[Watch] Australian seamer switches the bails before Nathan Lyon strikes on Day 3 of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc was seen switching the bails during the third day of the ongoing fourth Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test in Melbourne. As expected, the trick worked in favor of the hosts, and they were successful in picking up a wicket on the next ball.

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon struck as the bail-swapping trick paid off, dismissing Ravindra Jadeja on the penultimate delivery of the 65th over. He trapped the Indian all-rounder in front, who was eventually adjudged lbw after challenging the on-field call and opting for the review.

The bail-switching seems to have become a ritual that players from both Australia and India have been seen using throughout the series. Indian seamer Mohammed Siraj had switched the bails in the previous Test as all-rounder Nitish Reddy then went on to pick up a wicket.

A video of the same showing Starc switching the bails, followed by Lyon getting the wicket of Jadeja was posted by Star Sports on X (formerly Twitter) almost immediately after the incident and can be seen below -

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Australia dominate proceedings on day three before India fightback

Having picked up five wickets before the close of play on the second day of the ongoing Melbourne Test, Australia had their nose ahead coming into the third day.

They began by continuing to dominate with the ball, picking up the key wickets of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. Pant was dismissed for just 28 runs by Scott Boland while Lyon got the better of Jadeja for 17. India were in further trouble at 221/7.

However, all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar joined forces to lead India's fightback against Australia on Day 3. At the time of writing, the duo have already put together an impressive unbeaten 118-run stand, taking the total to 339/7 after 106 overs.

Nitish Reddy, batting unbeaten on 89, is closing in on what could be a historic ton in Australia, while Sundar (49*) has supported him well from the other end with the bat.