Sydney, Jan 5 (NationPress) After a drought since 2014/15, Australia finally found success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on their home ground. The shift in fortune was evident on a sunny day at the Sydney Cricket Ground as the home team triumphed over India, winning the fifth Test by six wickets and securing the series with a score of 3-1.
Starting the day at 141/6, India managed to add a mere 16 runs before their second innings came to an end within the first 45 minutes of day three. With the pitch offering ample assistance to seam bowlers, Scott Boland and Pat Cummins each claimed two wickets, demonstrating precise bowling that swiftly concluded India’s innings and set Australia a target of 162.
Boland's impressive figures of 6-45 in 16.5 overs marked his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket since his memorable debut performance of 6/7 against England during the 2021 Ashes. The Sydney crowd erupted with enthusiasm as the seamer achieved a total of ten wickets in the match.
In response, Australia completed the chase in just 27 overs despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah due to a back spasm. Key contributions came from Usman Khawaja (41), Beau Webster (39 not out), and Travis Head (34 not out).
Even with Prasidh Krishna taking three wickets, it was insufficient for India, who delivered a dismal bowling performance. Cummins and his team finally achieved a long-awaited trophy victory, particularly after their substantial defeat of 295 runs in the series opener in Perth.
This win also qualifies Australia, the 2023 World Test Championship winners, for the crucial final, where they will face South Africa at Lord’s in June.
For India, having lost the trophy after a decade, there is significant reflection needed on all fronts, including leadership and tactical strategies.
In the morning, Ravindra Jadeja appeared to regain his attacking rhythm, striking a short and wide delivery from Cummins for four, pushing India’s lead past 150. However, shortly after, Cummins delivered a fuller ball that angled in and seamed away, catching the thin edge of Jadeja’s bat, leading to his dismissal for 13 off 45 balls.
In his following over, Cummins angled in from wide and bowled Washington Sundar through the gate for 12 off 43 balls. Boland secured his six-wicket haul by having Siraj edge to first slip and toppling Bumrah’s leg-stump, concluding India’s innings just before the 40-over mark.
India’s defense of 162 got off to a rocky start as Prasidh and Mohammed Siraj struggled with their lines and lengths, allowing 35 runs in the first three overs, which included eight wides and four leg-byes, coupled with Sam Konstas hitting three quick boundaries.
Prasidh eventually found his footing, dismissing Konstas, who attempted a massive slog but ended up getting caught at mid-off for 22. Shortly after Australia reached fifty, Prasidh struck again, having Marnus Labuschagne caught at gully for 6.
Steve Smith was on the brink of 10,000 Test runs but Prasidh thwarted that milestone, bowling a length ball that bounced sharply, resulting in Smith’s edge being caught by a forward-diving fielder.
Khawaja and Head held steady until lunch, ensuring Australia lost no further wickets in the initial session. After lunch, Khawaja quickly accumulated five boundaries off Prasidh and Siraj, with India conceding 33 runs in the first five overs.
Just when it seemed Khawaja would secure his second fifty of the series, he bottom-edged a pull shot to Rishabh Pant off Siraj, departing for 41 off 45 balls, granting the pacer his 100th Test wicket.
Webster, who had an impressive 57 in the first innings, showcased his skills with backfoot punches and elegant drives. Head also contributed with boundaries, demonstrating impressive technique.
Webster shone with his backfoot play, pulling Siraj for four, slicing through gully, and executing a square drive off Washington Sundar for two fours.
He fittingly lofted a shot over mid-off for the winning four, leading Australia to victory and securing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade. Webster concluded his Test debut with scores of 57 and 39 not out, alongside taking a wicket and making two sharp catches.
Brief Scores: India 185 and 157 in 39.5 overs (Rishabh Pant 61; Scott Boland 6-45) lost to Australia 181 and 162/4 in 27 overs (Usman Khawaja 41, Beau Webster 39 not out; Prasidh Krishna 3-65, Mohammed Siraj 1-69) by six wickets.
