Australia maintain upper hand in Ahmedabad Test with double-century stand

10.03.2023 - 17:59 thenationalnews.com

Australia's batsmen kept Indian bowlers and fielders on the field for almost two full days in the Ahmedabad heat as they amassed 480 in the fourth Test on Friday.

Usman Khawaja top-scored for the visitors but missed out on a double century, dismissed for 180 against the run of play. All-rounder Cameron Green provided the impetus with the bat, racing to 114 from 170 balls to set the stage for a massive score.

Even though off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin kept India in the hunt with a six-wicket haul, good lower order resistance took the Aussies closer to the 500-run mark which makes the prospect of an Australian defeat unlikely.

Khawaja's mammoth knock off 422 balls and his 208-run fifth-wicket partnership with Green put the tourists in complete control in Ahmedabad, with only Ashwin (6-91) posing any threat on a benign surface.

Ahmedabad Test Cameron Green Australia India Ahmedabad county Todd

A fterthoughts don’t get much less thought than this. Australia’s Test series in India has come to an end after six weeks of scrutiny and emotion, probably leaving the visitors feeling a little satisfaction at some of the gains and a lot more frustration at the shortfalls that cost them a chance to win it. Now players have to switch focus immediately to one-day cricket. Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and Mitchell Starc are the Test players staying on, with David Warner and Ashton Agar returning from a brief spell at home after leaving the Test tour partway through.

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India vs Australia, 4th Test, Day 3 Live Updates: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill Eye Solid Opening Stand Against Australia

IND vs AUS, 4th Test, Day 3 Live Score Updates: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will look to convert India's start into a solid one on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth and final Test match against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. On Friday, India made sure that they end Day 2 without losing a wicket after skittling out Australia for 480 in the first innings of the game. India were 36 for 0 at stumps, trailing Australia by 446 runs, with Gill and Rohit batting unbeaten on 18 and 17, respectively. Earlier, Usman Khawaja slammed a brilliant 180 while Cameron Green scored his maiden Test century as Australia posted a total of 480. Ravichandran Ashwin (6 for 91) was the most successful bowler for India as he picked up five wickets on the second day. (LIVE SCORECARD)

"He's So Valuable": Cameron Green Reveals How Usman Khawaja Helped Him During Ahmedabad Test

Australia all-rounder Cameron Green is seventh time lucky as he has converted a half-century into hundred and now feels more like a Test cricketer with "monkey off your back". Green, who is playing his 20th Test, scored 114 off 170 balls and his innings was no less significant than Usman Khawaja's 180 that took Australia to a solid first innings score of 480 on the second day of the fourth Test against India on Friday. "You feel more like a Test cricketer when you've got that monkey off your back, so it is nice to tick that off in a way. It's so special," Green told reporters at the end of the day's play.

Ravichandran Ashwin Creates History In Test Cricket, Earns Massive Praise From Sourav Ganguly

Ravichandran Ashwin added another feather to his already illustrious Test career by becoming the Indian bowler with the greatest number of five-wicket hauls at home. During Day 2 of the fourth Test match against Australia in Ahmedabad, Ashwin claimed his 26th five-wicket haul and in the process, he went past the record held previously by legendary spinner Anil Kumble. Overall, he is second in the list alongside Rangana Herath while Muttiah Muralitharan tops the list with 45 five-wicket hauls on Sri Lankan soil. This was also his 32nd five-wicket haul in total – sixth-highest in the world.