The India-Australia Test series is currently tied at 1-1 after the rain-hit third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw. Weather spoiled what could have been an exciting finish between two strong teams.
India had taken an early lead in the series with a dominant 295-run win in the first Test at the Optus Stadium, under stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah. However, Australia made a strong comeback in the second Test, winning by 10 wickets in a day-night game at the Adelaide Oval.
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In the third Test, Australia continued their momentum. Batting first, they posted a massive total of 445, thanks to centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith.
India, struggling with the bat, seemed headed for defeat, but rain and a gritty effort from the lower-order saved them from going 1-2 down. Now, all eyes are on the fourth Test in Melbourne.
This match is crucial not only for deciding the series winner but also for India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. Both teams will be eager to take the lead in what promises to be another thrilling contest.
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Here’s all you need to know about the Test records and pitch report of the venue, ahead of match at MCG.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground has hosted 117 Test matches so far. The team batting first have won 57 times, while the team batting second have won 42 times. There have been 18 draws/no result at this venue in Tests.
Team | Won |
---|---|
Batting First | 57 |
Batting Second | 42 |
Draw/No Result | 18 |
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The Melbourne Cricket Ground has a seating capacity of about 1,00,000 spectators.
The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is known to be very competitive. It gives a good balance for both bowlers and batsmen.
Early in the game, bowlers can benefit from the pitch, which offers nice bounce. As the game goes on and the pitch gets older, batsmen can play their shots more easily.
However, spinners usually find it hard to get much help from this pitch. Since 1996, the MCG has used drop-in pitches for its matches.
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Average first innings score in Melbourne | 307 |
---|---|
Matches won after batting first | 57 |
Matches won by chasing team | 42 |
In the previous Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia defeated Pakistan by 79 runs in an intense game. Pakistan, chasing 317, fought with Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Agha Salman making crucial runs.
However, captain Pat Cummins turned the match with a brilliant 10-wicket haul, including key dismissals late on day four. Despite their efforts, Pakistan collapsed under pressure, losing their last five wickets for just 18 runs.
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The highest score by a team in Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is 624/8 declared, scored by Australia against Pakistan in December 2016. This record-breaking total was powered by captain Steven Smith’s unbeaten 165, David Warner’s 144, and Usman Khawaja’s 97.
Despite rain interruptions that lost 141 overs, Australia dominated the match and secured an innings win.
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The lowest score by a team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Tests is 36/10, made by South Africa in the 1931-32 series against Australia. On a slightly soft pitch, Australia’s bowlers, led by Bert Ironmonger with figures of 5/6, and Laurie Nash, dismissed South Africa in just over 90 minutes.
The highest individual score at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Tests is 307, made by Australia’s Bob Cowper during a match against England in 1966. Cowper’s remarkable innings included twenty 4s and lasted over twelve hours.
His performance, along with a solid partnership with fellow batsman Bill Lawry, helped to set a strong foundation for Australia in what became a slow and uneventful final Test match due to time-wasting and rain interruptions.
The best bowling figure at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Tests is 9 wickets for 86 runs, achieved by Sarfraz Nawaz during a match between Australia and Pakistan in 1979. Sarfraz’s extraordinary performance helped Pakistan dismiss Australia in a dramatic turnaround, taking the final 7 wickets in just 33 deliveries.
His match figures of 11 wickets for 125 runs earned him the Man of the Match award.
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Donald Bradman has scored an impressive total of 1671 runs in Melbourne in 11 Tests, which includes 9 centuries and 3 half-centuries. He has a massive average of 128.53 at the venue, with a highest score of 270 runs.
The record for most wickets taken in Tests at Melbourne Cricket Ground is held by Australia’s Dennis Lillee. The pacer had bagged 82 wickets at Melbourne.
According to Dafabet, Australia are the favourites to win the 4th Test match against India in Melbourne.
Team | Betting odds |
Australia | 1.49 |
India | 2.70 |
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Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharma at the toss•Getty ImagesThe coin has gone in Pat Cummins' favour and Australia will bat. So, that means Sam Konstas will be in ea