Aussies Complete Emphatic Victory

Despite a late fight back by the Indian tail end, the Australians have completed a comprehensive 217 run win against the defending champions, to go one - nil up in the four test match series.

A perfect, bright sky greeted the Indians on day 5, a stark contrast to their bleak situation, resuming the day on 6/105 chasing a near impossible target of 457 runs. Dravid being the only recognised batsman at the crease on 46, his partner, Irfan Pathan, on 7.

Both teams began the day by playing a game of patience, with Shane Warne and Micheal Kasprowicz, bowling a teasing line outside off stump and the batsmen resisting the temptation to play any risky shots.

Kasprowicz’s plan almost worked in the fifth over of the day when Pathan edged to Micheal Clarke, who failed to hold onto a fairly simple catch to his left at second slip.

Dravid played intelligently early on, shielding Pathan from the dangerous Warne and leaving him to deal with the pacemen at the other end, against whom he felt more comfortable.

The pair managed to survive 13 overs before the Aussies managed to break through with Kasprowicz picking up the invaluable wicket of Dravid for 60. He fell to an angling delivery outside off-stump and was caught LBW playing on the back foot, leaving India on 7/118.

Kumble didn’t last long, falling to Kasprowicz on the first ball after drinks, playing all around a delivery pitching on off-stump, to be bowled for 2. Australia now needed just 2 more wickets for victory, with India all but gone on 8/125.

Harbhajan Singh, the new man at the crease, and Pathan seemed to realise that defeat was imminent and began to cut loose. Both hitting beggining to hit boundaries. Pathan earnt a huge roar from the crowd when he came down the track and dispatched Warne over long on for 6.

The pair proved harder to crack than was first thought and began to score runs at an alarming rate, smashing a tiring Warne all over the park. Pathan brought up a well deserved maiden half-century just before lunch. At the interval the Indians had smacked their way to 197/8, with Pathan 51 not out and Harbhajan 26 not out.

At the resumption of play, Harbhajan and Pathan continued playing in much the same fashion for five overs, until the wicket that the Aussies had been so eagerly awaiting came thanks to a perfect Jason Gillespie delivery to dismiss Irfan Pathan, caught behind, for a very entertaining 55. His 89 run partnership with Harbhajan was the highest of the Indian innings and lasted 116 deliveries.

Although in vain, their partnership may prove very beneficial to the Indian team for the rest of the series, Shane Warne, Australia’s only recognised spin bowler, was played with relative ease by the tailenders, which is sure to boost all batsmen’s, including the top order’s, confidence. Pathan also discovered new found self belief, he may now play an important part in the next three test matches with the bat.

The next man in, Zaheer Kahn, had luck on his side as he edged two boundaries before showing his ability by flicking a beautiful four down to fine leg.

Just as it seemed as though another boundary dominated, high scoring partnership was about to form, Jason Gillespie picked up his third wicket of the innings, Harbhajan Singh caught at fine leg for 42. Khan was left on 21 not out at the other end.

Australia had finally picked up those last two wickets, which had earlier seemed a mere formality, to win the test match.

In the end, India were bowled out for 239, 217 runs short of their target. Despite the late fight back by their tailenders, it was a disappointing defeat for the them. The Aussies will be thrilled with their convincing victory, which places them one-up it the series.

Now all focus turns to the second test match, which begins in Chennai on October 14. The Indians will be hungry for revenge while the Aussies will be looking to move one step closer to conquering the ‘final frontier’ of Australian cricket. Stay tuned to http://www.cricketweb.net/ for all the news and reports.

Match Summary:

Australia - 1st innings - 474 all out
MJ Clarke 151, AC Gilchrist 104, SM Katich 81, Harbhajan Singh 5/146
India - 1st innings - 246 all out
PA Patel 46, SC Ganguly 25, GD McGrath 4/55
Australia - 2nd innings - 228 all out
DR Martyn 45, Harbhajan Singh 6/78
India - 2nd innings – 239all out
R Dravid 60, IK Pathan 55, JN Gillespie 3/33
Cricket Web Player of the Match: Micheal Clarke

Australia wins by 217 runs


Posted by Alex