Australia v India fourth Test day 2: Rain halts Aussie assault at Gabba

Australia's bowlers carried the country's hopes at the Gabba - starring with both bat and ball on day two. But Brisbane's fickle weather could prove the biggest hurdle.

Thunderstorm covers the sky as rain stops play on day two of the fourth Test between Australia and India. Picture: AFP

Test legend Allan Border slammed cricket’s archaic rules after rain took a hammer to Australia’s hopes of beating India in the series-decider at the Gabba.

India was 2-62 at tea on Saturday in reply to Australia’s first innings 369 when torrential Brisbane rain saw play abandoned after a two-hour delay, scrapping the entire final session.

With the series sitting at 1-all going into the final Test, rain delays were the last thing Australia needed in their quest to win back the trophy.

Australian captain Tim Paine shook his head when informed by umpires that play had been abandoned at 5pm local time, as per rules, despite the sun shining and the outfield mostly dry.

Watch Australia v India Test Series Live & Ad-Break Free During Play with the Fox Cricket commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >

Thunderstorm covers the sky as rain stops play on day two of the fourth Test between Australia and India. Picture: AFP

Former Australia captain Border, who the Border-Gavaskar trophy the teams are playing for is named after, slammed the decision given conditions seemed playable with ample light.

"I'm feeling (Paine's) pain. The rain rule in cricket is one of the worst rules - it needs to be tightened up,” Border told Fox Cricket.

“Conditions are pretty good. There is a little bit of moisture on the surface but nothing that should be stopping the game being played, there’s nothing wrong with the run-ups or pitch.

“We’ve got a lot of people in and a big TV audience. We should be playing at least half-an-hour to an hour tonight. I can’t see any good reason why we’re not playing.

“I’ve been saying it for years that the light rule and rain rule need to be tightened up so we get more cricket played. If both sides want to play you can get out there.”

Pat Cummins made an immediate impact, before the weather struck, removing Shubman Gill with his second delivery. Picture: AFP

Only 12 wickets have fallen across two days with injury-ravaged India producing a mini-fightback of sorts to stay in the Test.

Rain caused multiple delays in last week’s third Test in Sydney which ended in a draw after India batted stoically on day five.

After winning the last Border-Gavaskar series 2-1 two years ago, the visitors only need a draw to take the trophy back to India.

The last drawn Test at the Gabba was when South Africa toured in 2012 and the venue has traditionally produced results, with Australia unbeaten in Brisbane since 1988.

But with only 431 runs being scored in two days, and more rain predicted, time is not on Australia’s side.

“It’s no doubt disappointing for the spectators, the crowd was pretty full,” said Australia assistant coach Andrew McDonald.

“It was deemed by the umpires to be unsafe. We clearly wanted to get back out there, the spectators wanted us to get back out there, but the decision was made by the officials and it’s their call.

RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION IN OUR BLOG AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

Tim Paine reached 50 - then promptly lost his wicket. Picture: Getty

“There’s no doubt if we had a bit more flexibility we could play an hour or possibly more. I feel for the spectators that stayed through that heavy downpour.

“Unfortunately it was deemed unfit and that’s their decision. We can make-up time so we probably won’t lose any overs.”

Earlier on Saturday, Australia added 95 runs to its first innings total to be bowled out for 369 on the stroke of lunch.

Tim Paine (50) and Cameron Green (47) added 37 runs to Australia’s overnight score before the hosts lost 3-4 to expose the tail.

Quick runs from tailenders Mitchell Starc (20 not out) and Nathan Lyon (24) gave Australia a respectable first innings total after winning the toss, but it was far from a dominant batting performance.

Nathan Lyon edged closer to his milestone of 400 Test wickets when he dismissed Rohit Sharma. Picture: Getty

Strike bowler Pat Cummins (1-22) picked up India opener Shubman Gill (7) cheaply and India was cruising until Rohit Sharma (44) took on Lyon (1-10) and came unstuck.

Sharma became Lyon’s 397th wicket with Australia’s greatest ever off-spinner closing in on the 400-scalp milestone in his 100th Test match.

India was trailing Australia by 307 runs when rain struck with key batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara (8 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane (2 not out) at the crease.

With India missing a host of players, including captain Virat Kohli, every player will need to channel the tenacious spirit they’ve shown this series to either win or draw the Test.

While the odds are stacked in Australia’s favour with runs on the board, the hosts must start making inroads to ensure they win a series they have had so many advantages in.

If not, it will be a missed opportunity for Australia heading into next month’s tough tour of South Africa and one of the great series performances by depleted India.

Originally published as Australia v India fourth Test day 2: Rain halts Aussie assault at Gabba

Updates