Can Australia do what they could not in 2005?

Aug 6, 2005. At Stumps on Day 3 of the 2nd Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Australia were 175/8 chasing 282 runs to go 2-0 up in the series. They required another 107 runs with only two wickets in hand. England were well on course to level the series 1-1.

Taking the remaining two Australian wickets on day 4 appeared to be a walk in the park for the Englishmen. But then Shane Warne came out to bat along with Brett Lee. They started wiping off the target gradually. Soon Australia began thinking the unthinkable. When Warne was out hit wicket, the score was 220/9 with Australia still requiring 62 for victory.

Then Lee found an able ally in Michael Kasprowicz. They together took Australia to 279/9 requiring just 3 runs for what would have been an epic turnaround. With the target only a hit away, Kasprowicz gloved one to keeper Geraint Jones while fending a Steve Harmison delivery. The match was over. England had won by 2 runs. It was the second-lowest margin of victory in the history of test cricket.

Australia v India - 3rd Test: Day 4

The situation is somewhat similar today. Australia are 258/8 at Stumps on day 4 at the MCG requiring another 141 runs for victory. So can they think of accomplishing what they couldn’t in 2005? Logic would say they can’t do it. But then hey! it's Australia, you can never write them off.

Pat Cummins has looked by far the best Australian batsman out there scoring the only Australian fifty in this match. Nathan Lyon has also faced 38 deliveries and has looked comfortable at the crease. The pitch also seems to have settled down during the fag end of the day.

Remember Lyon scored 24 and 38 in the first test at Adelaide? He along with Josh Hazelwood, the next man in, came mighty close to India’s target of 323 runs.

Also, India’s issues with wiping off the tail are well documented too. Remember Sam Curran all those times, whose batting prowess was the difference between India winning and losing the Test series in England earlier this year?

While unlikely, you cannot rule out an Australian victory yet. India still need to take the two remaining Australian wickets. Although India are in the driving seat with 140 runs still in the bank, cricket is a game of uncertainties.

So, watch out for Day 5 at the MCG to find out if Australia can do what they could not thirteen years ago.