Martyn century sets up big total

A stylish Damien Martyn century has ensured that the Aussies have a slight advantage at the end of Day 1.

India’s start to the day was less than ideal with the announcement that captain Sourav Ganguly would not take part in the test due to a thigh strain, with that came the news that star off-spinner Harbhajan Singh would also miss the test due to a bout of the flu.

For the third time in the series, Adam Gilchrist called correctly at the toss and decided to bat on a pitch with an uncharacteristicly green tinge to it, but nevertheless was expected to turn as the match rolled on.

Langer and Hayden began the day strongly and cruised to 0/67 before Hayden was out caught behind to Zaheer Kahn for 23. He was followed soon after by Langer, who also fell caught to the bowling of Zaheer. He had played well for 44, an innings which included 8 fours. The in form Simon Katich then unexpectedly lost his wicket to Kumble for just 4, leaving Australia reeling on 3/86 after losing 3 wickets for only 17 runs.

Lehman and Martyn came together and began to rebuild the innings and became progressively aggressive as the partnership wore on. Martyn played in his usual controlled style, driving elegantly and putting the bad ball away. While Lehman shuffled all around the crease and regularly charged the spinners.

Zaheer was definitely the best of the Indian bowlers early on, picking up two vital wickets and regularly finding the outside edge, unluckily for him, they repeatedly avoided the feildsmen. However, Agarkar and Kartik posed little threat while Kumble was taken apart by the Aussies, at one stage they took 21 runs off just two overs, forcing him out of the attack for some while.

Shortly before tea, Lehman tore his hamstring and soon after called for a runner. He was then dropped by Tendulkar off his own bowling. To the home team’s relief, Lehman was out in the next over falling to Kartik for a tour high 70, leaving Australia on 4/234. The Martyn – Lehman partnership yielded 148 runs off just 181 balls.

Martyn, along with the new batsman Micheal Clarke, kept the scoreboard ticking at over 4 runs per over by playing an aggressive brand of cricket. Both batsmen hitting boundaries at regular intervals and troubling the Indian attack.

Mid-way through the final session, Martyn reached his second century of the series smashing 15 fours in the process. His fourth hundred scored on the sub-continent this calendar year confirmed him as a much improved player of spin.

With the score on 314, Martyn attempted to slog a Kumble slower ball over boundary and was caught by Agarkar, ending his fine innings on 114.

Gilchrist came and went with little resistance, falling caught and bowled to Kartik for just 2 runs. Warne followed him soon after, this time stumped to the same bowler for again 2.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Clarke had compiled a very impressive half century. India’s tail-end nemesis, Jason Gillespie, was assigned the task of aiding Clarke in seeing out the rest of the day and was successful as Australia ended the day on 7/362, with the dazzling Clarke not out on 73 and Gillespie not out 4.

Lehman is undergoing intensive treatment on his hamstring injury and his role in the rest of the test, and indeed, the series is yet to be assessed.

Day 2 promises to be an intriguing battle, as Australia look to build on their large total, whilst India will be looking for a swift end to the tourists first innings and a solid start to their own.

Brief Score Summary: End of Day 1

Australia (1st Innings): 7/362 (Martyn 114, Clarke 73 not out, Lehman 70, Langer 44, Karthik 3/57, Kahn 2/77)


Posted by Alex