Allan Border Questions Tim Paine's Call To Bat On In 4th Test

Allan Border has questioned the call to bat on after tea break on the fourth day of the final test with the series hanging on the line and with the rain forecast on the final day. He felt that Australia have missed a good chance to win the series by declaring at the tea and he expressed his displeasure by stating “We left it a little later than I would’ve done, given the circumstances”. he told to Fox Sports.

Allan Border Criticizes Tim Paine For His Tactics Against India

Allan Border also added that “I can’t remember ever delaying a declaration where we didn’t win the game, so if Australia go on and win the game tomorrow you can’t criticize at all.” Australia were at a lead of 278 during the tea break and the highest run chase at the Gabba in the fourth innings is 236 by the Hosts against West Indies in 1951.

Former Australian veteran Adam Gilchrist had a different theory to Allan Border stating that “I can only assume they tried to prepare as if there wasn’t going to be rain,”. He also added “It might’ve been a little naive (given the bleak forecast) but 120 overs to chase 320 (on day five), that’s not off the table … so I guess they factored that in.” Gilchrist told Fox Sports.

Weather Might Spoil Australia’s Chances

The weather had affected the fourth day’s play as stumps were taken early and Australia will be hoping that they don’t lose any more overs due to rain further on the fifth day. There are possibilities of rain at the afternoon session on the final day according to the weather forecast and India just needs to make sure they don’t lose all their ten wickets which will be enough to retain the trophy.

India has been set a target of 328 in the fourth innings and Australia needs to take ten wickets on the last day to win the series. It will be a record chase at the ground if India manages to pull it off and you could never predict with the way the teams have played in this series particularly. India have shown a lot of grit even with their match winners and senior players not available and they deserve to retain the trophy.