Day 3: Australia Still Dominates

Despite a gutsy performance by India on Day 3 of the first test against Australia in Bangalore, the World Champions continue to be in the drivers seat heading into the fourth day.

Resuming the day on a meagre 6/150, the Indian batting needed to show character and defiance in the face of adversity. To the delight of many Indian supporters, they found these qualities in two young 19 year old future stars.

Parthiv Patel and Irfan Pathan defied the odds and the Australian bowling, as the pair looked to play sensibly and grind India out of serious trouble.

Irfan Pathan impressed with his textbook batting technique and Patel was slightly lucky, but equally determined as the two scored at a rate of just under 2 runs an over for the first session to ensure no more loss of wickets.

The duo played with proper straight bats against the Australian bowling, and looked for singles whenever they were available. Despite a barrage of short pitched deliveries from the Australian bowlers, Patel and Pathan were patient and were determined to play themselves in on a still batsman-friendly Bangalore pitch.

Once settled, Irfan Pathan decided to dispatch some lose deliveries from Shane Warne to the boundary as India showed some much needed backbone against the intensity of the Australian bowling attack.

The pair added a much needed 60 runs towards the Indian total, before Irfan Pathan was adjudged caught behind by Gilchrist off the bowling of Shane Warne. Replays suggested that Pathan was unlucky, as the bat never made contact with the ball on the way through to Gilchrist.

Parthiv Patel and the veteran, Anil Kumble battled on and ensured India didn't capitulate too quickly. Patel got towards 46, but then was bowled by Jason Gillespie as he inside edged a delivery on to his middle stump.

Anil Kumble played some solid shots and looked to be in good batting form in the middle as India crept past the 230 run mark.

However Kumble's batting partner, Harbhajan Singh (8) didn't last long as Glen McGrath had his fourth wicket of the innings as he outfoxed Harbhajan with a slower delivery and that led to Darren Lehmann taking a catch at the short mid off position.

Soon after, Anil Kumble's brave innings of 26 came to an end, as he had his stumps re-arranged by Jason Gillespie as India were all out for a meagre total of just 246 as India failed to avoid the follow on.

Australia chose to bat again and decided against the idea of enforcing the follow on. Australia got off to a shaky start as Justin Langer (0) was adjudged leg before wicket to Irfan Pathan, which proved to be another dubious decision.

Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich reconsolidated, with solid batting against Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh. Simon Katich looked the more seasoned player against spin as Australia looked to build an enormous lead.

However, India fought back as Matthew Hayden was run out in the form of a brilliant direct hit by Harbhajan Singh. Simon Katich had initially called for the single after playing a cut shot to backward point, but Harbhajan made the pickup and delivered an accurate throw which knocked out middle stump and sent Matthew Hayden heading back for 30.

Despite the loss of Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich was still looking solid against the spinners. However, Anil Kumble struck for India at an important time as he got the wicket of the dangerman, Simon Katich for 39 as Rahul Dravid took the 100th catch of his test career and all of a sudden, Australia had three wickets down for 86.

Darren Lehmann strode out to the middle with great intent, and smashed a boundary through the covers off the very next ball from Anil Kumble. Lehmann's aggressive approach would not pay dividends for him however as Harbhajan had Lehmann playing with the spin only for Chopra to take the catch at third man.

Golden boy, Michael Clarke came out to the middle and looked at ease against the spinners. Clarke and Martyn guided Australia to safety at the end of day three as Australia finshed on 4/127 and currently lead India by a massive 355 runs.

Log on to http://www.cricketweb.net for the Day Four Report after the conclusion of play.

Brief Score Summary:

Australia (1st Innings): 474 All Out (Clarke 151, Gilchrist 104, Katich 81, Harbhajan 5/146, Kumble 3/157)

India (1st Innings): 246 All Out (Patel 46, Ganguly 45, McGrath 4/55, Kasprowicz 2/43)

Australia (2nd Innings): 4/127 (Katich 39, Hayden 30, Martyn 29*, Clarke 11*, Harbhajan 1/43, Kumble 1/26, Irfan Pathan 1/28)



Posted by Sangrah