After the first three Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy all ending within three days, seems like the final Test match of the series will be decided only on the final day. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Australia have made good use of a superb batting surface to post a total in excess of 400. The innings saw Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green register hundreds.
While Khawaja got to his maiden Test century in and against India, it was the first-ever Test hundred for Green. The two of them shared a record-breaking partnership for the 5th wicket in this Test match happening at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The two batters shared a 208-run partnership which ensured that the visitors post a solid first-innings total. The batters had started the partnership in the third session on Day 1 and were separated only in the session between Lunch to Tea on Day 2.
Allan Border-Kim Hughes Stand From 1979 Test Still The Highest By An Aussie Pair in India
When the two batters had united at the 22 yard, the Aussie scorecard read 170/4 and they were separated with them sitting in a position of authority in this Test with Green departing for 114 with the team score of 378. Their stand became the second-highest partnership by an Aussie pair in a Test match in India. However, they were not able to break the highest-partnership the record of which still belongs to Allan Border and Kim Hughes.
Border-Hughest had added 222 runs for the third wicket in the first innings of the Test against India in September 1979 at the Madras Cricket Club Ground, Chepauk. Border had got run out in that Test match but not before he scored 162 while Hughes had also gone on to make a ton before being ultimately removed by Dilip Doshi.
Cameron Green and Usman Khawaja, on Friday, March 10, recorded the second-highest partnership for Australia in Tests on Indian soil. The duo put on 208 runs for the fifth wicket in the fourth and final Test of the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Green and Khawaja got together in the third session of the opening day’s play and carried on until the second session of Day 2. They took Australia from 170 for four to 378. The record for the highest partnership by an Australian pair is held by Allan Border and Kim Hughes.
Khawaja scored his first hundred against India, his 14th overall in Tests, and along with Green added 85 runs off just 116 balls for the fifth wicket to grind the Indian bowlers, who were on a high after removing Peter Handscomb (17) and skipper Steve Smith (38) soon after the tea break.
The duo helped Australia score 106 runs for the loss of two wickets in the final session of the day. Khawaja hit 15 fours during his unbeaten marathon innings of 251 balls, while Green smashed eight fours in his 64-ball knock, scoring at an impressive strike rate of 76.56.
Mohammed Shami was the pick of the Indian bowlers, returning figures of 2 for 65 in 17 overs, while the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin (1/57) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/49) took a wicket each.
Khawaja forged 50-plus partnerships with Travis Head, Smith and Green in easily the best batting conditions so far to put Australia on course for their highest total in the series.
Khawaja brought up his hundred in the final over of the day. Green was batting at the other end after putting on 85 runs with Khawaja.
Australia scored at a run-a-ball rate in the last nine overs of the day, after India had taken the second new ball, at the Narendra Modi Stadium.