Cricket Blog

If the first three days were anything to go by, this match was going to be won by one team only. But cricket and maths don’t go well together. There is always hope for the unexpected, a quick fire 50, a match-winning spell of bowling, a run-out against the run of play. There are so many things that could go wrong, or right depending on how things happen. The champions, however, do not let their opposition take control. And if Australia are champions, then they need some serious contemplation to do as India dominated their 4th consecutive day in this test match.

Resuming at 100/0 and already in front by 301, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir kept scoring at a belligerent pace regardless of what field placements Ricky Ponting could conjure up. Despite having 4 men at the boundary, he was unable to stem the flow of runs. Gambhir reached his 50 during the day, and the two now have become the most dangerous opening pair in the game. Both Gambhir and Sehwag score freely and have a wide array of shots. They can easily manufacture shots depending on the situation and it is their aggressive attitude to dominate the bowling that sets them apart from other opening pairs.

Sehwag, however, was the first to depart edging Peter Siddle to Brad Haddin. Siddle picked up his first wicket of the innings and so did Australia. Dhoni came in at one-down, a rather unusual position for him in tests, although he has played a few match-winning knocks at that position in the shorter format of the game. He was quickly into his stride as he saw Gambhir score just his second test century, which was also his first against Australia.

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India continued their domination of the second test at Mohali. Australia crumbled from their overnight score of 102/4 and ended the innings at 268. They were still 2 runs short of avoiding a follow on. Not that it mattered as Dhoni decided to bat again.

Australia were always going to be under pressure after losing 4 wickets yesterday for less than 100 runs. Michael Hussey was the first to go after scoring a terrific 50 edging to Dhoni off Ishant. The lanky youngster is living up to his reputation of picking up the best batsmen in the world. Australia were 130/5 when their chief tormentor, someone by the name of Harbhajan Singh, struck again. Brad Haddin was clean bowled by a delivery that was pitched outside off-stump, then turned viciously and took the off stump.

It was Mishra’s turn next as he scalped Cameron White with an exceptionally perfect google to break his defences and crash into the stumps. The visitors were reduced to 167/7. Shane Watson survived a close LBW appeal off Ishant and went on to score his first test fifty. Giving him terrific support was Brett Lee, who himself survived baptism by fire from Ishant.

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If yesterday was Sachin Tendulkar Day, then today surely belonged to three players - one about to end his cricket career, another just beginning, and finally a swashbuckling captain that just gets better with additional responsibility. Saurav Ganguly got his 16th century, his second against Australia and his first against Australia in India. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, leading the side for just the second time, took the attack to the Aussies and displayed to the world just how frail the bowling department has become for the once mighty Australians. And finally, Amit Mishra, bowling in his first match, picked up 2 key wickets to rattle the visitors on the second day of the match.

But first lets talk about Ganguly. He had declared before the start of the series that will quit from International cricket at the conclusion of the fourth match. This series belongs to him, more so than anyone else in the Indian cricket team. This is also a key moment in Indian cricket history as it marks the beginning of an end of the Fab 4 that have captured the minds and souls of cricket fans over the last decade.

Ganguly was never in control today, as much as he was on the first day. The pressure was definitely on him. India started the day with 5 wickets down. Batting on this pitch was still paradise. India only had Dhoni left after Ganguly. This was Ganguly’s time and the old fox did no disappoint his plethora of fans (some of who are adamant that he reconsider his retirement). Ganguly got to the magical 3 figure mark with a lot of grit and patience. And the moment was absolute bliss for a man who wanted to go out on his own terms. THIS will prove a point to all his past and current detractors and the old selection committee, who had been unfairly harsh on this legend.

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Zaheer Khan justified his title of India’s pace spearhead as he overshadowed the much hyped Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, by picking up a 5 wicket haul against his favorite opponents. Australia started the day at 254/4 with Michael ‘Mr Cricket’ Hussey on 46 not out.

Ishant Sharma provided the first breakthrough of the day as he took Shane Watson’s off-stump out of the ground. Haddin joined Hussey and the two built a solid 91 run partnership. It was Ishant who broke through again as Haddin mistimed a drive to VVS Laxman on short cover. Cameron White, making his test debut, was the next to follow at only 6. Ishant now had 3 for the day and 4 for the match.

Brett Lee then proved to be a thorn for India as he got involved in an important 59 run wicket for the 8th wicket. Zak then struck and cleared the tail in no time. Australia were reduced from 421/7 to 430/10 in a matter of 2 overs.

Watch Day 1 and Day 2 highlights

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In what is an about turn by the ICC, controversial umpire and the main man who cost India the Sydney test, Steve Bucknor has been removed from the third match to be played in Perth. He has been replaced by Umpire Billy Bowden. The ICC had refused to remove Bucknor in earlier news reports, however, it seems that they have had a reality check in the last few hours.

ICC Chief Executive, Mr Malcolm Speed had the following statement to make:

“It is accepted that Steve, and his on-field colleague Mark Benson, did not have good games by their very high standards and we feel that given the added pressure and attention Steve’s presence would have at the third Test, it is better for the match and for Steve himself if he does not take part.”

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