Zeenews Bureau
Adelaide, Jan 24: India put up a good show on the first day of the final Test at Adelaide as Sachin Tendulkar carved an immaculate century to put the Indian line-up on an elevated platform against the charged up Australian squad. He was supported well in the batting department with Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman scoring half-centuries. India registered 309 runs for the loss of five wickets at the end of first day’s play with Sachin and Dhoni occupying the crease.
Brett lee was among the pick of the bowlers as he took two crucial wickets and maintained a good line and length throughout the day.
Prior to this, Australia pace machine Brett Lee had got the home team a crucial breakthrough as he claimed VVS Laxman. The batsman was done in by a shorter delivery on the middle and off stump that came into the right hander with a steep bounce. Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist plucked a brilliant cherry into his gloves as the Indian scorecard read 282 runs for the loss of five wickets.
India’s master batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday slammed his 39th Test hundred that put India in the driver’s seat. He was given solid support from the forever elegant VVS Laxman who also crafted a fine half-century. The Australian bowlers could not break through the defence of the two experienced campaigners, creating a nice platform for the other batsmen to come.
The duo of Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman held fort for India at tea time. They helped India reach a total of 187 runs for the loss of four wickets. Tendulkar remained unbeaten after slamming another half-century. The session came up with a mixed bag of action for both the teams as 98 runs were scored with the loss of two wickets from the second session.
Australia tweaker Brad Hogg spun a vicious web of spin around southpaw Sourav Ganguly and got him out LBW to a delivery that was aimed at the middle and off stump. He made seven runs as India were 156 runs for the loss of four wickets. VVS Laxman was the new batsman on the crease to give support to Sachin Tendulkar. Ganguly left the crease after a bit of hesitation as he thought of getting the benefit of the doubt as he was a long way forward.
Pace spearhead Brett Lee announced his arrival with a thump as he claimed the wicket of the ominous looking Virender Sehwag. The batsman edged a back of a length, sharply angling into the right hander to 1st slip where Hayden took an easy catch. He departed after scoring 63 runs as Sourav Ganguly walked in to occupy the crease at the dismissal.
Prior to this, the experienced duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag had powered India past 100 runs in the early phase of the post lunch session. The first day of the final Test match against Australia at Adelaide saw an inspired innings by the Delhi batsman and he was aptly supported by Tendulkar who hit a plethora of boundaries himself.
Sehwag made his presence felt early on in the Indian innings as he played the role of the anchor batsman, slamming a brilliant half-century. The endeavour was marked with an array of boundaries which flew effortlessly from his willow, giving a glimpse of the batsman he is known to be. India were 89 runs for the loss of two wickets at lunch with Sachin Tendulkar giving company to the Delhi blaster.
Australia seamer Mitchell Johnson had struck for the second time in his first spell as he got the prized wicket of Rahul Dravid. The batsman edged a good length delivery on the off which flew into the hands of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting standing on 2nd slip.
Johnson drew first blood for his team as he claimed the wicket of Irfan Pathan early on in the session. The batsman scored nine runs before he edged a delivery into the hands of the wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.
India skipper Anil Kumble won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia. There were two major changes in the Indian team composition as opener Wasim Jaffer was left out as Harbhajan Singh was included in his place. The second major change was the appointment of Irfan Pathan as the opener.
This was the first occasion Pathan had been bestowed with such a responsibility and the Baroda player looked all set to start a new chapter in his cricketing career.
The Australian team made two changes in their line-up as opener Matthew Hayden was back after being declared fit and chinaman bowler Brad Hogg came in as local lad Shaun Tait was left out.
