3 minute read

Scott Boland proved the hero and Beau Webster had the magical moment as Australia beat India by six wickets at the SCG to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

AUSTRALIA V INDIA: Day three of the fifth Border-Gavaskar Test at the SCG.

Australia (181 and 4-162) beat India (185 and 157) by six wickets to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1.

SUMMARY: Australia have won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in 10 years after taking victory at the SCG in two-and-a-half days. After India resumed at 6-141, any hope of setting a victory target of in excess of 200 were quickly snuffed out by Scott Boland (6-45) and Pat Cummins (3-44). Set 162 for victory, Australia flew to 0-39 in the fourth over before Sam Konstas skied a ball on 22. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith both followed to leave Australia 3-58, before Usman Khawaja and Travis Head steadied the ship. Khawaja was eventually out for 41, but Head (34no) and Beau Webster (39no) took Australia to safety.

THE MOMENT: Beau Webster waited 10 years for a Test debut, but seized his moment at the SCG. His first-innings 57 was crucial, as were the 17 overs he bowled with the ball. But no moment would have felt better than his straight drive for four to seal the match for Australia in the middle session of day three.

THE PLAYER: Scott Boland. His two wickets on Sunday morning made it 10 for the Test, overtaking his magical debut in Melbourne for his best match returns. For so long the reserve in this Australian squad, Boland's bowling was the difference at the SCG as Australia took the series.

THE STAT: Boland now has the eighth best bowling average in Test history, and the best of any bowler in more than a century with 56 wickets at 17.66.