Here’s Geoff Lemon’s report from day five of the third Test at the Gabba.
That’s it from the Gabba. It’s been another intriguing instalment in what is becoming an evermore fascinating Test series between these fierce cricketing foes.
India destroyed Australia in the first Test to have local fans and media hitting the panic buttons. But Pat Cummins’ side responded with typical gusto by walloping India with the pink ball in Adelaide to square the series one-all.
Here at the “Gabbatoir”, Australia piled on 445 in the first dig thanks to a magnificent Travis Head 152 and looked to be bossing proceedings for much of the Test. But then disaster struck with Josh Hazlewood taken to hospital with a calf strain (he has now been ruled out of the series) and Steve Smith dropping a sitter first ball of day four.
Both incidents proved costly for the home side. India, always dangerous when wounded, sucker punched them on days four, rattling off 39 runs for the 10th wicket to avoid the follow-on and then did it again on day five, their bowlers running riot through the top order today to have Australia 89 for 7.
A drawn third Test here in Brisbane leaves the Border-Gavaskar series deadlocked one-all and both sides heading to the greatest stage in world cricket – a 100,000+ crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day – looking to strike a knockout blow
That’s where we’ll meet you next. Thanks for your company and your emails. We will see you on December 26 for more over-by-over coverage. On behalf of the Guardian team, Merry Christmas and happy holidays. We look forward to your company on December 26.
That’s me over and out.
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