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30-Dec-2014 07:40:00 GMT
Australia v India, 3rd Test, Melbourne

Third Test Draw, Australia Clinch Series

Melbourne: Australia drew the third test in Melbourne with India on Tuesday, sealing the four-match series 2-0. India were 174-6 after being set 384 to win.

Australia regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy after lost in 2013 in India.

Virat Kohli's aggression extended to the press briefings and became the biggest talking point of this match, Australia's Ryan Harris limited his to the playing field to end with a match haul of 6 for 110 to go with a crucial 88-ball 74 in the first innings to help the home team clinch the series 2-0 with a draw at the MCG.

The result means that India have lost six consecutive Test series outside Asia since 2011.

Ajinkya Rahane (48) and Kohli (54) resisted, similar to what they had done in the first innings with a record 262-run stand for the fourth wicket, for more than one session before Harris removed Kohli off the first ball after tea. The batsman flicked an innocuous length delivery straight to Joe Burns at square, thus putting to rest any chance of India pushing for a famous win.

Harris had earlier drawn first blood by removing Shikhar Dhawan on duck with an incoming delivery. Instead of Cheteshwar Pujara, India sent in the debutant KL Rahul at No 3 but for the second time the youngster fell to an ambitious shot, top-edging Mitchell Johnson to a running Shane Watson from the slips, while Josh Hazlewood prised out Murali Vijay to leave India 19 for 3 in second session.

Rahane, who looked in good touch during his three-hour long stay, lost his concentration with 15 overs remaining, handing a simple catch to Shaun Marsh at midwicket. MS Dhoni and Ashwin played out the tricky last hour of play, taking India to 174 for 6 before both captains agreed on a draw.

India, to their credit, were competitive in patches throughout this Test but lacked a combined team effort. Runs in both innings came from only Rahane and Kohli while for Australia, in-form skipper Steven Smith (192) was ably supported by Chris Rogers (57, 69), Brad Haddin (55), Harris (74) and a very crucial 99 from Marsh in the second innings.

With a lead of 326 overnight, Marsh moved from 62 to 99 before he was cruelly run out by a diving Kohli from mid-off, and thus came the declaration at 318 for 9.

Brief scores
Australia -
530 (Smith 192, Harris 74, Shami 4-138) and 318/9d (Marsh 99, Rogers 69)
India - 465 (Kohli 169, Rahane 147, Harris 4-70) and 174/6 (Kohli 54)
Result - Match drawn


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