Australia’s ambitious declaration to attempt to force a result in the third Test at the Gabba backfired on Wednesday as the top order failed again on a rain-affected day five in Brisbane. The Border-Gavaskar series remains locked at 1-1 with two Tests to play, in Melbourne and Sydney, after incessant rain, the odd lightning strike and periods of poor light put a dampener on a match Australia were in a strong position to win. When Australia declared at 7-89 on Wednesday, India needed 275 from 54 overs for a miraculous win.
With a large thunderstorm brewing over the Gabba, bad light forced players off just 13 balls into India’s innings. Players shook hands at 4.26pm local time (5.
26pm, AEDT) and the match ended in a draw. The unforeseen consequence of Australia’s bid for an unlikely win is that the top order will head into the Boxing Day Test with their confidence dented even further. Khawaja walks from the Gabba after being bowled by Bumrah.
Credit: Getty Images For a stop-start match that had moved so slowly, the frenetic pace of Wednesday’s action caught everyone by surprise. Australia’s stars batted like they had already shaken hands. It was not immediately clear whether they were after batting practice or chasing a bold declaration.
They only wanted a small total before sending India back in, but the carnage that unfolded has increased scrutiny on a brittle top order whose Test futures are under a cloud. When Steve Smith was caught down the leg side for four, for.
