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by - Johann J(SNNI)
 VVS
Laxman scored an effortless century to thoroughly entertain
a heaving audience at the Sydney Cricket Ground to steer
the visiting outfit to a position of sanctuary in the second
Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. India was placed at
216/3 at stumps, trailing the Australians by 247 runs with
three days of play left in the SCG Test.
Sachin Tendulkar (9) and Sourav Ganguly (21) were the unbeaten
batsmen during the close of play. The duo arrived at the
crease after back-to-back dismissals of Laxman (109) and
Dravid (53) had shaken the Indians.
Elegance personified: Laxman The 33-year old right-hander
brought up his half-century in almost a run-a-ball, counter
attacking the Aussie quicks with classy strokeplay, right
throughout his knock that lasted 142 balls. He brought up
his third Test century at the SCG and fifth against Australia.
Laxman slowed down a little for his next fifty runs, but
maintained the built up cadence until his eventual downfall.
The classy Hyderabad batsman played a flashy coverdrive
off Brad Hogg and was snapped by Michael Hussey at short
cover. Deservingly, he received a tremendous ovation from
the crowd while walking back to the pavilion.
Replying to Australia’s mammoth total, the Indians
got off to a rather dawdling start, scoring 8 runs in the
first 6 overs, until Brett Lee beat Wasim Jaffer (3) for
pace with an away-swinging yorker. Dravid was left stranded
at the crease against a fired up pace attack that is attempting
to equal the world-record of 16 consecutive Test victories.
The dismissal brought the evergreen duo of Laxman and Dravid
to the crease – who added 175 runs for the second-wicket
until the latter was eventually dismissed, caught at slip
by Hayden off Mitchell Johnson.
Rahul Dravid played a good supporting role, smashing nine
boundaries in his 50th half-century in an illustrious Test
career. Although, he struggled to score at a glib pace,
biding his time and fitting into the shoes of the sheet
anchor.
The former India captain was dismissed off a no ball early
in his innings. He received another acquittal when a low
down slip catch was not claimed by Ponting at first slip.
Minutes later, Dravid nicked a straight forward chance to
Hayden at second slip off Johnson’s bowling.
Earlier, Australia ended its first innings at 463 all out.
Andrew Symonds was unbeaten on a Test career-high 162 after
guiding his team from a precarious 134-6 on the opening
day with partnerships of 173 with Brad Hogg (79), 114 with
Brett Lee (59) and 40 with Mitchell Johnson (40).
Rub of the green
Laxman got a reprieve on 15 when given not out by umpire
Mark Benson to a confident appeal for LBW from Lee, who
hit him on the line of middle and leg stump.
The 33-year-old right-hander increased his tempo after that,
belting 18 in one over from Johnson, when one of his four
boundaries was a miscued drive that was just out of Phil
Jaques' reach at short cover.
And he gave a half-chance off Stuart Clark on 41 when he
gloved one down legside and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist
couldn't get across for the catch.
The Australians resumed at 376/7 on Thursday and Indian
captain Anil Kumble picked off the last three wickets to
finish off the innings just before lunch.
Kumble finished with 4/106, including 3/24 in his 5.3-over
spell on the second morning. R.P. Singh returned 4/124 and
Harbhajan Singh had 2/108.
Kumble’s unit will hope to bat out the better half
of Day 3 in order to get closer to Australia’s total
and challenge the hosts in the final two days of the Test.
Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni are the two recognised batsmen
to follow in the lineup.
Summary
Australia: 463 all out, India: 216/3 in 62 overs. (VVS Laxman
109, R Dravid 53, Ganguly 21 batting; B Lee 1/34, B Hogg
1/48 M Johnson 1/75)
Courtesy - SNNI |