The scoreboard at the end of the third day at Perth shows that Australia might loss its winning streak of a record breaking Test match win. While chasing India’s second innings lead of 413 runs, the Aussies managed to put 65 runs but at the cost of two wickets. Pathan did the damage by removing both the openers.
Earlier India after a good start could not capitalise and three of its specialist batsmen left the crease cheaply just before lunch taking the score to 160 for six. Stuart Clark and Brett Lee showing their skills on the fast and bouncy track remove seven of the Indian batsmen.
On Day-2 in India’s second innings after the dismissal of opener Wasim Jaffer (11), Sehwag along with Irfan Pathan tried to develop a good partnership but Sehwag after a good knock of 43 in just 61 balls lost his middle stump to Stuart Clark. Soon after all three men in form Rahul Dravid (3), Sachin Tendulkar (13) and Sourav Ganguly (0) got out cheaply.
However, Pathan and VVS Laxman did manage to cross the mark of 150 before Pathan threw his wicket to the bowling of Stuart Clark; skipper Ricky Ponting was the man to take the catch at first slip. But Laxman again proving his credential on Australian pitches made a classy knock of 79 (156) and on the other side MS Dhoni (38) and RP Singh (30) showing great responsibility contribute well to India’s total.
Laxman departed after edging a ball to Gilchrist in the bowling of Brett Lee and Dhoni became the victim of Andrew Symonds when a delivery got passes his gloves to the wicket keeper. India at the end of their innings managed to take a lead of 412 runs which was competitive to put a full stop mark to Australia’s goal of wining a record of 17 Test match win in a row.
It somehow seems the same at the end of the third day as seamer Irfan Pathan removed both the openers: Chris Rogers (15) and Phil Jaques (16). Ponting (24) and Michael Hussey (5) were at the crease to continue in the fourth day.
The fourth day is crucial for both the team which can decide whether the match going to produce any kind of result or not. Certainly it’s a great chance for India to advance to the fourth Test with a hope to level the series.
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