Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 |
| Sport | ||||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Southern States |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Sport
-
Cricket
By Vijay Lokapally
FLYING HIGH: Ajit Agarkar, who returned career best figures of six for 41, celebrates the fall of Simon Katich with his team-mates. — Photo: Tony Lewis/Getty Images
Australia 556 & 196 India 523 & 37 for no loss
A modest fourth innings target of 230 was made possible by some splendid team effort as the second Test changed direction and swung India's way on a day that saw 13 wickets fall. India was on top thanks to an intelligent spell by Agarkar, not to forget the timely blows dealt by Sachin Tendulkar, Ashish Nehra and Anil Kumble, leaving Australia in a situation it is unfamiliar to when playing at home. If the Indians mess it up from this position, with another 193 runs needed and 10 wickets in hand, they will have only themselves to blame. Though one knows all about the Australian spirit to rise from the ashes, India holds the whip — its self-belief is high and there is nothing in the pitch to bring nightmares for the batsmen. In a remarkable comeback, quite reminiscent of the one at the Eden Gardens, India stands a great chance to pull off a win that could give the series a new course. It finished the day at 37 for no loss with Akash Chopra and Virender Sehwag batting with supreme confidence. A win here — the first in Australia in 22 years — will certainly enhance India's reputation as a Test team to contend with, and not just at home. The Australian resilience was conquered in short but lethal bursts, through pace and spin, as well as the tactical brilliance of Sourav Ganguly. The move to exploit Tendulkar's leg-spin gave an insight into the thinking that went the Indian strategy. And then the faith the skipper reposed in Agarkar was exemplary.
The Australians succumbed to pressure, something that has rarely threatened them in Test matches at home. When the pressure mounted, the aggressive Australians surrendered meekly and nothing exemplified it better than the dismissals of Martyn and Waugh. The Australian performance was tainted by two acts of indiscretion that condemned the team to depths on a pitch that witnessed marathon efforts from Rahul Dravid, who celebrated his fourth Test double century this morning, and V. V. S. Laxman. The difference lay in the attitude with the Indians backing themselves and the Australians, most uncharacteristically, doubting their own potential.
Turning point
The indolent square-drive by Damien Martyn off a canny Tendulkar leg-spinner was the defining moment of the day. A trap was laid and the batsman fell to it with Dravid providing the finishing touches, latching on to the ball just as it was slipping past him. It was a brilliant catch which broke the threatening stand between Martyn and Waugh. When he watches the replay, Martyn would remember the lessons taught at the academy — play the ball on merit. Waugh fell to a similar ploy, this time the ball pitching in line with the off-stump and curling away in a beautiful arc, the destination once again the safe hands of Dravid but the catch simple and straightforward. This was incredible — the sheer coincidence of Tendulkar swinging the match with crucial wickets, just like that wonderful afternoon at the Eden Gardens when he lured Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Shane Warne to their doom. Those wickets were as vital to India's sensational comeback victory though Harbhajan Singh was remembered more, just as Agarkar will be for his six-wicket haul this afternoon. When Dravid ran out of partners after India resumed at 477 for seven, it appeared the team had wasted a good chance to get as close as possible to the Australian total. Anil Kumble and Irfan Pathan chose to play shots rather than support Dravid, who was the last man out for a career-best score of 233, and possibly a match-winning one too if the Indian batsmen capitalise tomorrow. The Australian slide began with the inspiring dismissal of Justin Langer. He was the key man to trap, given his ability to graft. Then came the biggest prize — Ricky Ponting. His slash did not go past Chopra at gully. The Indians sensed an opportunity and soon Nehra's slower one flummoxed Hayden. A hush hung over the Adelaide Oval as Hayden dragged himself out of the field.
Experience to the fore
And the Oval came alive with encouraging applause as Australia recovered through Martyn and Waugh, but there were visible signs of desperation and anxiety in their shots. For Martyn, it was a familiar ploy. Not so for Waugh and the Aussie boat was rocked by Tendulkar and sunk by Agarkar who returned to polish off the opposition. This was after a cameo by Gilchrist that raised the cheers and hopes in the Australian dressing room. For some time, the Indian bowlers appeared confused and it required the experience of Kumble to once again underline his value to the team. He produced a beauty that grazed the pad and bowled the dangerous Gilchrist around the legs. This delivery firmly placed India on the road to dominating Australia in this eventful Test. The happiest man after Gilchrist's dismissal was Parthiv Patel who missed a stumping off Kumble with the batsman on 14 and Australia 131. The Aussies added 52 runs after that reprieve before Kumble got Gilchrist. The Australian lower order folded up after Gilchrist's departure. It took Agarkar just 19 balls to grab the last four wickets, his previous career-best best of three for 43 at the very same venue four years ago getting drowned in this afternoon's deluge.
Agarkar modest
Agarkar remained modest in his hour of glory. "The ball just came out right. Probably, I'm lucky that I could pick up six wickets. It doesn't happen every day that you bowl well and take six. From the first ball, I felt good and things worked well for me," said Agarkar. "They (Australians) play positive cricket and go for their shots. That obviously helps. When there is some movement off the seam it sets up the chance to get wickets. I've got Justin (Langer) thrice now. The ball swung in Brisbane and I got him out twice. He's a very good batsman to get,'' said the Mumbai bowler. Reflecting on his past, Agarkar observed: "in the first year and a half I was coming to terms with myself. But now I know my body better. I know my limitations better. Sometimes, it helps not to have some things. I don't have the pace of (Jason) Gillespie. I can't bowl quick bouncers. But there are more chances to get leg-before and bowled decisions with the skiddy action I have.'' On the task ahead, Agarkar said: "We still have to get those runs. But we are very confident. We have a great opportunity here. If we keep our heads, we should get the job done.'' In the opinion of Australia's coach John Buchanan, the match was still open. "It hasn't really gone bad yet. We still have a lead of 193 runs. We're not going to give in. The wicket, as we have seen today, is going to play a few tricks. I wouldn't back ourselves out at this stage. "We were satisfied this morning. We set out to limit the Indian total which we did pretty well. We had to establish the required lead by lunch tomorrow. Then we would have been in total control of the game and from there on only one team could have won. At this stage, there are two teams still in the contest. Our batting was immature,'' Buchanan pointed out.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Southern States |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | Home |
Copyright © 2003, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
