Email Us Forum Mail Article Print Article

Australia v India: Day 4

Monday, December 15 2003

It was India's day once again today, as their supreme act of defiance continued against the mighty Australian's - who after years of domination looked in a vulnerable state.

The man who had painted his masterpiece innings at 199, had the most vital stroke of the brush to play so that his innings would be remembered for the ages. Rahul Dravid, the artist obliged and registered his fourth double century in his career with the first ball of the day.

Anil Kumble, who had provided fighting support alongside the prolific Dravid was adjudged lbw to Stuart MacGill for a valued and hard fought 12. Dravid continued battling hard and playing those masterful strokes through the covers and soon had India going past the score of 500.

Dravid then went past his highest ever score in test cricket, with a brilliant 233 which guided India to an extremely unlikely, yet utterly brilliant score of 523 all out.

With both Australian batsman and Indian bowlers under pressure, it would be a test of nerve for both teams as Australia's second innings got underway. Despite Australia's supreme skill, first blood went to India as fast bowler Ajit Agarkar dismissed Langer lbw for just 10.

With the fall of that wicket, Ricky Ponting strode to the crease. Ricky scratched around for 17 balls without scoring a run, before Ajit Agarkar had dismissed the double century maker for a paltry 0 as a diving Akash Chopra caught a vicious Ponting cut shot at the point/gully region.

Things got bad to worse for Australia with Matthew Hayden (17) spooning a catch to a diving Virender Sehwag off Ashish Nehra's bowling.

India were now in the hunt, and in for the kill. With that, the two level headed Australian batsman; Steve Waugh and Damien Martyn combined their steeliness and grit and started to grind the Indian bowling.

A sharp tactical decision by Sourav Ganguly allowed Sachin Tendulkar to bowl is vicious leg spinners. Tendulkar removed both Martyn (38) and Waugh (42) as Australia were now reeling at 5/112.

Adam Gilchrist survived a spilt chance by Parthiv Patel earlier on, only to explode and dispatch Tendulkar and Kumble's leg spinners over the boundary rope for some big sixes and fours. Kumble would have the last laugh however as the ultimate dangerman, Adam Gilchrist was to be out; bowled around his legs for 43.

But the evening in Adelaide belonged to Ajit Agarkar as he picked up Katich (31), Bichel (1), Gillespie (3) and MacGill (1) along his wicket of Justin Langer to finish up with 4 wickets in 19 balls and conceeding just 4 runs. Agarkar finished up with career best figures of 6/41 and India needed a moderate 230 runs to chase down and record a historic victory.

With a reasonable target on the board, India began solidly with Sehwag and Chopra combining the virtues of patience and the pleasures of aggression into the perfect mix. India finishing up with 37/0 at the end of play on day three.

Despite a reasonable target, India will be aware of their dreadful record whilst chasing away. Their work has not been done yet, and one recalls the horror game in the West Indies in 1997/98 when India capitulated whilst chasing a small target of 120 odd, batting last.

The Australian attack will be relentless, and India will be spirited and determined to change history - which hasn't seen them win a test match in Australia for over 21 years. An exciting climax on day five awaits, be sure to log on to www.cricketweb.net for the day five bulletin.


Brief Score Summary:

Australia (1st Innings): 556

India (1st Innings): 523 (Dravid 233, Laxman 148, Bichel 4/118, MacGill 2/143)

Australia (2nd Innings): 196 (Gilchrist 43, Waugh 42, Agarkar 6/41, Tendulkar 2/36)

India (2nd Innings): 0/37 (Sehwag 25*, Chopra 10*)




Posted by Sangrah