Paceman Mitchell Starc says Australia are clinging to hopes of triggering a middle-order collapse on day four of the third cricket Test against India in Mohali on Sunday.
However Australia’s dreams of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have fallen as flat as the Mohali pitch and India will resume on Sunday at 0-283 in reply to Australia’s first innings of 408.
Shikhar Dhawan has blazed his way to 185 not out on debut and Murali Vijay is unbeaten on 83.
The third day of play was made even more painful for Australia’s Steve Smith (92) and Mitchell Starc (99), who both fell narrowly short of scoring their maiden Test hundreds.
Dhawan’s 85-ball century included an amazing 21 fours.
“The wicket is offering nothing,” Australia pace bowler Starc said after taking 0-46 from his 11 overs.
“It’s hard work for the bowlers but it’s about being patient and getting some bowling partnerships in place.
“We have to regather ourselves and hopefully put some pressure on and take some wickets.
“We didn’t bowl our best but when one bloke is 185 at better than a run a ball…
“They’ve batted very well. It’s a very flat wicket and there’s nothing in it for the quicks.
“We’re going to have to come back (on Sunday) and bowl in partnerships to make sure we take some wickets early and then hopefully get stuck into the (middle) order.”
Despite all the dramas of `homeworkgate’ and the wicket-less day in the field, Starc said the mood in the change rooms was not too bad.
Starc saw a positive in the fact India had been 1-387 in their first innings of the second Test and were bowled out for 503.
“There’s no reason we can’t do that again here,” he said.
India lead the four-match series two-nil and Australia’s hopes of avoiding a four-nil whitewash appear slim. The home side are well-placed to push for victory despite a washout on day one.
Test batsman Shane Watson, reserve batsman Usman Khawaja and pacemen James Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson were handed one-match suspensions by Australia coach Mickey Arthur for failing to complete a homework assignment on time.