India and Australia
IND vs AUS: The third Test match between India and Australia started from 14 December in Brisbane, Gabba. However, on the first day both the teams had to return disappointed from the field. India won the toss and decided to bowl but the opening pair of Usman Khawaja and young Nathan McSweeney could not score much after opening the Australian innings. Usman Khawaja and young Nathan McSweeney used good defensive technique to handle Jasprit Bumrah’s first spell but only 13.2 overs could be bowled due to rain on the first day of the third Test. In this way, the Australian team had scored 28 runs on the scoreboard against India without any loss. Khawaja returned unbeaten after scoring 19 runs in 47 balls and McSweeney returned unbeaten after scoring four runs in 33 balls. No play could be played after the first session due to bad weather. Because of this Australia suffered huge losses.
Fans’ fun got spoiled
Actually, only 13.2 overs could be played on the first day. That means the fans had to return disappointed. In such a situation, Cricket Australia suffered a huge loss of one million Australian dollars i.e. approximately 5 crore Indian rupees. Cricket Australia (CA) informed that the full amount of tickets purchased for Saturday will be refunded, because only less than 15 overs could be played on the first day. The spectators soon left the field due to a long rain break.
CA suffered a loss of Rs 5 crore
As per CA’s policy, ticket holders are given a full refund if less than 15 overs are bowled during a day’s play. This means that if 10 more balls had been bowled, Cricket Australia would not have had to refund more than AU$1 million. Cricket Australia said 30,145 fans would get a full refund as less than 15 overs of play were completed. The governing body of cricket in the country has insurance to cover losses caused by bad weather.
It is noteworthy that the Meteorological Department has predicted rain in the Gaba Test for the next four days also. This could create a big threat of cancellation on the third test. Both the teams are currently tied at 1-1 in the 5-match Test series. After the first day of the Gabba Test was washed out in rain, now at least 98 overs will be bowled every day in the third Test.
(Inputs- PTI)
