Australia will breathe a sigh of relief that they will join South Africa in the finals of the WTC in England come June this 0year at the home of Cricket LORDS, hopefully on a sunny summer day in good old blighty.
Training India in the first iñnings by 4 runs, that too in their own backyard against an Indian seam cordon minus Jasprit Bumrah who had to leave the field due to an injury, was no doubt a creditable performance by India who scoffers, went fishing and looked white ball bullies and red ball school boys with the willow when Australia bowled India out for 185 after they won the toss and batted.
Australia trailing by 4 runs indicated the different batting conditions at the SCG, but India, too, has the pace and swing cordon to challenge any team in the world, be it a green top hunters trap set by teams in conditions that favour them especially subcontinent teams being the bunny.
India 185 all out also indicated that they seem vulnerable against the red Kokubara , and even are not the best in red ball Cricket, taking into consideration the white wash they had to cope with in their own backyard against the black caps.
Australia 181 runs all out was very encouraging for the thousands of Indian fans who come in their numbers to support their team wherever they play in the world.
Trailing by 4 runs but leading the series by 2-1 was still a concern for Australia because if they faultered India would have wrested the Border Gavaskar trophy and Australia would have also opened doors for other teams to join South Africa in the WTC finals this summer in England, hence presume the pressure was there on Pat Cummins and his team.
India, at the end of day 2, was 141 for 6 wickets with 4 wickets in hand looking down the barrel despite having Washington Sunder and batting all rounder Ravindra Jadeja as overnight batsman.
The third day morning session was so enthralling that close to 47, 500 spectators stormed the Sydney Cricket Ground, increasing the revenue of Cricket Australia coffers, also the thrill to note Test Cricket is not a dying format.
India was bowled out for 157 in the second innings with Scot Boland, who replaced the injured Hazelwood, claiming 6 for 45 leaving Australia needing 162 runs to win the series to qualify for the WTC finals.
Australia had cut down the target to 91 runs with 7 wickets in hand with India badly handicapped by the absence of the injury cried off playmaker Jasprit Bumrah.
All good things come to an end . What blooms also fade as Australia got to the target with ease with Travis Head unbeaten on 32 and Beauho Webster following yup his 57 in first essay with an unbeaten 39 to help Australia regain the Trophy and advance to England for the big show event this summer as the misery mounted in the Indian dressing room raising questions as to the team selections including certain baggage they are carrying with top order batters failing more often than not.
Well played Australia, thanks India for being competitive, I am sure they will sort out those questions I raised in the last paragraph of the script.