Adverse weather conditions in Brisbane forced India and Australia to share the spoils in the third Test, leaving fans on the edge of unfulfilled anticipation. India’s hopes of a dramatic turnaround flashed before their eyes on the fifth day as they removed seven wickets from Australia after losing their last wicket early in the morning.
Australia declared at 89, handing India a challenging target of 275. However, the pursuit barely took off, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul scoring just four runs apiece before the weather had the final say. Both sides ultimately settled for a draw that left fans disappointed, especially Aussie punters who placed wagers on Australia to come away with a win.
Their pedigree in international cricket makes them an attractive proposition for sports bettors and betting agencies in Australia were inundated with wagers. While the game ended in a draw, Australia’s performance in Brisbane will give punters more confidence to back them in future matches. Read on as we look at some of the biggest talking points from the game in Brisbane.
Weather Woes Dampen Brisbane Spectacle
The Gabba is often hailed as a fortress for Australian cricket, but it was no match for the incessant rain that put paid to the third Test.
Play was limited to just 13 overs on the opening day, leaving nearly 35,000 fans disappointed, although they received ticket refunds as compensation from Cricket Australia.
There wasn’t much difference the following day, with fans having to endure yet another stop-start match. The downpour forced eight stoppages, and the inclement weather continued into Tuesday. Australia captain Pat Cummins eventually declared at 89 for seven in the team’s second innings to hand India the monumental task of hitting 275 runs.
However, India had barely begun their comeback when dark clouds loomed and the heavy downpour began. By tea on the final day, India were eight without loss and needed 267 runs to win, but it didn’t help that the lights in the stadium were also below par.
Relentless rain and failing lights forced both sides to call a truce, although Australia had every right to feel hard done by as they had the upper hand and were close to turning the series on its head after losing the first game against India.
Ravichandran Ashwin Bids Farewell to International Cricket
The cricket world was handed a massive emotional bombshell when Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
Ashwin made the announcement at the post-match press conference before reflecting on a remarkable career that has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. The 38-year-old retires as a legend of the game. He drops the curtains as India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker with 537 scalps – only Anil Kumble can boast more.
Ashwin’s overall tally of 765 wickets across all formats further cements his spot as an all-time great. He’s revered for his guile, precision and cricketing intelligence. He also built up a reputation as a big game player and a match-winner, boasting 37 five-wicket hauls in Tests. “This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level,” Ashwin said.
“I feel there’s a little bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I’d like to express that and showcase it in club-level cricket.” Ashwin has been a cornerstone of India’s bowling attack for over a decade, notably hitting the winning runs in India’s dramatic 2022 T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. His absence will leave a void, but his legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of cricketers.
Travis Head’s Injury Concerns Could Derail Australia
Australia’s Travis Head has racked up 409 runs (an average of 81.80) during the series. He won the Player of the Match award in Brisbane after hitting 152-run in the first innings. However, he picked up a groin issue in the third Test that could rule him out of the next match. Head was visibly uncomfortable during Australia’s second innings, limping and stretching his left leg. He did not take to the field when India began their second innings, with 12th man Josh Inglis stepping in as a replacement.
There were initial concerns that the injury would rule him out for the remainder of the series, but he gave Australia a huge boost when he told reporters he is good to go for the next match. Captain Pat Cummins also confirmed that Head is dealing with a tight quad muscle, but the Australian camp are optimistic that he could shake it off. Head is a vital part of the Australian team and they will be eager to have him in the line-up for the rest of the series.
