AUS vs IND, 3rd Test: Aggressive Head, Calm Labuschagne Steer Australia To Memorable Victory
Labuschagne plays a shot on the third day [Twitter]
It was always going to be a tough ride for India when they were bundled out for a mere 163 in their second innings.
Kudos to Australia, who read the pitch to perfection and their spinners actually bowled better than the Indian spin trio.
India needed a miracle to clinch an impossible win on Day 3, and R Ashwin gave a small ray of hope when he dismissed Usman Khawaja on the second ball of the day. He tossed it up as the ball drift away and the outside-edge was safely taken by KS Bharat behind the stumps.
India sensed something special, but a total of 76 was a below par total to defend on any track. However, that was the last joy for the Indian fans as Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne calmed things down.
The pitch was doing all sorts of tricks, but the duo played with caution in the beginning, but once the nerves were settled in, they went after the Indian attack.
Labuschagne survived a close call, when Virat Kohli, stationed at leg slip stretched to his right for a catch, but the umpire gave it not out. India took the DRS, but it was clear that the ball struck the pad and no bat was involved.
The Aussies did survive a few close calls, but Head took on the spinners and rattled the game-plan of Ashwin and Jadeja.
It can be said that both Ashwin and Jadeja were a bit too full in this Test match and the Aussies took full advantage of it.
They eventually won the game by 9 wickets, with both Head (49*) and Labuschagne (28*) steering their side past the winning line. With his emphatic win, Australia have qualified for the finals of the World Test Championship.
Talking Points
- Indian spinners looked toothless: On Spinning tracks, India's spin trio were rather ineffective. They were too full on a track that offered plenty of assistance to them, and never really troubled the Aussies.
- Head the demolishing man: It was a master-stroke to promote Travis Head at the opening slot. A naturally aggressive batter, he was not afraid of the Indian spinners and took them to the cleaners.
Brief Score
India 2nd innings: 163-10 (60.3)
Cheteshwar Pujara 59 (142), Shreyas Iyer 26 (27);
Nathan Lyon 8-64 (23.3), Mitch Starc 1-14 (7)
Australia 2nd innings: 78-1 (18.5)
Travis Head 49* (53), Marnus Labuschagne 28* (58);
R Ashwin 1-44 (9.5)
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
