Cricket: Australia set tough goal for India as exciting final day looms in fourth and final round

Mohammed Siraj caught a five-wicket round when Australia was sacked for 294 at the end of day four, setting India a goal of 328 to win the decisive cricket event of the series at the Gabba.

The most successful racing chase at the Brisbane venue was in 1951, when Australia finished 236-7. The Australians haven’t lost at the Gabba since 1988.

The starters faced 1.5 overs before rain stopped the game for the second time on Monday and India were four without losing, a goal hit from Rohit Sharma, needing 324 more tomorrow for an unlikely victory.

Siraj scored two receptions before picking up Steve Smith’s key wicket for 55 in the middle session as India’s injury-free bowling attack continued to carry the game to Australia.

Australia was 243-7 by teatime on the fourth day, a rain that forced an early break, with a 276 lead and an apparently imminent declaration.

But the hosts continued to hit as play resumed in bleak conditions in the evening session, adding 51 more runs for three wickets.

Pat Cummins finished undefeated with 28. Nathan Lyon, in his 100th test, took Australia’s lead past 300 when he hit a six off Siraj, but shortly after came out for 13, giving Shardul Thakur his fourth spot of the tickets and the seventh of the game. Thakur pulled the catch from Siraj’s bowling alley to fire the last man, Josh Hazlewood (nine). Siraj, leading India’s attack in just his third test in the injury-enforced absence of Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, came back 5-73 for career-best figures.

Australia were 21 unbeaten to start the day and went 89-0 on the fourth morning before losing four wickets in six overs to slide to 123-4.

Smith then teamed up with Cameron Green to bring the total to 196 before a sharply rising ball from Siraj struck him in the glove and swerved into Ajinkya Rahane in the ravine.

Smith, who got a breather at 42 when he advanced on Washington Sundar and Siraj put an opportunity deep, reviewed the decision, thinking his hand wasn’t on the bat at the time. But the repetitions clearly confirmed the dismissal.

Green (37) took a breather when Siraj made a strong return reception, but his 90-ball innings ended when he outscored Thakur over Rohit Sharma on the second slip to put Australia 227-6. Australia captain Tim Paine scored a quick 27 before being caught behind attempting a Thakur hook just before tea break.

Thakur had earlier collected the first field of the innings when Marcus Harris (38) caught goalkeeper Rishabh Pant with a glove in the 25th.

David Warner compiled 48 of 75 deliveries before going out on the next over, caught lbw by Sundar to make it 91-2.

Siraj intervened with two wickets in an over to eliminate Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 25 of 22, and Matthew Wade (0) in the same over.

With the series level at 1-1, India only need a draw to ensure they retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

– AP

Here’s how the day unfolded: