Australia win Border-Gavaskar series 3-1 after beating India by six wickets in SCG thriller
Key events
Beau Webster’s reaction
It’s been a helluva game, I couldn’t have asked for much more on debut: great crowd, great atmosphere and to win inside three days is great.
I was counting the runs, hoping we might be under 50 [by the time he went into bat] so that me and Heady could have a dash. Nah, I was pretty confident – he’s a good player and we had a few behind us [in the batting order].
It’s pretty surreal – it probably hasn’t sunk in. It’s been a nice couple of weeks, being around the lads the whole series. To get a chance in the last game was a little big unexpected but I knew I was ready and today showed I’ve got the game for this level. Hopefully I can play a few more knocks like that.
The whole series has been really well supported. The noise when you hit a boundary or hit a wicket is really infectious; it makes you want to be in the team and have that success.
I’m sure there’ll be a couple of schooners in the Snug Tav [in Tasmania]. If I haven’t got back to anyone who sent me a message, I apologise, it’s been a hectic three days! But thanks very much.
“Anyone else think Beau Webster bats like Joe Root?” says Lewin Eatough. “That Relaxed backlift, the half movement down with the bat before an exquisitely timed backfoot punch or cover drive.”
I hadn’t considered Root, mainly because of the height difference, but I’m intrigued now. Once we’ve finished I’ll rewind the video and watch a bit of his innings. Gideon Haigh, on the Cricket Et Al podcast, said he reminded me a little bit of Tony Greig.
Australia win the series 3-1!
Beau Webster collects a stump as a souvenir of a terrific debut. In a low-scoring match he made a patient 57 in the first innings and a breezy 39 not out from 34 balls in the second. It’s nice that Travis Head was there at the end too; Australia’s brilliant fightback hinged on his 140 in the second Test at Adelaide.
AUSTRALIA WIN BY SIX WICKETS!
27th over: Australia 162-4 (target 162; Head 34, Webster 39) Washington Sundar is coming onto bowl, confirmation that India know it’s over. And it is now. Webster forces four more through the covers, then runs down the track to blast the winning boundary through mid-off. Australia have regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and will play South Africa in the World Test Championship final!
26th over: Australia 151-4 (target 162; Head 32, Webster 30) Webster slaps Reddy for four to move into the thirties at more than a run a ball. His performance won’t surprise those who’ve watched him at Tasmania in the last four years but to neutrals like me he’s a bit of a revelation.
The last time India lost back-to-back series was also the last time Australia won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy back in 2014-15. On that occasion India lost four in a row away to South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia.
25th over: Australia 147-4 (target 162; Head 32, Webster 26) There’s no doubt Australia are worthy winners of the series. It’s a shame Jasprit Bumrah missed the final innings – I suspect it would have been a Spandex-tight finish – but in a way even his injury is a reflection of Australia’s superiority. It’s not like he stood on a rogue cricket ball and twisted his ankle; he was worn down by an excess workload made necessary by the performance of the other bowlers.
“I’ve been really disheartened to see Australian crowds booing Kohli,” says Hugh B. “He’s been such a fantastic competitor over the years, and I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that a thrilling series like this one is a result of his legacy. He came into the game at a time when the Australian team was populated with more than its share of arrogant bullies, and he never took any of their crap. But I also recall him reproaching Indian supporters for jeering Steve Smith post-suspension, encouraging them to applaud him instead. Australian cricket fans would do well follow his example in that respect. He deserved a standing ovation when left the crease for, in all likelihood, his final time on Australian turf.”
Couldn’t agree more. As an England supporter, it did my head in when Ricky Ponting was booed throughout the 2009 Ashes.
24th over: Australia 144-4 (target 162; Head 32, Webster 23) Siraj has also switched ends, but we’re into deckchairs-on-the-Titanic territory now. A leg-stump half-volley is lasered through midwicket for four by Head, then a short ball is pulled for four with contempt by Webster. Jeez he’s played well.
Australia need 18 to win. I think we can safely say that Australia are a) going to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and b) play South Africa in the World Test Championship final. For all India’s problems, this has been such an impressive comeback after the humiliating defeat at Perth. Travis Head’s fearless 140 at Adelaide was the turning point.
23rd over: Australia 134-4 (target 162; Head 27, Webster 18) In fact Krishna has switched ends to replace Siraj. Webster drives beautifully between extra cover and mid-off for four, then edges a fraction short of the diving KL Rahul at first slip. He’s hurt his finger quite badly in trying to take the catch but after a bit of treatment he is okay to continue.
22nd over: Australia 125-4 (target 162; Head 25, Webster 11) Nitish Kumar Reddy replaces a weary Prasidh Krishna, whose figures belong to an early 2000s ODI: 10-0-53-3. In hindsight India got their team selection all wrong for this game. Washington Sundar has been a specialist No8 and there have been only nine overs of spin all game. That’s the fewest in any Sydney Test, ever.
Reddy’s fourth ball is a rancid wide half-volley that Head, down on one knee, smashes over extra cover for four. Australia need 37 runs to win.
21st over: Australia 119-4 (target 162; Head 20, Webster 10) Webster’s temperament looks rock solid. He won’t bring the average age of this team down but he looks a serious option to bat No6 for the forseeable, even when Cameron Green is available.
“In one way the purist would have loved Bumrah to be fit,” says Eamonn Maloney. “In another, the purist would be spitting out their tea at the lack of balance between bat and ball as Aus would probably have been skittled for 70-odd.”
Webster is not out! Yep, outside the line. That’s a poor review from India, who are down to their last T-sign.
20.3 overs: Australia 116-4 (target 162; Head 18, Webster 9) Webster stands tall to batter Siraj between extra cover and mid-off for four. That’s a seriously good stroke. The next ball leads to an LBW review when Webster gets in a bit of a tangle. I’m pretty sure he’s outside the line, umpire’s call at worst for Australia.
20th over: Australia 111-4 (target 162; Head 17, Webster 5) Webster gets off the mark with a nice square drive for three. Head than slashes at fresh air outside off stump, prompting Virat Kohli to put his hands on his head in the most extravagant manner possible. The theatre of this game is wonderful.
“G’Day Rob, hope you’re well!” begins Chris Paraskevas. “Cracking H̶e̶a̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶v̶e̶ summer’s day here in Syd. Was considering heading to the SCG and it’s a bit of a shame this isn’t heading to Day 4.
“Whenever India have built momentum in this series and presented a unified front against the Aussie batters, the mood has shifted. But too often they’ve released the pressure valve. I wonder if their big win to open the series might have been a double-edged sword for them psychologically…”
The size of the victory also roused a number of Australian players, who responded to extreme adversity as only champions can. Pat Cummins, in particular, has been awesome since Perth.
19th over: Australia 104-4 (target 162; Head 16, Webster 0) That wicket has given India a shot of darenaline. Kohli puts in a silly mid-on for Beau Webster, who is this close to dragging his third ball back onto the stumps.
Incidentally that wicket was Siraj’s 100th in Tests at an average of 30.56. This is no time for milestones.
WICKET! Australia 104-4 (Khawaja c Pant b Siraj 41)
Cat, meet pigeons. Usman Khawaja has gone, under-edging through to the keeper. Siraj had just moved back over the wicket and maybe the ball wasn’t quite short enough for that shot. Australia are still in control but that has given India fresh hope.
18th over: Australia 104-3 (target 162; Khawaja 41, Head 16) Usman Khawaja and Travis Head must have swapped bodies at lunch. While Head is happy to deal in singles, Khawaja is hitting a boundary an over. The latest is a sweet, elegant cover drive when Krishna overpitches.
Head decides he wants a piece of the action as well. He crashes his first boundary since lunch through extra cover to end an expensive over. Australia need 58 more to win.
“Just wanted to thank you, Geoff and your OBO colleagues for great coverage of what (for a neutral) has been a fascinating series between two teams with great strengths and (I think?) telling weaknesses,” says Tom Hopkins. “Jasprit has, as always, been a joy to watch. Getting distinct Bryan Robson feelings about him right now.”
Cheers Tom. I have done very little but will happily accept unmerited gratitude. It’s been a fun series, hasn’t it? Not a classic by any means but a compelling, nuanced dogfight that hinged on a wonderful fourth Test. The flaws on both sides have probably enhanced the spectacle.
17th over: Australia 92-3 (target 162; Khawaja 35, Head 10) Siraj also switches to round the wicket. Three singles are followed by a majestic back cut for four from Khawaja. It feels like this is getting away from India, particularly with Siraj and Krishna rapidly approaching the red zone.
16th over: Australia 85-3 (target 162; Khawaja 30, Head 8) Krishna’s line wasn’t right in the previous over. This time length is the problem: his first ball is too full and Khawaja rifles it whence it came for four. The rest of the over is much better and culminates with a snorter from round the wicket that gives Khawaja an unsolicited whiff of leather.
“You’ll be getting off early today I suspect,” says John Starbuck. “Any plans?”
About forty thousand winks.
Meanwhile, Pananjady Swathi has been inspired by events at the SCG.
Bumrah may be hors de combat
But the Indians are still brat
In spite of the batting debacle
Can they still pull off a miracle?
They are still well and truly in the spat
Rhyming debacle and miracle is almost as audacious as Rishabh Pant’s innings yesterday.
15th over: Australia 81-3 (target 162; Khawaja 26, Head 8) The last time Australia failed to chase a target of 162 or fewer in a home Test was against South Africa on this ground in 1994, a game that cost Damien Martyn six years of Test cricket.
A thick edge from Khawaja off Siraj scuttles past gully for four; he then drives pleasantly for a single. Australia are halfway there.
14th over: Australia 75-3 (target 162; Khawaja 21, Head 7) A good start after lunch for Australia, who collect four low-risk singles. Most of Krishna’s over was too straight to the left-handers, allowing Khawaja and Head to work him into the leg side.
Thanks Geoff, hello everyone. Prasidh Krishna will continue after lunch. He’s already bowled six overs, and there’s an argument that Australia should bat time rather than runs to tire out India’s last two specialist seamers. Usman Khawaja might approach it that way; Travis Head will not.
Geoff Lemon
We’re getting players back on the field, ready to see what happens next. Another 91 runs needed. I’m out for the day, Rob Smyth will take the final stages. Thanks for your company over the series, it’s been fun hanging out.
“Reading you from under a tree in Freo. Much easier than watching.”
Couldn’t agree more, Michael Barker.
Lunch – Australia 71 for 3, needing 91 to win
It’s spicy, we can tell you that. Australia very much in the better decision, but 91 runs won’t come from nowhere. Keep the wickets coming and it might start to seem a tall order. Had India’s quicks not given away 35 from three overs in a bizarre beginning, who knows where this match might have been? Perhaps they were trying too hard in Bumrah’s absence. Will he risk rising from his sick bed if India get closer after the break, and reach a point where they need the depth? Probably not, but it’s a fun idea.
13th over: Australia 71-3 (Khawaja 19, Head 5) It’s still Siraj, with three minutes to lunch. The main bowling pair will go through unchanged. He smacks Head on the pad, but it pitched outside leg stump. Head shuffling towards leg as well. Two slips and a gully, deep backward point. Deep square leg and along leg, is that for the hook? Siraj hasn’t gone short today, Prasidh did, disastrously. Siraj does try one here though, Head not willing to play at it. And that’s lunch.
12th over: Australia 70-3 (Khawaja 18, Head 5) “Hi Geoff, I just can’t watch! Too stressful,” types Kathy Phillips, presumably with one hand while the other covers her eyes. It might make you feel better to know that Travis Head just played a lovely on-drive against Prasidh for four, past the diving mid on.
11th over: Australia 65-3 (Khawaja 18, Head 1) So to Travis Head, who fell very quickly in that first-innings collapse. He’s been feast or famine for a while now. Starts with a single, Khawaja knocks around a few, including three from an edge on the final ball that is ruled as saved on the rope after a long series of replays. Siraj has bowled six on the trot.
“That was woeful by Konstas, what is the point of just throwing away his wicket?” asks Sarah Sherman. “Someone needs to have a chat with him otherwise his Test career may be very short lived.”
I’ve been unconvinced by the Konstas experiment so far. Boxing Day was entertaining, but he barely middled a ball in that innings and had plenty of luck. I thought that was ok as a one-off tactic to disrupt Bumrah – Konstas doesn’t play like that at Shield level, so it was a choice. I think he’s been carried away with it since. Today Bumrah wasn’t there but he used the same approach against other bowlers, who were erratic and conceding plenty already. Didn’t need to manufacture high-difficulty shots in that environment.
WICKET! Smith c Jaiswal b Prasidh 4, Australia 58-3
10th over: Australia 58-3 (Khawaja 12) Khawaja keeps pushing the singles. Smith is beaten on the outside edge by Prasidh and hit low on the pad, but his step across has taken the impact point outside the line of off stump. India review, Kohli shrugging like they may as well take the punt, but it’s a green light for Smith.
Got to do away with that Law, it’s so redundant in this age. Track the ball’s path, give it out if it’s hitting.
But you know what? That doesn’t matter for India today. The bounce does him, Smith stepping across the surprised by another explosive lifter, sliced into the gully, and Jaiswal ends the over with a ripper. Tumbling to his right, low to the ground, and Smith is out on 9999 Test runs.
Brian Lara got out twice in the 9990s too.
9th over: Australia 55-2 (Khawaja 11, Smith 2) In comes Steven Smith, with the chance to improve on a poor fourth-innings record. Makes it easier when that innings come on day three rather than five. Doesn’t make it easier on this pitch, his first ball a beaut from Siraj that straightens past the edge. But he’s off the mark next ball with a clipped brace. Steps right across and pulls his bat inside the line of a sharp lifter. It’s still doing plenty. If India hadn’t bottled the first three overs here, this could be a contest.
WICKET! Labuschagne c Jaiswal b Prasidh 6, Australia 52-2
8th over: Australia 52-2 (Khawaja 10) Absurd appeal for caught behind after Prasidh brushes Labuschagne’s pad on the way down the leg side. Wind ruffling the players’ uniforms, two slips and a gully await…
and Labuscahgne feeds the latter! Last ball of the over. He’s got out on the back cut a few times this summer, and goes again, catching practice, struck in the air with no attempt to keep it down, straight at Jaiswal, who dropped so many in Melbourne and looks like he might do the same here, flinching as the ball reaches him, but he hangs on.
