Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003
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Cricket
By Vijay Lokapally
Brad Williams exults on getting the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan
India 366 & 286 Australia 558
India, resuming at 27 for two, was bowled out in the penultimate over, leaving Australia 95 runs to win on the final day. Only twice in the history of the game have teams failed to win when faced with a target of less than 100. Two expansive drives cost India dear. The first came from a shockingly casual Sachin Tendulkar and the second from an adventurous Ganguly, who chanced his arm needlessly. These two blows brought Australia right back into the game after Rahul Dravid batted most admirably to defy the bowlers for the most part of the day. ``It was disappointing but there's always a hope. We fought hard today but it was tough. The Aussies bowled the right length,'' said Dravid who finished with an aggregate of 803 from ten Test innings this year. Dravid's occupation of the crease assumed monumental proportions at the MCG as he held India's hopes until the probing Australian attack snared him with the third Test entering a critical stage at the end of day four. Dravid's work was complemented by an aggressive Ganguly, who overcame a knock on the head from Brad Williams to return and play an attacking innings. Williams, who took four wickets, including the precious one of Tendulkar was a happy man. ``I really tried hard. I didn't bowl to hurt him. I don't want to see anyone hurt. I felt I was on top but I didn't expect Sourav to walk off the field,'' he said. On his dismissal of Tendulkar, Williams was delighted. ``I think his confidence is down a bit. He's the world's best batsman and it was good to have his wicket. I tried to get him driving and was lucky to get a nick.'' Dravid puts a heavy price on his scalp which must be a coveted reward for any international attack, what with his steely resolve to guard his wicket when the task becomes daunting. His brilliant knock gave India that outside chance to redeem the situation from a precarious state following the dismissal of Tendulkar. But a moment of slackness saw Dravid perish behind the wicket. There was never any doubt that India had a difficult job to perform. The threat of Australia blowing India away was real this morning when Dravid walked out with Ganguly. The pitch demanded a skilful response from the batsmen and Dravid was easily the best-equipped man in the team to deal with such situations. He has become a master in playing the crisis man's role and his impeccable display in taxing conditions was a tribute to the man's growing stature in world cricket.
Gavaskar's advice
It was important for Tendulkar to produce that one innings his admirers have been waiting for. He promised with a much-improved presence in the middle. His footwork was sure and his penchant to play his shots drove his ambitions high. It was not hard to see that Tendulkar was batting as is his wont for the first time in three Tests. This morning Sunil Gavaskar had spent time with Tendulkar to try and talk him out of the indecisiveness that has come to plague his footwork. The original master wanted Tendulkar to avoid playing away from the body. Tendulkar followed the suggestions until that dreadful moment when Brad Williams tempted him into playing an ambitious drive. It was a poor shot by any standard and all the more devastating for India since it came from Tendulkar. Meanwhile, even after Dravid lost Tendulkar and the trusted V. V. S. Laxman , he did not flinch. It was an outstanding portrayal of disciplined batting from Dravid and once again it highlighted his extraordinary commitment. Ganguly matched Dravid's resilience as India crawled back into the reckoning with a fifth-wicket partnership of 93 runs. India had lost Laxman to an ugly prod, identical to his first-innings dismissal, when Ganguly returned to resume his innings at 16. A blow on the back of the head forced him to retire and also change his helmet.
Turning point
A remarkable transformation saw Ganguly connect all his drives and the partnership prospered, much to the concern of the Aussies, who did well not to ease the pressure. Dravid's dismissal changed the complexion. As Dravid began his lonely walk back, Ganguly became aware of the huge responsibility that now sat on his shoulders. The skipper adopted the adventurous way to unsettle the bowlers but he paid the price soon, dragging the ball on to his stumps. For all his gallant show, this meek dismissal spoilt the day for him and the team. India lost its last six wickets for 36 runs. It was shocking for a team that claims depth in batting. ``It's been disappointing and it's an area we're trying hard to improve in,'' admitted Dravid. With the exception of Parthiv Patel, the rest had no clue as Australia tightened its grip on the match. The Indians backed themselves for a miracle tomorrow— a win or providential rain. ``There's always hope'' Dravid said. ``The ball is keeping low and it's not the easiest pitch to bat on. Maybe 100 runs is too little to defend. But you never know... '' SCOREBOARD
Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Chopra), 2-19 (Sehwag), 3-126 (Tendulkar), 4-160 (Laxman), 5-253 (Dravid), 6-258 (Ganguly), 7-271 (Agarkar), 8-271 (Kumble), 9-277 (Zaheer). Australia bowling: Lee 22-3-97-2, (nb-3), Bracken 25-13-45-2, Williams 22-5-53-4 (w-1), MacGill 26.5-5-68-2 (nb-4), Katich 4-0-16-0.
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