SCG Test: Border-Gavaskar Trophy set for epic finale as Australia and India battle for victory on day three
India lead Australia by 145 runs with four wickets remaining ahead of day three of the SCG Test.
After 15 wickets fell on day two, with the visitors bowling the hosts out four runs shy of their first-innings total, Ravindra Jadeja (8*) and Washington Sundar (4*) will return to the crease at 6-141.
India need to win the fifth Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with Australia holding a 2-1 lead in the series.
An injury cloud over star quick Jasprit Bumrah will make that more difficult, with the visitors yet to confirm if the stand-in captain will bat but more importantly bowl after he left the SCG to get scans on a back injury.
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Key Events
Goodbye for now
So one of the most enthralling Test summers in history comes to an end as Australia wins the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The series and this Test had more twists and turns than rally track but the Aussies are deserving winners having largely dominated since their defeat in Perth.
Sri Lanka and the World Test Championship final awaits but for now it’s goodbye.
Gambhir takes a final swipe at Konstas
The series may be done but there appears to still be plenty of feeling between these sides.
Pat Cummins shares his thoughts
“It is one that a few of us didn’t have. The boys have had their eye on it and it has lived up to the hype. We were just clear with the plans,” he says.
“We knew it was going to be a tricky wicket. The batters had a good method. Ultimately it worked out. Immensely proud. We have spent a lot of time as a group. Perth was not as bad as it seems. We have had a lot of fun along the way.
“It will go down as one of my favourite series. The fans have made this series. MCG was great, and three sellouts in Sydney. It is such a special day in the calendar. It is something I grew up with. We are cleberaing such a great cause.”
Jasprit Bumrah wins man of the series
It couldn’t be anyone else.
32 wickets at 13.06.
He was the danger man all series as he terrorised the Australian top order.
How different could today have been if he was fit? We’ll never know but he deserves all the praise for at multiple times this series dragging India back into the contest.
“Probably missed out on the spiciest wicket of the series.”
“Lots of ifs and buts because the whole series was well fought. It’s not like it was totally one sided. Whichever team holds their nerve and sticks together will win.”
Scott Boland wins MOTM
10 wickets for 76 runs what a man.
“I was pretty nervous about getting back here [after injury].”
“To win 3-1 against India is just awesome, I’m just happy to play my part wherever I can.”
A thrilling final day
At 3/56 this was still anyone’s game.
Head and Khawaja stitched together an important partnership before Khawaja fell with 58 runs still needed.
But Beau Webster came in and played like a man who’s done this plenty of times before as he and Head put on 58 runs at more than six an over.
Could India have tried spin earlier? Perhaps but without Bumrah it was always going to be hard.
Siraj and Prasidh bowled their hearts out but as they tired Aussies feasted.
AUSTRALIA WIN THE BORDER-GAVASKAR TROPHY
Washington Sundar is on perhaps because Siraj was off the field for too long but also it doesn’t really matter at this point.
Head and Webster work the singles.
FOUR! Webster leans back and crunches a square drive off the back foot.
AUSTRALIA WINNNN!!!!! Webster skips down and smashes Sundar down the ground for four as he lets out a roar.
What a Test match. What a series
