Here’s Geoff Lemon’s report from day five of an incredible Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Australia have won an all-time classic Test, taking seven wickets in the final session at the MCG to defeat India by 184 runs and go 2-1 up in the Border-Gavaskar series. In front of a record overall attendance for a Test in Australia of 373,691, the hosts had to get past India’s defiant star opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (84 from 208), who was dramatically dismissed by Pat Cummins.
Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon (2 for 39), who has struggled during this series, took the final wicket with 39 minutes left and 12 overs remaining to seal an extraordinary win. India went to tea at 112 for three, seemingly set to hold on for a draw, but Cummins (3 for 28), Scott Boland (3 for 39), Lyon, and even Travis Head (1 for 14), contributed with the ball in the final session to trigger a collapse of 43 for 7.
Australia will regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15 if they win, or draw, the series decider at the SCG, starting on Friday. Victory for India and a series drawn 2-2 would allow the tourists to retain the trophy.
It will be the first time a Test series in Australia heads to its finale with a trophy up for grabs since India toured here in 2003-04. – Australian Associated Press
LYON DOES IT!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 30, 2024
What a remarkable win for Australia! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/SGbA3R797X
Updated
