Day 4: Windies v Australia

In recent times the Australian team hasn't seen the fourth day of a test match too often, and with the match in a delicate situation with the Windies needing 300 runs on the final day, with 7 wickets in hand, a Brian Lara heroic hundred is on the cards.

Day 4 began with Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting batting in search for some quick runs at 1-31, and an overall lead of 199. With a declaration target in the back of their minds, the two played circumspect roles, treating a much tighter West Indian attack with respect. Hayden, however on a couple of occassions couldn't resist the temptation, and lashed over the top of the infield, in a bid to smash his way into form, while Ponting rotated the strike with relative ease.

The pop-gun Windies bowling attack were never a threat, but did have one taste of success in the morning's session. Mervyn Dillon did himself a favour and bowled on the right side of the wicket, which momentarily dried up the runs, and resulted in a wicket. A nagging line was bowled and Ponting fished at a full delivery and gave debutant Carlton Baugh a simple catch low down behind the stumps. Ponting was assured during his innings, but was obviously tiring after his long stay at the wicket during his maiden double century. As he departed for 45, one centurion replaced another.

Darren Lehmann played tentatively until lunch, but launched an attack in the middle session with Hayden who was finding his form the longer he batted. Lehmann offered a chance to Wavell Hinds at gully when on 20, but the chance was grassed and from this good-fortune launched himself into the bowling, compiling a little cameo innings.

Lehmann slogged 2 sixes over mid-on off the ineffective Marlon Samuels in consecutive overs, and brought up his fifty off 82 balls. Hayden played a confidence boosting innings, bringing up his 14th test century and now seemingly in form.

After Dillon bowled Lehmann, attempting to work the ball through the on-side, for 66, Australian captain Steve Waugh called his boys in. His declaration on 3-238 left the Windies a target of 407 for victory.

The Windies run-chase took a severe slide when opener Devon Smith received a quick ball from Jason Gillespie around the wicket that cannoned into his pads. Trigger-happy umpire Asoka de Silva was more than happy with the appeal, and sent Smith back to the pavillion for a duck, and a pair for the test match.

The news didn't get much better as first innings centurion Daren Ganga edged a full ball to Hayden at first slip, when on 2, leaving his side in the precarious position of 2-12. Enter Brian Lara. The man who weaved his magic in the 1999 series, was now facing an all-too familiar situation.

As Lara compiled a launching pad for tomorrows play, Hinds was dismissed in bazaar circumstances. A ball was defended off the middle of the bat from Stuart MacGill, but amazingly snuck around Hinds' pads to trickle onto the stumps, and astonishingly dislodged a bail. Hinds' dismissal for a sedate 35 came at the worst of times at 3-107, and in the second last over of the day.

Ramnaresh Sarwan will partner Lara, who compiled 52 in the final session, and the Windies ultimately needs an even 300 runs with 7 wickets in hand. With the match in an intriguing situation, the scene is set for another Brian Lara match winning innings.

AUSTRALIA
576 & 3-238 (dec) (M. Hayden 100* D. Lehmann 66; M. Dillon 2-64)

WEST INDIES
408 & 3-107 (B. Lara 52*, W. Hinds 35; J. Gillespie 2-10)

Posted by Dominic