Australia wrapped up the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a dominant display in a drawn fourth and final test in Sydney. The match went right to the final session as India battled bravely to avoid a third defeat in the condensed test series. Set a final day target of 349, India looked relatively untroubled when they went into tea at 160/2 with Kohli and Viajy in command, needing a further 189 for victory. Of the three possible results, only an Indian victory or a draw looked possible. However, a flurry of wickets in the final session (3 for 10 at one stage when Kohli, Raina and Saha were all dismissed) ensured a tense finish for the sizeable Sydney crowd. Ajinkya Rahane and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were able to save the match for India; lasting 12 overs, including ten with the second new ball.
The decision to take the new ball may in hindsight have been incorrect. Josh Hazlewood had the old ball reversing nicely, and series leading wicket-taker Nathan Lyon had it dancing out of the footmarks on a wearing surface. While the new ball decision may have contributed to the draw, the docile Sydney pitch also played it’s part. Lacking in pace or movement, the SCG joined the other venues in the series in contributing to a batsman friendly series that produced 5870 runs across the four tests.
Two players in particular dined out; Steven Smith for 700, Virat Kohli for 692. On the other side, Suresh Raina contributed 0 from his two innings’ in the Sydney test.
The Sydney test started, not for the first time in the series, with hundreds to David Warner and Steven Smith. In fact most of the Australian top order got amongst the runs in a daunting first up effort of 572/7 declared. Of note, was Shane Watsons handy half century which probably did enough to see him on the Ashes plane, but would have still irked plenty of Australian fans. Chris Rogers missed a hundred too, but he scored six consecutive fifties to close out the series.
India’s reply was typically pugnacious. On plenty of occasions in this series their batsman have replied well to an imposing first innings target (probably while cussing their bowlers lack of control) and this was no different. Two test batsman KL Rahul registered a fighting first hundred; he combined nicely with Virat Kohli (147) to ease India past the follow on and make the day task much simpler. The strengthening made to the lower order paid dividends as Ashwin, Kumar, Saha and Shami all contributed to the cause.
When they were eventually dismissed 97 behind they needed some disciplined bowling to prevent Australia from dictating the game and the timing of any declaration. They were not able to restrict the scoring rate however, and conceded 6.27 runs per over over the 40 second innings overs. Australia therefore raced to 251/6 with Rogers (56), Smith (71) and Burns (66) all boosting averages and strike rates against a weak attack.
Despite the late wobbles, India survived defeat in what was a fair reflection of the game. Although the 2-0 was deserved, the Indian side showed a lot more fight than previous touring teams and have discovered some important points about their team. Ashen was excellent in overseas conditions for the first time, KL Rahul could be a long term opening solution, and Rahane and Kohli were confirmed as World Class.
For Australia, the new captain is now one of the brightest players in the World, and while there are question marks over 3 and 6 (Burns and Marsh too) the core group of contributors all played well and got through the series injury free (Michael Clarke aside).
The teams will now compete in a Carlton Mid Triangular Series with England to warm-up for the Cricket World Cup. The action begins January 16.
India 475 (Kohli 147, Rahul 111, Starc 3-106) and 7 for 252 (Vijay 80) drew with Australia 7 for 572 dec (Smith 117, Warner 101, Rogers 95, Shami 5-112) and 6 for 251 dec (Smith 71, Burns 66, Rogers 56, Ashwin 4-105)
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