Australia defeat India in Third Test after Travis Head goes on the attack

Indian had the Australian’s on the ropes on the final day of play, but one decision completely flipped the script on the locals.

Australia have cruised to victory on day three after entering the day requiring only 76 runs to secure their first victory of the series.

It also means Australia have recored their first Test victory on Indian soil in six years, with Travis Head and Marnus Labuschange guiding the run chase home.

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Head finished unbeaten on 49 while Labuschagne registered 28 runs. Things got off to the worst possible start for the Aussies with Usman Khawaja sent back to the sheds after only two deliveries.

Ashwin and Jadeja amplified the pressure on the two batsmen with the nerves reaching palpable heights during the opening 45 minutes.

But everything changed when Ashwin began to complain about the state of the ball after the opening 10 overs.

Ashwin’s persistence there was an issue with the ball saw the umpires bring out a new ball. From that moment on it was one-way traffic for the Aussies.

Head loosened up his shoulders and went on the attack as he put the bowling attack to the sword and drove the Australian’s home.

The victory also secures Australia’s spot in the World Test Championship final, where they’ll take on either India or Sri Lanka.

This is a rare, famous and comprehensive Test victory by Australia. It’s extremely difficult to win in India. This is just their sixth in India since 1969, and second since 2004 “final frontier” series win. India had lost only 8 of 86 Tests since that 2004 series. #INDvAUS

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) March 3, 2023

The victory comes on the back of Nathan Lyon producing arguably his greatest display as he skittled the Indian batting line-up on day two, claiming 8/64 as he held the home nation in check and kept the total low for the Aussies to hunt down.

4pm - Ball change flips Test on its head

Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne are guiding the Aussies to a first Test victory in this series.

After the early loss of Usman Khawaja the nerves reached astronomical heights, but these two have flipped the script and are now putting the Indian attack to the sword.

Indian star Ravi Ashwin continually argued the ball was no good forcing the umpires to change the ball after 10 overs, from that moment on it was one-way traffic for the Aussies.

3.45pm - Travis Head goes WHACK

The Australian opener loosened up the shoulders and went after Ravi Ashwin, belting 12 runs off three deliveries.

It all started with a four through the leg side before a brilliantly run two behind backward point. Head then emphatically sent a ball into the stands over long on as the total fell to 50 runs required.

The very next over he kept on with his intent as he blasted Jadeja back over his head for a four, showing he wants this over quickly.

A huge few minutes in Travis Head’s career. Absorbed over half an hour of relentless pressure then smacks a couple of boundaries and a huge six. Great fella, very happy for him. #INDvAUSpic.twitter.com/4WmNjR9FnI

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) March 3, 2023

3.30pm - Indian burn a review in horror decision

Those around the bat were supremely confident Marnus Labuschange had got either bat or glove onto the ball as it ballooned into the hands of Virat Kohli at leg slip.

Joel Wilson wasn’t convinced but Indian skipper Rohit Sharma sent it upstairs only for replays to show the ball came nowhere close to Labuschagne’s bat or glove. It had only bounced off his pad.

India burn review early on day three

3.20pm - Four overs down and we’re a nervous mess

This is going to be the most nerve wracking run chase ever. The opening four overs from Ashwin and Jadeja have been pinpoint for India.

Travis Head and Marnus Labuschange have both been beaten narrowly on the outside edge as fans watching on around the world sit on the edge of their seats.

3.05pm - Nightmare start for Australia

It’s only taken two deliveries and the first wicket has fallen with Usman Khawaja removed by Ravi Ashwin.

The slightest of knicks was detected on ultraedge with Khawaja burning a review after being given out.

This is a poor pitch but we could be in for an extraordinary couple of hours#INDvAUS

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 3, 2023

I can't watch. #INDvAUS

— Sam Bruce (@Sambruce86) March 3, 2023

2:30pm - Michael Clarke calls for Khawaja to be replaced

Former Aussie Test captain Michael Clarke has sensationally called for Usman Khawaja to be replaced at the top of Australia’s batting order.

Clarke on Friday morning put forward a plan to further irritate India’s bowlers by making them bowl to partnerships that have a right-handed batter and a left-handed batter.

Clarke told Sky Sports Radio the disastrous pitch conditions will make it even more important for the Aussie batters to break the rhythm of the Indian spin attack.

“I very rarely like to do this, but I reckon for this innings, I would go left-right the whole way through,” Clarke said.

Time to put the sweep away. Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP.

“So I would think about not opening the batting with Travis Head and Usman Khawaja. I would think about swapping Marnus for Khawaja as an example.

“I would probably leave Travis Head opening and then swap Khawaja for Marnus.

“They’re going to open with a quick and a spinner so it’s not going to make much difference. Marnus is not going to care. I actually don’t think that’s getting too funky. I actually think all you’re trying to do is make it a tiny bit more difficult for the bowlers.

“It’s just tiny little things to give you a slightly better chance.”

2pm - Steve Smith exploits little-known DRS ‘loophole’:

The big turning point on Day 2 came when Steve Smith took an brilliant one-handed catch at leg slip to dismiss danger man Cheteshwar Pujara and shift the match in Australia’s favour.

Smith, who is filling in as captain for Pat Cummins, was on fire in the field as he exploited a little known rule to effectively give Australia more DRS reviews than usual.

Same tactic again. Stumping review but also a check for caught behind. With foot grounded so very well should the ground umpire decline the stumping review? Kind of dodgy rule needs sorting out. @iccpic.twitter.com/tj5sMIcPAD

— Cricketologist (@AMP86793444) March 2, 2023

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey would knock off the bails after a spinner beat the outside edge of the bat, forcing the third umpire to review the delivery for a stumping.

Nathan Lyon became the first bowler in history to take multiple eight-wicket hauls in India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

As part of their process, the third umpire also reviewed to see if the batter was out caught behind.

Smith and Carey deliberately used the ploy on several occasions, meaning Australia got more than their official allotment of three DRS reviews.

Eagle-eyed cricket fans noticed Smith cleverly exploiting the DRS loophole, with some arguing it would prompt the ICC to tighten up the rules around DRS and third umpire reviews.