Brisbane Test comes alive on final day as Indian bowlers set-up an exciting finale

After constant rain interruptions, the sparse crowd had come to watch the final day of the Brisbane Test got plenty of action. The home team declared their 3rd innings with the score reading 89/7 with an overall lead of 274. This meant that India had to score 275 runs from 54 overs to win the game and take 2-1 lead in the series. 

Such a scenario wasn’t imagined after Akash Deep was the last man out in the third over of the day. Umpires decided to call off action for the first session as huge dark clouds were hovering over the stadium followed by massive spell of rain. Just as it seemed that the match was meandering towards a draw the conditions got bright once again. 

Travis Head ended India’s innings when he had Akash Deep stumped by Alex Carey for 31. India’s number 11 batter got his runs from 44 balls with the help of 2 fours and a six as the visitors were all out for 260 to give Australia lead of 185 runs. 

Tantalizing final session of play in store 

Australia came out to bat with a positive mindset with more than 60 overs left in the day. Usman Khawaja was the first man out bowled by Jasprit Bumrah for 8 runs. This was followed by the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne caught behind for just one run to give Bumrah yet another wicket. 

Akash Deep then joined in the fun dismissing Nathan McSweeney (4) and Mitchell Marsh for 2 runs. Steve Smith who had scored a century in the 1st innings was out for four runs. Rishabh Pant put in full fledged dive to dismiss the veteran batter as Mohammed Siraj picked his first wicket. 

Travis Head and Alex Carey joined forces with the score reading 33/5 and added 27 runs for the 6th wicket in just 22 balls. That stand was broken when Head tried to slog Siraj and was caught by Pant for 17. Pat Cummins smashed 22 off 10 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes as he became the last man out to Bumrah. The 31-year-old now has 21 wickets in the series and ended the game with figures of 9/94.