Australians pushing for a draw on last day against India

Mon, Mar 13, 2023
Other News (AP)

AHMEDABAD, India (AP) - Reducing India's hopes of a quick result, Australia ground its way to 73-1 in its second innings at lunch on the last day of the fourth cricket test.

Travis Head was unbeaten on 45 runs, while Marnus Labuschagne was batting on 22 runs as the pair put on a 59-run partnership for the second wicket.

Australia trails by another 18 runs. India posted 571 runs in its first innings in reply to Australia's 480.

The Australians resumed Monday on 3 without loss and night-watchman Matthew Kuhenmann (6) survived another four overs until he was adjudged lbw to Ravichandran Ashwin (1-24), in a decision the visitors will regret not referring to DRS. It brought Head and Labuschagne together and the regular top-order batters scored runs at a comparatively faster clip. There was nothing on offer from the pitch for the bowlers, even on Day 5, as the Indian attack continued to labor for wickets. Overall, Australia managed 70 runs in the first session, with Head striking five fours and a six off 96 balls, while Labuschagne hit two fours .

India, meanwhile, also had an eye on proceedings in Christchurch, New Zealand, where any other result barring a Sri Lankan win in its first test against New Zealand, would confirm its spot in the World Test Championship final in June.

This fourth test has seen four centuries. Usman Khawaja (180) and Cameron Green (114) headlined the Australian first innings, while Shubman Gill (128) and Virat Kohli (186) propelled the Indian response. Ashwin took 6-91 in Australia's first innings. India leads the four-match series 2-1, after winning the first two tests in Nagpur and Delhi. Australia won the third test in Indore. ___

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