A DRAW was played out over five days play in Brisbane, with rain marring Australia’s effort to pull ahead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The teams go into the sold-out first day of the Boxing Day test each with a game in hand after India took the first test in Perth, and Australia hit back in Adelaide.

Bad light and heavy rain dampened the prospect of being able to produce any result but a draw, with Australian batter Travis Head (152 off 160) taking out the Player of the Match honours for his crucial first innings knock.

His 241-run partnership with Steve Smith (101 off 190) on day two was the highlight for the Australians, with their contributions helping the home side to their 445-run total.

Gloveman Alex Carey (70 off 88) and captain Pat Cummins (20 off 33), also added their fair share of runs to get their team into what could have been a winning position.

The key wicket-taker for India across the test was bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who managed six wickets in the first innings, with scalps such as Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Smith, Head, Mitch Marsh and Mitchell Starc.

Cummins and Starc were the pick of the bowlers in this innings for Australia, with Josh Hazelwood out of what could be the remainder of the series with a calf strain. They took four and three wickets respectively, with Hazelwood, Nathan Lyon and Head contributing one each.

India avoided the follow-on on day four with KL Rahul (84 off 139) and Ravindra Jadeja (77 off 123), providing resistance to get their side to 260 runs in their first dig. They were able to take advantage of the Hazelwood-less attack with the other bowlers from the home side tiring.

With only 25 overs played on a rain-affected final day, there was a lot of play packed in. Australia had the desire to push for a result, however their aggression cost them dearly.

Only Head (17), Carey (20 not out) and Cummins were able to make more than 10 runs each, with Australia declaring seven wickets down with just 89 runs made in their second batting innings. Bumrah was the leading wicket-taker for India again with three, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep each took two of their own.

India had to chase 274 in the final innings to take the test, however the weather once again spoiled the party. The match was declared a draw after the visitors made eight runs before play was stopped.

Head should be fit for Melbourne, declaring he was okay during the post-game ceremony after appearing ginger during the final day of play, however Hazelwood will be out for the next test at least.

Ravichandran Ashwin announced his immediate retirement from international cricket during the post-match press conference. He was not selected in Perth or Brisbane but featured in Adelaide where he took one wicket.