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Ponting returns
back to form in style; Aus end Day 1 at 301/4 |
Link to Scorecard
 Ricky
Ponting has finally regained his golden touch
after going through a recent slump in form. The
Australian Skipper made merry on the opening day
of the opening Test at the Sabina Park in
Kingston making a superb 158. Australia as a
resulted got to a commanding 301 for 4 at
stumps.
The 3-Test Match Series kicked off on a
positive note for West Indies as Fidel Edwards
struck twice with the new ball to see the back
of the two Aussie openers. Both Katich and
Jaques departed very early without making any
significant contribution. Windies, however
couldn't continue to keep the Aussies under
pressure and lost the plot. Ponting took over
the game in company of Michael Hussey. By lunch,
Australia were on the road to recovery at 87 for
2.
The afternoon session finally produced the
much needed breakthrough for the home side which
came from debutant off spinner Amit Jaggernauth.
Michael Hussey was forced to edge one which was
brilliantly caught by Bravo giving Jaggernauth
his first scalp. Hussey had by then made a
not-so-fluent 56 after battling out for 146
balls and striking 6 fours. His partnership with
the Skipper was worth 137 which lifted the score
to 174 for 3.
Australia only consolidated further in the remaining
part of the day with Ponting going strongly and
getting good support from Brad Hodge. Another
solid partnership followed leaving the Windies
to play the waiting game. It was only towards
the fag end of the day's play that the bowlers
finally got a reprieve as Ponting got
brilliantly caught at mid wicket by a diving
Parchment off Bravo's bowling. Ponting had
scored 158 in 224 balls with 16 fours and a six.
It was his 35th century that took him past Lara
and Gavaskar and is now just four behind
Tendulkar's 39 centuries. Ponting will have to
wait to get to the 10k club as he still got
another 66 runs to get there. Australia finished
the day at 301 for 4 in 87 overs with Brad Hodge
on 53 (from 105 balls with 6 fours) along with
night watchman Mitchell Johnson (1).
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