All eyes on MCG as India, Oz share honours in Gabba Test

Series remains locked at 1-1 after persistent rain forces third clash at Brisbane to end in a draw

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

India and Australia will head to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test with the five-match Border-Gavaskar series squared at one-all after heavy Brisbane rain swept away any chance of a result on the final day of the third Test at the Gabba.

Resuming at their overnight score of 252-9, India added another eight to their total before Travis Head had Akash Deep stumped for 31. Deep's knock was crucial from India's point of view given that it denied the Australians to enforce a follow-on after the visitors' top order faltered.

With the constant and lengthy rain delays that had marred this match continuing throughout day five, the chances of an outcome seemed bleak, but despite that Australia, with a handy 185-run first innings lead, came out to bat for a second time, just after lunch and motored to 89 for 7 in 18 overs, to post a target of 274 from a maximum of 54 overs possible in the day.