07:28

If ever one individual didn’t deserve to be on the losing side in a Test match it is Pat Cummins here at the MCG. India continued their procession towards a series lead and a comprehensive Boxing Day Test victory but Australia’s inevitable defeat would be an awful lot more embarrassing were it not for the New South Welshman.

In the morning session he picked up two wickets to take his innings haul to six and secure career best figures of 6/27. That helped stall India’s declaration batting which concluded on 106-8, a lead of 398.

Once again Australia’s top order crumbled in the face of some good Indian bowling. And once again the majority of dismissals were self-inflicted. Aaron Finch and Mitch Marsh in particular can consider themselves lucky to still be in the side if they appear in Sydney.

However, despite wickets falling at regular intervals with the first new ball, partnerships began to knit together as the day wore on. The tail wagged confidently in the evening gloom with Cummins and Mitchell Starc putting on 39 before Nathan Lyon helped guide Australia to the close despite India receiving an extra half-hour in which to wrap up the contest.

Cummins’s heroics mean Australia live to fight another day. Rain is forecast in Melbourne tomorrow, but by no means at the level Australian supporters would require to witness a draw snatched from the jaws of defeat. With Cummins in this form the remaining 141 runs for victory may yet be a more realistic escape route.

To find out how everything unfolds Geoff, Adam, and I will be on hand as usual. Until then, thank you for your company.