Australia seized control of the third Test in Brisbane, powered by stunning centuries from Steve Smith and Travis Head, despite a spirited late spell from India’s Jasprit Bumrah. By the end of the second day, Australia had amassed 405-7, leaving India with plenty of work to do.
Smith and Head Dominate with a Record Stand
Coming together at a precarious 75-3, Smith and Head steered Australia out of trouble with a commanding 241-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Smith ended his drought of 26 innings without a Test century, scoring a resilient 101, while Head smashed an explosive 152 off just 160 balls, marking his second consecutive century.
Bumrah, however, turned the tide in the evening session with the second new ball, dismissing both centurions in quick succession. He also accounted for Mitchell Marsh, taking his 12th five-wicket haul in Tests. Earlier in the day, Bumrah had struck twice with the new ball, removing Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney, the latter falling to him for the fourth time in the series.
Late Contributions Keep Australia Ahead
Following the dismissal of Smith and Head, Alex Carey and Pat Cummins added a crucial 58 runs for the seventh wicket. Cummins fell late in the day, but Carey’s unbeaten 45 ensured Australia maintained their dominance heading into the stumps.
Series in the Balance
With the five-match series tied 1-1 after Australia’s commanding 10-wicket win in Adelaide, both teams are vying for critical victories. India must win two of the remaining three Tests to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Australia, as defending champions, need two wins to confirm their place.
Bumrah’s Brilliance Shines Again
Bumrah continued to impress in this series, taking his tally to 17 wickets at an exceptional average of 12.17 while conceding just 2.62 runs per over. His fiery opening spell on day two removed Khawaja and McSweeney early, giving India hope of restricting Australia to a manageable total. However, the energy in the Indian camp waned as Smith and Head dictated terms in the second session, adding 130 runs with ease.
The Challenge Ahead for India
Despite Bumrah’s heroics, India will need to regroup quickly to wrestle back control of the match. With rain looming over the remaining days, every session will be crucial as they look to prevent Australia from tightening their grip on the series.