Related Links : India’s Tour of Australia 2007/08 : Scorecard
After yesterday’s clinical performance with the ball, the Aussies today finished the job with the bat in the second innings by realistically batting India out of the first test. The visitors have been set a daunting task of either batting out two days or to reach a target of 499. The two Indian opening batsmen – Rahul Dravid and Wasim Jaffer saw a mini batting session of 8 overs without any damage by putting on 6 for no loss.
Resuming the third day’s play with a lead of 147, Australia stretched that to 282 by lunchtime. India could pick up two wickets that of Hayden and Ponting, who were both dismissed by Harbhajan Singh. While Hayden (47 from 54 with 6 fours) holed out playing a big shot, Ponting (3) became Harbhajan’s 250th test scalp after edging one to the slips. The afternoon session as well was a productive one although the visitors took a wicket here and there that could only slow down the momentum slightly.
Phil Jaques finished the match with another half century before he was deceived in the air by Kumble. Jaques made 51 with 5 fours in 103 balls. Michael Hussey was the next to go in the innings, his expansive drive was taken nicely in the slips off RP Singh. Hussey had made 36 from 84 balls. Zaheer Khan, who had replaced RP Singh later got the ball to reverse swing beautifully. He cleaned up Symonds with a sharp inswinger but Zaheer’s joy was just for a minute as that delivery was called as a no ball for overstepping. While the Indians were celebrating, Symonds smartly called his partner for a cheeky single for the deflection off the stumps! Symonds after that dealt in the lusty blows against Kumble and Harbhajan. Michael Clarke at the other end was like always busy stroking the ball in the gaps.
Eventually, Symonds stay was over by tea with Zaheer Khan getting him out for the second time. Symonds (44 from 52 with 4 fours and 2 sixes) was rapped up in front of the stumps and this time it was a fair delivery from Zaheer. Australia were in no trouble at all as they took their lead to nearly 400. After the Tea break, Kumble and Harbhajan Singh got the wickets of Clarke and Gilchrist respectively but not before the damage was done. Kumble beat Clarke (73 from 113 with 5 fours) in the flight to have him stumped and Harbhajan got Gilchrist (35 from 59 with 4 fours) caught in the deep. It was Hogg taking care of the entertainment as he launched the Indian spinners for two massive sixers. The declaration from Ponting came after 88 overs with Australia at 351 for 7 and Hogg on an unbeaten 35 (from 50 balls).