Head, Labuschagne defy India to win fourth Test

Marnus and Travis Head stood firm in reducing Australia’s second innings deficit by 18 runs. India raced against time to win the fourth Test on Monday.

Australia was 73-1 at lunch in Ahmedabad’s largest cricket stadium, Head 45 and Labuschagne 22.

Australia lost nightwatchman Matthew Kuhnemann in six for spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Indian spinners were able to take some control on the final-day track. They beat the batsmen a few times, but Head & Labuschagne remained composed with occasional boundaries.

Head faced the opposition spinners with five fours. The team had only six, so Head smashed Ashwin’s head.

After getting injured on day four while fielding, Usman Khawaja, the regular opener, had yet to take the bats with “a lower leg pain”.

India leads 2-1 and needs a win or draw in order to win the four-match series. Virat Kohli’s epic run of 186 saw India post 571 runs on day four to take a lead against Australia’s 480 runs in the first innings.

After ShreyasIyer had not batted due to lower back pain, Kohli was the last man out. The team announced Monday that he would not be taking part in the Test.

India will be guaranteed a place at the World Test Championship final, which takes place in June at Oval.

However, a draw or loss keeps Sri Lankans, who are currently playing in New Zealand in the hunt, in the race. Australia has already qualified.

The pitch of the run-filled match is vastly different from those in the three opening Tests, which were all over the place in three days.

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