Australia vs India: Third Test in Brisbane drawn after rain

This result was always likely with only 131.2 overs possible across the first three days – even more so when India’s last-wicket pair of Bumrah and Akash Deep dramatically avoided the follow-on late on day four.

India’s innings was finally ended when Deep was stumped off Travis Head for 31 five overs into the final day, but no play further play was possible before lunch because of rain and the threat of lightning.

There was brief hope of something spectacular when the players returned in sunshine.

Australia’s second innings lasted only 18 overs but it was enough for both sides to leave Queensland with claims to the upper hand in a series that is living up to the hype.

Australia largely dominated the first four days after levelling the series in Adelaide but were not out of danger when Steve Smith was the fifth wicket to fall with the lead only 218.

Earlier, Bumrah bowled Usman Khawaja for eight and had a slashing Marnus Labuschagne caught behind for one. He is now India’s highest wicket-taker in Australia with 53 in 10 Tests, 21 of which have come in this series.

Labuschagne, meanwhile, has made 18 runs in four innings either side of a 64 in the second Test.

Opener Nathan McSweeney’s tricky start to international cricket continued when he offered an under edge off Deep for four. The seamer also had Mitchell Marsh, promoted to number four to help boost the scoring rate, caught behind for two.

Smith was caught down the leg side for the second time in the series, but the contribution of Cummins, Alex Carey’s 20 not out and 17 from Travis Head probably put Australia into the ascendancy on a lively pitch, albeit in unconvincing fashion.

More concerning for Australia was the sight of Head, whose first-innings 152 came after 140 in Adelaide, struggling with an apparent groin issue.

He did not field during the 13 balls possible in the India innings but later played down any injury concerns.