"Anything could have happened" - Ex-Aussie pacer after Australia's bold declaration on day 5 of BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Former Australian quick Mitchell Johnson reckons the third Test against Australia in Brisbane could have gone either way after the hosts made a bold declaration on day five. Johnson lauded Pat Cummins' timing of declaration to leave open the possibility of three results.
After taking the final wicket on day five at the Gabba, Aussie batters went for quick runs. Although they lost seven wickets in the process, Australia had a lead of 274 and left India with a target of 275 runs to chase down in 54 overs. However, bad light and rain forced the stakeholders to call off the proceedings after 2.1 overs of play in the final innings.
In his column for The Nightly, the 43-year-old acknowledged Cummins' thinking of knowing India's explosive short-format players and not leaving too many overs.
"I liked Australia’s declaration decision overall and all three results would have been in play if the rain had stayed away. Pat Cummins would have been aware of India’s dangerous short-form players so didn’t want to give them too many overs. Anything could have happened but unfortunately what could have been a very exciting ending wasn’t to be."
The hosts were also one bowler short as Josh Hazlewood walked off the field on day four after sending down only an over due to calf soreness. Although the remaining Aussie bowlers bowled well, India scored the required runs to prevent the opposition from enforcing the follow-on.
"You hope that McSweeney is being supported by the captain, coach and selectors" - Mitchell Johnson on Australian opener's struggles
With Nathan McSweeney being one of the Aussie batters to lose his wicket to an uncharacteristic shot on day five, Johnson hopes that the management is not too harsh on the youngster. The Queenslander added:
"They had a role to play but it’s hard when you’re a new guy such as Nathan McSweeney, already batting out of position under the pressure of Test cricket and yet to secure his spot. Then he gets told to forget about your average and go for it. You hope that McSweeney is being supported by the captain, coach and selectors and that they will not look at it as a failed innings."
McSweeney has found the going tough in his debut series, managing a high score of 39 in three Tests.