3rd Test Day 3: Bumrah and Cummins Take Charge as Australia Crumbles

For all the talk of the M.C.G pitch over the past few years and into the first two days of the Third Test of this series, the result of the third day’s play tends to blow all of that out of the water. That only seven wickets fell on the first two days, and then more than double that fell on just the third days play alone, reverses somewhat the idea that the surface itself is the problem, and that perhaps the problem lies in the way the players themselves have approached the game. Maybe it doesn’t, but it does bear some reflection.

We have now reached a point where Australia’s batting has to be seriously assessed in regards to all formats of the game, and most importantly at Test level. Today’s capitulation being dismissed for 151 on the same pitch that India made 7 declared for 443 on is a massive red mark against the current top six, of which all have had enough chances to show they are up to this level of cricket. They were completely out thought today, and learned nothing from the way India’s top order had batted on the opening days. Finch and Harris had their frailties preyed upon, hammered until they played the false shot. Khawaja was undone by spin again. Shaun Marsh never looked settled and fell last ball before lunch to a great slower ball but one he never saw coming. Head fell trying to drive a ball that beat him for pace, while Mitch Marsh was caught at slip driving against the spin. Australia’s top six were all dismissed within 43.3 overs. It took 169 overs for India’s first six wickets to fall. That is the story of this Test match. 

If India go on to win this Test (which appears a forgone conclusion now) it will once again trigger the discussion about the imminent return of the three suspended batsmen into the team. What may need to be discussed is just how the selectors see a way out of our batting conundrum at this point. It is not just in Tests where out top six is struggling, it is at ODI level as well. It is all and well to say how good Marcus Harris looks after five Test innings, but his struggle to get out of the twenties poses questions going forward. Can the team continue with Khawaja’s inconsistencies? For that matter, can it continue to go forward with Travis Head’s disappointing dismissals when it needs him to dig in? And the less said about the Marsh brothers the better. 

Tim Paine top scored again today, and Pat Cummins batted with more authority than most of the top order. Even with his duck today, Nathan Lyon currently leads Australia's series batting averages with 38.00. The bowlers had to bowl in oppressive heat for almost two full days, and barely got two sessions rest in return from their batting before they were out there again. That is to take nothing away from the Indians bowlers who were magnificent, especially Jasprit Bumrah who finally reaped the rewards he deserved for his summer by taking 6/33 with fast and thoughtful bowling. All four again bowled to great plans that they executed superbly and with most of the chances offered being taken. 

Why did India not enforce the follow on? It just seems ludicrous that they bowled Australia out for 151 in just under 67 overs, leaving a lead of 292 runs on a deteriorating wicket, and decided to have another bat. I’m not suggesting for a second that Australia can win the Test nor that there is any real danger of drawing it, but batting again just seems like overkill. What was Kohli afraid of? Did he really believe that his bowlers were fatigued after just two sessions of bowling? Did he think Australia might score 400 and set them 100 to win in the fourth innings? The only reason to bat again was to go out and score quickly and add another 100 or so runs in 20 overs and then have a crack at the Australians again this evening. Instead, they found the going as tough as the Aussies did, only managing to score at two runs an over, and had their innings destroyed by Pat Cummins who came to the party and finished with 4/10 from six overs, including a spell of four wickets in eight deliveries. At 5/54 at stumps India already has too many runs with a lead of 346, but if they had bowled again instead and the score was similar then they would probably only be a session away from retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy. They may only be two away at most anyway. 

Everyone knows how tough it is at the moment for Australian cricket. Our batting is average at best and while everyone has their own thoughts on who should be in the team, you just have to hope that the ones who are selected are doing the absolute best they are. If this is the best they can do, then it is time to start looking at other options. For Australia’s top six, tomorrow may well be their final chance to show that they deserve to be a part of the Test batting line up before that chance is taken out of their hands.