Australia v India: Day 2

A dominant Australia stamped their supreme authority all over India today as the tourists were desperately found wanting at a batting paradise.

A lacklustre act with the ball saw Australia resuming on day two with 400 runs on the board. Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist began in trademark style, but Gilchrist fell for 29 off Ajit Agarkar's bowling.

Ricky Ponting registered his second double century in his illustrious career and his first against India. Ponting received able support from Andy Bichel (19) and Jason Gillespie (48*) which saw Australia coast past 500 runs.

Ponting continued piling his runs on in glorious fashion, before Kumble picked him up for a brilliant 242. Gillespie(48*) who had provided solid support was left stranded, as Anil Kumble dislodged Brad Williams (0) and Stuart MacGill (0) to be on a hat trick next time he bowls.

Set a mammoth task of surpassing an Australian total of 556, openers Akash Chopra and Virender Sehwag began in typical aggressive style as they belted anything which was overpitched or short pitched straight to the boundary.

Chopra who had been going along solidly spooned a catch back to Andy Bichel to be dismissed for 27. This caused a mini collapse, with Virender Sehwag (47) edging to the gully region off Andy Bichel once more.

Bichel had turned from zero to hero in a matter of one week. His sudden come back was all too evident as he grabbed Sachin Tendulkar's wicket, the wicket India didn't want to lose. Tendulkar gone for just one, and any criticism he recieves about being out of form will seem extremely harsh and unfair on the little master.

Sometimes, one gets the feeling that being Sachin Tendulkar is tough. It appears that a lean patch of runs signifies Tendulkar's lack of greatness. Hopefully for India's sake, Tendulkar comes out of this strongly as we saw in the World Cup and the TVS series.

With the score at 3/83, Gabba century maker Sourav Ganguly (2) didn't last too long either, being run out by a miscommunication with Rahul Dravid. Sourav, who has paid time and time again for his lazy running needs a long look in the mirror and needs to improve such bad habits between the wickets.

From then on the stars of Kolkata 2001, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid showed Australia why they are the thorns in the Australian side with a mixture of cautious aggression. Laxman, who simply is elegance personified once again elegantly found the gaps against both fast bowlers and spinners.

The two compiled a partnership of 95 before the day was over. Rahul Dravid is unbeaten on a solid 43 and VVS Laxman registered his second half century of his Australian tour and he is there on 55*.

Despite Dravid and Laxman being there at the crease, it will take some Herculian effort by both these men to bail India out of such a precarious and difficult situation. Still a lot of work to be done by both Dravid and Laxman due to such fragility in the Indian tail.

Please log on to www.cricketweb.net for the full Day 3 bulletin in this action packed second test match from the Adelaide Oval.


Brief Score Summary:

Australia (1st Innings): 556 All Out (Ponting 242, Katich 75, Langer 58, Gillespie 48*, Kumble 5/154)

India (1st Innings): 4/180 (Laxman 53*, Dravid 43*, Sehwag 47, Bichel 3/55)







Posted by Sangrah