Australia fought out of tough backs to a wall situation with a splendid performance
that has almost certainly ensured that this test match will be heading for a
draw. Matthew Hayden was the star show for the Australians as he played
a typically combative century and ensured that the Australian team didn't
suffer any top order collapses as they did in Perth.
Australia resumed day two at 52/0 and were soon on the attack courtesy some
delightful shots by Matthew Hayden and Phil Jacques. The four
match old opening batting partnership put together their first century stand
in this series and India, already a bowler short due to R.P Singh's absence
were looking short of ideas as Australia moved up to 158/1 by Lunch. However
the post- Lunch session saw an entirely different ballgames as the Indians combated
the Australians with some strong bowling led by the youngster Ishant Sharma.
Sharma was impressive throughout the post- lunch session as he kept Pointing
and Hayden on their toes with impeccable line and length after Anil Kumble had
accounted for Jacques with a wicked leg spinner. Sharma, who in all fairness
has been rather luckless this series finally got his reward when he bamboozled
centurion Matthew Hayden and accounted for the second wicket of the morning
The last session of play was evenly matches as both teams tried to press home
the advantage. Michael Hussey perished for an uncharacteristically defensive
22 and it did look like India were going to make inroads into the Australian
line up. However, they come up against a batting colossus in form in the shape
of Ricky Pointing and the Tasmanian batsman batted sensibly with Michael Clarke to prevent anymore losses at the end of the day
At the end of the day, Australia still trail India by over two hundred runs
with seven wickets intact. The match is certainly evenly poised and much would
depend on the vents of the fourth day morning. India desperately need wickets
if they are to stay in the hunt for a landmark victory while the Australians
can push on for a much larger score, especially with big hitters like Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist yet to come and the Indian bowling reeling
under the absence of frontline paceman R.P Singh.
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