Dramatic
events entertained an appreciative MCG crowd on day 3 in which as many
as 15 wickets fell, leaving the match poised on a knife’s edge. After
Australia made light work of the Indian middle and lower order, two
veterans held forte for them as Indian seamers rattled the home side’s
top order with incisive new ball bowling.
India’s expectations of getting first innings’ lead were dashed in the very first over of the day when Hilfenhaus shattered Dravid’s off stump with a lovely away swinger. He did not add to his overnight score of 68. It was an uncharacteristically struggling innings from the veteran. Half the batting side was gone at 221 when Siddle accounted for VVS Laxman whose snick was superbly taken by Haddin.
Virat Kohli and Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the last recognised pair, and they had a job to do. But soon similar fate was waiting for Kohli, who gave Hilfenhaus his 3rd scalp on come back. New ball was taken and he had his 4th wicket when Dhoni tamely edged to gully. When Ishant fell to him, it was his first 5-fer in Test and he smiled broadly to acknowledge the crowd.
Rapid end to Indian innings was completed when Siddle accounted for Ashwin who made entertaining 31 with 3 furs and a six over keeper’s head off Pattinson. Indians were all out for 282, giving a vital 51 run lead to Australia. There last 8 wickets fell for just 68 runs as Hilfenhaus sparkled with 5 for 75.
Zaheer and Yadav started brilliantly for India. Their movement and aggressive body language rattle Australian top order as they were reduced to 27 for 4. It was a scenario which Indians dearly needed after failing to post a decent first innings total. At 13 for no loss after a patient start, Yadav got two in one over to put the cat among pigeons for Australia. After Warner played on a harmless-looking ball, Cowan paddled needlessly a ball that straightened after pitching. Although replays showed the ball would have missed the off stump, Cowan should curse more his indecision rather than umpiring on this occasion.
Yadav then repeated the dose to Shaun Marsh who perished in the same way to Warner, ending his come back Test in misery. Ishant, who had bowled well only in patches in the first innings, accounted for Captain Michael Clarke. He produced a beauty that moved in and crashed into the stumps taking a faint edge along the way. Australians were looking at the barrel as two veterans, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey came together.
Hussey started nervously with an edged four but then gained some confidence with a pull off Yadav for four two balls later. Ponting was cautious but Hussey continued to find boundaries and tick the score along as lead grew past 100. They continued their vital partnership after the Tea break and contributed 115 runs for the 5th wicket, bringing their team back into contention once again. Zaheer was introduced by Dhoni and the moves reaped immediate rewards. Ponting was held at gully by Sehwag as he poked at a fuller wider delivery giving Indians a crucial opening. He made an exact 60.
Zaheer then removed Haddin cheaply but India crucially dropped Hussey just before close of play. Ever reliable Dravid failed to hold on to a simple slip catch off Ashwin who had done well to draw Hussey forward. As Hussey held forte on 79 not out, Siddle and Lyon departed leaving Australia at 179 for 8 at Stumps. Yadav again was among wickets, taking 4 for 49.
An over all lead of 230 runs with 2 wickets remaining means the match is still up for grabs. If Australia could extend the lead to 270 and beyond they would become favourites for a remarkable win. On the other hand India would relish chasing any thing around 250 on a wicket which has variable bounce and some seam movement.
Another intriguing Test cricket battle awaits us on the fourth day, which might turn out to be the last one.
Summarised Scores:
Australia 179/8 (Hussey 79*, Ponting 60; Yadav 4/49) and 333 (Cowan 68, Ponting 62; Zaheer 4/77, Yadav 3/106) lead India 282 (Tendulkar73, Dravid 68; Hilfenhaus 5/75, Siddle 3/63) by 230 runs with 2 wickets remaining
Heroes of the Day: Umesh Yadav, Michael Hussey
Flop of the Day: Michael Clarke
Disappointment of the Day: Rahul Dravid
Match Report – 1st Test: Day 3, Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 26-30 December 2011
India’s expectations of getting first innings’ lead were dashed in the very first over of the day when Hilfenhaus shattered Dravid’s off stump with a lovely away swinger. He did not add to his overnight score of 68. It was an uncharacteristically struggling innings from the veteran. Half the batting side was gone at 221 when Siddle accounted for VVS Laxman whose snick was superbly taken by Haddin.
Virat Kohli and Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the last recognised pair, and they had a job to do. But soon similar fate was waiting for Kohli, who gave Hilfenhaus his 3rd scalp on come back. New ball was taken and he had his 4th wicket when Dhoni tamely edged to gully. When Ishant fell to him, it was his first 5-fer in Test and he smiled broadly to acknowledge the crowd.
Rapid end to Indian innings was completed when Siddle accounted for Ashwin who made entertaining 31 with 3 furs and a six over keeper’s head off Pattinson. Indians were all out for 282, giving a vital 51 run lead to Australia. There last 8 wickets fell for just 68 runs as Hilfenhaus sparkled with 5 for 75.
Zaheer and Yadav started brilliantly for India. Their movement and aggressive body language rattle Australian top order as they were reduced to 27 for 4. It was a scenario which Indians dearly needed after failing to post a decent first innings total. At 13 for no loss after a patient start, Yadav got two in one over to put the cat among pigeons for Australia. After Warner played on a harmless-looking ball, Cowan paddled needlessly a ball that straightened after pitching. Although replays showed the ball would have missed the off stump, Cowan should curse more his indecision rather than umpiring on this occasion.
Yadav then repeated the dose to Shaun Marsh who perished in the same way to Warner, ending his come back Test in misery. Ishant, who had bowled well only in patches in the first innings, accounted for Captain Michael Clarke. He produced a beauty that moved in and crashed into the stumps taking a faint edge along the way. Australians were looking at the barrel as two veterans, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey came together.
Hussey started nervously with an edged four but then gained some confidence with a pull off Yadav for four two balls later. Ponting was cautious but Hussey continued to find boundaries and tick the score along as lead grew past 100. They continued their vital partnership after the Tea break and contributed 115 runs for the 5th wicket, bringing their team back into contention once again. Zaheer was introduced by Dhoni and the moves reaped immediate rewards. Ponting was held at gully by Sehwag as he poked at a fuller wider delivery giving Indians a crucial opening. He made an exact 60.
Zaheer then removed Haddin cheaply but India crucially dropped Hussey just before close of play. Ever reliable Dravid failed to hold on to a simple slip catch off Ashwin who had done well to draw Hussey forward. As Hussey held forte on 79 not out, Siddle and Lyon departed leaving Australia at 179 for 8 at Stumps. Yadav again was among wickets, taking 4 for 49.
An over all lead of 230 runs with 2 wickets remaining means the match is still up for grabs. If Australia could extend the lead to 270 and beyond they would become favourites for a remarkable win. On the other hand India would relish chasing any thing around 250 on a wicket which has variable bounce and some seam movement.
Another intriguing Test cricket battle awaits us on the fourth day, which might turn out to be the last one.
Summarised Scores:
Australia 179/8 (Hussey 79*, Ponting 60; Yadav 4/49) and 333 (Cowan 68, Ponting 62; Zaheer 4/77, Yadav 3/106) lead India 282 (Tendulkar73, Dravid 68; Hilfenhaus 5/75, Siddle 3/63) by 230 runs with 2 wickets remaining
Heroes of the Day: Umesh Yadav, Michael Hussey
Flop of the Day: Michael Clarke
Disappointment of the Day: Rahul Dravid
Published in SP on 28/12/12
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