Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

61/0 now 40 runs from the last 6 overs - Natarajan and Siraj losing their radar and Aus batters starting to look good - worrying signs

Australia in ODI mode desperately trying to post a total that might be defensible before the rain kicks in. Slightly surprised they didn't promote Wade or Green to achieve that.

There's rain around on the maps, but looks as though it's going to hold off over the city for a while yet.

Two quick wickets should slow the charge - after all, the wicket is still true enough that if the rain holds off, you'd want to be defending 250 or so.

make that 4 quick wickets 130-4
lead is 164

Was going to say I hope Australia continues to play Wade next summer in the Ashes, 'cos he's rubbish, but mediocre players have a habit of still making big scores against us in Ashes in Australia. See also Shane Watson, the Marsh brothers, etc.

Still nice and dry after lunch as the lead approaches 200...

Think they'd want a lot more than 250 on a pitch not showing any gremlins yet. Going to be a tricky decision for Paine as it's impossible to really judge how much actual playing time there will be tomorrow , never mind this afternoon. He needs to win ; but if he sets too easy a target and India take the win it would not only give them the series but also imperil Australia's chances of making the WTC final...presume that is also important to them.

Hmm. That one just kept very low from Natarajan so perhaps cracks are starting to appear. Australia will want more of those...

Rain imminent.

Rain imminent.

And it's here, a little later than expected.

Australia probably have enough now. Let's see if the weather has the final say.

So...

Not much rain . And no declaration , Australia bowled out for 294. Deserved five for Siraj and four for Shardul

328 to win but I'd imagine the ten wickets for Australia are a better bet as the pitch is playing a few tricks today...and batting in gloomy light this evening won't be much fun. If they can get to the close without much damage India will be happy.

Weather tomorrow ...who knows ? Brisbane weather can change nearly as quickly as Melbourne or Manchester...

Starc to kick things off...

Ha. What did I say ? Two overs ... A four for Rohit , an apparent hamstring concern for Starc and down comes the rain...

Might be it for the day.

more play that perhaps was thought the day before. Same again tomorrow might prove interesting

So the series comes down to the last day. Shame all three results aren't on the cards - almost certainly too many for India to chase, even if there were to be a full days' play. And with the weather, draw seems favourite. However, the forecast isn't as bad as it's been made out to be. I expect there will be one or two interruptions, but we should get a decent amount of play in today.

Never write Australia off in Brisbane.

Forecast is getting better by the hour, and there's no rain on the radar. India may need another heroic rearguard to save the series.

Early wicket though. My guess it that India will dig in. As they should.