Cricket fans were treated to a spectacular batting display during the Melbourne Boxing Day Test, as Australia’s batsmen rewrote history on the first day of the fourth Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series against India. The home team’s top four batsmen—Sam Constance, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith—each scored half-centuries, marking a remarkable feat that hasn’t been achieved in nearly a decade.

This milestone harkens back to the 2015 Sydney Test, where Australia’s top six batsmen also scored 50-plus runs in a single innings against India. Interestingly, both instances of this rare accomplishment were against the Indian team, showcasing a unique parallel in cricketing history.

Performance Highlights:

• Sam Constance: Making his Test debut, Constance impressed with a composed 60-run innings, featuring six fours and two sixes. He was eventually dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja.
• Usman Khawaja: Khawaja added a steady 57 off 121 balls, hitting six boundaries.
• Marnus Labuschagne: Continuing his stellar form, Labuschagne notched up 72 runs, his second half-century in the series, before being dismissed by Washington Sundar.
• Steve Smith: The veteran batsman contributed yet another 50-plus score in this series, further solidifying his position as one of Australia’s most dependable players.

Historical Parallel:

The last time Australian batsmen achieved this feat was during the 2015 Sydney Test against India, a match etched in cricketing memory for its batting brilliance and MS Dhoni’s retirement announcement during the series. In that match:

• Chris Rogers scored 95
• David Warner hit 101
• Shane Watson added 81
• Steve Smith contributed 117
• Shaun Marsh scored 73
• Joe Burns made 58

Steve Smith, who was named Player of the Match in that 2015 Test, has once again demonstrated his class in the ongoing series, underscoring his consistent performance in high-pressure matches.

What Lies Ahead?

Australia’s impressive start in this Test raises expectations for a dominant performance, potentially paving the way for a series-defining victory. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next innings to see if India can counter this historic batting onslaught.

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Rohit Sharma’s Arrival in Australia

Rohit Sharma, who had been on a break for the birth of his son, is expected to join the team shortly. His wife, Ritika Sajde, gave birth to a baby boy on the night of November 15, and Rohit is expected to head to Australia soon after. While it is still uncertain whether he will be part of the playing XI for the first match, all signs point toward his involvement in the second Test of the series. Team India fans will be eagerly waiting to see their captain return to action.

Mohammed Shami to Join the Squad

In another exciting development, star pacer Mohammed Shami will also be traveling to Australia alongside Rohit Sharma. Shami, who has been sidelined for almost a year due to injury, made a successful return to the field recently. He underwent ankle surgery earlier this year and has been in rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Shami made an impressive comeback in the Ranji Trophy, where he played for Bengal. In his recent match against Madhya Pradesh, Shami not only bowled brilliantly, taking 6 wickets across two innings but also contributed with the bat, scoring a total of 128 runs.

Shami’s inclusion in the squad will be contingent on his fitness assessment, which will be finalized after the first Test match. The BCCI is expected to consult NCA physio Nitin Patel before making a final decision. According to Bengal coach Lakshmi Ratan Shukla, Shami is in excellent shape, having bowled 44 overs across both innings without facing any fitness issues.

Team India’s Preparations for the Test Series

While the final decision regarding Shami’s inclusion is pending, his return to form will be crucial for Team India’s bowling attack, especially in the absence of some of the top pacers. India’s preparation for the Border Gavaskar Trophy has been intense, with all players, except Rohit Sharma, already in Australia and gearing up for the big series. The Indian team is hoping to continue its dominance in Australia and reclaim the trophy.

Final Thoughts

With Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami joining the squad soon, Team India is ready to take on Australia in what promises to be an exciting Border Gavaskar Trophy. Fans are hopeful that both players will be ready to contribute and help India extend its record in the iconic series. Stay tuned as the countdown to November 22 continues, and Team India prepares for the challenges that lie ahead.

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