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TVS Cup: India v Australia

Sunday, November 2 2003

In their second enounter of the TVS Cup tournament, Australia levelled the score with India as exceptional batting from Damien Martyn helped Australia win comfortably by 77 runs.

At a sizzling hot Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Ponting won the toss and elected to bat. A pitch which seemed very dry and crusty on the surface seemingly had a lot of purchase for the spin bowlers, and for that reasoning part time left arm spinner and batsman Michael Clarke was included.

Zaheer Khan got things underway for India, and miserably. Completely losing the plot with wides and no-balls. In fact eight runs were registered off one legal delivery. However, this eccentric start by Zaheer picked up star batsman Matthew Hayden for a duck as Hayden tried to fend off a rising short ball which landed straight down Yuvraj's throat.

With Zaheer Khan's wayward bowling, Adam Gilchrist punished anything short or wide. Part time off spinner, Virender Sehwag was given the new ball, much to the surprise of Gilchrist and the entire Mumbai crowd. Sehwag however was too short and wide as well, and went for 14 runs off his first over as Gilchrist thrashed anything remotely short.

With the score at 55 and with Gilchrist on 41 off 30 balls, Harbhajan Singh broke through, thanks to a brilliant diving catch by Mohammad Kaif which removed the danger man Adam Gilchrist for 41. Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn had some consolidating to do, as India were coming back into the contest.

Ajit Agarkar was introduced, and the young paceman had immediate effect. Agarkar trapped the skipper Ponting in front, as the ball would've just hit the leg stump. Ponting lbw to Agarkar for 31, and India once again clawing back into the contest.

With the departure of Ponting, Damien Martyn and Andrew Symonds combined for another good partnership. Martyn played outstandingly well for the conditions, as technique and precision was required rather than the 'flash and bash' that the other Australian's do so well.

Symonds took charge and raced along to 48, before Yuvraj Singh had him skying a delivery straight down Harbhajan's throat. ODI specialist, Michael Bevan and the inform Damien Martyn soldiered on, as Martyn registered a fantastic half century.

After the 35th over was complete, Martyn came out of his shell and started blazing away with a huge six towards long on. Martyn, who had paced his innings perfectly got his strike rate moving into the mid 80's after a slow start. Australia took apart the inconsistent line and length of the Indian bowlers as Martyn reached a superb century.

The hero of the day for India was Ajit Agarkar, who's line and length continued to be a shining light for India's pathetic bowling attack. Agarkar picked up three wickets in the final over of the game, with Martyn (100, Bevan (42) and Bichel (1) all falling to Agarkar's top class bowling.

Australia reaching a most probable winning total of 8/286, and India seemingly had it's work cut out for them.

All eyes were on hometown hero Sachin Tendulkar to deliver the goods. India started poorly with dashing opener, Virender Sehwag falling first ball for 0 to Nathan Bracken once again. VVS Laxman was scratchy, as was Tendulkar but the occasional beautiful stroke was played as well.

Laxman (21) was dismissed after finally edging a delivery to the keeper of Andy Bichel's bowling. Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid provided some solidity and backbone to the Indian total. Tendulkar going for some trademark drives and some elegant dabs and paddle sweeps, which bought up a fighting half century for the little master.

With Tendulkar on 68 and carrying the hopes of the nation, young left arm spinner, Michael Clarke dismissed Tendulkar as Tendulkar lost his concentration and was bowled by a good spinning delivery. With the score on 153, Clarke got his second victim for the match, as Yuvraj Singh (9) was snapped up by Adam Gilchrist's safe hands.

Rahul Dravid despite losing two of India's most valuable players, soldiered on and registered a fine, attacking half century. Dravid (59) however lost out to Clarke, as Clarke picked up his third wicket for the match.

It was upto an unlikely Mohammad Kaif (10) and Ajit Agarkar to execute a miracle, but unfortunately for Kaif he was dismissed by Bracken as he edged one to Adam Gilchrist. Agarkar fell to Bracken as well for just two, and it was seemingly curtains for India.

The rest of the Indian tale struggled, and India in the end were all out for 209. Australia levelled the score from last week's defeat at the hands of India, and this makes for an interesting TVS Cup.


Brief Score Summary:

Australia: 8/286 (Martyn 100, Symonds 48, Agarkar 4/37, Yuvraj 1/36)

India: 209 All Out (Tendulkar 68, Dravid 59, Bracken 4/29, Clarke 4/42)

Australia won by 77 runs

Cricket Web Player of the Match: DR Martyn (AUS)

Posted by Sangrah