Day 4: Australia vs India
Tuesday, December 30 2003
A spirited Australian side lead by the bowling of Brad Williams has left India clutching at defeat despite another entrenching performance from Rahul Dravid.
Test cricket rarely comes this good. After 3 enthralling days of Test cricket, two sides at loggerheads walked onto the field for Day 4 in contrasting positions.
Australia, if it could be said, were in the box seat. Having overhauled India's first innings effort, they had claimed 2 wickets late on Day 3.
This would discount most sides. Yet the Indians began the day with the impregnable Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly at the crease, only to be followed by the World's greatest batsman and the man tagged 'Very Very Special'.
They need no further introduction - patriotic Australian crowds had seen far too much for their liking, while true cricket fans hoped for more and more.
The Australians failed to gain the early breakthrough that they craved, while India set about crease occupation and accumulation of runs.
Brad Williams, so impressive thus far in the match, landed the first body blow of the day when collecting Sourav Ganguly on the back of the head, forcing the captain to retire hurt.
One struggles to recall a match where batsmen so frequently took their eye off the ball and took a bash on the body.
Enter the supposedly out of form Sachin Tendulkar.
By lunch, India had not lost a wicket with Dravid on 38 and Tendulkar on 33.
Sachin continued on his way, launching some trademark offside shots before the killer shot was fired - an edge to Adam Gilchrist, allowing Brad Williams a wicket.
VVS Laxman then replaced the little master at the crease and continued to look as subdued as in the first innings before falling in identical fashion to a glorious Stuart MacGill leg break which was edged to Matthew Hayden.
Laxman is far better served when he thinks less about his game, as seen in Adelaide. In Melbourne, his mind seemed cramped.
'Captain courageous' Ganguly then re-entered the fray and punished the Australian bowlers with typically glorious stroke play.
Upon the taking of the second new ball, Dravid was finally dislodged for a typically chanceless 92.
He was caught behind from Brett Lee, handing the speedster his second wicket in a thus far flat display.
Again unfazed, Dravid has proved to be a man for the moment of the highest order. His innings gave the Indians a fleeting chance.
Nathan Bracken continued to bowl good lines on Day 4 and was rewarded with the wicket of Ganguly, bowled for 73. The captain had played a stunning hand.
Enter Brad Williams - so long the bartender, so long a domestic terror - 29 December 2003 marked the day that 'Willo' came of age as a Test cricketer.
Dismissing Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan in quick succession, India's hopes of a lead of over 100 were shattered.
Persistance finally paid - Williams, one of the hard working, unfashionable bowlers in Australian circles was rewarded with 4 wickets.
Stuart MacGill claimed the hapless Ashish Nehra for 0 to leave gutsy Parthiv Patel unbeaten on 27.
Williams finished with figures of 4/53, Bracken an economical 2/45, MacGill 2/68 and Brett Lee a disappointing 2/97.
Australia, traditionally poor fourth innings chasers, now require 95 runs on day 5 to level the series at 1-1 and allow captain Steve Waugh a chance of a winning farewell in Sydney.
Progress Score: Stumps Day 4
India 366 (V Sehwag 195, R Dravid 49, A Chopra 48; S MacGill 3/70)
Australia 558 (R Ponting 257, M Hayden 136; A Kumble 6/176)
India 286 (R Dravid 92, S Ganguly 73, S Tendulkar 44; B Williams 4/53)
Posted by Andre
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