India’s faint hopes of a Headingley miracle did not survive Starc’s opening over. It was a thoroughly eventful one, in which Pant alternated between watchful defence and wild gesticulation with his bat. Australia burnt another review when the ball brushed the Indian keeper’s pad, but on the final delivery Starc produced another memorable gem. His inswinger is potent enough without adding in his away-cutter. This ball did both, and no blame attaches to Pant for nicking it to Smith.
Ashwin by contrast was very much to blame for repeatedly swiping at Cummins’ bouncers. It was third time unlucky for him when he nicked it to the keeper, thus reprising Rahul’s earlier dismissal. Ashwin has six Test centuries to his name; but his batting form has drifted alarmingly, which might perhaps explain India’s reluctance to pick him as their front-line spinner. Most fast bowlers can be safely hooked on most occasions. Cummins cannot, owing to his steepling bounce. He has a goodly harvest of wickets to prove it.
Meanwhile there was the diligent Reddy. He was fortunate to survive a difficult dropped chance from Starc, but he persisted, hoping that someone might stay with him. Rana survived a popped chance from Cummins where Head, running backwards from short leg and looking fearfully over his shoulder like Ben Turpin beneath a falling building, just failed to haul it in. But Cummins and Boland swept the tail away, Reddy again top-scoring with an admirable 42. Australia knocked off the 19 runs needed for victory without mishap, and the victory was achieved in seven sessions.
It was a stunning turnaround indeed from the debacle in Perth, and a quiet vindication for Captain Pat, who has turned the deafest of ears to the peanut gallery and their asinine cries of Let Loose The Old-Time Mongrel. Cummins and his men are well aware that blokedom and macho are two quite different qualities. This may well be the wokest team in Australia’s history, assuming that the w-word still retains any meaning after the postmodernist grumpies have had their way with it. This side does not care in the slightest about the alleged virtues of the larrikin past. They are old only in chronology. Tough as old boots is what they truly are.
And so to Brisbane, with added rest days. For the visitors, presumably Rana will give place to Akash Deep. Sharma, Gill and company will seek to prove that they are more than flat-track bullies. And Reddy must be given more scope for his undoubted talents. He has been their most consistent batsman so far, and his lively medium swingers create chances. For Australia, Smith may get one more chance to prove he still has it. Marsh’s position is under threat from Webster. And Boland, who took five good wickets, will doubtless give way for the return of Hazelwood. But unless the pitch takes more seam than is customary at the Gabba, Boland’s unerring accuracy might work against him. Huzzah for Australia, and let the contest continue.