Australia’s road to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has taken a wicked turn, and it will take heroic effort from a tiring attack to navigate a path to victory.
Mitchell Starc is sore, the MCG track is flat, and time is becoming of the essence against an India side – inspired by Nitish Kumar Reddy’s inspirational maiden Test century – eyeing off back-to-back miracles Down Under.
All eyes will be on Mitchell Starc’s fitness for the remainder of the Boxing Day Test – if not the series.Credit: AP
Pat Cummins’ men may not have known it at the time but this day, and perhaps the game and series, swung the moment Steve Smith could not hold on to a bizarre, extremely difficult chance from Washington Sundar shortly after lunch.
Washington’s attempt at a leg glance to a delivery well outside leg stump deflected off the back of his bat to a stunned Smith at second slip.
The ball found the middle of an outstretched Smith’s right hand but did not stick. The confusion in the stands and in living rooms around the country was matched on the field.
“What happened then?” an incredulous Smith asked his teammates in the cordon.
The partnership, worth 40 at the time, ballooned out to 127, keeping No.10 Jasprit Bumrah in the shed for another four hours instead of coming out to face a second new ball that was only three deliveries old.
This is not a criticism of Smith for not holding on to a “worldy”, but more a reflection of how difficult wickets have been to engineer in these conditions.
That Australia are still well-placed for a triple-figure lead, and victory very attainable, is testament to the perseverance of their attack and the carelessness of India’s batters. Of the visitors’ top six, only K.L. Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were out to good bowling. Australia cannot account for such gifts in the final innings.
The toll exacted went beyond the scoreboard. The Australians are three overs behind the over rate, leaving them vulnerable to a world Test championship points deduction if they cannot make it up.
In the field for 116 overs on an increasingly comfortable batting surface, the hosts face another considerable workload on days four and five to take the 11 remaining wickets needed to go 2-1 up in the series.
The short break leading into the fifth Test raises the stakes. What physical and emotional shape will Australia’s attack be in come Friday if they have worked themselves into the ground with no victory to show for it, needing to win in Sydney, which has a history of rain-marred games?
Starc, in his fourth Test of the series, is showing signs of wear. The match-winning quick was in clear discomfort, pinching at the left side of his back. The issue required attention between overs from team physio Nick Jones, who put Starc through a few stretches.
“He’s just had a bit of a niggle somewhere in his back or rib … but he came out after the break and was bowling 140 (km/h) so I think he’s gonna be fine,” paceman Scott Boland said.
Pat Cummins and his men hardly had it all their own way with the ball on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
“I think he’s underrated for how tough he is. He’s someone who can play through a lot of pain. He’s someone who can still bowl the same pace, even when he is really sore, which is great trait to have.”
Starc soldiered through but, as tough as he is, he has a history of fading in the fourth and fifth Tests of series. His record of 24 wickets at 44 at the SCG, his home track, is his worst at any Australian Test venue.
Already missing Josh Hazlewood, Australia would be digging deep into their pace stocks if a replacement is needed for Starc.
Cummins’ pace has dropped, though he found an extra yard amid the drama late in the day when Reddy chased his ton.
Waiting in the wings are the uncapped Sean Abbott, and speedster Jhye Richardson – who has been racked by a series of injuries since his last appearance in the baggy green against England three years ago.
Australia’s defeat in Perth was partly due to their attack being slightly underdone, so they could still be firing on all cylinders by the end of the series. Questions will be asked if they cannot run strongly through the finish line.
