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."