There was a desperation to break the Bumrah-Akash Deep partnership: Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori

Pace bowlers Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah successfully evade the follow-on and produce one of the most important last-wicket partnerships in the third Test in Gabba. Daniel Vettori, the Australian assistant coach, commended the tail-enders for their outstanding effort and perseverance at the finish.

The final wicket stand of 39 ensured that India finished the fourth day of the Gabba Test with 252 for the cost of nine wickets, albeit they were still 193 behind. The loss of the chance to enforce the follow-on will still cause some disappointment, even though Australia is still far ahead in the match. Daniel Vettori, the assistant coach for Australia, spoke about this subject.

“When Jadeja was fired, we thought we had a really good chance, but it was a real fighting partnership from Bumrah and Akash Deep,” Vettori stated at the end of Day 4 news conference.

“I believe that forcing the follow-on was the only way to force the game. There was a desperate attempt to get that last wicket.”

 Daniel Vettori on how their game was aided by the weather disruption

However, Vettori claims that the extra pauses brought on by the weather disruption really aided their bowlers in managing their workload. This is in addition to the fact that the Indian tail-enders surprised the Australian bowling attack in Sydney.

Because of the weather, we were able to work with breaks, and Patty Cummins and Mitch Starc were able to return several times. It would have been much harder to handle if it had been all ninety overs. We have the privilege of bowling Nathan (Lyon) at all times. Thus, some of the anxiety was allayed,” Vettori continued.