Australia vs India, WTC Final: Day 3 – Talking Points  

It was an absorbing day of Test match cricket on Day 3 of the ICC World Test Championship Final. A day where India showed some fight throughout the day, but it is Australia who holds all the aces with them and in total control of this game. Australia’s lead is 296 in the second innings with 6 wickets still in hand. Let’s recap as to what happened on Day 3 which was the moving day of the Test match. India resumed at 151/5 in their first innings and lost their keeper batter KS Bharat on the second ball of the day. He went for 5 to Scott Boland and at 152/6 things looked absolutely bleak for India. The duo put on 109 for the seventh wicket and showed great character. Rahane scored 89 off 129 balls while Shardul Thakur scored a brilliant 51 off 109 balls his 3rd Test fifty at the Oval.

Shami had some fun out there scoring a quickfire 13 off 11 balls as India were eventually bowled out for 296 in 69.4 overs. 29 extras were given by the fielding side. It was a good bowling performance from Australia despite the dropped catches and overstepping from their skipper Pat Cummins. The skipper picked the most wickets as he picked up 3 wickets for 83 runs in 20 overs. A couple of wickets apiece for Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Cameron Green. Nathan Lyon chipped in with the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja. Boland kept things really tight throughout the innings. 

Read More: Ambati Rayudu hangs his boots after winning the 6th IPL title

With a big first-innings lead of 173 runs, Australia came out to bat. They lost David Warner early for 1 to Mohammed Siraj. Usman Khawaja hung in there for a while before being dismissed for 13 off 39 balls. Marnus Labuschagne showed tremendous application as he was hit on the gloves a few times. But he is still fighting out there batting on 41* off 118 balls. Steven Smith showed great intent while he was out there scoring quick runs as he scored a quickfire 34 off 47 balls before giving his wicket away. Travis Head scored 18 off 27 balls as both Smith and Head fell to the spin of Ravindra Jadeja. Cameron Green is out there on 7* off 27 balls alongside Marnus Labuschagne as Australia ended Day 3 at 123/4 after 44 overs. 9 extras have been given by the fielding side so far. 

Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers for India yesterday picking up a couple of wickets for 25 runs in 9 overs. A wicket apiece for Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav. Shami has been wicketless despite being economical. Shardul Thakur has only bowled 6 overs so far in this innings. So, Australia’s lead is 296 runs with 6 wickets in hand and if they bat for a session and a bit this game will surely be beyond India. An intriguing Day 4 awaits us all.