Preamble
Welcome to Brisbane, or Mianjin, specifically to the famous cricket ground in Woolloongabba just south of the river that twists and writhes like a great snake out towards the coast. It’s time for the Guardian over-by-over once more, with the fourth and final Test between Australia and India upon us. The Gabba ground is usually host to the first match of the summer, but in a viral age that was all turned upside down.
The series sits at 1-1. Meaning, obviously enough, that whichever side wins here will win the series and the Border-Gavaskar trophy. If it’s a draw, India will retain the trophy as the current holders.
We’re got a couple of sore and sorry teams coming into this game, with the Indians a bit more sore and the Australians a bit more sorry. More on that as we discuss the XIs as they come to hand. The toss will be in 20 minutes, play will start in 50. En garde.