At the end of the day two of the third Test between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne), Australian opening batsman Aaron Finch feels the MCG pitch is deteriorating rapidly than they thought and all the three results are possible at present.

India had the slow-moving first innings as they scored 443/7 in 169.4 overs before their declaration. In reply, Australia was batting on 8/0 at the end of day two.

Talking about the wicket, Finch said, “This wicket is probably deteriorating more than we thought it would. Even tonight it was skidding through, there were a couple that took off. So, it’s still game on if we bowl well and put India under pressure (in the second innings). I think all three results are still on the table, 100 per cent, India (victory), Australia (victory) and a draw.”

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Finch added that it is not the traditional Australian wickets as the track is allowing to sticking all the day with the three slips and a gully.

The Aussie opening batsman added, “It’s not your traditional Australian wicket where you have three slips and a gully all day and you bang away, and the ball seams and carries like we saw in Perth. There, a lot of dismissals were behind the wicket. On such pitches, I think you’ve just got to adapt your gameplan and regardless of what the wicket is, you’ve got to be good enough to adapt and change your plans and execute on the day.”

Australian pacer Pat Cummins fought very hard on both the days with the ball in hand. At the end of India’s first innings of this Test match, Cummins had the bowling figure of 34-10-72-3.

Finch said about Cummins, “I think Patty Cummins was 34 overs for the innings and then to strap the pads on to be night-watchman is a pretty brave effort. I think the way that Pat keeps fronting up and coming back is a real testament to his fitness. He probably didn’t get the rewards he deserved in the first two Tests, but you’ve heard every coach say it, you can bowl a lot worse and get a lot more wickets.”

Cummins was the only wicket-taker on the day one as he dismissed both the visiting openers Hanuma Vihari and debutant Mayank Agarwal. On day two, the right-arm pacer dismissed the centurion Cheteshwar Pujara.

Finch added on Cummins, “I’m sure his rewards will come. There’s pace, there’s bounce, when there’s not a lot happening he seems to be the guy who can make something out of nothing. Touchwood that continues for a long time. He’s a super player, talent with the bat, with the ball, in the field, although he dropped one today that’s beside the point. He’s just a super package as a cricketer and an even better bloke as well.”

In further, Finch praised the whole Australian bowling unit while he feels that the pace-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Marsh’s addition in the squad has become a crucial decision for their way.

Finch said, “It was a long stint. I think having Mitch Marsh there was a real crucial part of that bowling attack, the way he controlled the run rate as well. The amount of work the guys did bowling to plans it would’ve been easy particularly in that second session today to let the game really get away from us. Before you know it they’re 450-500 just after tea and it’s a tough way back into the game then.

“The way they were grinding away and rolled up their sleeves and did the hard work was outstanding. Obviously, they’re tired, no doubt.”

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While Cheteshwar Pujara and the Indian skipper Virat Kohli had the 170-run partnership for the third wicket, Finch feels that they had the good opportunity to make a comeback in that innings when both the set batsmen were dismissed in quick moments.

Finch said, “After Kohli and Pujara fell, I think their plans changed a bit. They were 300-odd for five wickets down and I think we sniffed an opportunity. Their middle order played well, and it is still well and truly game on. I wasn’t surprised at all especially with us having been in the field for two days. It was attraction of having us at two-down overnight and it is really positive, and I thought most teams in their position would have done the same thing.”