BRISBANE: The deciding fourth Test between Australia and India in Brisbane hung in the balance on Saturday after a massive thunderstorm caused play to be abandoned following the tea break on the second day.
The Gabba was saturated during the storm, which began during the tea break, and while the ground drained quickly, the umpires decided the outfield was too wet to allow play to continue.
India will resume on Sunday at 62 for two, 307 runs behind Australia’s first innings total of 369, with Cheteshwar Pujara on eight alongside skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who was on two. Australia had earlier claimed the vital wicket of Rohit Sharma 20 minutes before tea to seize the momentum. Sharma had been in full flow, striking 44 stylish runs from 74 deliveries with six boundaries.
But with the score on 60 for the loss of opener Shubman Gill (7), Sharma threw his wicket away when he charged off-spinner Nathan Lyon, only managing to sky a ball to Mitchell Starc at deep mid-on. Pat Cummins had made the early breakthrough for the hosts when Gill got a thick edge and Steve Smith took a sharp catch at second slip.
After resuming at 274 for five on Saturday morning, Australian lost five wickets in the first session including the overnight batsmen Tim Paine and Cameron Green. Paine and Green had started aggressively on a flat batting wicket and looked to push the score beyond 400.
Australia will be disappointed with their total considering the benign nature of the wicket. While many of the Australian batsmen got starts, only Marnus Labuschagne was able to convert, his 108 on Friday the standout for the home team.
Spain's Rafael Nadal. — AFP File PARIS: Former world number one Rafael Nadal is unlikely to be seeded at next...
French President Emmanuel Macron shoots to score a goal from the penalty spot in the Varieties Club charity football...
Juventus and Milan face off in fight for second place. — AFP FileMILAN: Juventus v AC Milan is traditionally one of...
Mohsin Naqvi during a meeting in this picture on November 12, 2023. — X/@GovtofPunjabPK LAHORE: In response to the...
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday held a meeting with the New Zealand Cricket Chief...
Pakistan Women's Cricket team skipper Bismah Maroof. — AFP/FileKARACHI: The former Pakistan Women’s skipper Bismah...