3rd Test: Australia stumble despite Cowan knock

Batsman impresses with gutsy 86 as India end day with flurry of wickets.

After the debacle in the first two Tests against India, it was a much improved performance by Australia, who finished the second day of the third Test in Mohali at 273 for seven, according to ESPNcricinfo.

With the first day being washed out due to rain, the tourists began the second day strongly and had things going their way, only to be pegged back by four wickets in the final session.

Ravindra Jadeja proved to be the surprise package again as he broke an impressive opening stand of 138 runs between Ed Cowan (86) and David Warner (71), dismissing Warner and then captain Michael Clarke on consecutive deliveries. The left arm spinner claimed three wickets.

It was a timely performance by Cowan, who had faced stinging criticism after a series of failures. His dogged knock of 86 off 238 balls included eight boundaries. Warner was more fluent during his 147-ball knock, smashing nine boundaries.

However, the efforts of the duo went in vain as Australia lost seven wickets in quick succession during the final two sessions of the day.

Meanwhile, axed Australia vice-captain Shane Watson has cooled on the retirement threats and has made himself available for the Ashes and is also likely to return for the fourth and final Test in Delhi.

Watson along with James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja were sensationally dropped due to a disciplinary breach.

Watson threatened to retire from Tests but according to News Limited, the allrounder is unlikely to walk away before the Ashes and is also considering a return to India next week for the Delhi Test.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2013.