Australia vs India: Old stalwarts lead rescue act
Hussey, Ponting score fifties to keep Australia alive in opening Test.
MELBOURNE:
The old firm of Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting rescued Australia with a fighting century stand against India on day three of the opening Test.
The duo, with their Test futures under scrutiny, pulled their team out of a huge hole at 27 for four with a crucial 115-run partnership to give Australia a slight edge as the hosts reached 179 for eight at stumps, handing them a 230-run advantage over India.
Ponting fell for 60 but Hussey led the way with an unbeaten 79. The left-hander was positive from the outset and aggressively went after runs to show that he still has plenty to offer. Ponting made his second half-century of the match and looked set to get his first Test hundred in almost two years before Zaheer Khan dismissed him.
‘We need to extend our lead’
Ponting was upbeat about Australia’s chances in the Test but felt that the hosts needed to extend the lead a bit more.
“We’re 230 ahead, which is a reasonable total for India to chase but ideally I would like us to make a bit more than that,” he said before praising Hussey’s excellent effort to pull the team out of trouble. “It’s important to show intent in these situations and be able to counter-attack at different times, and the way Hussey handled that situation was great.”
Sehwag, on the other hand, said that India would be looking to keep Australia’s lead under 300.
“I think it was a good day for India,” he said. “The match is evenly balanced. We have to bat really well to win the match.”
Early collapse
Hussey lost batting partners late in the day with the dismissals of Brad Haddin (six), Peter Siddle (four) and Nathan Lyon (four). India fast-bowler Umesh Yadav had initiated the top-order collapse with the first three wickets, removing David Warner (five), Ed Cowan (eight) and Shaun Marsh (three).
Captain Michael Clarke followed soon after, playing on an Ishant Sharma delivery for one.
Earlier, Ben Hilfenhaus claimed his best haul in Tests to give Australia a handy first-innings lead as India were dismissed for 282. Hilfenhaus captured five for 75 as India lost seven wickets for 68 after they looked in command resuming on 214 for two.
Dravid was bowled second ball by Hilfenhaus on his overnight score of 68. VVS Laxman fell for two, caught behind off Siddle before Hilfenhaus dismissed Virat Kohli, captain MS Dhoni and Sharma. Ravi Ashwin (31) showed some resistance before he was last man out.
Ricky Ponting
“I don’t care what people outside the dressing room are saying, if I’ve got the support inside the dressing room that’s all that really matters to me. I want to do my best for Australia.”
Virender Sehwag
“This is the best Indian bowling attack I’ve ever played with. Yadav, Sharma and Zaheer bowled beautifully. We
expected the bowlers to bowl in good areas because the pitch is doing something.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2011.
The old firm of Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting rescued Australia with a fighting century stand against India on day three of the opening Test.
The duo, with their Test futures under scrutiny, pulled their team out of a huge hole at 27 for four with a crucial 115-run partnership to give Australia a slight edge as the hosts reached 179 for eight at stumps, handing them a 230-run advantage over India.
Ponting fell for 60 but Hussey led the way with an unbeaten 79. The left-hander was positive from the outset and aggressively went after runs to show that he still has plenty to offer. Ponting made his second half-century of the match and looked set to get his first Test hundred in almost two years before Zaheer Khan dismissed him.
‘We need to extend our lead’
Ponting was upbeat about Australia’s chances in the Test but felt that the hosts needed to extend the lead a bit more.
“We’re 230 ahead, which is a reasonable total for India to chase but ideally I would like us to make a bit more than that,” he said before praising Hussey’s excellent effort to pull the team out of trouble. “It’s important to show intent in these situations and be able to counter-attack at different times, and the way Hussey handled that situation was great.”
Sehwag, on the other hand, said that India would be looking to keep Australia’s lead under 300.
“I think it was a good day for India,” he said. “The match is evenly balanced. We have to bat really well to win the match.”
Early collapse
Hussey lost batting partners late in the day with the dismissals of Brad Haddin (six), Peter Siddle (four) and Nathan Lyon (four). India fast-bowler Umesh Yadav had initiated the top-order collapse with the first three wickets, removing David Warner (five), Ed Cowan (eight) and Shaun Marsh (three).
Captain Michael Clarke followed soon after, playing on an Ishant Sharma delivery for one.
Earlier, Ben Hilfenhaus claimed his best haul in Tests to give Australia a handy first-innings lead as India were dismissed for 282. Hilfenhaus captured five for 75 as India lost seven wickets for 68 after they looked in command resuming on 214 for two.
Dravid was bowled second ball by Hilfenhaus on his overnight score of 68. VVS Laxman fell for two, caught behind off Siddle before Hilfenhaus dismissed Virat Kohli, captain MS Dhoni and Sharma. Ravi Ashwin (31) showed some resistance before he was last man out.
Ricky Ponting
“I don’t care what people outside the dressing room are saying, if I’ve got the support inside the dressing room that’s all that really matters to me. I want to do my best for Australia.”
Virender Sehwag
“This is the best Indian bowling attack I’ve ever played with. Yadav, Sharma and Zaheer bowled beautifully. We
expected the bowlers to bowl in good areas because the pitch is doing something.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2011.