six! A powerful long shot! Akash Depp scores! The shackles are released! This is the biggest six we have seen so far in the game!
Akash defended well on the next ball.
76th over – Pat Cummins is going to carry on
He looked very tired. To be honest, he was exhausted.
The referee was pleased with the lights, so Cummins was allowed to continue.
Double slip, gully, pads, point, mid-off, cover and mid-off, plus fine leg.
Akash was hit on the thigh pad and although it missed the target, it was a nice warning for the confident-looking No.11.
Winning! The fourth player is ahead of the third player!
75th over – Nathan Lyon to continue
Australia has no wiggle room here.
If Australia can’t force a follow-up, the rest of the game is honestly over.
Deep swings, singles, deep outs. It’s intense, but it counts.
India needs 4 points to avoid a follow-up
Lyon threw the ball over the wicket and Bumrah hit it straight towards the goal. No score.
Bumra’s defense was solid this time.
Bumrah was very solid in defence and had a solid pace.
These moments were full of drama and tension. Every hit by the Indian fans was met with applause.
Despite considering driving, Bumrah stuck to defense.
And defend the last one too.
74th over – Pat Cummins returns
Cummins had turned around and was walking down Vulture Street.
It was a big finish for Cummins. The pressure was really high.
Akash defended the offside and Cummins was unable to cut off the attack, so they will get a point.
(Getty Images) India needed 11 points to avoid a follow-up
A gully, a pad. Bumrah blocks his approach and they get another run.
India needs 10 points to avoid a follow-up
Another discussion – more field changes.
Two slides, third man, bat pads. Singles everywhere.
Akash has to ride the rising ball, step back a distance and deflect it to one side.
Now, a helmet has been made that allows the center fielder to come in just below the batter’s line of sight.
Akash pushed to the right and scored two points. Akash was going to score three points but ended up scoring only two points.
Of the final 59 balls bowled, only two hit the stumps.
India needs 8 points to avoid a follow-up
The umpires gathered together – I think just to check the ball.
In the air! Akash is going to run two more steps! Push that stupid midfielder a little bit.
India needs 6 points to avoid a follow-up
Finally, Cummins sent out midfielders to stop these runs.
Inside! Over the wicket, they get a single. Akash wants to hit a six! He swings hard and is nearly chopped off.
India needs 5 points to avoid a follow-up
73rd over – Nathan Lyon comes into the attack
It’s going to be an interesting Test match – can India break through the difficulties and avoid being caught behind?
Bumrah rushed to the side and India scored a point.
India needs 13 points to avoid a follow-up
Akash hits a long hit and they get another single. Why is there a long hit? Why? It’s such an easy single.
India needs 12 points to avoid a follow-up
Bumra defended solidly.
Push the defense a little bit and the ball will bounce into the air over the screen but land safely. No points.
Close! Lyon does a good job and the ball hits the edge of Bumrah’s bat.
Beaten! Carey slammed the ball away from the stumps after it hit the bat. It was Lyon’s most threatening performance in a Test match – first floating away, then standing straight again. But Bumrah landed on his back foot.
72nd over – Mitch Starc continues
India need 21 runs to avoid being caught. The tourists are closing in on that target. After that, I think it’s unlikely that Australia will win the match. I don’t think it’s likely anyway, but still.
Breakthrough! It was a beautiful shot from Akash, as he drove the ball into deep coverage. And it was also an off-ball shot! A big one.
India needs 18 points to avoid a follow-up
Edge! It just died on the second slide! It fell off Akash’s hips.
Akash pushed towards mid-on for a single but Cummins missed the ball and if he hadn’t done that and passed it to the keeper it could have been close.
Akash’s defense is very solid.
Starc added to the defensive solidity by challenging Akash’s technique and courage with his body attacks.
Another very good defensive hitting move is to keep the ball away from the pad of the bat.
Four! Akash clips the ball from gully to the boundary and the ball is caught by the falling fielder.
India needs 14 points to avoid a follow-up
71st over – Pat Cummins is going to continue
He sprinkled a generous amount of sawdust over the landing area and set up the field.
Double overs, gully, third man, pads, middle, striker, middle field and fine leg.
From the leg side, Akash missed the advantage.
Defeated! Akash swung the bat and the ball flew past the bat and went far. Akash almost hit it.
Akash hits the ball to the back.
Bumrah controls the rising ball well and almost takes it off the handle of the bat – he leaps and hits it for a single.
Two missed balls, two turnovers, but Akash defended solidly.
Nathan Lyon was warming up energetically in front of us as the third man.
Akash took off his pads and hit a single to fine leg.
70th over – Starc is going to continue
It was getting darker and darker as we continued to move forward, and the light was having a greater and greater impact. But it wasn’t too bad.
Two turnovers, one turnover, and a great third man.
Akash, the bodyguard, swung it but missed.
Akash pushes to the right and they take an easy single.
Now, India needs only 24 more points to avoid the same fate.
Bumrah defends a rising ball in front of the pads of his bat.
Good shot. The field is set up for a short game, so this is a good double bluff.
“Bounce!” Starc asked as Bumrah swung at the ball, which flew over his head but missed. The ball did not hit the bat or the glove.
Defeated! It was a beautiful shot, Bumrah smiled, knowing he would never stand a chance of scoring.
69th over – Cummins continues
It was drizzling, but not enough to bring them back.
Six! A powerful hook over good leg! Bumrah hits it hard, a great shot, and he gets six for it. India are 25 runs away from avoiding being caught.
Bodyguard! This guy is good.
There were no slips, just a gully, and five guys on the ropes behind the square, and a racket pad.
Cummins’ bouncer Bumrah missed his hook shot.
The site has changed and now has two landslides and a gully.
Bumrah failed to hit the ball and the match was over.
Just FYI, in case you thought Bumrah wasn’t a great batsman…
68th over – Mitchell Starc comes back into the attack
The Lyon experiment is over.
Mickey Stark is back and might be angrier than ever.
Bumrah was batting and he was bounced first and he tried to pull the ball but failed to hit it.
Two slips, a block, a pad and third man. Two players on the leg side, the ball is bounced towards them and Jadeja hits a single.
India needed 31 points to avoid being tied.
Starc’s yorker was indeed excellent but Akash Deep did well to block it out.
Bodyguard, Akash went deep into it and completed the bodyguard mission perfectly.
Akash’s defense is very solid.
Akash’s defense is more solid.
Stark made a very good jump.
OUT! JADEJA FALLS INTO THE TRAP!
(Getty Images)
With four men behind, Jadeja flies high into the air and Mitch Marsh dives forward at deep square leg to take a perfect catch!
Jadeja is out for 77!
It was a brilliant match that frustrated the Australian captain for a long time.
But now it’s over.
Australia was on the verge of taking the lead in the first innings.
(Getty Images)
67th over – Cummins continues
Jadeja takes the lead in defense.
Two slips and a gully – everyone else is back on the ropes.
A close win! Four runs! Over the slide, the real advantage – his heavy bat – he changed that early in the inning – a big win there.
33 Avoid follow-up actions.
He drove a long way but didn’t run.
The ball bounced off the top of the bat and landed on the slider.
Jadeja had another fresh bat as the pitch went in. There were still four fielders on the ropes behind the square – and one fence. No miscues.
It was a short ball and Jadeja tried to attack but couldn’t hit it.
65th over – Nathan Lyon comes into the attack
Not sure. Mickey Starc is exciting, bowls fast and has a real No.11 in the middle. I’m not sure if Lyon is the right choice.
There was a silly move at halftime, and one slip moved the others to the boundary.
Six! Big hit! Long-on delivery for a six. I didn’t think Jadeja could do that to Mickey Starc at 145 km/h…
India were just 38 points behind the follow-on target.
Jadeja hit the ball but failed to score.
(Getty Images)
Now he pushes towards the middle and the opponent easily gets a single.
There is a close receiver on each side of the stumps and an orthodox leg-slip receiver as well.
Bumrah lowers his hands and defends.
He also defended the next inning, ending the inning.
64th over – Cummins continues
Jadeja cuts deep but fails to make a run.
India’s No. 9, 10 and 11 batsmen were not in great form so Jadeja had to be very careful with his batting.
He defended the next ball and Cummins caught it in stride.
Bodyguard, alone.
They got one point thanks to some great play from Jadeja.
Therefore, Jasprit Bumrah faced two shots.
Cummins went over the wicket at two slips, the groove and pad of the bat were in place, Bumrah defended in front of the pad of the bat.
Bumrah again rode the bat to the ribs and blocked it in front of the bat pads.
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