Australia's 32-year batting low in MCG horror show
Australia was condemned to just 200 runs in their second innings against India and the overall batting performance in the Boxing Day Test hit a 32-year low.
Former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting was critical of the Aussie batting performance after a tough Day 3, but things didn’t get much better on Day 4.
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Thanks to Cameron Green and Pat Cummins, the Aussies were able to scrap a 69 run lead over India to offer the tiniest glimmer of hope.
But the scorecard didn’t paint a pretty picture for individuals after no player was able to score a half-century in either innings.
The last time any Aussie player failed to make 50 runs in a home Test was against the West Indies at the MCG in 1988/89.
Marnus Labuschagne was Australia’s highest scorer this Test with 48 runs.
Green c Jadeja b Siraj 45
The last time none of Australia's batsman failed to reach 50 in a home Test was against West Indies at the MCG in 1988/89.
Highest score of this Test so far is Labuschagne's 48 in the first innings. They'll now need a miracle to cross this .. #AUSvIND— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) December 29, 2020
For the first time in this century, Australia failed to reach 200 in 100 overs. They were 196-9 at 100-over mark today. #AusvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 29, 2020
The lack of runs was also exacerbated by a poor run-rate.
For the first time this century, Australia failed to score 200 runs inside 100 overs.
Australia were sitting at 196-9 after 100 overs.
Indian top-order outshine Australia
In a worrying sign, India’s top-order bounced back after their shocking collapse in Adelaide.
In the last two Australia v India series’, Indian batsman have notched the top eight highest scores.
The difference in runs between Indian and Australian batsmen over the last two series #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/v0tKNRC1ue
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 29, 2020
Former Aussie opener Marcus Harris scored 79 runs in the 2018/19 SCG Test to come in at No.9.
Australia will be sweating on the fitness of both David Warner and Will Pucovski for the 3rd Test to help add steel into the batting line-up.
One shining light was the batting performance of Green under pressure.
The West Australian received solid support from fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
Despite Green's disappointing dismissal, he showed enough to see why Greg Chappell has labelled him Australia's most talented batsman since Ricky Ponting.
He displayed poise that most of his more experienced teammates failed to show during the day-three batting collapse.
Green's 146-ball stay was the most deliveries an Australian batsmen has faced in one innings during this series.
with AAP