Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Over the years the Border Gavaskar Trophy has witnessed some memorable matches and the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy is already witnessing high octane drama between two of the most top sides in world cricket. India won the first test in Perth while Australia came back strongly in the second test at Adelaide winning it comfortably and levelling the series 1-1.
The third test will be played at Brisbane from December 14th where both teams will be looking to take the lead. In this post, we discuss five Australian players on whom the Australian team would be banking on to deliver the results. These players have performed during crunch situations previously and a lot will depend on their performance in the third test. We take a look at these five Australian players in detail.
Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Five Australian Players To Watch Out
1. Mitchell Starc
Starc bowled brilliantly in the second test registering figures of 6/48 in the first innings and 2/60 in the second innings. His extra pace and bounce will create problems for the Indian batters if the wicket at the Gabba offers extra bounce.
The 35-year-old can swing the new ball as well as the old ball. Starc can surprise with his clever seam movement and his ability to reverse swing the old ball can put the Indian batters in trouble. The pacer has been an influential figure in the Australian setup for so many years and his experience will be a big factor.
2. Pat Cummins
Cummins was accurate with his length when drawing the Indian batters to play on the front foot. The captain bowled in the right areas and was spot on with his leg cutters and outswingers.
The 31-year-old seam movement off the wicket can trouble the Indian batters if there is a hint of any seam movement at the Gabba. Cummins registered figures of 2/41 and 5/57 in the second test. Cummins will be looking to replicate his performances in the third test and give his side a much-needed lead in the series. Cummins can adjust his length depending on conditions and his clarity with his length makes him a threat.
3. Travis Head
Head has performed impressively against India and in this particular series the left-hander has once again been Australia’s mainstay in the batting order. Australia would be expecting the left-hander to continue with the same kind of form in the third test. The 31-year-old scored a brilliant 140 in the first innings of the second test by taking the Indian bowling apart.
In the second innings of the first test, Head scored 89 although he couldn’t find enough support from other Australian batters in that test. Head has this incredible temperament to keep playing his shots even when wickets keep falling at the other end. The left-hander is strong on all sides of the wicket and if the wicket at Gabba aids the batters then Head can be the aggressor especially during the second innings.
4. Steve Smith
Smith has managed to score 0,17 and 2 in the three innings he has played so far in both tests. The right-hander will be eager to get a big score. The former skipper’s form will be crucial for Australia in the third test.
If Smith returns to form it would be difficult for the Indian bowlers to stop him. Australian team management would be hoping to see Smith get a big score. All these years, Smith has showcased his class with his effortless timing and placement and the right-hander will be eager to get back to runs.
5. Nathan Lyon
Lyon has gone wicketless so far in the two tests which is very surprising for a bowler of his calibre. The wicket at Gabba has a reputation for aiding spinners and if the 37-year-old can get the ball to turn and if there is extra bounce on the wicket then Lyon can be a big threat.
Lyon can give the ball a bit of air while his top spinners have caused problems for the best batters of this generation including the Indian batters. The off-spinner possesses variety and the Australian coach Andrew McDonald and team management will be hoping Lyon returns to form.
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Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Five Indian Players to watch out for in the third test