Australia have crushed India by six wickets within the fifth Take a look at of their five-match collection and received again the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the primary time in a decade.
The hosts held their nerve to chase down their victory goal of 162 after lunch on the third day of the ultimate Take a look at in Sydney on Sunday, prompting wild celebrations from their camp as in addition they sealed a spot within the World Take a look at Championship ultimate in opposition to South Africa at Lord’s in June.
Travis Head, who was 34 not out, and debutant Beau Webster, unbeaten on 39, obtained their group over the road to finish the collection on a excessive.
“It’s unreal, it’s been an incredible collection,” Australia skipper Pat Cummins stated shortly after the win.
“It felt prefer it was type of seesawing all through the entire collection so to complete it 3-1, to carry the trophy, is an incredible feeling,” he added.
“I’m immensely proud, I completely love taking part in with these guys and it’s been lots of enjoyable alongside the best way as nicely.”
India captain Jasprit Bumrah was unable to bowl in Australia’s second innings due to a again subject however his fellow tempo bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj saved the match on a knife edge by eradicating 4 top-order Australian batters.
The match had been performed on quick ahead over the primary two days with 15 wickets falling on Saturday, and Australia eliminated 4 extra within the first hour on Sunday morning to dismiss India for 157.
The observe retained some spice, and Krishna stood up in Bumrah’s stead and despatched again opener Sam Konstas for 22, Marnus Labuschagne for six and Steve Smith for 4 earlier than lunch.
Smith trudged off, head bowed, on 9,999 profession runs, and was adopted quickly after the break by Usman Khawaja, who was caught behind off Siraj for 41 to depart Australia on 104-4.
The top of a topsy-turvy Take a look at, the place the momentum had shifted by the over, got here nearly as an anti-climax for one more large crowd bathing within the sunshine at Sydney Cricket Floor.
Head and Webster obtained the job completed with an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 58, the latter persevering with his nerveless debut by clubbing the successful runs with a straight 4.
“It was slightly irritating however typically it’s a must to respect your physique,” stated Bumrah, who was named Participant of the Sequence for his 32 wickets over the 5 matches.
“It was an excellent collection. The entire collection was well-fought and we had been nonetheless within the match immediately. Our younger gamers will take lots of learnings for the long run.”
The majority of the Australian facet has been collectively for years and beating India remained an elusive purpose for a lot of of them.
Solely Smith, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc had been a part of the squad that performed within the final collection win over their rivals a decade in the past.
It was Cummins’ twentieth win as captain.
“It’s one which a number of of us didn’t have. The boys have had their eye on it and it has lived as much as the hype.
“We’ve spent lots of time collectively as a gaggle through the years, so we knew we weren’t at our greatest at Perth.
“However it was by no means as unhealthy because it appears. So that you stick tight and double down on what makes us a extremely good facet.”
Australia handed out three debuts in the course of the collection – opener Nathan McSweeney who was axed after the primary three Assessments, the person who changed him, Sam Konstas, and all-rounder Beau Webster within the fifth Take a look at.
In addition they closely relied on stalwarts similar to Smith, Starc and Head.
“All the time good to have a squad,” stated Cummins.
“The three debutants on this collection fitted in nicely. They contributed at completely different occasions.
“There have been some key moments when our mainstays actually stood up. You must try this to beat a facet like India.”
Able to defend their World Take a look at Championship mace 👊
Australia qualify for the #WTC25 Ultimate at Lord’s 🏏
Extra 👉 https://t.co/EanY9jFouE pic.twitter.com/xcpTrBOsB8
— ICC (@ICC) January 5, 2025
