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Fast bowler Mitchell Starc stated that if Australia's morning of Day 4 in the third Test match against India in Brisbane goes their way, they will not think twice about enforcing the follow-on. Australia has only used the follow-on once under Pat Cummins' leadership, but if the chance presents itself in this important Border-Gavaskar Trophy encounter, they are probably going to give it another go.
On Day 3 of the Test, Australia put a massive 445 on the board and had India reeling at 51 for 4 at Stumps. Australia piled pressure on Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, who were undefeated at Stumps, on Monday by taking four Indian wickets in only 17 overs, despite annoyingly frequent rain intervals. Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal were all cheaply dismissed as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood swept through the top order. Towards the end of the day's play, Rishabh Pant was sent back by captain Pat Cummins.
Starc's warning to India
Australia will try to enforce the follow-on if they bowl India out early on Day 4, as rain is expected on Days 4 and 5. In the third Test, India is 194 runs away from avoiding the follow-on.
"We hold a few more cards than they do. Tomorrow (Tuesday) is going to dictate what happens, if we can get the ball in the right areas and take a few early ones. That obviously brings in the extra card of the follow-on," Starc told ACB Radio
"The fantastic effort of the batters in the first innings gives us that option as well. When you score 450 and have a team four for 50, you hold all the cards. We've certainly got the options there. It's just going to see how it plays out in that first session," he added.
In the last decade, Australia have enforced the follow-on and went on to win only once -- the 2019-20 Adelaide Test against Pakistan, according to cricket.com.au. Pat Cummins has had the opportunity to enforce follow-ons as many as five times in his tenure as captain. However, he has enforced the follow-on only once - a rain-affected Test against South Africa in Sydney that ended in a draw.
Pat Cummins had vouched against enforcing follow-ons in the past because it increases the workload on the bowlers. However, as they have a major chance to gain a 2-1 lead by picking up a win in Brisbane, he might give this a thought.
Travis Head and Steve Smith's 241-run partnership propelled Australia's dominant 445 total. India was further irritated by lower-order contributions, like as Alex Carey's quick 70. India's bowling assault was led by Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed six wickets, but the hosts made sure their total gave them considerable control. Australia will want to launch a relentless attack in the first session on Day 4, weather permitting, while India's overnight batsmen, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, are under tremendous pressure to put up a fight.
