18.1.2008
BEN DORRIES, PERTH
INDIAN skipper Anil Kumble last night revealed he had put a target on Ricky Ponting's head in a bold plot to unsettle Australia in its own backyard.
As Australia's world-record dreams turned to dust in a sizzling heatwave at the WACA Ground, a rattled Ponting was trapped in a time warp with his worst Indian nightmare.
India put a tumultuous week of mayhem behind it to add new spice to the series by routing the world champions for 212 in 50 overs, Australia's lowest first-innings total on home soil since 2004. Ponting's personal summer shocker with the bat continued, caught at slip for 20, and he is now headed for his worst series since his 2001 torment in India when he hit just 17 runs at 3.4.
As India's unsung fast bowling battery crushed Australia with well-groomed swingman R.P. Singh taking 4/68, Ponting left the WACA last night with just 83 runs at 16 in this series.
Australia has traditionally been captain killers on home soil but Kumble, who yesterday soared into Test cricket's exclusive 600-wicket club, turned the blowtorch on Ponting.
'He insisted the Australian skipper's miserable series with the bat was the result of a deliberate Indian plot.
"It is something which we keep talking about and we have been able to do that right throughout the series," Kumble said. "It's always nice to get the best batsman out cheaply, that puts a lot of pressure on the opposition.
"Especially when Matthew Hayden was not playing, it probably adds a lot more pressure on him (Ponting)."
Ponting was just one of many failures in Australia's top-order yesterday as it conceded a lead of 118 and was bowled out in stunning scenes.
By stumps, India (1/52) had built its lead to 170 and Australia is now facing the shock prospect of its first loss on home soil since 2003.
Australia's quest for a world-record 17 consecutive Test wins may have imploded on the tarmac and it would be a major sore point for Ponting if his side fell at the final hurdle in its pursuit of history.
Suddenly Australia has a stern fight on its hands simply to save a Test as it will have to bat last on a WACA pitch which is likely to crumble under the 40 degree Perth temperatures which have tested the stamina of all players.
"The chase will come down to mental pressure and mental demons," vice-captain Adam Gilchrist said.
"It's not traditionally a pitch that falls apart and turns into a heap that is impossible to score on. I think it'll hold together well."
There were rare scenes in the west as Australia, without its man of steel Hayden, wilted to 3/14 and 5/61 in its worst top-order collapse in more than eight years.
Only turbo-charged knocks from Andrew Symonds (66 off 70 balls) and Gilchrist (55 off 61) saved some face.
India was jubilant with its remarkable fightback last night but there were again some missed chances when it took its foot off the throttle and failed to completely topple Australia into an early Test grave.
The whole of India gasped when its favourite son Sachin Tendulkar dropped Symonds at slip when the Australian allrounder has scored just three.
The simple error cost a 102-run stand between Symonds and Gilchrist and it appeared the explosive duo may have given Australia another get-out-of jail-free card. But the Australian renaissance was only temporary and ended when Kumble became only the third man to claim 600 Test wickets.
There was a hint of controversy when Symonds initially stood his ground when he cut a thick edge into the gloves of wicketkeeper M.S. Dhoni, the ball ballooning to Rahul Dravid at first slip.
But Australia's gun allrounder had to walk when umpire Asad Rauf jabbed his finger in the air, sparking jubilant scenes from Kumble who raised both arms in the air like a punch-drunk fighter to celebrate his 600th Test wicket.
Only Muttiah Muralitharan (723) and Shane Warne (708) have more Test wickets and Kumble was rejoicing in the milestone last night after a chaotic week where he made peace with the Australians.
There were plenty of other major blows for the Australians with Mike Hussey falling for his first Test duck and Michael Clarke failing again as his series average plunged to 23.
Rookie opener Chris Rogers was terribly unlucky to be rifled out for eight in his Test debut, adjudged lbw to a delivery that was sliding down leg.
Courtesy - SNNI |