Opener David Warner questioned India’s resolve after slamming the fourth fastest century in Test cricket on a horror opening day for the tourists in the third Test in Perth.
Warner reached his hundred off 69 balls and did it in style, clouting debutant paceman Vinay Kumar for his third six of the innings. The Indians, 2-0 down in the series and needing to win both remaining Tests to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, were routed for just 161 after being sent in to bat.
Australia then raced to 149 without loss at stumps, with Warner unbeaten on 104 and Ed Cowan on 40 for Australia to trail by just 12 runs.
India ‘bowled over already’
The openers scored at better than six runs an over against an impotent Indian bowling attack and went on to question India’s commitment.
“In my mind, they are bowled over already,” said Warner who has scored two centuries in five Tests. “They have to work out how they can play outside India. I didn’t realise when I was on 80-odd I had only faced 40-odd balls and I was actually shocked. I was looking at my strike-rate and thinking this isn’t Test cricket, this is something different. But that’s how I approach the game.”
Warner’s prodigious hit was the second-quickest ton at the ground, behind Adam Gilchrist’s 57-ball blitz against England. It capped a miserable day for the tourists with Sachin Tendulkar’s quest for an elusive 100th international hundred delayed again after he was dismissed for just 15.
The only setback was when he was struck around the left ear by Umesh Yadav on 80, the left-hander looking groggy as play was held up for several minutes after he sought treatment from the team physio. But when play resumed he clubbed the next two balls for four and took just seven more deliveries to sprint to his second Test ton.
Kohli still hopeful
Virat Kohli, who top-scored in the Indian innings with 44, said it was a bad toss to lose, but denied the cause was lost.
“Early on, it was seaming around a bit but as the day progressed it got better to bat on,” said Kohli. “They might come out on the second day and lose wickets in a clutter, you never know what might happen.”
The Indian tail again showed little appetite for the contest as the tourists lost their last six wickets for just 30 runs. The rejuvenated swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus continued his fine season and took his series tally to 19 wickets with four for 43, while Peter Siddle claimed three for 42.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th, 2012.
COMMENTS (3)
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ICC should have a rule to reconsider the world championship after such a dismal performence by a team who have won world cup very recently.History is repeating itself, I remember India won world cup final from west indies and after merely 2 to 3 months windies came to india and slaughtered them. Australia doing the same...but a different way
Tendolkar have to wait a series inside India to complete his 100th. ton.
“They have to work out how they can play outside India. "
Indies, are you going to admit now? :-)