Australia’s non-declaration questioned by legends as rain forces an early end to day four
It’s official – stumps called on day four as steady rain makes a return impossible.
Let’s hope it’s clear tomorrow and we get a fitting finale to this wonderful Test series.
Australia need 10 wickets to win and regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia’s decision to bat out its second innings on day four, and not declare, has triggered vigorous debate around the cricket world.
On Fox Cricket, Aussie great Adam Gilchrist said Tim Paine and company might not have factored in the weather as they much as they should have.
“I can understand why people felt they should have maybe declared a little bit earlier,” Gilchrist said.
“I can only assume they really tried to prepare as if there wasn’t going to be rain which might have been a little bit naive given the forecast, given the amount of storm activity that is around.
98 overs tomorrow with the 20 that they possibly would have bowled tonight – 120 overs to chase 320, that’s not off the table, particularly on this surface.”
Spin king Shane Warne said Australia could have scored quicker but losing wickets in clumps halted their charge.
“India did Australia a favour by bowling them out because otherwise they might have batted another 7-10 overs and just wasted time,” Warne said.
“I think it’s about right – 328 off 126 overs is about right.
“It’s a very good contest, any side could win.”
Former Test captain Allan Border believed a declaration should have come earlier.
“I thought we left it a little later than I probably would have done,” Border said.
“I do think it was delayed a fraction.
“Could have declared at the tea break and been bowling.
“To leave it to the last day needing 10 wickets, it definitely can be done but knowing that you’ve got to win the game to win the trophy, maybe it was delayed just a fraction.”
