Aussies Krumble before Kumble
The first day's play at Chennai saw Australia take the initiative in the first session before India fought back in the second to have honours even at tea. The finals session belonged to India, and more precisely, Anil Kumble as the the Aussie batsmen fell like wheat before a scythe at harvest time.Australia won the toss with captain Gilchrist choosing to bat first. Hayden and Langer made it to the lunch break with 111 runs on the board. The partnership was soon broken at 136 with Hayden holing out to Harbhajan for 58. Langer also fell to Harbhajan 3 balls later.
Katich and Martyn held out for a half-century stand before Kumble came on to weave his magic. On a bouncy, turning wicket, the Aussies could not match the guile of Kamataka Krusher. The close in catchers were kept busy with bat-pad chances being given with constant regularity. Taking 7 wickets for just 48 runs, Kumble snared his 25th 5 wicket haul to have the Aussies bundled out for a paltry 235.
India had to face the Aussies for 13 overs with Warne breaking through in the final, having Yuvraj caught behind to join Muralithuran at the top of the all time test match wicket taker's list. India start tomorrow with 28 on the board and a wicket that is providing plenty of bounce and spin for the bowlers.
In a show of good sportsmanship, four batsmen walked before the umpire had the chance to raise the finger. The batsman is in the best position to know if the ball has come of the edge, rather than the umpire, some 23 yards away. The decision to walk is a tough one, but one that shows that cricket is still one of the few sports where honesty and fairness are more important than winning.
posted by Kevin Paine @ 9:34 pm
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