Former Australian national cricket team Ricky Ponting has given his predictions for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He said it would be a close contest, but the Pat Cummins-led side would likely win the match at the Gabba in Brisbane.
After the two exciting matches, India and Australia are all set to take on each other in the third match of the series. The match kicks off on Saturday (December 14) at the Gabba in Brisbane, and is expected to be an exciting contest, especially with the way things ended in both matches.
The Australian national cricket team has an impressive record at the Gabba in Brisbane. Between 1989 and 2020, the home side went unbeaten in Brisbane in 31 Test matches, but it was India that broke through the fort and won the match in 2021. They then lost to the West Indies at the same venue earlier this year.
In the ongoing series, India won the first match by a huge margin of 295 runs in Perth, but Australia made a strong comeback. The Pat Cummins-led team won the pink-ball Test match in Adelaide by 10 wickets and ensured the series was tied.
It’s really hard to say what to expect after the way the first two matches have gone – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting, reviewing the Brisbane match, said it was difficult to predict what would be on offer because of the way the first two matches had gone. While backing Australia to win, he said the team that wins the toss at the Gabba will bat first and then wait for the wicket to do things. He explained in his speech to the International Criminal Court:
“It’s really hard to say what to expect after the way the first two games went. I mean they were just complete blowouts both times. So you don’t really know what to expect. I have a feeling the competition will be a little more even than the first two games. I still think “Australia will win.”
“Generally speaking, the team that wins the toss in Brisbane will bat first and try to bat well on the first two days and then wait until the wickets start offering more to the bowlers later in the match. That’s generally how teams play there.”
India have little to think about – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting, while talking about the combination for both teams, claimed that India will have to think about the combination between them. While providing information about the wicket at the Gabba, he explained:
“Australia, if (Josh) Hazlewood isn’t fit, it won’t change. India have a little bit to think about. Who do I think will dominate there? Look, the pitch will probably be bowler-friendly again in the first two days of the match.”
“There’s usually eight or 10mm of grass on those wickets at the Gabba. If it’s cloudy and overcast, the bowlers will be licking their lips early in the match and the batsmen will have to work hard for their runs.”
I will back Australia to win the Gabba – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting, while predicting the match, highlighted Australia’s record at the Gabba and backed them to win the match.
“I will back the last form there. India have a good record. Through history, I think Australia have only lost twice there in about 40 years. So, I will back Australia to win the Gabba.”
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