Series may go to the wire
CRICKET
BRISBANE: The fourtest series between Australia and India will be in the lap of the weather gods at the Gabba today, where the tourists will resume on four without loss after being set a target of 328.
Australia was bowled out for 294 on a topsyturvy fourth day of the seriesdeciding fourth test.
India was slated to face 25 overs in the final session but wet weather, having earlier resulted in a brief delay at tea, meant stumps were pulled after 1.5 overs.
Two dropped catches and a wagging tail helped Australia push its lead beyond 300.
The highest successful chase in a Gabba test was in 1951, when Australia finished on 236 for seven.
However, the hosts have fresher memories of how India salvaged a draw after threatening to reel in a target of 407 last week at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Tim Paine’s men need to win to reclaim the BorderGavaskar trophy but further showers are predicted for the final day of the series.
‘‘I believe a drawn series here for Australia ... it’s actually as bad as a loss,’’ former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said on the Seven
Network.
Speculation bubbled yesterday as to when Paine might declare but India, as it has at every juncture since being skittled for 36 en route to a heavy defeat in Adelaide, fought back whenever Australia looked to be on top.
Mohammed Siraj finished with five for 73, the secondbest figures by any Indian fast bowler at the Gabba. — AAP