Australia ended their winless streak at home in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by defeating India in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia won the match by six wickets to clinch the series 3-1, under clear skies and bright sunshine on Sunday.
India resumed their second innings at 141/6 but managed to add only 16 runs before being bowled out in the first 45 minutes of day three. Scott Boland and Pat Cummins played key roles, each taking two wickets to dismiss India quickly.
Boland Shines With Six-Wicket Haul
Boland’s brilliant bowling performance saw him finish with figures of 6-45 in 16.5 overs, marking his first five-wicket haul in Tests since his 6/7 debut against England in 2021. The Sydney crowd cheered him on as he claimed ten wickets in the match, a crucial contribution to Australia’s victory.
Australia needed 162 runs to win, With the absence of Jasprit Bumrah due to a back spasm, the hosts completed the chase in just 27 overs. Usman Khawaja (41), Beau Webster (39*), and Travis Head (34*) were the key contributors.
India’s Bowlers Fail To Deliver
Despite Prasidh Krishna’s three-wicket haul, India’s bowling attack was lackluster. Prasidh and Mohammed Siraj struggled with their lines and lengths, allowing 35 runs in the first three overs. Prasidh did take key wickets, including dismissing Steve Smith just before he reached 10,000 Test runs.
After a brief struggle, Khawaja and Head steadied the innings. Khawaja hit five quick boundaries post-lunch, but he fell to Siraj for 41, giving the pacer his 100th Test wicket. Webster, who had impressed in the first innings with a knock of 57, played a composed innings to guide Australia home.
Webster finished with scores of 57 and 39* in his debut Test, also contributing with a wicket and two sharp catches. He lofted a ball from Washington Sundar over mid-off for the winning boundary.
With this win, Australia, the 2023 World Test Championship winners, also sealed their spot in the final against South Africa at Lord’s in June. For India, the loss marks the end of their ten-year control over the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They now face tough questions regarding leadership, strategy, and execution.
Brief Scores:
India 185 and 157 in 39.5 overs (Rishabh Pant 61; Scott Boland 6-45)
Australia 181 and 162/4 in 27 overs (Usman Khawaja 41, Beau Webster 39*; Prasidh Krishna 3-65, Mohammed Siraj 1-69)
Australia won by six wickets.
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