 |
| Johnson cuts India's progress |
From a comfortable position of 354/4, Aussies bounced back through late bursts of wickets and controversial umpisitng decisions to have a slender lead of 23 runs - Yes, India were bowled out for 405 runs. Mitchell Johnson hastened an abrupt India collapse on Sunday with his sixth test five-wicket haul to give Australia a 23-run first innings lead in the first test. India dominated the early proceedings with four batsmen registering half-centuries. Sachin Tendulkar (98) narrowly missed his 49th test hundred
 |
| Dravid found some form after a lull year |
India started off with a great fashion and the Wall of India was impeccable, as usual. Dravid seemed set for a big score. The previous series against Sri Lanka was a poor one for Dravid - he got 95 runs in five matches - and this was his first Test half-century since January. He had batted for almost half the day, nudging singles and punching boundaries in his watchful way, before the unexpected error ended his fourth-wicket stand of 79 with Tendulkar.
 |
| Sachin was at his usual best |
Tendulkar first started giving Australians nightmares in 1990-91 and almost 20 years later spent much of the third day introducing himself to some new wearers of baggy greens. At his best Tendulkar has buried Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, so in reality facing Johnson, Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Hauritz was a pretty comfortable assignment. He still made it a thing of beauty at times, particularly with his effortless pushes through cover and his range of sweeps. This is the eighth time Sachin Tendulkar has entered the nineties in a Test and not gone on to a century. It's also Tendulkar's 22nd fifty-plus score against Australia in 30 Tests. Only Herbert Sutcliffe (24) and Jack Hobbs (27) have more.
 |
| Raina drives fluently |
Raina, who entered at No.5 due to VVS Laxman's back problem, continued to impress in his third Test, adding to his previous scores of 120, 62 and 41 not out. Today, he crunched boundaries on the up through the offside, collecting 14 fours from 128 balls, including a glance to bring up his half-century.
I am not sure, if Sachin should have been ruled out LBW to North, since the ball hit the outer portion of the stumps, as per Hawk-eye. In the same vein, I am not sure, if a 3rd umpire should have been brought in for the dismissal of Dhoni. Clearly India is missing URDS. Aussies will not make any blunder in the 2nd innings, and knowing the batting strength of India, Ponting will not know went to declare. All said and done, the match is interstingly poised but heading for a draw.
No comments:
Post a Comment