Australia regain Border-Gavaskar Trophy to set up world final against South Africa

Pat Cummins praised the resilience and perseverance of his side after it became the first Australian team in 56 years to rebound from 1-0 down and win a Test series on home soil.

After almost eight years, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is back in Australian hands, with Cummins’ men booking their spot in another World Test Championship final – this time against South Africa – after sealing a 3-1 series win over India at the SCG on Sunday afternoon.

A 295-run defeat in Perth forced Australia to ask themselves some hard questions, with both their preparation and their personnel coming under scrutiny as Jasprit Bumrah began his dominance of a series in which he finished with 32 wickets at 13.06, the second-lowest average by a touring bowler with more than 20 wickets.

Australia responded in emphatic and clinical fashion, going on to win three of the next four matches and consigning India to back-to-back series defeats for the first time since 2014.

Not since the 1997 Ashes have Australia lost an opening Test and gone on to win a series. The last time it happened in Australia was a 3-1 series comeback win against the West Indies in 1968-69, which ended with a 382-run thumping of the tourists at the SCG.

On Sunday, Australia chased down a moderate target of 162 for the loss of four wickets, thanks to important and unbeaten contributions from Travis Head (34 off 38 balls) and debutant Beau Webster (39 off 34 balls).

Pat Cummins of Australia celebrates with teammates in front of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Credit: Getty Images

Australia last won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2014-15, a series remembered for Steve Smith’s prolific run-making, before losing it to India in March 2017 following a 2-1 series defeat away from home.

“When you start a series behind, a lot of things get questioned, some things fairly and unfairly. I think it shows the strength of the group to stay strong,” Cummins said.

“[It was about knowing] that we weren’t at our best but not get caught up in a lot of the external noise and clutter. That’s one of the most rewarding parts of this series. I think overcoming that and staying strong is easier said than done.

“A huge win in the context of this series. As big a series as you’re going to play at home.

“It felt like it was seesawing throughout the whole series. To finish it 3-1 is an amazing feeling. The extra layer is securing a spot in the World Test Championship final, which was a huge goal for us. Really satisfied.”

In front of more than 46,000 fans, most wearing a touch of pink for Jane McGrath Day, Webster hit the winning runs down the ground before a mighty punch of the air in delight.

Scott Boland’s maiden Test 10-wicket haul – he’d never taken 10 in any first-class match – helped him earn man-of-the-match honours as Australia snared 4-16 on the morning of day three to bowl India out for 157.

When Usman Khawaja was caught behind for 41 trying to play a pull shot, dozens of Indian flags were suddenly waving furiously in the lower Brewongle Stand, with Australia at 4-104 and with plenty of work to do.

Head, who’d made just five runs in his previous three innings, dug in when Australia needed him most as Webster capped an impressive debut in place of Mitch Marsh by walking off the SCG with a Test batting average of 96.

Beau Webster celebrates after hitting the winning runs to seal the series victory.Credit: Getty Images

“Beau was huge this Test,” Cummins said. “He’s one of those quintessential all-rounders. Thought he bowled beautifully, [took] some great catches and two really important knocks. He couldn’t have had a better debut. He was right beside Scotty as player of the match.

“He’s just so good, Scotty. I love him. He’s a seasoned pro.”

Webster was just as chuffed as his captain, telling Fox after play: “I couldn’t ask for much more on debut … I was counting down the runs in lots of 10. I was pretty confident the whole chase.”

Bumrah, India’s fast bowling ace, did not feature on the final day of a series that he has dominated.

Scott Boland of Australia (second right) is congratulated by (L-R) Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Credit: AAPIMAGE

When India desperately needed one last brilliant burst from him, he was unavailable due to an injury that appears to be more serious than the official explanation of back spasms.

“No doubt about it, it’s been really tough,” said under-fire Indian coach Gautam Gambhir. “These weren’t the results that we were expecting in the last eight Test matches. That is what sport is all about. All I can expect from that dressing-room is to keep fighting.”

Allan Border presented Australia the trophy that is named after him and Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar, who was at the ground on commentary duties. If India had retained the trophy, Gavaskar would have presented it.

Cricket Australia later admitted it “would have been preferable” to have Gavaskar also on stage.

Australia will face South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s starting on June 11.

“It’s the trophy we’re really proud to hold, so we want to go back and defend it,” Cummins said.

Cummins also confirmed he “might struggle” to play the upcoming two-match tour of Sri Lanka due to the birth of his second child.

His first, son Albie, stood to the side of the press conference, at one point catching his father’s attention.

Cummins grabbed his youngster, before more hugs and handshakes with family on the hallowed SCG turf after arguably the greatest Test series in his own lifetime.

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