Australia holds a commanding lead in the Boxing Day Test against India, setting a record chase for the tourists. Despite a stellar last-wicket partnership between Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland, the outcome of the match remains uncertain.
Australia will set India a record chase on the final day of a thrilling Boxing Day Test, but with a stellar last-wicket partnership still unbroken, it remains to be seen whether the hosts can bowl the tourists out. Leading by 333 runs at stumps on Sunday, with Nathan Lyon (41*) and Scott Boland (10*) facing over 100 deliveries to ensure the eventual Indian chase will need to break the all-time MCG fourth innings record, of 332 runs by England in 1928.
But allowing Lyon and Boland to continue their partnership, where they only really hit out aggressively in the final over of the day against Jasprit Bumrah - managing 14 off the superstar seamer - was both conservative by Australian captain Pat Cummins, and a risk. Ensuring a record chase would be required gives the Aussies some safety, as they cannot win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy if they lose either this match or the New Year’s Test at the SCG. But it also reduces the time they have available to bowl out India and avoid a draw. Given the success of Lyon and particularly Boland, who is a true No.11, on an MCG pitch that doesn’t appear to be deteriorating quickly the Aussies’ chances of bowling out their opponents appear more slim than usual. Perhaps more importantly Australia gave up the chance to bowl at India for a short period in the final session - something India took advantage of in Perth, when they left the Aussies 3-12 in their second innings after a 4.2 over blitz late on day three. On day four in Melbourne, Marnus Labuschagne grit his teeth for a crucial 70 as he steadied Australia’s innings from 6-91 in the wake of a blistering three-wicket spell from Jasprit Bumrah. He said Australia was in a strong position to win the match on Monday after watching every ball of Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland’s chaotic 55-run final wicket partnership. “People say that Test cricket isn’t exciting … I’m a player, and I was watching and I was excited,” Labuschagne said
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