Chasing 500 for a win, India were 166/6 at draw of stumps on the fourth
day f the fourth and final cricket Test against Australia here today.
Brief Score:
Australia: 604 and 167/5
India: 272 and 166/6 in 56 overs (Virender Sehwag 62, VVS Laxman
35, Nathan Lyon 3/57, Ryan Harris 2/25).
Tea report:
Virender Sehwag smashed his way to a half century in customary fashion
and then a perished due to a moment’s indiscretion as India reached 92
for two at tea, on the fourth day of their final cricket Test against
Australia.
The stand—in captain slammed his was to 62 before he mistimed a rank
full—toss from offie Nathan Lyon as Ricky Ponting took a simple catch.
One would have expected a bit more sensible approach from Sehwag as
India are trying to save the Test match after Australia set a huge
victory target of 500 runs.
His partner Gautam Gambhir (3) had departed in the fifth over itself
when he pushed at a delivery from Ryan Harris which pitched in the
off—middle region and then moved a shade.
The resultant edge was collected by ‘keeper Brad Haddin.
Rahul Dravid (19 batting) and Sachin Tendulkar (7 batting) were battling
at the crease.
The visitors need to bat out four sessions or make 408 runs from now on.
It was Sehwag who dominated the second session as he reached his half
century off only 36 balls with 11 hits to the fence. Sehwag’s first two
boundaries in a Ben Hilfenhaus over were streaky shots between the slip
cordon and the third one too, again off Hilfenhaus was an uppish hit
over slips but thereafter the right—handed opener batted with increasing
command.
The introduction of Peter Siddle triggered an aggressive response from
Sehwag who first punched him through covers, slammed down the next past
mid—off and then again cleared the cover fence. Siddle tried to bowl
straighter and avoid giving the width to Sehwag yet the latter square
cut him for boundary in the next over.
Sehwag was now firing on all cylinders and square cut Ben Hilfenhaus at
the other end to enter into 40s. The introduction of Lyon was too
tempting for Sehwag to resist himself as he first punched the
off—spinner through the covers and then lofted him to raise his half
century off only 36 balls with 11 fours.
Sehwag was now in full flow and slammed Siddle through the covers to
enter into 60s. But that was as far as Sehwag went as after the drinks,
in the first over by Lyon, he came down the track to Lyon and somehow
contrived to loft it into the covers.
Sehwag’s rollicking innings with a disappointing end lasted 82 minutes
and 53 balls and contained 12 hits to the fence. Tendulkar lofted Lyon
to midwicket fence almost as soon as he came on to the crease.
Dravid was dour but unsure during his 81—minute stay, making 19 off 58
balls with three fours.
Earlier Australia, resuming at lunch—time score of 154 for 5, declared
after a mere three overs, and batting just long enough to give India a
target of 500 runs in the fourth innings. Ricky Ponting helped himself
to another useful knock remaining unbeaten on 60 as Australia declared
at 167 for five.
Scores:
Australia Ist Innings: 604 for 7 decl
India Ist Innings: 272
Australia 2nd Innings: 167/5 decl
India (2nd Innings): Gautam Gambhir c Haddin b Harris 3 Virender
Sehwag c Ponting b Lyon 62 Rahul Dravid batting 19 Sachin Tendulkar
batting 7 Extras (LB—1) 1 Total (for 2 wkts, 24 overs) 92
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