The world’s top-ranked Test batter had endured three previous Ashes tours Down Under without tasting success, but that personal drought finally ended as England chased down a target of 175 in a dramatic two-day contest.
The downpour, which began around 5 a.m. and intensified within 15 minutes, led to severe waterlogging across the city.
What seemed destined to be a classic end to the Boxing Day Test turned into a disheartening collapse for India as Australia delivered a disciplined and fiery final session at the MCG, clinching a 184-run victory to take a 2-1 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
Former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri has called for Nitish Kumar Reddy to be promoted up the batting order following his sensational maiden Test century in the ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Having removed half of the Indian batting on the second, Australia had a foot in the door when they clinched the wickets of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja on Saturday.
Konstas was drafted in for the final two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, replacing Nathan McSweeney after the 25-year-old failed to decode the Indian pace ace and was dismissed four times across six innings by the right-arm quick.
Highlighting strong public interest in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, tickets for the opening day of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) have been sold out, the Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday.
Cricket Australia (CA) have secured a seven-year deal ensuring that one of the biggest events on the cricketing calendar, the fabled Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground until at least 2027.
England are 0-2 down in the five-Test series, having lost the opening match at The Gabba by nine wickets followed by a 275-run drubbing at the Adelaide Oval on Monday.
It is believed that the limited-overs leg of the tour will be played in Sydney and Canberra next month.
