6th round: Australia 19-0 (Khawaja 13, McSweeney 2) The covers are on! Siraj manages to hand off McSweeney three times and the right-hander hits a defensive shot up the middle for a quick single. Khawaja is slow to briefly put Aussie hearts in his mouth but is over the line when the throw comes.

5th over: Australia 18-0 (Khawaja 13, McSweeney 1) Bumrah goes to Khawaja again as the left-hander has faced all of the Indian strike bowler’s deliveries so far. The left-hander looked quite comfortable as Bumrah perhaps lacks a bit of zip. Khawaja plays the ball well off his pads, as he usually does, and looks as good as it gets at four.

We have some early comments as excitement builds around a series that has so far lived up to sky-high expectations.

borisfeigin contacted Bluesky and said: “Once again we witness the power of Test cricket. People will remember what happened last time and probably what happens in this game for a long time, possibly decades. Meanwhile, can anyone without Google remember what happened in the BBL final last year?

“I visited Captains and decided to bowl at the Gabba. Normally a bold one (in the Sir Humphrey sense), but the pitch looks pretty lush.”

The BBL season starts this weekend and is always a pleasant part of the Australian summer, but I see what you mean Borisfeigin.

4th round: Australia 14-0 (Khawaja 9, McSweeney 1) McSweeney nudges his pads for a quick single off the first ball as Australia rotates the bat for the first time. Khawaja picks up a pair with good leg as Siraj drifts onto his pads, then the left-hander punishes a shorter ball with a great pull shot through midwicket for four. It was a positive start for Australia and India demanded control of the ball – it passed the rings without any problems.

3rd round: Australia 6-0 (Khawaja 2, McSweeney 0) Bumrah continues around the wicket to Khawaja and beats the bat with a delivery that drifts late off the left-hander. This is the first time that Bumrah has managed to get some momentum as he seems to be a little behind the top speed. Khawaja plays out his pads to score a couple of runs through midwicket, the first at first attempt this morning.

2nd round: Australia 4-0 (Khawaja 0, McSweeney 0) Siraj to McSweeney and the Indian fast bowler immediately goes to work, working with a good length in the outfield. There is not much movement for Siraj and the third player is not worried. Virgin over.

1st round: Australia 4-0 (Khawaja 0, McSweeney 0) Bumrah completely cramped Khawaja from the second ball and moved the ball down the left wing with a lot of movement. But the throw misses the edge and shoots into Khawaja’s thigh. In the next delivery, four runs come off the thigh pad as Khawaja looks to play to good leg.

The national anthems are ready, Jasprit Bumrah has the cherry in hand, Usman Khawaja takes over two centers and we are ready to play.

India XI

Australia XI

When Pat Cummins is asked what he would have done if Australia had won the toss, he plays his cards. That says it all, but here’s more from the Australian captain.

It’s been a fantastic series so far. I think the Gabba is sold out today. I’m sure it will be lively out there.

Almost everyone was interested in the series and… now here at the Gabba, a place we love to play. It was a good start.

India wins the toss and elects to field

There is a lovely green tinge to the pitch, which is one of the few remaining natural decks in place of drop-in wickets in international cricket. There will be some light cloud overhead and there is a slight chance of showers with a forecast high of 29°C. The captains are in the middle to make the throw.

Travis Head is an Australian batsman who has been underperforming at the Gabba of late, with two golden ducks in the Test against West Indies previously. That followed a 92 and another first-ball duck when Australia faced South Africa at the end of 2022, meaning the right-hander was dismissed as he faced him in the last four balls of the Brisbane Tests.

But the middle-order powerhouse is showing strong form in this third Test after scoring 140 against India in his hometown of Adelaide last week. Head and India pacer Mohammed Siraj exchanged a few words as the rivalry and tension died down in a tight series. The ICC was not impressed.

Australia remained unbeaten in 31 Tests at the Gabba between 1989 and 2021 as India beat the hosts with a three-wicket win and secured the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-1 series win. Geoff Lemon has examined how the Gabba has changed over time and what recent changes could help Australia re-establish its dominance at the venue.

preamble

Martin Pegan