Zeenews Bureau
Adelaide, Jan 27: India recovered well after losing their makeshift opener Irfan Pathan early for a duck in the second innings. One-drop batsman Rahul Dravid and Delhi dasher Virender Sehwag ensured that there were no further hiccups as India coasted to 45 for the loss of one wicket, at stumps on Day 4. Early in the day, the hosts stretched their first innings score to 563, to take a 37-run lead. The visitors have wiped of the deficit and now lead by 8 runs as the Adelaide Test, however, looks to be heading towards a draw.
The highlight so far of the Indian second innings was Brett Lee’s hostile 6 over spell, beating Sehwag’s bat on more than one occasion. He was however unlucky not to get a wicket. Sehwag, though a bit tentative early in the innings, cruised to 31, with one boundary and a huge resounding six of Symonds.
Rahul Dravid, on the other hand looks as solid as ever in his brief stay at the crease. He is on 11. Mitchell Johnson took Pathan’s wicket.
India will now be looking to bat out at least two sessions, if they want to avoid a defeat, while the Aussies have in all probabilities have batted themselves to safety in this Test.
Earlier, India managed to get some quick wickets but probably a couple of hours later than whole of India would have liked. Ishant Sharma and Irfan Pathan joined in to get rid off Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee respectively but not before Kangaroos went past India’s first innings total of 526 runs. Australia earlier were helped some poor bowling by Indian spinners who failed to make any impact on a fourth day Adelaide pitch.
Adam Gilchrist walked into round of applause as Indian players joined the Adelaide crowd to give ‘Church’ a standing ovation in what probably could turn out his final innings in Test match cricket. Gilchrist arrived after Michael Clarke edged an Ishant Sharma delivery only to see VVS Laxman take a diving catch in slips. Clarke departed after scoring a brilliant 118 runs. Clarke and Ponting ensured that Kangaroos were in safety zone after India scored a mammoth 500 plus score in first innings.
Gilchrist departed soon after scoring just 14 runs and walked back to standing ovation. Australia scored 506 runs for loss of six wickets when Gilly departed.
India finally managed to get the breakthrough they needed badly as Ricky Ponting played on to a Sehwag delivery on to his stumps. Michael Clarke on the other end stroked his way to a magnificent century. Clarke was the third centurion in the innings after Hayden and Ponting. Ponting’s dismissal saw Andrew Symonds come at the crease. Australia backed by some brilliant batting by Ponting & Clarke saw Australian total get past 450 runs.
Earlier, Kumble tried all the artillery in his armour but failed to get the breakthrough in the pre lunch session as Ponting and Clarke played a defiant innings. Ponting played an uncharacteristically cautious innings to keep the Indian bowlers guessing for the right length. Ponting was ably supported by Clarke on the other end by rotating the strike well and attacking on lose deliveries.
Even Virender Sehwag who was brought into attack by Kumble failed to get any breakthrough. Ponting and Clarke added over 184 runs partnership much to the frustration of Indian bowlers.
Trailing by over 200 runs Australia started the fourth day proceedings on a cautious note however skipper Ricky Ponting went on to complete a well compiled century. In process Michael Clarke also brought up his 9th Test match fifty.
Both batsmen were a bit careful to start with but took the attack once set. Ponting’s century is his fifth century against India. Its Ponting 34th century and an uncharacteristic knock as he laboured his way to the century when Australia needed it most.
Earlier on Day 3 Australian batsmen put their heads down to apply themselves on an uneven wicket and ensured their team to a relatively safe position at the end of Day 3. The day belonged to Matthew Hayden who went past Sir Donald Bradman’s record of 29th Test century in style before he got out on 103. There after it was a cautious approach by Ricky Ponting, who guided his team to 322/3 at stumps. Australia now trail by 204 runs.
Ponting, in process, completed his half century while Michael Clarke ably supported his skipper. Both rotated strikes well and survived some close appeal but ensured India spinners did not gain momentum. For India Ishant Sharma was the pick of the bowler as RP Singh was ruled out due to injury. Ishant bowled a beauty of a delivery to dismiss Hayden the best batsmen for Australia so far.
Ricky Ponting facing Ishant Sharma was probably a contest which can easily be described as contest of the tour. Ishant Sharma bowled his heart out to keep skipper Ponting guessing with reverse swing. Sharma was unlucky as few very close LBW appeals did not go his way. Ponting crafted a laboured 50 nudging a single. With score reading 280/3 Kangaroos still trail by 255 runs.
Irfan Pathan who was man of the match in India’s historic victory at Perth gave India the much needed breakthrough as he rattled Mike Hussey’s defence to give India the third wicket at total score of 241. However Pathan had to wait till 18th over before he got a wicket. Hussey’s dismissal has brought in Vice Captain Michael Clarke at the crease to join skipper Ponting.
Propelled by Hayden’s magnificent 30th ton Australia scored 225/2 when players left the field for tea break. Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey were at the crease making sure Australia continued the momentum after a solid starts by the two openers. For India it was Ishant Sharma who was bowling superbly getting the old ball to reverse swing. Sharma was rewarded with the prized wicket of Mathew Hayden.
Earlier, Matthew Hayden was shown the door to the pavilion by 19-year old Ishant Sharma after the youngster rattled the hard-hitting opener’s stumps for a superb 103. Australia lost their second wicket in the form of the left handed opener. Mike Hussey joined skipper Ponting at the crease.
India managed to get the vital breakthrough as Anil Kumble dislodged well set batsman Phil Jacques just after lunch. Jacques was bowled by Kumble after scoring valuable sixty runs. Australia scored 159 runs before losing the first wicket. However it was Hayden who was going strong as he approached towards his century. Ricky Ponting joined Hayden after the fall of wicket.
Mark Taylor once famously chose to declare when he was on 333 against Pakistan as mark of respect to the legendary Sir Donald Bradman. Taylor did not wanted his name to replace the place which belonged to Sir Bradman. Probably similar thoughts would have crossed Hayden as he approached his 30th century at Adelaide the ‘Oval’, home ground of Sir Donald Bradman. Morning session belonged to Hayden as tormented Indian bowlers comprising world’s cricket two best spinners on a turning wicket. Hayden raced to his century facing just 180 balls.
A defiant stand by Mathew Hayden and Phil Jacques saw Kangaroos make solid start in opening session of Day 3 at Adelaide ‘The Oval’. Both batsmen kept Indian bowlers at bay with their careful shot selection. Hayden in particular was the man leading the charge scoring 86 not out on an uneven getting pitch. Australia scored 158 for no loss when lunch was taken by Umpires Billy Bowden and Asad Rauf.
Mathew Hayden played the sedate innings as he completed a well compiled fifty bringing his half century facing 102 balls. A cut shot from the back foot brought Hayden’s fifty as Australia managed to get past 100 runs without losing a wicket.
Both openers Matthew Hayden and Phil Jacques kicked off the home team’s reply to the mammoth Indian total on a positive note as the pair added up 50 quick runs. They ensured that the Indian seamers did not get early breakthroughs as they defended the tearing fast deliveries with panache and punished the loose ones. The day ended with great batting performances by Tendulkar, Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
