It's the same in tennis - at the Grand Slam level - the first two sets against a strong opponent are just about whetting the appetite; the real stuff comes in the third, fourth and fifth sets. And in a way, cricket in a five-Test series is no different.
The first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy were the sides exchanging blows, feeling each other out, seeing what they had each prepared for the series. The first blow was landed by Jasprit Bumrah and India in Perth. The second by Travis Head and Mitchell Starc at Adelaide. And now, as the cricket moves to Brisbane, there is a certain sense of the series reaching a tipping point. This is perhaps where one of the teams might gain a psychological advantage; this is where they might pull away.
"I think a couple of key moments can really compound matters and make the game look further apart than perhaps they were," said Australia skipper Pat Cummins on Friday. "We spoke about that...in the first Test, if we had got through the first evening, maybe the sun's out and we have a few more wickets and maybe we could have had a first innings lead. It's be the same in Adelaide. Nathan and Marnus got through the first evening and Trav (Travis Head) and a few cashed in the next day...that really compounds it. But I think the margins (of victories) can throw you off a bit."
This story is from the December 14, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Haryana.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 14, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Haryana.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How the challenge of batting in Oz changed
KOOKABURRA RELEASED A REDESIGNED BALL FOR TESTS IN 2021 THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE GAME MORE EXCITING, BUT IT HAS ONLY MADE BATTING MORE DIFFICULT
Grit in the tail frustrates the hosts, India avoid follow-on
Like in 2021, there was defiance in the damp air of Gabba as Deep and Bumrah steer India towards a likely draw on Day 4
Jhulan Goswami stand: Another historic moment at Eden Gardens
KOLKATA: At 6.58pm on a misty winter evening near the Eden Gardens change rooms, Jhulan Goswami took the stage. And said she was speechless.
PRITHVI SHAW NOW AXED FROM MUMBAI VIJAY HAZARE SQUAD
MUMBAI: In a forgettable season, Prithvi Shaw received another jolt when the Mumbai selectors ignored his superb record in List A cricket by dropping him from the squad for the upcoming 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament.
DDCA head Jaitley calls it mandate for hard work
Newly elected president of Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) Rohan Jaitley on Tuesday promised to build a new cricket stadium in the capital and address the selection controversies surrounding the senior and age-group teams.
Hayley shines, WI level series with big victory
The visiting skipper hit a 47-ball 85* after taking 2 wickets to help the Caribbean women level the 3-match T20 series
Pidilite, two others vie for Dulux maker
MUMBAI: The race for Akzo Nobel India Ltd has narrowed to Pidilite Industries Ltd, JSW Paints Pvt. Ltd and Indigo Paints Ltd, two people close to the development said, with a deal likely to value the maker of Dulux paints at $2.1-2.5 billion.
Market in oversold zone on FPI selling
Fall risk Apart from cash selling, Flls increased bearish bets on index futures by a whopping 16,060 contracts on Tuesday.
RBI's new leadership to retain anti-crypto stance, officials say
NEW DELHI: The change of guard at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is unlikely to change the central bank's position on private cryptocurrencies, two officials said.
TVS Electronics to expand electronics manufacturing
NEW DELHI: TVS Electronics plans to expand its electronics manufacturing services (EMS) division to bring it on par with its product and solutions division, senior executives from the Tumakuru, Karnataka-based company said.
