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Jasprit Bumrah picked his third fifer in Australia with the biggest wicket — Travis Head.
Jasprit Bumrah celebrates at the Gabba.
After hours and hours of drudgery, Jasprit Bumrah finally managed to get Travis Head edge one behind for a catch to complete a stunning five-wicket haul in the Gabba Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Head finished at 152 off 160 balls, after putting Australia in a comfortable cradle of over 300 runs in the first innings.
The wicket came with the second new red cherry, on the fifth ball of the 87th over. It was a full delivery outside off, luring the cover drive. Head, perhaps losing a bit of concentration, made some room and went after it half-heartedly. His one hand came off and the ball took a thick edge to Rishabh Pant’s chest and the wicketkeeper made no mistake, reverse-cupping it confidently.
Bumrah held his arms aloft in relief more than celebration. Watch a video of the wicket here:
This was the third wicket of Bumrah’s extraordinary spell late in the day. He first took out Steve Smith for 101 (190) to break his and Head’s 241-run stand and then made Mitchell Marsh edge one to slips earlier in the 87th over. It was yet another example of India’s vice-captain carrying the inexperienced bowling lineup entirely on his shoulders.
Head’s wicket was Bumrah’s 17th in the series and took his bowling average to 11.52. All other Indian bowlers have combined to take 19 wickets at 41.68.
Still, it was one of the best innings against India. It was Head’s second 150+ score against the Men in Blue, making him only the second Australian after Allan Border to do so. In a way, his batting contributions in the series — 392 runs at an average of 98, when the second best, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has 185 runs — have been like Bumrah with the ball.
Head’s knock allowed Smith to play at his pace on the other end, with the number four batter surviving a couple of drops and many half chances on the way to his first century of the series. After their wickets, Australia crossed 350 in the 92nd over with Alex Carey and Pat Cummins at the crease and one hour’s play left in the day.
