A very powerful lower-order runs saved Australia within the ascendancy on a gripping fourth day of the fourth Check towards India in Melbourne.
Batting with a first-innings lead of 105, Australia scraped to 228-9 on the shut having been 91-6 within the afternoon after some other excellent spell from the impossible to resist Jasprit Bumrah, who took 4-56.
He bowled debutant Sam Konstas for 8 and took 3 extra wickets in a middle-order cave in that noticed 4 wickets fall in 21 balls as India surged again into the competition.
However Marnus Labuschagne dug in for an important 70 and placed on 57 with captain Pat Cummins, who made 41.
Each males have been put down via Yashasvi Jaiswal – Labuschagne on 46 and Cummins on 21 – in two of 4 dropped catches via India, 3 of which have been via Jaiswal.
Nathan Lyon used to be additionally dropped on 5 and went directly to frustrate India in an unbroken last-wicket partnership of 55 with Scott Boland that took Australia to the shut with a lead of 333 runs.
The drama persisted to the end, with Bumrah having Lyon stuck at slip on 33 within the ultimate over just for Australia’s quantity 10 to be reprieved via a no-ball.
The Lyon-Boland stand ensured Australia dangle the benefit however the hosts’ choice to withstand the temptation to claim past due within the day has enhanced the possibilities of a draw.
India will nonetheless dangle some hope of a a success run-chase on a last day the place a win for all sides would give them the lead in a captivating five-Check sequence this is tied at 1-1.
