India V Australia Test Series
 

Ponting century fires Aussies
09 October, 2008

Ricky Ponting A century from captain Ricky Ponting, his first in India, helped Australia assume command on the first day of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

Ponting, adjudged leg before to Harbhajan Singh late in the day, hit 123 as Australia, which had chosen to bat first after winning a good toss, closed the day on 4-254.

Michael Hussey was batting four runs short of a half-century when stumps were drawn for the day.

Zaheer Khan, who took the wicket of Matthew Hayden early, struck again with the second new ball to remove Michael Clarke (11), while Indian skipper Anil Kumble was decidedly unlucky not to get among the wickets.

Australia was pegged back when opener Hayden was dismissed for a duck off the third delivery of the day from Zaheer, when he was given out caught behind by umpire Asad Rauf after some consideration.

The Queenslander initially refused to walk and replays suggested he had cause to feel aggrieved as he appeared to hit his pad rather than the ball.

Ponting then walked in and held sway, although runs initially came at a crawl. The Australian skipper was considerably troubled earlier on by the pace and swing Ishant generated, the bowler three times presenting a case for leg before.

He was turned down on all three occasions by umpire Rudi Koertzen.

But Ponting soon had the measure of the Indian bowling and in alliance with the unobtrusive Katich, put on 166 runs for the second wicket.

Katich, in typically understated style, had seen off the shine from the new ball and had looked set for a well-deserved century when he uncharacteristically prodded loosely at a delivery from Sharma.

Dhoni again pouched an easy catch and Katich kicked the dust in disgust as he walked off for 66.

Ponting marched on to reach his century, his 16th since being elevated to captain and 36th overall.

Ponting's driving through the off-side was impeccable and he was clinical off his pads when the ball was pitched in that area.

He had added 60 runs for the third wicket with Hussey before he was adjudged leg before while attempting to sweep Harbhajan.

Replays, however, suggested the bowler was lucky with his appeal.

Ironically, it was only the second time Ponting, who had scored the bulk of his runs in front of square, attempted the sweep shot.

Indian skipper Kumble, however, believed he had had his opposite number in the Australia camp much earlier on.

Ponting was batting on 111 when Kumble appealed for a return catch.

Koertzen dismissed the appeal believing the ball had pitched before Kumble had taken the catch.

Koertzen enforced his decision after a short conference with Rauf, but television replays suggested Ponting was lucky on that occasion.

Clarke, who struck a double century at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on his Test debut four years ago, immediately found his stride as he hit Kumble for consecutive boundaries - the first past square leg and the other through the covers.

But the middle-order batsman was dismissed for just 11 when he was caught plumb in front by Zaheer on the second delivery of the final over.

Kumble had wheeled away for 27 overs without success, giving away 84 runs in the process, while Harbhajan's 25 overs came at the cost of 71 runs.

Hussey gives Aussies advantage
10 October, 2008

Michael Hussey Left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan claimed a five-wicket haul, but not before Michael Hussey had steered Australia to a position of strength on the second day of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

Zaheer picked three quick wickets shortly after tea was taken as Australia were bowled out for an impressive 430.

Hussey had brought up his ninth Test century with a rare inside-edged boundary, but was the last man out when he inside-edged a Zaheer delivery onto his stumps to depart for 146, his highest Test score against India.

Ishant Sharma had taken wickets periodically in the first two sessions of the day and he finished with four for 77.

By the close, India's openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag had reduced some of the advantage with an unbeaten 68-run stand for the opening wicket.

Sehwag was the aggressor reaching stumps on 43 while Gambhir was on 20 when a sharp shower ended play nine overs early.

Ishant claimed an early wicket in the morning session, dismissing Shane Watson in the second over of the day.

Watson, playing his first Test in three years, added just two runs to the Australian total when he was bowled with a delivery that moved off the seam.

Hussey, who resumed from his overnight 46, was looked untroubled as he struck vital partnerships with Brad Haddin and later Brett Lee to carry Australia past the 400-run mark.

Hussey and Haddin (33) had added 91 runs for the sixth wicket with the wicketkeeper-batsman looking good for more when he was dismissed by Ishant just after lunch.

Ishant had patiently baited Haddin with a few deliveries down the corridor and then reeled the New South Welshman in with a slower delivery.

Haddin was early into his shot and scooped the ball to VVS Laxman at short cover.

Cameron White's (two) first Test innings with the bat was brief. He too fell to a slower delivery from Ishant, but the Indian attack - insipid with the exception of Ishant - failed to swing momentum their way.

Hussey put on 59 runs with Brett Lee (27), but their association was ended by Zaheer just after tea.

The left-arm paceman first bowled Lee in the second over after tea, with one that kept low and straightened a touch.

Zaheer then cleaned up Mitchell Johnson (one) with an inswinger that took the inside edge before rattling the timber and Hussey was the second victim in the same over, the left-hand batsman also falling in similar fashion.

By then, Hussey, who had thrown caution to the wind after the fall of Lee, had clobbered 15 boundaries and a six off Harbhajan Singh over long-on.


Michael Hussey
Zaheer conceded 91 runs in the 29.5 overs that he sent down.

Leg-spinner Anil Kumble bowled 43 overs and conceded 129 runs without taking a wicket, while off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who had claimed the wicket of Ricky Ponting on Thursday, bowled 41 overs for 103 runs.

The Australians then had an hour and a half at the Indian batsman, but they were unable to find the breakthrough that would have given them a firmer grip on the game.

Sehwag especially looked comfortable, finding the boundary on seven occasions, as he and Gambhir reached the close.

Johnson's big four
12 October, 2008

Australia quick Mitchell Johnson admitted he had to overcome a nervous beginning before claiming the wickets of four of the biggest names in international cricket on the third day of the opening Test against India.

The 26-year-old left-armer is playing his first Test on Indian soil, and just his ninth of a fledgling career, but he showed no signs of inexperience as he claimed the scalps of four of the game's most accomplished batsmen to put Australia in control.

After Brett Lee had dismissed Gautam Gambhir to claim the first wicket of the day, Johnson removed Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman in a morning session that threatened to take the game away from India.

The wicket of Tendulkar, who began the day needing 77 runs to pass Brian Lara's Test run scoring record, was the most impressive as Johnson fooled the veteran with a slower ball that he could only spoon to Cameron White at short point.

Johnson added Sourav Ganguly to his impressive list after lunch, and while India battled back to reach stumps at 313 for eight, the Queenslander admitted he had enjoyed his day's work.

"I was very nervous bowling yesterday and a little bit this morning," Johnson said.

"So to get those wickets, those big names is pretty exciting for me. It definitely helps where we are with the team, but I think everyone bowled well today."

"We stuck at it most of the day and hopefully we can do it again."

Despite his efforts, Johnson believes it was Shane Watson's dismissal of Harbhajan Singh in the final session that was the most crucial of the day.

Harbhajan and Zaheer Khan put on an 80-run stand for the eighth wicket as the Indians rallied, before Watson had him caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

"The dismissal of Harbhajan definitely helps," he said.

"Harbhajan and Zaheer did get away from us a little bit. They got a good partnership going and for Watson to get that wicket definitely helps us going into tomorrow."

"Hopefully we can get the two wickets in the morning and bat on."

Johnson had handled the second new ball with Lee, but the pair leaked runs as Harbhajan and Zaheer gave India a glimmer of hope.

And Johnson admitted he was probably trying too hard with the new ball.

"I guess when the tailenders come in you probably push a little too hard, trying to get wickets," he said.

"I probably felt that way and I guess I was trying to get a five-for as well. I think when you bowl to the tailenders you have got to be as patient as you are with the top order."

"Sometimes when you push too hard they get away from you. I think taking the second new ball didn't work for us."

"With the new ball you could go for a bit of runs and that's what happened with us. I think we need to rethink our bowling with the new ball and probably not push as hard."

He added: "I enjoy bowling in India. It is tough work and the wickets are obviously a little different. We get more bounce and pace. But I think there are a few little cracks which we are trying to force open."

"I wouldn't say its a total graveyard."

India right-hander, Dravid, was a picture of concentration during his 104-ball 51 as he battled the slow wicket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

He was a touch unlucky to fall victim to Johnson with replays suggesting his leg before dismissal could have been turned down.

And while he conceded that India still had plenty of work to do, Dravid believes they can still force a win.


"I think we are a little behind at this stage," he said.

"But wickets in India usually tend to help spinners on the fourth and fifth days. The wickets here are usually slow and low."

"I guess we would have to fight hard to win this game."

Dravid said the the wicket had a bit of variable bounce, and added that he never felt completely comfortable at the crease.

"You could trust the bounce," he said. "But you had to keep watching and you never felt you were really in even if you batted for a long period of time."


"I was pretty happy with the way I concentrated and the way I played today. I would have liked to carry on and get a few more, but it's nice to get a start."

Dravid said the partnership between Zaheer and Harbhajan had got India back into the match.

"I though Harbhajan and Zaheer batted really well and that partnership brought us back into the game a little bit," he said.

"I think we could have batted a little bit better today and been in a position to force a result."

Watson backs bowlers
13 October, 2008

Shane Watson is confident a strong showing from Australia's bowlers will enable the visitors to win the first Test against India.

All-rounder Watson played a leading role on Sunday as Australia finished day four in a strong position.

Having established a 70-run first innings lead by bowling out India for 360 in the morning session, the tourists closed on 5-193 - a lead of 263 with Watson unbeaten on 32.

Some quick runs on Monday morning could lead to a declaration from Ricky Ponting, who will be hoping his bowlers - including Watson - can skittle the Indians in the remaining overs.

Watson, who had figures of 3-45 in India's first innings, certainly believes victory is within sight.

He said: "We are in a good position and we could bat on for an hour."

"But I haven't had a chance to talk to Ricky yet, so I have got no idea what Ricky's plans are."

Watson said 70 overs would be enough time to force a result in Australia's favour.

"If we bowl well, yeah (we can get them out)," he added.

"The ball is reversing pretty quickly and that's very handy for our quicks."

"The wicket is deteriorating a little bit, but nowhere near as much as I personally thought it would."

"But we definitely need to bowl extremely well to bowl the Indians out."

Australia was in danger of losing a grip on proceedings after a middle-order slump but Watson and Brad Haddin put it on the front foot once again with an unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership of 65.

"For me it was (a question of) survival more than anything else," said Watson.


"Zaheer Khan was bowling very well - he was actually bowling very big reverse and the ball was coming into me from around the wicket."

"So, it was hard to survive more than anything. There was no specific plan."

"Harbhajan (Singh) and Zaheer showed yesterday (Saturday) afternoon that if you played aggressively a little bit of luck went your way as well."

"That was our intent anyway and it certainly paid off."

The Queenslander, who last played a Test match in 2005 - against West Indies in Brisbane - admitted he was enjoying his comeback.

"This Test match has been the most fun I have ever had playing cricket," he said.

"It's been an amazing experience for me already, batting there against the Indians with Harbhajan bowling extremely well on a turning wicket and a fair bit of reverse as well."

India's fielding coach Robin Singh conceded Australia was firmly in control.

"We are pretty sure Australia will declare sometime tomorrow (Monday). It's just a question of when," he said.

"We have to just make sure that we bat well. We have a top-class batting side so I'm not too worried."

"I think Australia have to make all the calls here."

Singh confirmed home skipper Anil Kumble had not taken to the field after lunch as a precaution.

"Anil had a sore shoulder. He just stayed off the field for a while as a precautionary measure."

"He's very much available for the rest of the series."

Bad light ensures draw
13 October, 2008

Ricky Ponting and Rudi Koertzen Sachin Tendulkar hit a match-saving 49 but fell just short of becoming the most prolific run-scorer in Test cricket as India drew the first match of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia.

The tourists, in their usual indomitable style, had pressed for victory on the final day, declaring their second innings on 228 for six after notching 35 quick runs from five overs in the morning session.

That left India with a target of 299 to achieve an improbable victory in a minimum of 83 overs.

Brett Lee and Stuart Clark made early breakthroughs for the tourists, but Tendulkar enjoyed half-century partnerships with Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman to halt Australia's charge.

India finished the day on 177 for four, with Laxman unbeaten on 42 and Sourav Ganguly on 26 not out with play called off 10 overs early due to bad light.

Tendulkar was out just 15 runs shy of breaking Brian Lara's record of 11,953 runs in Test cricket.

Tendulkar arrived at the crease with India's scorecard reading 24 for two from 8.3 overs, Clark having sent Virender Sehwag packing for six while Lee accounted for Rahul Dravid (five).

Sehwag had only just been dropped by Brad Haddin, an edge off Lee popping out of the wicketkeeper's gloves.

Matthew Hayden, however, gleefully accepted his second offering, an outside edge which flew to him at first slip.

Dravid had got off the mark with a boundary straight past Lee, but fell attempting a forcing shot on the on side. Ponting snaffled a stunning catch at short mid-wicket, moving quickly to his left and holding firmly.

Those blows had all but ended India's pursuit of victory and at the same time renewed Australia's charge.

Opener Gautam Gambhir held up one end as wickets went down at the other, but then steadied the ship in the company of Tendulkar.

The pair kept Australia at bay adding 53 runs for the third wicket. But just when he looked at ease, Gambhir was bowled between bat and pad by Mitchell Johnson.

Tendulkar, needing 64 runs to become Test cricket's most prolific scorer, looked determined at the other end.

He cover-drove Clark for his first boundary and then struck a couple of blows in one over off Mitchell Johnson, one through covers and the other a glance through fine leg.

Laxman, who came in at the fall of Gambhir's wicket, provided able support as the two forged a 61-run stand for the fourth wicket.

But Tendulkar fell just after tea one run short of a half-century, handing leg-spinner Cameron White his first Test wicket.

Tendulkar attempted a drive through covers, but instead struck straight to Michael Clarke at short cover.

White and the rest of the Australian team celebrated with exuberance as the India batsman walked off just 15 runs short of breaking Lara's mark.

By then, a draw looked the only possible result.

Laxman added 39 runs in an unbroken stand for the fifth wicket with bad light disrupting play on two occasions en route.

Ponting deployed only his spinners in a bid to snatch some late wickets but Ganguly and Laxman easily saw them off to ensure the match finished honours even.

Earlier in the day, Australia resumed their second innings needing quick runs and although Haddin lost overnight partner Shane Watson early, runs came at a canter.


India captain Anil Kumble dropped Haddin off the very first delivery, putting down a firmly struck return catch.

Play was held up briefly as Kumble received treatment for a bleeding finger but he eventually completed the over to finish with match figures of nought for 160.

It was only the third time Kumble has gone wicketless in a Test match.

Shane Watson added nine to his overnight 32 and put on 75 runs in partnership with Haddin for the sixth wicket when he was bowled by Ishant Sharma.

Haddin remained unbeaten on 35, while White made a quick 18 runs before the declaration was made.

Ponting happy with effort
14 October, 2008

Australia captain Ricky Ponting insisted he was happy with way his team had performed in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against India.

Australia set India a target of 299 on the final day on Monday and four early wickets gave it real hope of victory.

India though, having abandoned its pursuit of victory after that poor start, dug in to claim the draw, finishing with 4-177 in its second innings when play was called off.

"It was a pretty good game of Test cricket actually. I was very excited by the end of day's play last night," Ponting said.

"I thought we had a real good contest on our hands today. We started the day really positively and aggressively and we got a few extra runs we thought we had needed."

"Then we gave it our best shot with the ball, but we just didn't create enough opportunities today."

"We needed to take a couple of wickets with the new ball, we got that and then Sachin [Tendulkar] and [VVS] Laxman got together and we just couldn't break that partnership."

"We played good cricket, there's no doubt about that. We dominated this Test match pretty much from the second or third over on the first day."

"We've had our nose in front of the game and unfortunately we have not been quite good enough to win it. But it's a really good start to the series for us."

India had slipped to 7-232 in reply to Australia's first innings total of 430, but a partnership of 80 runs between Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh for the eighth wicket dented Australia's chances of victory.

Ponting admitted this partnership was the turning point in the game.

"In the course of this game, that's been one of the big turning points. Up until the moment we were a long way ahead in the game," he said.

"Then Harbhajan and Zaheer got that partnership going and we just couldn't break it."

"The lower order put on runs and our lead went from being around 180-200 to 70 as it was."

"So, there's no doubt they took a bit of momentum from those partnerships. We summed things up in the second innings and got ourselves into a winning position, but unfortunately we didn't create enough chances."

Cameron White picked up the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar on his debut, but Ponting felt his team had missed the services of an experienced spinner.

"I thought Cameron White did an exceptional job today. I thought he bowled very well. It's a positive sign for us," Ponting said.

"But yes, a quality spinner might have made things a little different today."

"We've got a couple of days to recover from this game now and hope to play hard cricket in Mohali as well."

India captain Anil Kumble revealed the team had decided not to chase its victory target after losing early wickets.

"If we had got a good start we would have gone after the target," he said. "We knew that we would exert pressure if we had gotten a good start."

"But that didn't happen. We lost two early wickets and that put us back."

"If [Virender] Sehwag and [Gautam] Gambhir had given us a start as they did in the first innings then we would have certainly gone after the target."

Kumble, who went wicketless in both innings, was critical of his own performance, but said he hoped to be fitter and bowl better in the second Test in Mohali.

"The shoulder is feeling better," he added. "We have got three more days before the next Test match so we will monitor it closely."

"It would have been nice if I had picked up wickets - we would probably have won the match."

"I guess I didn't put my hand up, but the other team members have certainly played their part."

"As captain I have played my part, but as a player if I come into the Tests we could probably win the series. That's what I would be looking forward to, coming in as a player and playing my part."

Despite being less than satisfied with his own display with the ball, Kumble claimed he was happy with the team's display.

"We would have loved to have won the game," he said.


"But the way things were, losing the toss on a pitch which certainly cracked up as the game progressed, I thought we fought back really hard thanks to Zaheer and Harbhajan's partnership in the first innings and crucial knocks from the top of the order."

"I think overall, for the first match of the series, I'm satisfied."

Kumble felt the onus had been on the Australians to force the issue.

"They had to make a game out of it," he said.

"We were in with a chance until yesterday when [Shane] Watson and [Brad] Haddin were in there."

"If we had got a wicket there it would have been different as we were looking to finish things off and win the game."

"But we were unable to break that partnership."

2nd Test - First Day
 

India in control
17 October, 2008

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly hit half-centuries as India regained control on the first day of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia.

Australia had threatened to grab the honours on the opening day in Mohali, left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson picking up four top-order wickets in quick succession and triggering a mini collapse.

But India wrested control thanks to a 142-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Tendulkar - who became the leading run-scorer in Test cricket on the way to his 88 - and Sourav Ganguly, the pair helping India finish the day on 5-311.

Ganguly was batting on 54 and night watchman Ishant Sharma was on two at the close.

India suffered a blow at the start of the day when regular skipper and leg-spinner Anil Kumble was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Stand-in skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni decided to bat first, with Amit Mishra handed his first Test cap, replacing Kumble.

And India got off to a flying start with openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir scoring freely.

India had scored at over five runs an over in the first hour and Gambhir and Sehwag added 70 runs for the first wicket when, much against the run of play, Sehwag fell victim to Johnson's guile.

The left-arm seamer directed a short delivery into Sehwag's ribs, inducing an edge from the batsman which wicketkeeper Brad Haddin held firmly.

Runs continued to flow as Rahul Dravid joined Gambhir, the two making Australia's pace battery look ordinary during their stay at the crease.

Gambhir drove and cut ferociously, and stepped out to hit successive lofted boundaries off part-time spinner Michael Clarke to bring up his half-century.

Dravid also looked in fine touch and was the dominant partner in a 76-run stand with Gambhir when he attempted to drive Lee through the off-side, but only managed an inside edge which disturbed leg stump.

Seven boundaries studded Dravid's innings, pointing a finger at the placid nature of the pitch.

Tendulkar, who had needed 15 runs to surpass Brian Lara's record as the world's highest run getter in Test cricket, replaced Dravid at the crease and watched as Gambhir departed at the other end.

Gambhir was dismissed by Johnson, a thin outside edge flying to Haddin as India slipped from 1-146 to 3-146.

VVS Laxman was Johnson's third victim, the Hyderabadi recording another first-innings failure.

Laxman (12) was dismissed in similar fashion to Sehwag, glancing a delivery sent down leg stump to Haddin.

Tendulkar was joined by Ganguly as the two took centre stage.


Tendulkar had started cautiously, only one boundary, a sublime cover drive, in his first 15 runs.

He then glanced Peter Siddle through to third man for three runs as he surpassed Lara's record.

The game was briefly halted as the Australian players congratulated Tendulkar and fireworks were set off in the stands.

Once beyond Lara's mark, Tendulkar cut loose. Driving and cutting with precision, he got to his 50th century in just 80 deliveries, hitting five boundaries along the way.

A century was there for the taking when Siddle struck with the second new ball.

The debutant induced an edge as Tendulkar chased a delivery channelled outside off stump, edging to Matthew Hayden at first slip.

His knock of 88 came off 111 deliveries and contained 10 boundaries.

Ganguly went on to reach his half-century, the left-hander's knock overshadowed by Tendulkar's achievements at the other end.

Together with Ishant, Ganguly easily watched off the pacemen as India finished without further damage.

Tendulkar thrilled by achievement
 

18 October, 2008

India batsman Sachin Tendulkar described becoming the greatest run-scorer in Test cricket as a 'fantastic feeling' after reaching the milestone in the second Test against Australia on Friday.

The diminutive batsman, known as the 'Little Master', hit Peter Siddle for three with the first ball after tea in Mohali to reach 11,956 runs, surpassing former West Indies legend Brian Lara's previous record by two.

"It is definitely the biggest record of my career because it has taken me almost 19 years to get there and the journey has been fantastic," said Tendulkar, who is also the leading run-scorer in one-day internationals, having amassed 16,361 in 417 matches.

"The feeling is fantastic."

"I was trying to just focus on the game but every now and then it was there in front of me."

"I decided to just keep it simple and just keep watching the ball, keep my eyes on it and keep alert."

It was widely expected that Tendulkar would break the record in the first Test in Bangalore, and asked if he was disappointed to be out for 49 in that match, leaving him 15 runs short, he replied: "No, not really."

"When I was out for 49 in the first Test I thought the most important thing was to save the Test match."

"We lost a couple of early wickets and (staying in) was more important than the record. I was relieved and knew I had done a good job."

The record-clinching runs on Friday prompted fireworks and tumultuous celebrations in the Mohali Stadium, but Tendulkar said he tried not to let it distract him as India were 4-177 and in a promising position against Ricky Ponting's side.

"I was not that excited to be honest because the focus was to continue and not lose concentration."

"Yes, it was a big moment but I had to concentrate and make sure me and Sourav Ganguly had a big partnership."

The 35-year-old was eventually out for 88 just before stumps, leaving the hosts on 5-311 after day one.

He added: "It is disappointing that I got out. The goal was to stay there until the end but it didn't happen."

"I got a good ball and maybe I had a lack of footwork."

Tendulkar's achievements, which include being the leading run-scorer at the 1996 World Cup and the player of the tournament at the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, have won him a host of accolades from the Indian government, including becoming the first cricketer to be awarded the country's highest sporting honour - the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 1997.

Players past and present from the cricket world were queuing up to laud Tendulkar on Friday, with India's chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth saying: "To have an Indian as the highest run-getter is an honour."


"When you know that an Indian is number one in the world, it gives you a great sense of pride."

Roger Binny, a member of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team added: "Sachin getting to this landmark record is a very proud moment for us."

"I'm sure it will have a great effect on the other batters who will try and achieve his consistency, his hard work and his confidence."

"He has played against some terrific fast bowlers in the world and he took them on so confidently. That has been his strength."

2nd Test - Second Day
 

Ganguly, Mishra put India on top
18 October, 2008

Sourav Ganguly A Sourav Ganguly ton and a brace of wickets for Test debutant Amit Mishra put India in control on day two of the second Test against Australia in Mohali.

Ganguly hit a magnificent 102 - and put on 109 runs for the seventh wicket with Mahendra Singh Dhoni (92) - as India was bowled out for 469 just before tea.

Zaheer Khan then gave India a flying start with the ball, bowling Matthew Hayden for a duck via an inside edge. Ishant Sharma dismissed Ricky Ponting for just five while leg-spinner Mishra snared Simon Katich for 33.

Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey propped up the innings with a 40-run fourth-wicket stand, but Mishra struck again to dismiss Clarke for 23 with the final ball of the day.

Australia closed on 4-102, still trailing by 367 runs heading into day three. Hussey was unbeaten on a 97-ball 37 at stumps.

The tourists' reply began in abysmal fashion as Zaheer snapped up the wicket of Hayden with only the third delivery of the innings, while Ishant had Australia skipper Ponting trapped in front in the eighth over to leave Australia reeling.

Hussey and Katich lived dangerously as they worked to prop up Australia's sagging innings. Zaheer had gone past the edge of Hussey and the batsman enjoyed another slice of luck when an edge off Ishant dropped safely between Rahul Dravid and Dhoni.

The India spinners were then pressed into service and Mishra responded with the wicket of Katich, who reached forward to prod at a delivery but only managed to edge the ball onto his leg stump.

Harbhajan Singh was then left frustrated when an edge from Hussey was put down by Dhoni with the batsman on just 21.

Clarke and Hussey lifted the Australia innings with their 40-run partnership but that ended when Mishra trapped the former in front with a straight delivery.

Earlier, Ganguly, in the company of night watchman Ishant Sharma, had consolidated India's position at the start with a cautious approach.

With the hosts resuming on 5-311, the left-hander - on an overnight score of 54 - contributed a meagre 15 runs to India's total in the first hour of play, blunting rather than bludgeoning Australia's attack.

Ishant (nine) had looked in better touch, driving paceman Peter Siddle through covers for a boundary as he looked to take the shine off the second new ball.

Siddle was to have the last laugh though, getting Ishant to fend off a short delivery straight into the hands of Katich placed expressly for the stroke at leg gully.

Dhoni's abilities in the longer version of the game have been in some doubt, but the wicketkeeper-batsman silenced his critics with a belligerent display.

He pulled Brett Lee for a boundary off the very first delivery he faced to get off the mark, and soon after deposited a delivery from Siddle over the fine leg boundary for the first six of the innings.

Boundaries flowed as he stroked the bowlers around the park, in the process helping Ganguly extricate himself from a shell which the former captain had slid into.


Ganguly's timing and precision, which had deserted the left-hander in the morning, returned as he brought up his 16th Test century by tucking leg spinner Cameron White for a boundary to square leg.

Ganguly departed soon after though, charging out a little prematurely to hoist White over the ropes, but only holing out to Lee at mid-off as the bowler fired his delivery short and wide.

Dhoni then took centre stage, hammering a total of eight boundaries and four sixes - two off Siddle and White apiece - as he charged into the 90s.

The urgency was more pronounced as he lost Harbhajan (one) and Zaheer (two) in quick succession.

Dhoni, however, fell to a doubtful lbw decision from Rudi Koertzen eight runs short of a second Test hundred.

Replays indicated Dhoni had inside-edged onto pads even while being struck well outside the line of off stump.

But the dismissal stood as Siddle and White finished with three wickets apiece.

2nd Test - Third Day
 

Mishra has India in control
19 October, 2008

Amit Mishra Rookie leg-spinner Amit Mishra claimed a five-wicket haul as India had Australia on the mat on the third day of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

Mishra picked up three wickets on Sunday to add to the two he had snared on the second day as Australia were bowled out for 268 just after tea despite fighting half-centuries from Michael Hussey (54) and Shane Watson (78).

It still gave India a first innings lead of 201, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni decided to bat again rather than enforce the follow-on.

Virender Sehwag responded by slamming a half-century and together with Gautam Gambhir helped India off to a rollicking start.

The opening pair put on 100-runs in an unbroken stand for the opening wicket as India extended their lead to 301 without the loss of a wicket.

Sehwag reached his 50 with a boundary through square leg off Mitchell Johnson, the sixth boundary of his innings.

Sehwag was batting on 53 and Gambhir was four runs short of a half-century when stumps were drawn for the day.

Gambhir has so far hit four boundaries, all in spite of a defensive field from Ricky Ponting.

If the first day of this Test belonged to Sachin Tendulkar and the second to Sourav Ganguly, then the third belonged to Mishra.

The leg spinner, who came into this match for an injured Anil Kumble, picked up the wickets of Shane Watson (78), Cameron White (five) and Peter Siddle (zero) adding them to the two - Simon Katich and Michael Clarke - he had claimed on the second day.

Hussey was joined by Watson at the start of the day and the two foiled India's relentless pace attack for most of the first hour.

Hussey pulled Ishant for a couple of runs to square leg to bring up his half-century, but fell two deliveries later.

After the left-handed batsman survived a close call off the first delivery, he was snapped up off the next ball, a thin edge going straight to Dhoni.

Dhoni then slowed the pace of the India attack, turning to Harbhajan who responded with the wicket of Haddin, deceiving the batsman with flight and knocking back the off stump.

Mishra then found a way past White's defences with a googly for his first wicket of the day, the ball striking timber after sneaking through a gap between bat and pad.


Watson, who had watched the wickets go down at the other end, was joined by Lee just before lunch and the two helped Australia recover some ground with a valuable 73-run stand for the eighth.

Watson, tentative at the start of the day, opened up to collect his first Test fifty.

He drove Ishant Sharma through covers to get past the mark and, a little later, hit Mishra over the top for the six.

His 156-delivery vigil at the crease was punctuated with 10 boundaries and a six.

Lee enjoyed a few telling strokes of his own, two boundaries in one over off Mishra and a straight drive off Zaheer Khan to bring up the fifty for the partnership.

The partnership was finally broken by Harbhajan Singh, the off-spinner getting Lee to prod at a delivery and the edge going straight to Rahul Dravid at first slip.

Watson fell just after tea, trapped in front by one that stayed low from Mishra.

The end came shortly later as Siddle stepped out to drive Mishra only to miss and for Dhoni to complete a stumping.

2nd Test - Fourth Day
 

Aussies hanging on
20 October, 2008

Harbhajan Singh collected three top-order wickets and Ishant Sharma snared a brace to leave India on the brink of victory over Australia after day four of the second Border-Gavaskar Test.

Off-spinner Harbhajan and paceman Ishant showed up frailties in Australia's batting line-up as the tourists crumbled to 5-58 at one stage in pursuit of 516 for an improbable win.

Michael Clarke (42 not out) and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (37 not out) staged a recovery of sorts as the Australians ended the day on 5-141, still needing 375 runs to triumph.

A hundred from Gautam Gambhir (104) and half-centuries from Virender Sehwag and Mahendra Singh Dhoni had set India up with a massive lead in quick time.

The hosts had already laid the foundation with a first-innings lead of 201 and Dhoni declared India's second innings closed at 3-314, leaving Australia with a daunting total to chase.

Matthew Hayden, who had scores of zero, 13 and zero on the tour so far, and Simon Katich set about taking the attack to the Indian pacemen and partially succeeded as they hit the new-ball bowlers out of the attack.

Dhoni, however, brought on Harbhajan and the off-spinner immediately forced the breakthrough in spite of the ball being fairly new.

Hayden had made 29 from just 18 deliveries when he attempted to sweep Harbhajan, but instead was rapped on the pads.

Katich (20) fell shortly after, square-driving Harbhajan only for Sachin Tendulkar to take a fine catch at point.

Ishant had skipper Ricky Ponting (two) bowled with one that nipped back sharply off the pitch and knocked back off-stump, while Harbhajan trapped Michael Hussey (one) in front to leave Australia in tatters at 4-52.

That became 5-58 when Ishant sent back Shane Watson for two, catching him on the crease and hitting him on the back pad as he shaped to defend.

Clarke, who has made little impression so far on this tour, was then joined by Haddin, however, and the two halted the rampaging Indian bowlers.

They added 83 runs for the sixth wicket by stumps, smashing six boundaries apiece as they safely negotiated a probing line from the spinners at the end.

In the morning, Gambhir and Sehwag had picked up from where they had left off on the third day, hitting the bowlers around the park as they put on another 82 runs to their opening-wicket partnership - already worth 100 overnight.

Gambhir, resuming from his overnight 46, was almost done in by a touch of nerves at the start.

The left-hander presented Clarke with a run-out opportunity off the first ball he faced, edging a delivery from Cameron White which was put down by Hayden at first slip, and gave Brett Lee another run-out chance a little later as he inched towards his half-century.

Once past the mark, however, the 27-year-old was more fluent.

He stepped out to hoist White for a six over mid-on and continued to find the ropes almost at will as he raced towards a century.

Sehwag had hit a few blows of his own, slamming Shane Watson past square leg for his first boundary of the day and thumping White over mid-on for another.

The belligerent opener, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Monday, survived a collective appeal for caught behind off Mitchell Johnson, umpire Asad Rauf remaining unmoved.

Replays suggested Sehwag had indeed nicked the delivery, but it proved not to have been a costly call for the Australians as Sehwag fell two runs later, edging Peter Siddle to wicketkeeper Haddin.

Dhoni promoted himself up the order, quick runs and maintaining momentum evidently weighing heavily on the India captain's mind.

The move paid off as runs flowed.


Dhoni added 42 quick runs for the second wicket with Gambhir, the latter notching his second Test century in the process.

Gambhir was dismissed just before lunch and Dhoni was joined by Sourav Ganguly (27), the two adding 66 runs for the third wicket.

The Indians had hammered an astonishing 130 runs in the first session.

Dhoni was unbeaten on 68 and Sachin Tendulkar was on 10 when the declaration was made.

2nd Test - Fifth Day
 

India wraps up victory
21 October, 2008

Zaheer Khan made short work of the Australian tail as India secured a 320-run victory in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

Left-arm paceman Zaheer claimed three wickets in his first two overs as Australia crashed from 5-141 overnight to 8-144.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra completed the rout by picking up the last two wickets as Australia, chasing a target of 516 for an improbable win, were eventually bowled out for 195.

Zaheer ended a blossoming partnership between Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke by bowling Haddin with the last ball of his first over.

Just one run was added to their sixth wicket stand, already worth 83 overnight, when Haddin was bowled by one which came back slightly off the pitch.

Haddin failed to add to his overnight score of 37.

Zaheer struck twice again off consecutive deliveries in his second over, first removing Cameron White (one) and then Brett Lee (zero).

White traded flash for prudence, slashing at an away going delivery and only edging to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Lee was done in by one which moved slightly off the seam, knocking back off stump as the tailender shaped to defend.

Mitchell Johnson saved the hat-trick by playing forward and defending solidly.

He briefly held up India's charge, putting on 50 runs with Clarke for the ninth wicket and in the process showing runs could still be had from the fifth day's pitch.


He struck four boundaries in his 26 before offering a simple return catch to leg spinner Amit Mishra.

Clarke, meanwhile, reached his ninth half-century, getting past the mark by scampering through for a couple of runs courtesy of a mis-field in the covers.

He was the last man out attempting to pull Mishra through midwicket where Sehwag pulled off a smart catch to bring up India's biggest victory over the World Champions in terms of runs.

The third Test starts in Delhi on October 29.

3rd Test - First Day
 

Gambhir puts India on top
29 October, 2008

Opener Gautam Gambhir completed an impressive century as India gained the upper hand on the first day of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

India began badly, losing Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid in quick succession at the start, but Gambhir steadied dressing room nerves as the hosts recovered admirably to finish the day in a strong position.

At stumps, India had reached 3-296, with Gambhir still batting on 149 and VVS Laxman on 54, the two having added 139 runs in an unbroken stand for the fourth wicket.

Gambhir had also pieced together a profitable 130-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar, with the world's most prolific scorer adding 68 runs of his own before he fell on the stroke of the tea interval.

Australia paceman Brett Lee had found rare success with the new ball, accounting for Sehwag for just one run in only his second over of a fiery spell with the new ball.

Lee, who had a meagre four wickets in the first two matches, trapped Sehwag in front, catching the explosive opener on the crease with one that veered in slightly.

Johnson, who replaced Lee after the paceman had completed his first spell, struck another blow by dismissing Rahul Dravid for 11 in his first over.

Dravid's dismissal was more a case of poor shot selection rather than fine bowling from Johnson.

The former India captain chased a delivery pitched well outside off stump and only managed an edge which Matthew Hayden held neatly at first slip.

India were precariously placed at 2-27 when Tendulkar joined Gambhir at the crease.

Gambhir got off the mark with a square-driven boundary off Lee, but withdrew into a shell as wickets fell at the other end.

Tendulkar immediately relieved some of the pressure as he confidently negotiated the Australian bowlers. Determined not to go the Dravid way, he chose to leave deliveries sent wide of off stump, but hit Johnson for consecutive boundaries in one over as India eclipsed the 50-run mark.

Gambhir got to his own half-century immediately after leg-spinner Cameron White was introduced into the attack for the first time in the second hour after lunch.

Gambhir stepped out and drove through mid-off for a boundary and then nudged White to third man for three runs to get to the half-century.

White, Australia's only specialist spinner, conceded 27 runs in four overs as he was hit out of the attack.

Tendulkar reached his half-century, the second in the series and 51st in his career, but fell shortly later when he edged Johnson to Haddin, presenting the left-arm paceman with his second wicket.

Gambhir, who had struck only his second Test century in the second innings of the second Test at Mohali, only went from strength to strength.

Circumspect in the morning, he had rediscovered his old aggressive self as the day wore on.

The left-hander brought up his century with a six off Shane Watson, stepping down the track to thump the medium-pacer over mid-off.


Gambhir had consumed 190 deliveries for his 100, but remarkably the second 50 of his innings came off just 69 deliveries.

Laxman, who had joined Gambhir at the fall of Tendulkar's wicket, had in understated fashion brought up his own half-century.

Laxman had hit only three boundaries in his 50, but it came off just 70 deliveries even as Ponting turned to the left-arm spin of Simon Katich for a breakthrough.

The run flow - Laxman and Gambhir were scoring at just under six an over at that stage - ebbed significantly thereafter, but the wickets stayed intact.

3rd Test - Second Day
 

India applies screws
30 October, 2008

VVS Laxman Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman both hit double centuries as India all but batted Australia out of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

Gambhir hit 206 - the maiden double century of his career - and Laxman made an unbeaten 200 before India declared its first innings on 7-613.

Australia openers Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich made a determined start to their reply, closing the day on 50 for no loss.

Hayden, who has managed a meagre 42 runs in the first two Tests, was on 16 not out at stumps with Katich on 29, the duo having successfully seen off 15 overs from the India bowlers, including seven overs of probing spin.

Australia had begun the day with optimism and banking on the second new ball to break the partnership between Gambhir and Laxman, which was already worth 139 overnight.

Those hopes quickly faded and turned to frustration as Gambhir and Laxman quickly accelerated out of the blocks.

The duo harvested 97 runs in the first session, Laxman picking boundaries at will in typically wristy fashion.

The middle-order batsman brought up his 13th Test century and sixth against Australia with a cover-drive to the boundary off spinner Cameron White and went past the 150-run mark - for the fourth time against Australia -with a single off Katich.

Gambhir slammed 26 fours and a six, before being bowled by Shane Watson, four and a half sessions after he first came out to bat.

Watson was pressed into service for the first time on Thursday, well after lunch, and the all-rounder immediately struck by getting rid of the left-handed opener.

Gambhir attempted to steer a delivery to third man, but an inside edge cannoned on to his stumps. Gambhir and Laxman's partnership yielded 278 runs in 72.1 overs.

The second hour after lunch was Australia's most successful period of a long day as they snared Sourav Ganguly (five) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27) in addition to Gambhir.

Ganguly, playing his last match at the Feroz Shah Kotla, attempted to drive Katich on the up through the covers only for Ricky Ponting to scoop up a catch at short cover.

Dhoni presented Katich with a difficult return catch almost immediately after he came to the crease.

Katich stuck out a hand, but failed to grasp it. Dhoni looked in ominous form, hitting Katich for consecutive boundaries and a six in one over while thumping Watson for consecutive blows in another.

Watson, however, was to have the last laugh, inducing a drive from the wicketkeeper-batsman which he edged straight behind to Brad Haddin.

India captain Anil Kumble got his team past the 500-run mark with successive boundaries off Katich and smashed a total of seven fours in all before falling to Mitchell Johnson.

Laxman eventually reached his double century by clubbing Michael Clarke for two over mid-on and Kumble declared immediately after.

Laxman's previous double century - 281 at Kolkata - also came against the world champions.


Johnson finished the innings as Australia's most successful bowler, having taken 3-142 as Watson claimed 2-66. Brett Lee also bowled with pace and venom, particularly with the new ball but could not manage another wicket after taking Virender Sehwag early on Wednesday morning, finishing his innings on 1-119.

3rd Test - Third Day
 

Hayden still confident
01 November, 2008

Australia opener Matthew Hayden admitted he went back to basics en route to a critical knock of 83 on the third day of the third Test against India.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting had ridiculed India at the start of the series by suggesting the hosts played old-style cricket, claiming his tourists would offer "new-age cricket" and score at four runs an over.

But needing to help avoid the follow-on after India posted a huge score of 613 for seven declared, Hayden played the old-fashioned way and was rewarded with a solid total.

Hayden put on 123 runs for the opening wicket with Simon Katich, and Australia ended the day on 338 for four, 275 runs behind India's first innings score.

"With 600 on the board, it required a more traditional type of innings," Hayden said.

"Today I really set myself to bat a long time and took advantage of the loose ball.


"I felt relaxed from ball one, and through last night as well."

Hayden had accumulated a meagre 42 runs from the first two matches, twice being dismissed for ducks.

His return to form is certain to boost Australia, who are already 1-0 down in the series and still facing a formidable task over the next two days in the third Test.

Hayden, however, believes Australia could still clinch a draw and save the game.

"It was frustrating for the top three batsmen to fall after getting half-centuries, but it was still a very good day for Australia," Hayden said.

"Four for 300 was a good result.

"We're very confident, we've got a good batting line-up to come."

Hayden praised the Indian bowlers, saying they had done a fine job in the circumstances.

"Anil (Kumble) and Amit (Mishra) bowled admirably well today," he said.

"Interestingly, Sehwag also got some spin from the new ball. He bowled really well. He had spin, speed and variation.

"He (Sehwag) is not a big turner of the ball like Harbhajan Singh, but he knows the conditions really well.

"There are some challenging conditions to face, especially with spin, but it is one we are going to enjoy."

Part-time off-spinner Sehwag was pressed into service after Kumble injured his finger while attempting a catch and was forced to leave the field.

Sehwag picked up three of the four wickets to fall including Hayden, whom he trapped leg before.

Sehwag said India could still force a win in the remaining two days.

"The match is not in anyone's favour just yet," he said. "We will have to see how it goes tomorrow morning. But I think it will not be easy to save a match on this wicket.

"The ball is now spinning from the rough on the edge of the wicket, but once the pitch cracks, it will make batting difficult. Anil will return tomorrow and he will bowl a lot better than I did today.

"Australia will find it difficult."

Sehwag said the wickets were a bonus as he was only trying to restrict the runs.

"Anil was injured so someone had to bowl," he said. "I got this opportunity to bowl 20 overs after a long time. I just wanted to contain the runs and that's what I did and in the process also got the wickets.

"Now I have a chance to claim my first five-wicket haul."

3rd Test - Fourth Day
 

Clarke boosts Australian hopes
01 November, 2008


Michael Clarke and Brett Lee A fortuitous century from Michael Clarke helped Australia slam the door on India's hopes of a victory on the fourth day of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

Clarke, dropped on 21, 90 and 94, rode his luck en route to 112, leaving Australia in position to clinch a draw which would give it a chance of saving the series.

Part-time off-spinner Virender Sehwag completed a five-wicket haul as Australia was eventually bowled out in the last session of the day for 577, only 36 shy of India's first-innings score of 7-613 declared.

India then lost quick wickets at the start of its second innings and closed the day on 2-43.

Clarke's hundred, his eighth in Test cricket, saved the day for Australia, but it had looked an unlikely feat at the start.

Clarke was handed a reprieve in just the fourth over of the day when Ishant Sharma put down a straight forward chance at long off.

The New South Wales batsman skipped down the track in an attempt to cart leg-spinner Amit Mishra over the in-field, but hit straight to Ishant, who grassed the regulation catch.

Sehwag had dismissed Shane Watson (36) quickly enough in the morning, but his attempts to add a fifth victim to his haul were twice stymied by poor fielding, Clarke being the beneficiary on both occasions.

Clarke attempted a slog-sweep off the spinner, but the delivery took the top edge and ballooned to VVS Laxman at long-off. Laxman, however, dropped what ought to have been a simple catch.

Four runs later, Clarke swept Sehwag again, this time straight to Mishra at deep square leg. Mishra advanced a touch, but failed to grasp cleanly.

Clarke then brought up his century by swatting a short ball from Sehwag through covers. Only six boundaries and one six studded his eighth Test century.

He finally holed out in the deep to Zaheer Khan, presenting Mishra his second wicket.

Clarke had constructed crucial partnerships worth 73 for the fifth wicket with Watson and 109 for the seventh with Cameron White (44).

Watson was the first to go in the morning, the all-rounder falling after putting on a show of belligerence.

He took 10 runs off three deliveries from an Ishant over and hit a total of eight boundaries, six of them coming through the third man region.

But his resistance ended when Sehwag got one to turn sharply from outside off stump beating Watson as he moved back to defend.

The ball spun enough to clip the top of leg stump.

Kumble, who missed most of the third day due to a finger injury sustained in the morning session, plunged into attack immediately upon returning to the field after 14 overs had been bowled.


He finally picked up his first wicket of the series, getting rid of Brad Haddin.

Haddin skipped down the track to hit Kumble over the top, was beaten by the flight and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had the bails whipped off in a flash.

White showed admirable diligence and patience as he kept out the Indian bowlers, before being bowled via an edge by Sehwag.

Kumble then mopped up the tail, trapping Brett Lee (eight) in front and shortly after running back to collect a catch from Mitchell Johnson (15) off his own bowling, ending Australia's innings.

India then saw opener Sehwag bowled by Lee for 16 and the decision to send in a nightwatchman backfired as Ishant capped a poor day by falling to Stuart Clark for one.

At close, Rahul Dravid, who was rapped on the forearm by a bouncer from Clark, was batting on five and with him was Gautam Gambhir on 21.

India leads the four-match series 1-0.

3rd Test - Fifth Day
 

Kumble bids farewell in Delhi draw
November 02, 2008

A FAREWELL spell from retiring captain Anil Kumble added poignancy to the drawn conclusion of the third Test after India foiled slim Australia hopes of victory.

The Indians declared after tea at 5-208, an overall lead of 244, with VVS Laxman (59no) and Sourav Ganguly (32no).

Sachin Tendulkar (47) and Gautam Gambhir (36) provided time-sapping resistance in the early passages at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground.

Australian openers Matthew Hayden (16no) and Simon Katich (14no) then played out a token eight overs to reach 0-31, Kumble fittingly taking the new ball on a dusty subcontinental wicket for the last time after announcing his retirement earlier in the session.

In an unrepresentative finish to a career that gleaned 619 Test wickets - the third most of all time - Kumble's final ball was a full toss struck to the straight fence by Hayden.

However the close of play brought a more fitting moment as members of the Indian team - including captaincy successor Mahendra Dhoni - carried Kumble for part of his lap of honour.

The teams now travel to Nagpur for Thursday's final Test, with India holding a 1-0 lead.

Brett Lee (2-48), Stuart Clark (1-22) and Mitchell Johnson (1-23) earlier put in dangerous spells, bending their backs in a last despairing effort to wrench a result from a pitch that did not deteriorate as both captains expected it would.

All-rounder Cameron White (1-23) was not employed by captain Ricky Ponting until the match had been virtually decided, but he bowled tidily when given the chance and dismissed Tendulkar for the second time in the series with a rare ball that turned.

Given his success in the first innings, it was puzzling that left arm wrist spinner Simon Katich was not used for a single over.

Gautam Gambhir (36) was again a thorn in the side of the Australians in the morning, seeing off the bowlers until Johnson won a dubious lbw verdict from umpire Aleem Dar.

Australian desire to win bubbled over in the final moments before lunch, Johnson exchanging harsh words with Laxman to attract a word of warning from umpire Dar.

Tendulkar batted sensibly and with the freedom he has shown since becoming Test cricket's highest run scorer.

Rahul Dravid, though, was not so successful, unable to survive Lee's initial burst which saw the Australian gain a hint of reverse swing to complicate matters for the batsmen.

Only 10 runs came in eight overs before Lee delivered a yorker that shaped in enough to disturb the stumps via an inside edge.

At the other end, Clark gave Gambhir a working over, varying his lines and lengths from around the wicket and on one occasion delivering a grubber that touched Gambhir's bottom edge before dribbling through to 'keeper Brad Haddin.

Tendulkar was less troubled, and unfurled the odd sweet drive to take the lead beyond 100.

He and Gambhir would have taken the home side to lunch but for an error by Dar, who failed to accurately gauge that the inswing on Johnson's delivery to Gambhir had to take the ball past leg stump.

Shane Watson (0-26) had reason to feel aggrieved in the afternoon when he had a very legitimate lbw appeal against Tendulkar denied by the same umpire, and it was left to White to dismiss him, nicking a catch to slip.

4th Test - 1st Day
 

Sachin ton hands India edge
06 November, 2008

Sachin Tendulkar A century from Sachin Tendulkar guided India to 5-311 at stumps on the opening day of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia, giving the hosts the edge in the decisive match.

Tendulkar, who was dropped on 85 and 98 and also survived a run-out attempt just after passing his half-century, took an age to bring up his 40th Test century but eventually got there deep into the final session.

The champion batsman became the first player in Test match history to record 40 hundreds and also overtook Australian legend Allan Border as the man to score over 50 more times than anyone else (now 91).

His 109, allied with half-centuries from Virender Sehwag (66) and VVS Laxman (64), put India in a strong position after the first day.

Sourav Ganguly, playing his final Test match for India, was still batting on 27 at the close with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on four.

Australian off-spinner Jason Krejza, who was picked in place of paceman Stuart Clark, proved expensive on his debut but still claimed a three-wicket haul (3-138).

Sehwag and his new opening partner Murali Vijay (33) had exploded off the blocks after Dhoni had won yet another toss for India.

The two plundered 70 runs in the first hour as they pushed the visitors, 1-0 down in the series, on to the back foot.

Australia's new-ball bowlers Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson sprayed the ball around, although the tourists did have their chances.

Sehwag had an inside edge off Johnson miss off-stump by a whisker while another top-edge flew over the slip cordon.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting had handed Krejza the ball as early as the 12th over and Sehwag immediately responded by hitting him for a boundary and a six in that first over.

Vijay took to his first Test with gusto only a day after being rushed into the side to replace the banned Gautam Gambhir.

A flurry of boundaries marked the first hour as India went into the first drinks break firmly on the front foot.

Shane Watson, however, severed the burgeoning opening partnership getting steepling bounce and inducing an edge from Vijay which was grasped behind by Brad Haddin.

Sehwag brought up his half-century - off just 45 deliveries - by turning the spinner through square leg for a single and looked set to make a big score when he chopped a delivery from Krejza back on to his stumps.

Ponting persisted with Krejza although the off-spinner leaked 34 runs in his first four overs and was rewarded when the debutant disposed of Rahul Dravid (zero) for his first Test wicket.

Dravid had lunged forward to defend a delivery that kicked up, the edge flying to Simon Katich at short leg.

Tendulkar, who had walked out to the crease with India in a spot of bother at 3-116, steadied the ship in the company of Laxman.

The two, although conservative in approach in contrast to the openers, were no less effective as they added 146 runs for the fourth wicket.

Laxman, playing his 100th Test, was all timing and placement and he reached his half-century off 126 deliveries, hitting four boundaries along the way.

Then, much against the run of play, Krejza sent Laxman back to the pavilion. The right-handed batsman moved to make room to cut Krejza on the off, but the ball spun sharply and caught the top edge which Haddin snaffled.

Tendulkar's century looked anything but assured as he was dropped twice.


Johnson made a mess of a fairly straight forward chance as Tendulkar looked to hit over the top and miscued.

Lee dropped another similar opportunity, Krejza being the unfortunate bowler on both occasions.

Johnson, however, made amends as he caught Tendulkar on the crease, wrapping him on the pads as the batsman had shuffled back to defend. Billy Bowden upheld the appeal for leg before.

Ganguly and Dhoni then carefully watched out the remaining overs.

4th Test - 2nd Day
 

Krejza rips through tail
07 November, 2008

Jason Krejza Australia off-spinner Jason Krejza picked up eight wickets on debut as India were bowled out for 441 midway through the afternoon session on day two of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

Krejza got rid of Mahendra Singh Dhoni (56) just after the India skipper had reached his half-century, the 12th of his career.

Dhoni's departure ended a sixth-wicket partnership worth 119 with Sourav Ganguly, who was also a victim of the spinner in his final Test before retirement.

Krejza picked up Ganguly two deliveries after he had disposed of Dhoni, the left-hander falling for 85.

Ganguly tentatively poked at a delivery from the rookie, but a thick edge flew to Michael Clarke who snaffled a brilliant catch at first slip.

Krejza then picked up two wickets in as many deliveries, bowling Zaheer Khan (1), via an inside edge, and Amit Mishra (0).

Krejza was denied the hat-trick, but soon sent back Ishant Sharma for a duck, caught by Simon Katich at short-leg.

Krejza, overlooked for the first three matches of this series, finished with figures of 8-215 from 43.5 overs.

Earlier, Ganguly and Dhoni had taken India to a commanding 5-404 at lunch.

Runs came in a steady flow right through the session - 93 in all from 26 overs - but remarkably most of them through strong running between the wickets as the duo consolidated.

Dhoni, playing a dominant hand in the partnership earlier on, struck the first boundary of the day in the seventh over when he whipped Brett Lee through square-leg.

Ganguly got his first boundary in the next over, square-driving left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson and then hit Krejza for a six over long-on as he slowly came into his own.


The 36-year-old brought up his 34th half-century by pushing Krejza through mid-off for a couple of runs.

Dhoni had grown in confidence, audaciously reverse-sweeping Krejza to good effect despite a slip being in place as he closed in on his half-century.

The run rate dipped in the last half-hour before lunch as Australia's bowlers, Shane Watson in particular, channelled deliveries in the corridor outside off stump.

Australia lost key opener Matthew Hayden before tea, the burly Queenslander run out attempting a quick single to Murali Vijay at mid-on.

Hayden looked in good nick, hitting three fours in his 16, before a rush of blood resulted in his dismissal with Vijay's throw shattering the stumps.

Simon Katich remained unbeaten on 18 with captain Ricky Ponting on seven not out as Australia reached 43 for one at the interval.

4th Test - Third Day
 

Krejza: Dravid the best
08 November, 2008

Australia's Jason Krejza revealed claiming the scalp of Rahul Dravid has so far been the stand-out moment of his stunning Test debut against India.

An eight-wicket haul by the off-spinner enabled Australia to battle their way back into the fourth Test in Nagpur on Friday, Krejza's efforts seeing the hosts slump from 311 for five at the start of the day to 441 all out.

Krejza dismissed Dravid, Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman on Thursday before picking off Sourav Ganguly and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in quick succession just after lunch on day two.

He then dismissed Zaheer Khan, Amit Mishra and Ishant Sharma as India's tail faltered, but he revealed it was his maiden Test wicket that will live longest in the memory.

"The first wicket definitely was my most memorable and getting Rahul Dravid was great," he said.

"I had worked it out in my mind and it came out as I had planned."

The New South Wales player was overlooked for the first three Tests of the series after struggling in a warm-up match at the start of the tour.

However, the lack of a quality specialist spinner had seen Australia fall to a 1-0 deficit in the series, and Krejza was handed his first Test cap for the final game of the series.


Krejza added that the dismissal of Ganguly - his fifth wicket of the match - was key, coming as it did in the same over that he had sent Dhoni back to the pavilion and also ushering in India's ineffective tailenders.

"Ganguly's wicket was crucial," the 25-year-old said.

"His wicket was a good one for me. There isn't much help bowling against left-handers and to get him we had to change our field a bit."

"I gave myself more protection so that I could attack and got him."

Krejza's eight wickets were expensive - coming at a cost of 215 runs - but he was nevertheless delighted with his overall performance.

"It was important for us to get those wickets," he said.

"I was just trying to keep my emotions under control. It's a bit of a blur still."

"It's incredible to achieve a feat like that against the best players of spin in the world."

Krejza's efforts ensured the tourists had plenty of time to rack up a decent first-innings reply. Simon Katich hit 92 not out as Australia reached stumps on 189 for two.

Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting the wickets to fall.


India seizes control
08 November, 2008

Shane Watson India turned the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series back in their favour by claiming three quick wickets before tea on the third day to take the shine off Simon Katich's earlier ton for Australia.

Katich, handed a huge slice of luck when he was dropped on 94 by Rahul Dravid in the second over of the day off Ishant Sharma, made 102 as he and Michael Hussey paired for a gritty 155-run stand for the third wicket.

But Hussey was dismissed 10 runs short of a century while Michael Clarke (eight) and Shane Watson (two) were also sent back to the pavilion in quick succession as Australia slipped from 3-231 at lunch to 6-280 by the tea interval.

Brad Haddin and Cameron White were both unbeaten on seven as Australia reached the break still 161 runs adrift of India's first-innings total of 441.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had surprisingly rested on his heels in the morning as the bowlers played a waiting game.

Zaheer Khan and Ishant concentrated on a line outside off stump in 18 overs of unbroken pace in the morning, a tactic that almost paid off when Katich fell into the trap, edging to first slip only for Dravid to drop the chance.

Katich, who resumed from his overnight 92, completed his century by steering Ishant to third man for his ninth boundary of the innings, but fell to a reverse-swinging yorker from Zaheer just before lunch.

India conceded just 42 runs in the first session of day three as Hussey continued to offer resistance, bringing up his half-century with an edge which fell between Dravid and VVS Laxman in the slips.

But the left-hander eventually fell to a fine piece of fielding from debutant Murali Vijay for 90.


Hussey steered a delivery from Harbhajan Singh just past Vijay at silly point and set off for a single. Vijay, however, lunged and collected, throwing the ball back to the middle which Dhoni deflected on the stumps with Hussey short of the crease.

Clarke had already been sent packing by that point, Ishant inducing an edge which was caught behind by Dhoni.

Watson fell when he reached forward to defend a top spinner from Harbhajan only to have the ball roll back and rattle the stumps.

Haddin and White were subjected to an intense examination from India's spinners but survived unscathed to the interval.

4th Test - Fourth Day
 

Aussies hit back at India
09 November, 2008

Shane Watson Shane Watson and Jason Krejza each claimed two wickets in quick succession as the momentum swung Australia's way before tea in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaksar series against India which now finds itself on 6-166 with a lead of 252.

India openers Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay had all but shut the door on the visitors with a 116-run stand for the opening wicket when Watson sent Vijay back for 41.

But Watson snaffled Rahul Dravid for three and Brett Lee had Sehwag caught down the leg-side for 92, the quick dismissals offering the visitors a glimmer of hope.

Off-spinner Jason Krejza then removed VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly off successive deliveries - the latter going for a first-ball duck in his final innings in Test cricket - to be on a hat-trick for the second time in his debut match and Sachin Tendulkar was run out in the final over before tea as India collapsed.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the not out batsman on three.

Lee, suffering from a stomach disorder, had sent down a couple of tight overs at the start, but Sehwag and Vijay carefully watched out that blistering spell.

Left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson had beat the outside edge on several occasions in an unbroken spell of nine overs, his outside off-stump line luring Sehwag in to the drive.

Sehwag, however, survived those close calls and eased into attack as he hit Lee for consecutive boundaries as the paceman began to tire.

Lee quickly gave way to Krejza, who immediately had an lbw shout off Sehwag turned down by umpire Billy Bowden.

Krejza, who picked up eight wickets in the first innings at an expensive 215 runs, again proved costly, going at over five runs an over in his first five overs.

Sehwag brought up his half-century with a slog-sweep off the debutant off-spinner to the mid-on boundary for six.

Lee, however, ended Sehwag's run, getting the opener to jab at a short delivery pitched on leg-stump. Sehwag managed only a faint edge which wicketkeeper Brad Haddin neatly pouched.

By then Dravid had departed, going on the front foot to defend Watson and edging to Haddin.

That dismissal brought the curtain down on a poor series for Dravid, where he managed just 120 runs in seven innings at an average of 20.

From 0-116, India crashed to 6-166 as Krejza made his mark.

He bowled Laxman for four, getting one to spin viciously past the blade of the batsman from the rough outside off stump and crash into the stumps.


Krejza then latched on to the leading edge from Ganguly as the left-hander, who will retire at the end of this match, attempted to play on the on-side.

Ganguly, sent for a first-ball duck, was Krejza's 10th victim in this match.

Tendulkar was the final blow in a tumultuous session for India after the batsman set off for a run after pushing to the covers.

Dhoni at the other end failed to respond and Tendulkar could not make his crease.

India wins series
10 November, 2008

Amit Mishra Harbhajan Singh claimed four wickets and Amit Mishra picked up three as India completed a 172-run victory in the fourth Test against Australia to clinch the Border-Gavaskar trophy with a 2-0 series triumph in Nagpur.

Paceman Ishant Sharma struck two early blows in the morning session, getting rid of Simon Katich (16) and Michael Clarke (22), while leg-spinner Mishra, who had run out Ricky Ponting for eight in the morning, returned to pick up the wickets of Michael Hussey (19), Brad Haddin (four) and Jason Krejza (four) as India condemned the Baggy Greens to their first series defeat since England's Ashes triumph in 2005.

Matthew Hayden struck a defiant 77, but was trapped lbw by his old rival Harbhajan, who also sent back Shane Watson (nine), Brett Lee (zero) and last man Mitchell Johnson (11).

The first and third Tests ended in draws, but with India winning the second Test in Mohali, the hosts only needed a draw in Nagpur to clinch the series.

Victory, though, was the perfect parting gift for former skipper Sourav Ganguly, who had announced he would retire at the end of this Test.

Australia faced a stiff target at the start of play, needing a further 369 for victory in three sessions.

Katich and Hayden resumed the chase in earnest and had looked to take the attack to India's bowlers in the morning.

India's new-ball bowler Zaheer Khan, who conceded 13 runs in his first over on Sunday evening, showed intensity and accuracy from the start, repeatedly beating Katich's edge in the first two overs.

Ishant was no less threatening but struggled to match Zaheer's consistency. Yet, he was more successful as he snared Katich when the left-handed batsman looked to cart him through the leg side.

Katich only managed an edge which went high in the air towards gully and Mahendra Singh Dhoni ran around to take the catch.

Ponting was off the mark with an edged boundary through the slips and showed more authority when he drove Zaheer for his second four.

The Australia skipper then pushed a ball from Zaheer to Mishra at mid-on and set off for a single only for Mishra to catch him well short of the crease with a direct hit.

An unwell Clarke came to the crease with the support of a runner and Ishant immediately saw a confident appeal for lbw turned down by umpire Billy Bowden.

Clarke was almost caught and bowled by Ishant off the third delivery he faced and twice edged Zaheer in the next over for boundaries to third man, both edges flying just wide of VVS Laxman at second slip.

Clarke added 45 for the third wicket with Hayden before Ishant broke through, sending Clarke back to the pavilion when the batsman edged straight to Dhoni.

Hayden was dropped on 26 by Dhoni as he attempted to cut Harbhajan in his first over and again on 35 by Rahul Dravid at slip as he attempted a reverse sweep.

Hayden attacked with vigour immediately after lunch, bringing up his half-century with a boundary through mid-on off part-time off-spinner Virender Sehwag and bludgeoning consecutive boundaries off Harbhajan.

Together with Hussey, Hayden put on 68 runs for the fourth wicket to set India back slightly.

Harbhajan, however, persevered and reaped rich rewards as he trapped Hayden in front as the left-hander attempted to work a delivery on the on-side.


Mishra had by then ended the fourth-wicket stand by sending back Hussey, turning it from the rough outside off-stump and inducing the edge which was held by Dravid.

Haddin's stay at the crease was brief and ended when he stepped down the track to cart Mishra over the top. He ended up hitting straight to Sachin Tendulkar who held his 100th catch in Test cricket.

Watson (nine) was Harbhajan's second wicket, snaffled by Dhoni as he attempted a cut shot and he had Lee caught by Murali Vijay at short leg as he lunged forward in defence.

Johnson was Harbhajan's final victim, given out leg before by umpire Aleem Dar to cue wild celebrations from the home contingent which was joined by former captain Anil Kumble, who retired after the third Test.