Australia's tail wagged well after their batting collapse on Day 4 of the fourth Test against India at the MCG on December 29. They found themselves reeling at 91/6 before the tea break, but Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, and Scott Boland staged a valiant fightback to rescue Australia from a precarious situation. Australia's tail provided crucial support to Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 70 runs in the second innings, enduring an intense barrage of fast bowling from the Indian pacers.
Why Australia didn't declare innings on Day 4 of Boxing Day Test?
Australia were already leading by 105 runs before the start of the Day 4, despite the batting collapse finished the day at 228/9 which helped them extend their lead to 333 runs. However, both fans and experts questioned the wisdom of this strategy, considering the highest successful chase at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the 21st century is only 183 runs (achieved in 2008). In fact, the highest total ever chased successfully at the MCG is 332 runs. This daunting lead presents India with an unprecedented challenge, as no team in the past 96 years has successfully chased a target exceeding 300 runs at the iconic ground.
Meanwhile, former India's star all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri has given on two cents on Pat Cummins' decision to refrain from declaring the innings and enforcing the follow-on might be a carefully calculated strategic move.
Shastri reasoned that the prevailing batting conditions were favorable, enabling lower-order batters like Nathan Lyon to sustain their partnership for nearly 20 overs. He also said that Cummins' strategy likely involved exerting maximum pressure on the Indian team later on Day 5, utilizing the new ball.
"Australia are trying to play safe. It reminds me of the Test match in 2015. When I was in the dressing room, similar situation, Australia batted for a few overs on Day 5 morning, then asked India to bat 5-5:30 hours to bat and India saved the game. A draw definitely comes into the equation, but India have to show a lot of character. It will be a test of character on the big day. It will be a test of their technique and temperament on the final day. I just get the feeling seeing the way India bowled today, the ball did quite a bit for 60-70 overs -- the ball was seaming and there was some swing there. Luckily, from India’s point of view, the ball hasn’t kept low, but the ball has taken off from good lengths, like we saw with Mitch Marsh." Shastri concluded.
"Australia are trying to play safe. It reminds me of the Test match in 2015. When I was in the dressing room, similar situation, Australia batted for a few overs on Day 5 morning, then asked India to bat 5-5:30 hours to bat and India saved the game. A draw definitely comes into the equation, but India have to show a lot of character. It will be a test of character on the big day. It will be a test of their technique and temperament on the final day. I just get the feeling seeing the way India bowled today, the ball did quite a bit for 60-70 overs -- the ball was seaming and there was some swing there. Luckily, from India’s point of view, the ball hasn’t kept low, but the ball has taken off from good lengths, like we saw with Mitch Marsh." Shastri concluded.
Even Australia's superstar pacer Mitchell Starc echoed similar sentiments to Ravi Shastri regarding Australia's strategy. Starc said that the early start to the day would provide Australia with ample overs to bowl out India.
"We start early again tomorrow, there is 98 overs. So, play overnight, we still have 18 overs with the second new ball, and there is some reverse swing, so that adds another dimension as well. If the pitch deteriorates again, further throughout the day, there is Nathan Lyon as well. So, I am sure that Pat and Andrew McDonald will have a lot to think overnight. There is probably enough grass to hold the pitch together on Day 5. The big thing will be the hard new ball, the reverse swing and some spin later on Day 5, and how the batters take us on," Mitchell Starc told the broadcaster after the end of Day 4's play.