Boxing Day Test: Australia defeat India to take 2-1 lead in Border-Gavaskar Trophy epic
Australia will have 92 overs to bowl India out on the final day of the fourth Test after Jasprit Bumrah wrote himself onto the MCG honour boards with a five-wicket haul as he demolished Nathan Lyon’s stumps.
The tourists need 340 to claim a 2-1 series lead and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after Lyon and Scott Boland’s 61-run final-wicket partnership was brought to a swift end on Monday.
It comes as Cricket Australia anticipated a monster day five crowd of up to 75,000, with an attendance of at least 51,206 to break the 87-year-old record for a Test match crowd in Australia.
Follow all the action in our live blog.
That’s that
After an epic MCG Test, Australia will head to Sydney with a 2-1 lead.
And there’s not long to wait with action getting underway again on January 3.
Until then, farewell!
Pat Cummins
Cummins is all smiles with Australia barely putting a foot wrong outside of Bumrah’s heroics on day four.
“What a Test match! I think that’s one of the best I’ve been apart of,” he said.
“You never really know what you’re going to get with my batting but it was nice to contribute.”
Player of the Match
Pat Cummins is named player of the match for his six wickets and 90 runs across the four innings.
Rohit Sharma
The Indian skipper reveals they had planned on going after Australia’s total but they wanted to set a platform in the first two sessions first.
It looked good at Tea but fell apart with Pant’s brain fade.
Sharma also admits they missed too many moments across the Test but he is proud of his team and Bumrah in particular after he collected his 200th Test wicket.
He also asked for more support from his other bowlers.
Match Wrap
It will take a moment for it all to sink in after a remarkable five days of cricket but here is The West’s final match wrap.
Kohli, Konstas
Virat takes an extra second with Sam Konstas during the hand shake and makes amends for his behaviour on day one.
The Aussies are hugs all round but the Indians should hold their heads high.
It took incredible efforts for them to turn this Test into a knife’s-edge contest and it just proves why these two units are the best in the world.
VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A famous Test match ends with the GOAT taking the winning wicket LBW!
Siraj planted his front foot down the wicket but Lyon got one to stay low and turn.
The umpire raised the finger and three red lights on review sparked incredible celebrations as Lyon sprinted off.
The relief is huge for Australia who are now in the box seat to win the series.
IND 155 all out
It carries!
Bumrah has recued India time and again with the ball but he’s no match for Boland with the bat.
Perfect length from the seamer and Smith takes a nice catch low down at first slip after an outside edge.
This is wrapping up very quickly and the new ball is still to come.
IND 9-154
The finale!
The last hour is upon us.
The Aussies must bowl a minimum of 15 overs but can bowl more if time allows.
They need two wickets but India’s caped crusade Jasprit Bumrah is in the middle.
Lyon on with three overs to new ball.
IND 8-154
BOLAND!!!!!
The Victorian favourite does it again!
With the first ball of his new spell he finds a tiny inside edge that rolls onto Deep’s pad and lobs to short leg.
Umpire was not convined but this time, Snicko heard it!
Australia closing in.
IND 8-154
