AUS v IND: Will Rain Help India On Day 5 Of The GABBA Test?
The Indian Cricket Team has given itself a decent chance of getting out of the GABBA test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a draw through an unbeaten last-wicket stand between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, which ensured they don’t have to follow-on. More rain is also forecasted for the last day of the test match so the weather could well dictate the outcome of the test. Forecasted Rain Threatens To Impact Play Only 58 overs were bowled on the fourth day as several interruptions were made. Now with forecasts suggesting 2mm to 25mm of rain for Wednesday, similar disruptions are expected to happen. Late resistance by India means Australia’s chance to enforce the follow-on is out of the window and gives them fewer choices in forcing a result. Australia On Tight Rope To Force Result Australia has 98 overs scheduled however things can go really tricky if the rains further delay play. Probably the hosts will need to knock off India’s tailenders quickly and then score about 20 overs themselves to set a target close to 300 runs. The remaining overs will largely depend on the weather, and as the light fades in Brisbane by around 5:30 PM local time, Australia will have to make quick decisions. Hazlewood Injury Leaves Australia Shorthanded The blow to Australia is compounded by the loss of Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out with a calf injury. This leaves the Australian attack one bowler short, potentially requiring Nathan Lyon to carry a heavier workload. Assistant coach Daniel Vettori said that frequent breaks had allowed the quick bowlers to stay relatively fresh, however it’s unclear whether they will have the energy to fully capitalize on any opportunities. KL Rahul Reflects On Disruptions KL Rahul top-scored for India with 84 runs, acknowledged the difficulties the frequent stoppages have caused for players on both sides. With the rain still a factor, the fifth and the final day of the GABBA test is shaping up to be a dramatic and unpredictable conclusion, with both teams hoping for clear skies to allow enough play for a result. With rain still looming large over proceedings, India will be hoping for more interruptions to help preserve their position, while Australia will be aiming for a swift end to India’s innings and a rapid chase to set up a potential victory. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: What The Pitch Has To Offer At The GABBA?
Australia and India are set to lock horns in the third test at the GABBA in Brisbane and focus will turn to what the GABBA pitch will offer as both sides seek to break the deadlock in the series at 1-1. The GABBA has a history of providing bounce and pace and the state of the pitch could well dictate the outcome. GABBA’s Specialty The GABBA’s reputation as a testing ground for touring teams is already well entrenched, with its lively pitch often revealing the fragilities of the visiting batters who have not had long to settle into the conditions of Australia. The Australian players have long argued for the GABBA to maintain this position as the early summer conditions normally provide much livelier wicket. Insights From The Curator At The GABBA David Sandurski, curator of the GABBA, confirmed that early-summer pitches generally have more bounce and movement, which suits the bowlers. Pitches later in the season might have a bit more wear and tear, while ones early in the season usually are a bit fresher and might have a bit more in them. This is in line with previous trends, where the GABBA has consistently offered more for bowlers earlier in the summer compared to matches played later in the season. Australia To Play Carefully At The GABBA The Australian players know well about the difference in handling of the pitch, based on past experiences and what is going to happen in the latter part of the summer after this instance in 2021. The series against India was lost and Australia was unable to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India defeated Australia at Brisbane, a venue which Australia had never lost at since 1988. That particular test was played in mid-January. What to Expect At The GABBA? For the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the GABBA pitch is expected to remain as pacey and bouncy as it has been in the past. Sandurski confirmed that the pitch would be prepared to offer good carry and a traditional GABBA wicket. However he also said that there would be a better balance between bat and ball, almost a comparison to the solitary Sheffield Shield game played here in the season so far. In that game, 15 wickets fell on day one and though runs were hard to come by initially, the track did ease out to let batsmen get set and score. An Evenly Poised Contest And if the series level beckons and there seems every prospect that the coming days will see plenty of rain in Brisbane, it promises to be quite an interesting contest. Australia will look to exploit the conditions at the GABBA, while India can look at seeing some form from their top order as they failed to make them appear in the first two tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The pitch appears to be good for everyone and at GABBA, it shall indeed prove to be a fascinating battle. Whom do you think will go one-up in the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
