Australia - Road to the World Test Championship Final

v India [3-1, Home]

Coming off a disastrous home series against New Zealand, India showed renewed vigour in Perth, winning the first Test by 295 runs. Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah was their star, registering inspiring bowling figures of 8/72.

But in the second Test in Adelaide, a pink-ball encounter, Pat Cummins’ side came back strongly on the back of Travis Head’s heroics in the first innings. He scored 140 off 141 deliveries. Meanwhile, Cummins and Starc shone themselves too, with seven and eight scalps respectively.

Australia dominated a rain-affected encounter in Brisbane - albeit a draw - but the downside was key pacer Josh Hazlewood picking up an injury and being ruled out for the remainder of the series with a calf strain.

The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne was a Test cricket masterclass from Australia. While the hosts dominated the majority of the Test, they overcame India’s resolve on the fifth day to take a win in the final hour of the game.

A 3-1 series win would have ensured Australia’s place in the top two of the WTC Standings, thus confirming their spot in the final even before they had played their last series.

And Scott Boland, leading with a sensational seam-bowling performance, ensured just that for the hosts in Sydney. Despite a slender lead in the first innings, India lost their way following an injury to star pacer Bumrah, who finished with a staggering 32 wickets in the series at an average of 13.06.

Boland’s career-best 10/76 ensured a modest target for the hosts in the second innings, and they overcame the ask of 162 against an injured Indian bowling lineup with six wickets to spare.

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