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Cricket News: WTC Final 2023 day 4 talking points: Was Gill out or not out? | Cameron Green catch sparks great debate on day 4

The fourth day of the game started with Australia having a big lead of 296 runs. Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed early in the day, but Cameron Green, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc played handy knocks to help Australia post a target of 444 for India

India started off well, but lost their top three for less than 100 runs. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have steadily built a good-looking partnership. On a pitch that is still tricky but does seem better for batting, India will need 280 runs to win the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23.

3 talking points from day 4 of the WTC 2023 Final

On that note, let us take a look at three talking points from Day 4 of the WTC Final.

1. Alex Carey quietly chips in with another potentially match-winning knock

In a side with two Test batting greats who average close to 60 in the format, Alex Carey never really makes it to the headlines. The 31-year old, however, has silently played two absolute gems in both the innings this game. In the first innings, he missed out on a half-century by just two runs. Unsurprisingly, his knock was overshadowed by the tons that Travis Head and Steve Smith scored. Even though he did not get a very big score to his name, Australia managed to add a lot more runs to their total than what they would have if Carey failed to stay at the crease for a while.

In the second innings, the wicketkeeper-batsman topped the scoring charts for Australia, 25 more than next-best Marnus Labuschagne. Much like how Head took the counterattacking route to bail Australia out of a pressure situation earlier in the game, Carey operated in similar fashion.

With Australia in a potentially tricky situation , Carey remained positive. He did not slow down Cameron Green’s wicket either, scoring two marvelous boundaries the very next over off Mohammed Siraj’s bowling. Although he was supported well by Starc at the other end, his positive intent is what kept the scoreboard ticking.

2. Mitchell Starc shines with the bat, but not so much with the ball

Mitchell Starc is one player who would have had mixed feelings at the end of the day. With the bat, he played second fiddle to Carey in the brilliant 93-run stand. Without slogging blindly, he scored a brilliant 41 off just 57 balls.

However, he was massively disappointing with the ball. The left-arm pacer went for 13 runs off his first over, and a total of 26 in his first three. He bowled one good ball once in a while and then followed it up with a number of ordinary ones.

Starc was unable to build pressure, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli benefitting. Both were strong against deliveries pitched too straight, of which there were many from the left-arm quick.

3. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane untroubled aiming to pull off something historic after controversial catch

Cameron Green’s catch (or no catch) was the big talking point of the day. Richard Kettleborough’s decision to give Shubman Gill out sparked debate, with many believing the ball snuck between Green’s fingers to take some of the turf as he completed the catch. It brought to an end a very promising opening stand, where Gill and Rohit began positively.

However, India’s lack of partnerships hurt them early. The Indian skipper was dismissed in Nathan Lyon’s first over trying to sweep, while Cheteshwar Pujara guided one to the wicketkeeper attempting a ramp shot on a shorter delivery.

India would have certainly felt those two wickets were avoidable. But, there was never a lack of intent from the Indian batters. With 280 needed off the last day, Australia are still ahead in the game needing just 7 wickets to win. However, Virat Kohli has looked very comfortable ever since he walked out to bat. Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a magnificent 89 in the first innings, has also looked at ease.

A few of Kohli’s boundaries have come because of the immaculate use of those wrists. Chasing a mammoth total on a fifth day pitch, India could not have asked for a better pair to begin proceedings with on the last day: an in-form Rahane and a well-set Kohli.

The pair brought India out of trouble with an unbeaten partnership of 71 runs, but their job is not done yet. On Day 5, this very experienced duo would look to carry their form forward as India look to chase what would be the highest total that has ever been chased in Test history.