The Australians are constantly monitoring the weather in Brisbane as that appears to be their biggest hurdle to pressing for a victory in the third Test.
Finishing with a formidable first-innings total of 445, Pat Cummins and Co. took four Indian wickets to leave the visitors reeling at 51/4 at stumps on Day III, which was yet another day affected by inclement weather allowing only 46.3 overs of play.
The weather forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, too, won’t be pleasing the Australians as they need to get the remaining six Indian wickets as quickly as possible when play resumes on Day IV. They still believe, though, that a result can be enforced.
“We’re always asking for the radar and what’s happening (in terms of the weather). I think there’s still plenty of time for a result, but let’s hope that the weather stays away over the next couple of days,” seamer all-rounder Mitchell Marsh said on Monday.
In the circumstances, the best way for Australia to keep their victory hopes alive in this Test is by asking India to follow-on.
Asked if enforcing the follow-on is on their minds, Marsh said: “We’ve got six wickets to take first, but we know that we’ve got to take 20 wickets to try and win this Test, and I guess all the conversations and all the planning will be about how we do that. So hopefully, the weather holds off, and then it’s just about coming in, having a crack and seeing where we get to.”
Australia once again made Virat Kohli fall in the outside off-stump trap as it was Josh Hazlewood this time who had the ace batsman caught behind. Barring the second-innings century in Perth, Australia have so far made sure the going doesn’t become easy for Kohli on the current tour.
“There’s no real talk about that (Kohli’s dismissal). Every time he comes to the crease, we know he’s a big wicket for them (India).
“He’s one of the greatest players ever, so it’s just about being really diligent and trying to execute our plans. And it’s always nice to see the back of one of the game’s greats,” Marsh said.
