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'Absolutely awful': Aussies shredded over 'horrible' cricket farce

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Tim Paine, pictured here speaking to his players during the fourth Test against India.
Tim Paine speaks to his players during the fourth Test against India. (Photo by Albert Perez - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

David Warner has continued Australia’s poor use of the DRS on day four at the Gabba, burning another review after Tim Paine did the same on day three.

Paine made a number of DRS blunders on Sunday during a thrilling fourth Test, burning two reviews on very speculative decisions.

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And Warner continued the trend on Monday, opting to review a plumb lbw decision.

The Aussie opener was cruising on 48 when he was struck on the back thigh by a straight delivery from spinner Washington Sundar.

Warner appeared to realise he was dead and started trudging off the field, only to opt for a review at the very last second.

Replays showed the ball crashing into the stumps, with Warner’s bat nowhere near the ball to suggest he might have thought he hit it.

On Sunday, Aussie captain Paine continued his miserable history with the DRS, and one burned review left fans and commentators perplexed.

Paine asked for a review for caught behind, but replays showed the ball was well away from Naveep Saini’s bat when it passed the Indian tailender.

Many felt like the Aussies were getting desperate after an extraordinary partnership from Sundar and Shardul Thakur brought India right back into the game.

“That’s an absolutely awful review,” wrote sports reporter Mark Gottlieb.

“Total desperation stuff from Australia. Shades of Headingley.”

Aussies must win Test for series victory

Paine’s team must win the Gabba Test to end India's four-year hold of the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

That challenge became more imposing when Sundar and Thakur shifted momentum in scarcely-believable fashion, even by the standards set in a topsy-turvy series level at 1-1.

Sundar and Thakur’s 123-run stand rallied India from 6-186 to 336 on Sunday.

Wet weather, which washed out Saturday’s final session and is forecast to interrupt days four and five, has added another degree of urgency.

The timing of Monday’s declaration, presuming Australia are in a position to make one, will be one of the biggest calls of Paine's captaincy.

David Warner, pictured here after being dismissed during day four of the fourth Test.
David Warner leaves the field after being dismissed during day four of the fourth Test. (Photo by Chris Hyde - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

“Probably depends on who bats. If Davey (Warner) bats for a long time then things happen pretty quickly,” Josh Hazlewood said after snaring 5-57.

“It'll be pretty similar to maybe Sydney; three and a half or maybe four sessions (to bowl India out).

“It probably all depends on the weather as well ... that could come into calculations. But we'll just bat normally for the first two sessions and see where we're at.”

Hazlewood insisted he, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are physically ready for one final lion-hearted effort, adding that Australia were well placed in the final Test despite “a bit of frustration” about Sundar and Thakur's digs.

“We've got a nice little lead,” he said. “We're still well ahead of the game.”

Thakur's rollicking 67 belied a first-class batting average of 16, while Sundar's composed 62 was likewise stunning.

It was the latest sign an inexperienced Indian XI, in which Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are the only members who also took part in the series-opening defeat, will not buckle despite the absence of captain Virat Kohli and other key personnel.

with AAP

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