IND vs AUS: ‘It’s Pat’s team now’, says Steve Smith | Cricket News – Times of India

<p>Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne held their nerve on a viciously turning Indore pitch to guide Australia to a nine-wicket victory. <br /></p>

<p>Indore Test win is only Australia’s second Test victory in India since 2004.<br /></p>

<p>After Australia were thrashed in the first two Tests inside three days, the series now stands at 2-1 to the hosts with one match remaining.<br /></p>

<p>Labuschagne finished on 28 not out and Head on 49, having lost opener Usman Khawaja to only the second ball of the day.<br /></p>

<p>The dogged victory secured Australia a berth in the ICC World Test Championship final in June at The Oval. <br /></p>

<p>India will be sure of their place in the final if they win the fourth Test in Ahmedabad.<br /></p>

<p>In a low-scoring and frenetic encounter, Australia skittled India for 109 on day one with spinner Matthew Kuhnemann claiming five wickets.<br /></p>

<p>In reply Australia made a solid start before collapsing to 197 all out before lunch on day two, their last six wickets tumbling for just 11 runs.<br /></p>

<p>Eight wickets for spinner Nathan Lyon saw India bundled out for 163 in their second innings, setting up a victory target of 76.<br /></p>

<p>Chasing 76, Australia lost Usman Khawaja early. Khawaja edged R Ashwin to keeper Srikar Bharat for a duck.<br /></p>

<p>After 45 minutes, Labuschagne and Head changed gears. Head launched Ashwin for a six over mid-on and the next over drilled Ravindra Jadeja down the ground for a four as the shackles came off.<br /></p>

<p>Labuschagne too got in the act, hitting Jadeja for a four and dismissing a short Ashwin delivery on a half-volley for four more to bring a rare Australia win in India in view.<br /></p>

<p>Not for the first time, Nathan Lyon tore the heart out of the Indian batting line-up earning his second-best Test figures in the process. </p>

<p>Lyon took 8/64 in India’s second innings to turn the match on its head on Day 2.</p>

<p>The tumultuous Test match fell on Lyon’s well-weathered fingers to bail Australia out. </p>

<p>Lyon found that perfect length for the pitch, bowled attacking lines and bagged the wicket if one slightly turned or went with the arm. </p>

<p>The perfect example on Day Two of the Indore Test was the dismissal of India’s wicketkeeper KS Bharat. </p>

<p>The ball ripped one straight through the batter’s defences by getting him to play the wrong line while thinking about possible turn. </p>

<p>Lyon bowled around the stumps, again relentlessly, for a majority of his spell, and let helpful pitches like the one at the Holkar Stadium do the rest.</p>

<p>Lyon’s bowling is a perfect reflection of the fact that he doesn’t quite fit the ‘flashy genius’ mould of some past Aussie spinning greats. </p>

<p>Lyon found in Smith an old and able ally as a pro-active captain who kept things interesting with restrictive fields and men in catching positions to slowly strangle India. </p>

<p>Lyon’s deeds in the sub-continent speak for themselves and in essence, the off-spinner is all about persistence. </p>