Australia vs India: Third Test in Brisbane drawn after rain
This result was always a possibility, with just 131.2 over the first three days – even more so when India’s last wicket came dramatically against Bumrah and Akash Deep avoid follow-up The fourth day was late.
The Indian innings finally ended with Deep bowling Travis Head for 31 for 5 on the final day, but rain and the threat of lightning prevented further action before lunch.
There was some hope of seeing some spectacular performances when the players returned in the sunshine.
Australia’s second innings lasted only 18 overs, but it was enough for both sides to claim the upper hand as Queensland departed in a series that lived up to expectations.
Australia had largely dominated the first four days after leveling the series in Adelaide but were not there when Steve Smith took the fifth wicket Out of danger, the lead was just 218.
Earlier, Bumrah bowled Usman Khawaja for eight and dropped Marnus Labuschagne for one. He is now India’s top wicket-taker in Australia with 53 wickets in 10 Tests, 21 of which have come in this series.
Meanwhile, Labuschagne scored 64 runs in four innings of the second Test, scoring 18 runs each.
Opener Nathan McSweeney’s tricky start in international cricket continued as he bowled Deep for four runs at just under. The seamers also advanced Mitchell Marsh to fourth to help improve the scoring rate, but fell behind by two runs.
Smith was stranded on the leg side for the second time in the series but Cummins’ contribution, Alex Carey’s 20 not out and Travis Head’s 17 could keep Australia occupied on a lively pitch Advantage, albeit in an unconvincing way.
More worrisome for Australia is the presence of Head, who was clearly bothered by a groin problem after scoring 140 in Adelaide after scoring 152 in the first innings.
He did not feature in the 13-run match of India’s innings but later played down injury concerns.
