India face an uphill task in more than four sessions left in World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final as Australia have set a 444-run target at Kennington Oval, London. If Rohit Sharma-led India are to win the WTC final, they will have to break Test cricket history records.
First session
Starting the day at 123/4, Australia lost Marnus Labuschagne's wicket early on in the innings. Umesh Yadav induced an outside edge off Labuschagne's bat that was taken by Cheteshwar Pujara. Labuschagne scored 41 runs from 126 balls including four fours. Cameron Green frustrated Indian bowlers and went on a blockathon. But Ravindra Jadeja broke the partnership as Green wanted to pad the ball away. He got bowled after scoring 25 runs from 95 balls including four fours. After Green's wicket, Carey attacked and took Australia's score to 201/6 at the end of first session.
Second session
In the second session, Carey and Mitchell Starc pounced on every opportunity to hit a boundary. Carey reached his half-century from 82 balls. Starc attacked Mohammed Shami and neared his half-century when the new ball was taken. However, he edged one to slip fielder Virat Kohli. Starc scored 41 runs from 57 balls including seven fours. While a declaration was expected, Cummins came out to bat and tried to score quickly. He took the aerial route against Shami but got out caught. Carey remained unbeaten for 66 off 105 balls including eight fours to help his side post 270/8 before the declaration and taken a 443-run lead.
For India, Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets whereas Shami and Yadav took two wickets each. Mohammed Siraj took one wicket as well while Shardul Thakur remained wicketless in the six overs he bowled.
Records of highest run chases
The highest successful run chase in Test cricket belongs to West Indies who chased down 418 against Australia in 2003. India's highest run chase of 403 came against West Indies in 1976 at Port of Spain. The highest run chase at Kennington Oval belongs to England who chased down 263 with one wicket hand in 1902. However, India’s highest fourth innings score at the venue came in 1979 when Sunil Gavaskar's 221-run knock helped Srinivas Venkatraghavan-led side post 429/8.
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