Australia maintain upper-hand on Day 4 of WTC Final

It was another intriguing day’s play at the World Test Championship Final at the Oval as Australia marched closer to another ICC trophy, while India dug in to give themselves a puncher’s chance on what could be a thrilling day five. Alex Carey’s half-century allowed Australia to declare at 270 for 8, setting Rohit Sharma’s side a target of 444 in the fourth innings. India managed 164 for 3 in response, with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane adding a fifty partnership to end the day, giving the Men in Blue a sliver of hope to score a further 280 on the final day to complete a world record chase.

Pat Cummins’ side began the fourth morning with an advantage of 296 but struggled to score freely after losing Marnus Labuschagne early on – the number three nicking to the slip cordon against Umesh Yadav. The Men in Blue were disciplined in their bowling approach, conceding just 44 runs in the first 19 overs of the session.

India even had hopes of restricting Australia’s target to under 400 when Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Cameron Green for a dogged 25 off 95 deliveries. However, Alex Carey ensured that Australia remained in control of their fate, adding 93 alongside Mitchell Starc to frustrate the Men in Blue. The wicket-keeper survived a few close shaves early on but grew in confidence as the innings wore on, adding 66 before Australia finally declared with 270 on the board, giving themselves a little over four sessions to take ten wickets.

In pursuit of a record chase of 444, the Indian openers got off to an assured start, carting boundaries with ease against the new ball. However, Australia didn’t take long to find the breakthrough as Gill departed before Tea in controversial fashion.

Scott Boland found the outside edge with another perfect delivery on a good length, and Cameron Green dived low to pluck a phenomenal catch at gully. The replays showed that the ball did make some contact with the grass, but the third umpire deemed that the all-rounder was still in control of the catch, upholding the on-field call.

The twists and turns continued heading into the final session, where Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara took the attack to Australia with a brisk 51-run stand before departing in quick succession. Both batters paid the price of their extra-aggressive approach, with Sharma trapped on his pads after missing a sweep against Lyon and Pujara edging a mistimed uppercut to Alex Carey six balls later.

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, though, took the Men in Blue through till stumps without any further damage, leaving the Men in Blue needing 280 runs on the final day to script an unlikely victory in the World Test Championship Final.