India went one step closer to a momentous victory in the third
test of the ongoing India Australia Border Gavaskar test series
after an intriguing day's cricket at the WACA on the third day of this closely
fought third test match. India have set Australia a mammoth target of 413. Australia
have a improbable task ahead of them on a fastly detoriating WACA pitch and
they will have to pull off the second-highest run chase in the history of the
game in order to win this match and the series.
India resumed day three on 52/1 and started brightly with Virender Sehwag at
his fluent best forming a formidable pair with nightwatchman Irfan Pathan. Sehwag
was particular harsh on Brett Lee whom he spanked for two sparkling fours before
he was done in by an absolute beauty by Stuart Clark which nipped back sharply
after landing to give Australia a much needed breakthrough. While Pathan was
holding firm on one end, wickets tumbled at the other bringing back memories
of India's infamous collapse at the SCG two weeks back. Sachin Tendulkar was
soon dismissed by a sharp in swinger by Brett Lee and Dravid soon followed suit
as he edged a peach of an out swinger by the ever impressive Brett Lee. Sourav
Ganguly perished soon after leaving India in a precarious 125/5.
However, this brought Australia face to face with old nemesis
in the form of VVS Laxman and the stylish Hyderabadi batsman flayed the
Australian bowler to all parts of the ground. Irfan Pathan soon went
for a well made 46 but then Laxman found an able ally in Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Dhoni was extremely cautious in the beginning with Stuart Clark bowling to an
immaculate line and length. But soon, the slowly dripping over rate compelled
Ricky Pointing to bring back his spinners on and Dhoni was back to his majestic
best as he hammered Symonds and Michael Clarke for three sixes. In the meanwhile
Laxman had reached his half century. A valuable 75 run partnership was broken
when Dhoni mistimed a paddle sweep of Andrew Symonds but there was no respite
for the Australian pace attack as Laxman batted brilliantly with the tail to
take India's lead past the 400 mark. India's innings finally folded at 294 giving
the Australians a mighty target of 413 to overhaul
Australia began their chase on a positive note as both Phil Jacques and Chris
Rogers showed no intent of playing the day out. However, the introduction of
Irfan Pathan changed all that as he accounted to both the openers through some
brilliant line and length swing bowling. At the end of day 3, Australia still
need 348 runs to win and with the WCA pitch detoriating at a quick rate, Anil
Kumble and his troops will go into the fourth day as favourites to beat Australia
at home only for the second time this decade.
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