Ending a row of racism the third cricket Test match between India and Australia resumes today with a packed ground as was expected amid controversy. India after winning toss opted to bat first and made a promising start but wickets at quick succession only puts scoreboard to 297 for 6 at stumps of the opening day at the WACA ground, Perth.
After falling down to 72 for 2 at lunch, both Sachin Tendulkar (71) and Rahul Dravid (93) played anchor role putting a partnership of 139 runs but soon the Aussies came back swiftly as India lost four crucial wickets just after the tea session.
Australian bowlers did justice to their bowling style on the fast and bouncy track of Perth by dismissing both the set batsmen Sachin and Dravid. Tendulkar again got lbw in the bowling of non-other than Brett Lee; though on TV reply it seems the ball was above the knee height. He made a classy 71.
Soon after, Sourav Ganguly was the next to leave the crease contributing only 9 runs when Michael Hussey caught him at gully. Dravid again finding some good stroke play though able to stop criticism for sometime but could not able to convert that 93 to a century. Further VVS Laxman too missed in shot selection and caught by Shaun Tait in Lee’s bowling.
Earlier both openers though seems at a good notch but yet again Wasim Jaffer connects a ball to Adam Gilchrist planting more question to his credibility as an opener in foreign soil. Sehwag replacing struggling Yuvraj Singh on the other hand in his usual fashion made 29 with six boundaries but not much before falling to Mitchell Johnson’s bowling.
Brett Lee was the most successful bowler taking three wickets followed by Mitchell Johnson (2) and Andrew Symonds (1).
Though Australia is heading the series with 2-0, the mach holds much importance for both the team considering the racial slur, bad umpiring and lack of sporting spirit. All eyes are now on the Australia players and their on field behaviour.
Though Indian off spinner Harbhajan Singh was allowed to play the third Test after the incident, the team management kept him away replacing with Irfan Pathan. The Aussies too preferred to play with all pacers and hence give rest to Brad Hogg. He was also accused of misbehaving Indian captain and vice captain on the field though after a team meeting, the India felt to withdraw the complaint.
TEAMS
India: Anil Kumble (captain) Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Irfan Pathan, RP Singh and Ishant Sharma.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Chris Rogers, Phil Jacques, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson.
Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZ), Asad Rauf (Pak)
Third umpire: Bruce Oxenford
Match referee: Mike Procter
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