Day 1 - Cricket Web XI vs India - 4th Test @ Pickford Reserve
Anil Kumble won the toss and chose to bat first in the crucial encounter. Faced with typical Pickford Reserve pitch and armed with two spinners, India saw their best opportunity to level the series. But instead the tourists were undone by the leading Cricket Web XI spinner. CW XI captain Neil Pickup spun out 5 batsmen in a fantastic performance.
After the openers moved serenely to 54, Pickup entered the attack and made the difference. In his first over he bowled Virender Sehwag (28) with a big legbreak. The next over Mike Wilson jagged the ball back into Wasim Jaffer (28) and did the same. The celebrated Indian middle order was then exposed, and initially the batsmen prospered. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar continued their impressive batting in partnership for 69 runs. Both batsmen were dropped, however, escaping with simple chances against the spinners. And when a confident lbw shout by Pickup was shaken off, it seemed luck was entirely against CW XI.
Captain Pickup picks up his 5th wicket. © Getty Images
Still, the captain persisted and was rewarded with the wicket of Tendulkar, bowled off the bottom edge of a cut shot, and it triggered a collapse. Ganguly lasted one delivery before he too was bowled, driving as the ball spun back through the gate. MS Dhoni did slightly better to score 3, but misjudged a googly and was adjudged lbw. And the slide was completed by Pathan, lofting an easy catch to Demeza at mid-on. Suddenly India were in dire straits on 141-6 and with the tail exposed. But Kumble took offense to such a label, and offered good support to the incumbent Dravid.
Kumble was dropped by Butler at short leg off the luckless Dave Richards, but otherwise played a solid hand in a partnership of 63. Dravid passed 50 and began to threaten his third hundred of the series. But after driving Demeza pleasantly for his 6th four, he flashed loosely to be caught at cover point for 74. Harbhajan Singh entered the game and brought a spirited approach. He faced 20 balls and scored 19 runs, dominating a stand of 27 before he was 8th out, caught at third slip off Nick Borcich. The final wicket of the day fell to Wilson. He cut the ball away from Kumble and ended a 136-ball stay for 20 runs. India went to stumps on 243-9, having recovered well, but still disappointed by their efforts after winning the toss.
India 1st innings 243-9 (95 overs)
R Dravid 74, SR Tendulkar 41, I Sharma 4*, Z Khan 0*
NS Pickup 5-42, MW Wilson 2-29
CW XI collapse for 197, but Borcich strikes back
Day 2 - Cricket Web XI vs India - 4th Test @ Pickford Reserve
India battled impressively to add a further 22 runs to their overnight total, all out for 265. But it was the efforts of the bowlers that stole the show on a shockingly tricky surface. A total of 14 wickets fell on the day and Cricket Web XI collapsed to 197 all out and a deficit of 68 runs.
Thamba Mamesh started in the excellent form he has shown all season, but after reaching 22 from 25 balls he missed a straight ball from Ishant Sharma and was trapped lbw. Pete Young took guard in search of a fourth hundred in as many matches, but was made to work hard for his runs early on. And when he had 27, the right-hander drove uppishly and was caught at a well-place short cover. Harbhajan Singh picked up Cloete (21) before he was settled, then Chris Butler offered two chances when he had 11. Mork then gave the easiest opportunity of the game to Harbhajan, but the bowler clutched at the ball and dropped it.
CW XI fought back behind the efforts of Nick Borcich. © Getty Images
Thankfully for the hosts, the mistake was not costly. On 47 Mork broke free of his character to hit a low full toss to Harbhajan at mid-off, and the offspinner redeemed himself by holding on. CW XI went to tea on 150-4, but collapsed to 170-6 within the first half hour of the final session, and then to 197 all out before the end of the 70th over. Irfan Pathan kept a steady line and mixed in offcutters, starring with 5-36.
India then led by 68 on first innings, but given the state of the pitch it seemed a crucial difference. The crowd stayed with their team and clapped on Travis Demeza as he charged in for the first over. He bounded in and responded the encouragement, tearing through Sehwag's defence with the second ball of the innings. He walked for a golden duck, and CW XI sprung back to life. Borcich missed a simple return catch to send Dravid on his way, but only 13 balls later the Webheads struck again. Nick Borcich chimed in to get Wasim Jaffer (8) caught at slip, and after Harbhajan was promoted as nightwatchman, he was struck on the back pad and out before he could score.
India wobbled on 18-3 and Tendulkar jogged out of the pavilion. But with his first ball he could have been sent back. The ball pitched marginally outside of legstump to rob Demeza of a second wicket. At stumps India extended the lead to 103 on a quickly deteriorating surface.
India 1st innings 265 ao (100.5 overs)
R Dravid 74, SR Tendulkar 41, W Jaffer/V Sehwag 28
NS Pickup 5-42, MW Wilson 2-29
Cricket Web XI 1st innings 197 ao (69.2 overs)
H Mork 47, PE Young/CR Butler 27
IK Pathan 5-36, I Sharma 2-44
India 2nd innings 35-3 (10 overs)
R Dravid 14*, SR Tendulkar 9*
NA Borcich 2-13, TJ Demeza 1-21
India lead by 103 runs with 7 second innings wickets in hand.