Related Links: India Tour of Australia 2014/15 | Australia vs India, Gabba Test Scorecard
The third day of the Australia vs India, 2nd Test at the Gabba in Brisbane produced some unbelievable cricket, thanks in main to some exceptionally shoddy bowling by the Indians, something which the Australians feasted on to embarrass the Indian bowlers. Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood took full advantage of the India’s inability to finish off things and, in the end, ensured a significant lead for the Aussies, which could prove rather important as the Test draws to a close. A comparison between the Indian and Aussie tail proves how contrasting the two sides’ lower-order are.
Above photo: Australia’s batsman Mitchell Johnson plays a shot on the third day of the 2nd Test match between Australia and India at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / Getty Images
Mitchell Johnson came in at the fall of Brad Haddin’s wicket, with the score reading 247 for 6. By the time he departed, the score had pummeled to 395 for 7. Johnson was brutal in his display, as he blasted 13 fours and a six en route to his 88 from 93 balls. At the other end, Steve Smith went on to 133 from 191 balls before being dismissed. The agony wasn’t over for India even after the two fell. Starc feasted his way to 52 from 59 balls, and even last man, debutant Hazlewood enjoyed himself to an unbeaten 32 from 50 deliveries. The last four Aussie wickets added a whopping 258 runs.
India’s first innings was in complete contrast. They were well placed at 321 for 4, but ended up losing their last six wickets adding merely 87 runs, a number which is supposed to be unlucky for Australia, but actually proved disastrous for Indians. While the total of the first five batsmen ended up being a combined 286 runs for the Indians, the last six made only 122 runs. Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron both fell for single figure scores even as Ravinchandran Ashwin and MS Dhoni contributed 30s each.
Above photo: BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 18: Shane Watson of Australia celebrates with team mates after dismissing Rohit Sharma of India during day two of the 2nd Test match between Australia and India at The Gabba on December 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The story with the Indian batting wasn’t too different at Adelaide as well, which India ended up losing by 48 runs. They were in a great position at 293 for 3 in the first innings, but ended up managing 444. In the second innings, things got even worse. From 242 for 2, chasing 364, they collapsed unbelievably to be all-out for 315 even as Virat Kohli smashed a magnificent ton.
Will the lack of runs from India’s tail, and the plethora from Australia’s prove to be the big difference at Brisbane?