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PHOTOS, Day 5: India draw third Test but Australia win series

Last updated on: December 30, 2014 13:26 IST

Australia draw third Test in Melbourne with India on Tuesday, sealing the four-match series 2-0

Australia declared on 318 for nine to bring lunch early on the final day at MCG setting India 384 to win in 70 overs in the final two sessions

Check out the images from the fifth and final day's play at MCG:

Josh Hazelwood, centre, of Australia celebrates with teammates

Josh Hazelwood, centre, of Australia celebrates with teammates. Photograph: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Australia drew the third Test in Melbourne with India on Tuesday, sealing the four-match series 2-0. India were 174-6 after being set 384 to win.

Scorecard

Australia declared on 318-9 at lunch, setting India 384 to win in 70 overs in the final two sessions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which had been extended due to rain.

Mitchell Johnson of Australia celebrates after bowling Cheteshwar Pujara

Mitchell Johnson of Australia celebrates after bowling Cheteshwar Pujara of India during Day five of the third Test. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

The tourists lost six wickets along the way, at times giving Australia a sniff of victory.

Finally, India held on at 6 for 174, 210 runs short of victory with Mahendra Singh Dhoni (24 not out) and Ravichandran ashwin (5 not out) unbeaten at the crease.

Virat Kohli top scored for India with 54, while Ajinkya Rahane made 48.

Virat Kohli

Brad Haddin of Australia exchanges words with batsman Virat Kohli of India. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Earlier, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane steadied India after a top order batting collapse to take the tourists to 104-3 at tea on day five of the third Test against Australia in Melbourne on Tuesday, 280 runs short of their victory target.

Scorecard

Virat Kolhi

Virat Kohli of India celebrates as he reaches 50. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Kohli and Rahane frustrated the Australian bowlers for a second time in this match, after the pair compiled a record fourth-wicket partnership of 262 at the MCG on day three to set up India's 465 in reply to the hosts' first innings 530.

Josh Hazelwood of Australia celebrates the wicket of Murali Vijay of India

Josh Hazelwood of Australia celebrates the wicket of Murali Vijay of India. Photograph: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

India's chase began disastrously, with Australia's pacemen striking three times to leave the tourists reeling at 19-3 by the ninth over.

The quick wickets snuffed out any thoughts of a swashbuckling victory charge for India as Kohli and Rahane dug in grimly to see out the session.

The largest successful fourth innings run chase at the MCG was by England in 1928-29 when they mowed down 332 to win.

Shaun Marsh of Australia looks on after being run out by Virat Kohli of India on 99 runs

Shaun Marsh of Australia looks on after being run out by Virat Kohli of India on 99 runs. Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Earlier, Shaun Marsh was run out for 99 attempting a desperate single before Australia declared on 318 for nine to bring lunch early and set India 384 to win the third Test.

Scorecard

Umesh Yadav of India looks on as Shaun Marsh of Australia is run out

Umesh Yadav of India looks on as Shaun Marsh of Australia is run out. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Marsh had patiently grafted for more than four and a half hours through the new ball on day four and then rain delays in the final morning, and had been given every chance to post his third test century and first on home soil.

But pinned down on the brink of a century for five balls by paceman Umesh Yadav, he had a moment of madness, rushing through for a single after poking a shot in close, which Virat Kohli swooped on and flung down the stumps from a few metres away.

That ended a 215-ball knock which had guided Australia to safety late on day four, and Marsh trudged off with head bowed.

Ryan Harris leaves the field as rain delays play

Ryan Harris leaves the field as rain delays play. Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Josh Hazlewood joined Nathan Lyon out in the middle for a few balls but coach Darren Lehmann finally ran out of patience and waved his team in to bring an early lunch.

The highest successful run-chase at the MCG was in 1928-29 when England made 332 for victory but with Australia 2-0 up in the series and needing only draw to seal it, the tourists were in no hurry to declare.

Rain delays added another variable, with the session suspended for nearly an hour due to two separate showers, the first after just three balls and the second a little over an hour before lunch.

Marsh and number nine Ryan Harris resumed on 261-7, and appeared more keen to bat for time than keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Harris was eventually out for 21 off 68 balls, caught behind by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off the bowling of Mohammed Shami.

Source: REUTERS
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