Alex Carey (41*) shared crucial stands of 43 and 34 with Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc to help Australia extend their dominance over India in the World Test Championship final at The Oval. At lunch on the fourth day, they were 201 for 6, ahead by 374.
On a sunny morning, the Indian players walked out to the middle with a purposeful gait, and an eye on taking early wickets. Although Mohammed Shami continued to beat the bat in England by hitting a good length, Umesh Yadav, his pace colleague, bowled a tad fuller to force Marnus Labuschagne to edge one to Cheteshwar Pujara in the slip cordon. Incidentally, Shami has now beaten the bat over 400 times in Tests in England.
Carey and Green, though, joined forces to not just keep India at bay, but also kept the scorecard ticking over. Carey, in particular, showcased some tactical nous by steering and guiding deliveries through backward point and third man. On the other hand, Green looked a little tentative, and was also hit on the shoulder by Mohammed Siraj’s lifter. But he was able to negotiate that tricky little phase.
Eventually, Green was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja’s over-the-wicket angle. He could only glove one on to the back thigh, and then the ball carried on its way to disturb the timber. Jadeja’s ability to hit the odd rough patch outside the line of the batter’s leg stump was rewarded with a key scalp.
Starc and Carey then put India under even more pressure. With Australia six down, Carey tried to up the ante a bit by bringing out the cut and drive. Starc too essayed the occasional horizontal-bat shot. Meanwhile, there seemed to be a few drooping shoulders in the Indian camp. With the lead approaching 400, the signs were ominous for India.
Brief scores: Australia 469 (Travis Head 163, Steve Smith 121; Mohammed Siraj 4-108) and 201/6 (Marnus Labuschagne 41, Alex Carey 41*; Ravindra Jadeja 3-45) lead India 296 (Ajinkya Rahane 89; Pat Cummins 3-83) by 374 runs.