Aus Vs SA, 3rd Test
Australia holds the advantage in the third and final Test at Sydney as they have picked up a sizeable first innings lead of 118. They have stretched their overall lead to 151 with all the 10 second innings wickets in hand. But I would say that the Aussies have yet again lost the plot in this Test Series. They have lost a lot of valuable time in this Test match because of a stubborn 115-run partnership for the 6th wicket between the ever reliable Mark Boucher and left handed lower order bat Morne Morkel (who made 40 facing 134 balls). This partnership had taken SA from a precarious 193/5 to 308/6 and has most importantly batted out for over 40 overs! SA folded very quickly after this partnership to 327 with Boucher being the last man out having made a brilliant 89. Peter Siddle picked up his career best figures taking 5 for 59. It was the Jane McGrath day at the SCG with a lot of people turning in pink as a tribute to the late Jane McGrath, the wife of Glenn McGrath.
Well with just two more days left in the match, I think this should head towards a draw. Aus will need atleast a lead of 450 on the board for two reasons – 1. As SA chased a record 418 at MCG and 2. this Aussie attack is very vulnerable with the most experienced bowler being Johnson who is playing only his 18th Test! South Africa’s problem is the unavailability of Graeme Smith, who is out of action for six weeks because of a fractured finger.
BD Vs SL, 2nd Test
Not much of excitement on Day 3 at Chittagong with Sri Lanka batting Bangladesh out of the match which was always going to be a formality. The visitors got to 296 for 4 taking their lead to 450 with the overnight batsmen Samaraweera and Dilshan heading towards easy hundreds. This match could well be over tomorrow if SL can declare early and throw the ball to Ajantha Mendis!
Ranji Trophy
I am disappointed with the way Mumbai has been playing in this match; they are not bothered about forcing a win but just intent on piling up a massive first innings total. Remember this is a 4-day match and the team getting the first innings lead will be through to the Final! The Mumbai batsmen cashed in against some flat lackluster Saurashtra bowling. The two pacers, both left armers had been hardly bowling at 125kmph! Wasim Jaffer helped himself to a triple hundred while Sachin Tendulkar entertained the crowd with a busy century before retiring hurt to the comfort of the dressing room. For the record, Mumbai ended Day 2 at 637/6. Tomorrow should be fun watching how the bright young star Cheteshwara Pujara performs against a decent quality Mumbai attack that includes Zaheer Khan!
In the other match at Nagpur, Tamil Nadu have been restricted to 445 and Uttar Pradesh who have Suresh Raina and Mohammad Kaif could try and beat that total. This is going to be another drawn game. Uttar Pradesh in reply have lost one of its openers in a very cautious chase.