Australia vs India: Five things we learnt from the third Test
Although rain ultimately spoiled the third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane, there was still plenty of action to talk about.
The hosts got off to a great start by racking up over 400 runs in their first innings before India held firm as time simply ran out.
Attention now turns to the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne with the series nicely poised at 1-1.
Sports News Blitz cricket expert James Melloy takes a look at what we learnt at the Gabba.
Australia’s top order continues to struggle
The hosts’ top order once again failed dismally, despite sparkling centuries from Steve Smith and Travis Head in the first innings.
After three Tests against India, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, and Mitchell Marsh are all averaging less than 17.
At one stage on the fifth day, Australia found themselves teetering at 33-5 on the way to declaring on a paltry 89-7 as rain clouds loomed.
This is in comparison to the Indian batting line-up where the top three have each made significant contributions with the bat over the last few weeks.
READ MORE: Five things we learnt from the third and final Test between New Zealand and England
India far too reliant on Jasprit Bumrah
No matter how good Bumrah is — and he is very good — India need other bowlers to start sharing the wicket-taking burden.
One or more of Mohammed Siraj, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, and Akash Deep have to stand up and be counted.
Because while Bumrah will always take wickets with his frankly sensational average, India’s reliance on him is troubling.
Indeed, it will be interesting to see how India manage Bumrah’s workload going forward after his heavy involvement in all three Tests so far.
Travis Head remains key to Australian hopes
It was yet another century for Head, this time a wonderful 152 from just 160 deliveries and ably supported by former captain Smith.
Head’s innings was once again exactly what Australia needed and India will surely be getting sick of the sight of him.
Along with Smith, the Adelaide native dragged the hosts from 75-3 to 316-4 on their way to a competitive 445 all out.
Considering the ongoing struggles of the top order, one wonders where Australia would be without the services of Head.
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Hosts miss all-rounder Cameron Green
Green effectively removed himself from contention this summer when opting for surgery to fix a back injury in October.
Unfortunately, with replacement Marsh struggling for both fitness and form, Green is turning out to be a massive loss for Australia.
Averaging 36 with the bat and 35 with the ball in Test cricket, Green offers something different with his height and ability.
Sadly, Australia will have to find a solution without him.
Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement
After 14 years of playing international cricket, spinner Ashwin has decided to hang up his boots with immediate effect.
He retires as India’s second-highest wicket taker in Test cricket with 537 wickets in 106 matches.
In addition to being one of the greatest spinners in the history of the game, Ashwin was more than capable with bat in hand as well, scoring 3500 runs and six hundreds.
Ashwin’s sudden departure is a massive loss for India and nothing less than the end of an era.
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