Australia rediscover lost spirit and values at Indore pull one back to go 2-1 in Border-Gavaskar series
Australia rediscover lost spirit and values at Indore; pull one back to go 2-1 in Border-Gavaskar series
Premium
Australia rediscover lost spirit and values at Indore; pull one back to go 2-1 in Border-Gavaskar series
Hammering of India would remain one of Australia's sweetest victories abroad with wins on these hostile shores, where just two teams have claimed a Test series this century, being extremely rare.
Written by
Indore |
March 3, 2023 13:52 IST
Australian cricketers Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head after winning the 3rd test cricket match between India and Australia, at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. (PTI)
The celebrations were colourless Despatching Ravi Ashwin to the mid-on fence, Marnus Labuschagne sprinted a few steps down the track, held aloft both hands in victory pose and let out a feeble roar towards the dressing room. Travis Head, whose calm aggression ensured his team did not stutter after the nervous start, ambled towards Labuschagne and wrapped his arms around his shoulder. The rest of the colleagues trickled out of the verandah that hugs the boundary ropes and broke into warm embraces and hugs. There were no victory laps or mad fist-pumping, despite the enormity of the nine-wicket triumph, which ascertains their spot in the World Test Championship final as well as a shot at squaring the series. There was a sense of certainty that they would not lose the Test from here.
The Indore hammering of India would remain one of their sweetest victories abroad. Wins on these hostile shores, where just two teams have claimed a Test series this century come rarely. Steve Smith would know it, in the last ten years, across three full series, they have won just two Tests, and lost eight in this span. Though possessing world-beating teams across different eras, Australia have scripted series wins just twice in 44 years. Their most recent campaign would not further embellish their history, for India already has teared up an unassailable lead. But squaring the series would be an adequately creditable achievement against a team that has wrapped up 15 home series on the bounce, made their home a fortress that cannot be stormed, leave alone breached.
Recommended for you
Friday, March 3, 2023 at 8:22 am