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After an action packed fourth day’s play in the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test between Australia and India, which saw 239 runs being scored at the loss of 10 wickets, Marnus Labuschagne said that the hosts are “probably just ahead” in the contest. The right-handed batter, who scored two fifties in the Melbourne Test, played a major role for Australia in extending their lead to 333 runs in the second innings at the close of day four, to get a stranglehold ahead of the all-important fifth and final day’s play.
Notably, at one stage on day four of the fourth BGT Test, Australia were reduced to 91/6 in their second innings, leading by 196 runs, which wouldn’t have proven to be enough on a pitch in Melbourne, which allowed the batters to score runs with ease after getting set. But then, the rear guard action from the Australian lower order along with Marnus Labuschagne’s 70 off 139, helped the hosts take a substantial second innings lead in excess of 300 runs, to put themselves in the box seat to win the match.
India definitely clawed it back there today: Marnus Labuschagne on day four's play in Melbourne Test
While speaking to the media after the close of play on day four at the MCG, Marnus Labuschagne admitted that while India had a great fight back in the first half of the day, but the likes of captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon scoring 40s each, put them in front of the game. He was quoted as saying, as per Cricbuzz, “India definitely clawed it back there today, and we're probably going into day five, 333, you know, I would say that we're probably just ahead.”
The right-handed batter also discussed the plans from Australia for day four of the fourth BGT Test match, which were initially thwarted by the Indian cricket team before their eventual repost. He said, “We obviously had the perfect outcome for us, and that probably looked like having a bowl tonight and putting them under pressure. But you know, the way the wicket played and the way India bowled and came out and put us under pressure in that first 40 to 50 overs, that wasn't an option for us.”
Australia will be aiming to win the fourth Test match at the MCG on the fifth and final day, to give themselves the best chance to regain the BGT after losing four consecutive series against India.
