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Sun, 17 March 2013
Test updates! Kumar takes 3 to put India in control

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16:45  
STUMPS - DAY 4

Aus 2nd inns: 75-3 (21 ovs)

Hughes 53 (68b, 9x4, 1x6), Lyon 4 (17b, 1x4)


Australia finish the day on 75 for three in their second innings, still trailing India by 16 runs with the final day to come.

Hughes never looked comfortable out in the middle but stroked his way to 53, hitting nine fours and a six. Lyon was sent in as nightwatchman after captain Michael Clarke was unable to bat because of back problems.

Hughes brought up his fifty in rather streaky fashion. He charged down the wicket looking to loft Ashwin down the ground but got an outside edge which flies past the first slip fielder for a four. He took 50 balls to reach the landmark, hitting eight fours and a six.

Bhuvneshwar, who bowled just nine overs in the first innings, picked all the three wickets to fall for good figures of three for 25 in eight overs.

Pacer Peter Siddle had led Australia's comeback with the ball as he took five for 71, while Mitchell Starc took two for 74 as the two pacers ran through the Indian middle and lower order, making full use of the second new ball.

Australia are still not out of the woods and will need a good performance from their batsmen in the opening session on day five to avoid defeat. 
16:35  
Aus 2nd inns: 69-3 (16 ovs)

Hughes continues to bat positively. Ashwin drops one short and Hughes goes on the backfoot and cuts it behind point for a boundary to take his score to 43 with the help of seven fours and a six.

Lyon gets off the mark with a boundary as he nudges Ashwin fine beating the leg slip fielder.

Kumar also fires one down the leg side and Hughes is happy to play it fine for another four that takes him closer to his first half-century in the series.

16:31  
Matthew Hayden is full of praise for Hughes, who smashed a quickfire half-century from just 50 deliveries.

"I like Phil Hughes approach this innings. Fortune favors the brave as they say. Good aggressive approach," he wrote on Twitter.
16:27  
Aus 2nd inns: 51-3 (12 ovs)

Ravindra Jadeja comes in for Ashwin, who bowled just two overs in his first spell. Smith tries to flay the first ball through the off-side and hits the silly point fielder, who fails to get to the rebound. He charges down the wicket off the next ball but is forced to defend.

Hughes targets Jadeja as he lofts him over mid-on for a six in his second over and then cuts it fine for a four through the thirdman region to race to 35 from 34 balls.

In the next over, Australia bring up their 50 in the 12th over to cut the deficit down to 41 runs.

Kumar has a huge appeal for LBW against Hughes is turned down as the ball seemed to miss the leg stump.

Jadeja comes off now following that assault by Hughes in his previous over and he is replaced by R Ashwin.

Kumar is on fire at the moment as he cleans up Smith's stumps with a beauty. That one came in with the angle as Smith played inside the line but it moved away after pitching and crashed into the off-stump. That was a gem.

Australia in real trouble at 55 for three, still trailing India by 36 runs.

Michael Clarke seems to be in trouble as they send out nightwatchman Nathan Lyon to bat at No. 5. With seven overs still left in the day, India will be eyeing another couple of wickets.
16:02  
Aus 2nd inns: 36-2 (8 ovs)

Change of ends for Bhuvneshwar as he switches over to the pavilion, taking over from Ishant, who bowled two overs for 11 runs.

The young pacer strikes from the other end now with the wicket of Cowan, who is trapped leg before wicket for eight. That pitched just on the leg stump and hit Cowan on the front foot below the knee roll and would have hit the stumps. That was a good decision from umpire Aleem Dar.

Australia in trouble at 35 for two in the eighth over.



15:53  
Aus 2nd inns: 29-1 (5 ovs)

Cowan 5 (8b) Hughes 21 (20b)


Strangely, Dhoni brings Ishant Sharma from the other end. Maybe he could have brought on Ashwin with Hughes having no clue against the spinners.

Ed Cowan pushes at a wide ball but gets a thick outside edge that flies between slip and gully for a four.

Hughes is off the mark but in convincing fashion as he tries to defend Kumar on the off-side but gets an edge which goes past the slips for a four. But the next ball goes off the middle of the bat as he crashes it behind point for another boundary. That will boost his confidence.

He gets another four freebies as Kohli attemps to strike the stumps at the non-striker's end despite Cowan being in his crease and it goes away for four overthrows. Hughes has raced to 12 from nine balls.

Hughes is getting confident as he throws his bat at another wide delivery and hammers it through point for a four and immediately Dhoni has a deep point and a fielder on the thirdman boundary.

R Ashwin comes into the attack as India waste no time in getting their spinners into the action. He replaces Kumar, who bowled two overs in his opening, taking one for 14.

Hughes has come with an attacking mindset. He rocks back and cuts a short ball from Ashwin behind point for a four to take his score to 21 from 20 balls. 
15:34  
Aus 2nd inns: 2-1 (0.3 ovs)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl the first over and he starts off with the wicket of David Warner. The left-hander threw his bat at a wide delivery but it fell short of Ashwin at first slip but the very next ball he again flashed his bat outside the off-stump but this time it went to Dhoni, who completed an easy catch.

An early wicket for India and Australia will already be feeling nervous.

The struggling Phil Hughes comes out to bat at No. 3 after Michael Clarke tried that position in the first innings and failed. There are reports that Clarke is struggling with a back injury and maybe chose to get some more rest.
15:18  
India 499 all out (135) vs Aus 408

India were in complete control at stumps on Day 3 but the early dismissal of Shikhar Dhawan, who was caught at silly point off Nathan Lyon for 187. Murali Vijay also played a big knock, scoring 153 before he was trapped leg before wicket by Mitchell Starc, who claimed two for 74.

Peter Siddle was Australia's hero with the ball as he claimed five for 71 in 29.1 overs on a wicket offering no help at all for the bowlers. Australia's pacers make the second new ball count to good effect as they took four quick wickets in the post lunch session.

With a handy lead of 91 runs and around 120 overs left in the match, India have a good chance to push for victory if they can take a few quick wickets before stumps on Day 4.
15:18  
India 499 all out (135) vs Aus 408

Ishant Sharma joins his team mate Ishant to the dressing room soon after. Siddle tempts Ishant with the wide outswinger, who goes after it and edges it behind to keeper Haddin for a three-ball duck.

That gives Siddle his fourth wicket of the innings.

Captain Clarke spreads the field around hoping to give Kohli a single and attack last batsman Pragyan Ojha. Both take a single each from the fourth and fifth ball before the field comes up but Kohli drives through the off-side for a boundary.

Ojha is on strike against Siddle and the fast bowler shatter his stumps with a full delivery to claim his fifth wicket and finish the Indian first innings.

India have been bowled out for 499 in 132.1 overs for a first innings lead of 91 runs with Kohli left stranded on 67 from 129 balls, hitting seven fours and a six.

India resumed the day on 283 for no loss and could add only 216 runs to their total as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals once Australia took the second new ball.
15:05  
India 492-8 (130) vs Aus 408

Kohli starts with a boundary after the tea break as he cuts a short ball from Moises Henriques behind point. That is a positive start to proceedings after some dull batting in the previous session.

Siddle takes over from the other end and has a huge appeal for LBW against Kumar turned down by umpire Richard Kettleborough.

Kumar is caught down the leg side as he tried to awkwardly fend a short ball on his body but gloved it behind to wicketkeeper Haddin. He made 18 from 57 balls, adding 61 runs in 23.1 overs for the eighth wicket with Kohli, who is batting on 61.


14:33  
TEA: Day 4

India 479-7 (125) vs Aus 408


Kohli completes his half-century just off the final ball of the session. The right-hander took his time to get to the landmark, hitting five boundaries and a six from 108 balls.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was unbeaten on 17 from 40 balls, having hit two fours.

It was a session that belonged to Australia as they scalped four Indian wickets in 30.5 overs for the addition of 95 runs. The second new ball proved to be might effective as both Siddle and Starc claimed two wickets apiece to cripple India after their huge opening stand.

India have a slender lead of 71 runs with just three wickets in hand and it will be interesting to see if they play positively after tea and try to force a result.

Australia will be the happiest if India continue to bat with patience in the final session.
13:46  
India 444-7 (115) vs Aus 408

V Kohli 31 (73b, 3x4, 1x6) B Kumar 4 (17b)

Virat Kohli still out in the middle with the tail enders for company. Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes out to bat and he will need to bat sensibly and give Kohli support.

Starc and Siddle continue to bowl well as just a single comes from three overs.

Kohli breaks the shackles as he clips a full delivery from Siddle for a boundary through midwicket.

Starc gets a break after a superb spell with the second new ball, where he took two for eight in six overs, while his pace partner Siddle took two for 16 in six overs to quash India's hopes of running away with a big score and push for victory.

India not in any hurry at the moment and have a lead of just 29 balls with around 40 minutes to go for tea.

13:19  
India 431-7 (107) vs Aus 408

V Kohli 19 (39b, 1x4, 1x6) B Kumar 0 (1b)

Ravindra Jadeja played a perfect straight drive off Siddle for a boundary but otherwise he struggled out in the middle. Siddle ended his misery by having caught behind for eight as India kept losing wickets with the second new ball.

India have lost three wickets for 12 runs in the space of 17 deliveries as Australia make a good comeback with the ball in the post lunch session.

And the slide continues as Ravichandran Ashwin also perishes cheaply, caught behind off Siddle for four.

Australia have made an impressive comeback since taking the new ball. From being comfortably placed at 412 for three, India have been reduced to 431 for seven as they lost four wickets for 34 deliveries for the addition of 19 runs.
13:16  
India 417-5 (102) vs Aus 408

Australia take the new ball after 101 overs and Starc strikes with the very first delivery. Vijay offers no shot to one and is struck right in front of the stumps to bring a tame ending to his splendid knock.

Vijay walks back after a wonderful innings of 153, having hit 19 fours and three sixes in his 317-ball knock.

In the same over, India are dealt another blow as captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is trapped leg before wicket for four. Dhoni charged down the wicket to Starc who keep it full and struck Dhoni on his shoes and umpire Richard Kettleborough ruled it out

There is a huge appeal for LBW against new batsman Ravindra Jadeja but luckily he had got an inside edge on that one.

12:39  
India 400-3 (100) vs Aus 408

New batsman Virat Kohli is off the mark with a boundary as he cuts a short ball from Smith to the point region. Following that wicket of Tendulkar, Clarke decides to persist with Smith, who is now bowling in tandem with Doherty.

It is not long before Clarke is made to regret his decision. He bowls a waist high full toss which Virat Kohli lofts over midwicket for a six. That was virtually a gift for the Indian.
'
Vijay completes his 150 as he steers a wide short delivery from Smith past the fielder at slip. The right-hander hits his second 150 in the series after he made 163 in the previous Test.
11:41  
LUNCH - DAY 4

India 384-3 (94.1) vs Aus 408


Tendulkar continues to play with caution and plays out another maiden over from Henriques, who is just bowling on the stumps. Vijay then survives a leg before wicket appeal as he tries to sweep Doherty but misses and in the same over he chips down the track and lofts the left-arm spinner over mid-on for a six.

Tendulkar finally wakes up from his slumber as he crashes Henriques through the covers fora  delightful boundary and then flicks him behind square on the leg side for a couple to bring up the 100 runs for India in the morning session.

Tendulkar's ultra defensive tactics cause his downfall on the stroke of lunch. The veteran looks to play the forward defense to part-time spinner Steven Smith, but gets an inside edge off his pads and is caught at short leg.

Tendulkar walks back disappointed, having missed a golden chance to play a big innings on a flat wicket. He made 37 from 81 balls, hitting five fours, having added 92 runs in 31.1 overs for the fourth wicket with Vijay.

Vijay played out his third straight session to take his score to 142 from 298 balls, having hit 17 fours and three sixes.

11:18  
India 370-2 (90) vs Aus 408

Vijay is on 136 (286b, 17x4, 2x6), Tendulkar 31 (74b, 4x4)

Tendulkar has surpassed Rahul Dravid for the most runs at this ground. Dravid had made 735 runs in 9 Tests at this ground and Tendulkar, playing in his 11th match here, has gone past the former India captain.

Starc has given away 66 runs in 17 overs and is rightly replaced by Moises Henriques, who was taken apart by Dhawan yesterday.

Tendulkar chips down the track to Henriques and flicks it to deep midwicket for one as two runs come from that over followed by a maiden from Doherty.

The scoring rate has fallen down big time with just 17 runs coming from the last 10 overs with Tendulkar scoring six from 30 balls.

Vijay breaks the shackles as he steps out, gives himself lot of room and smashes it through the covers for a boundary.

On the other hand, Tendulkar seems to have shut shop with the lunch break around 15 minutes away, having made just two runs from the last 25 balls he has faced.
11:07  
India 363-2 (85) vs Aus 408

Vijay is on 130 (273b) and Tendulkar on 30 (51b)


Starc once again guilty of giving too much room to the Indian batsmen. Vijay hits the second ball of that over through covers for three before Tendulkar cracks the next one, which is again wide, past the point fielder for a four.

Doherty looking to keep things tight as he starts with a maiden and concedes just one in his next, bowling full and quick not giving the batsmen anything to work with.

Starc has been disappointing with the ball. A good over tight spoiled by another poor delivery on the pads which Vijay is happy to glance fine for a four to take his score to 130.
10:51  
Will Sachin Tendulkar get a hundred today? It's been a long time since he got the three-figure mark in Tests, says Mohandas Menon.

"Its been 2 yrs, 71 days (34 inngs) since Tendulkar scored a Test 100 (146 vs SAf Cape Town 4-1-2011," he writes on Twitter.
10:50  
India 331-2 (80) vs Aus 408

Indians milking the bowling and scoring runs quite easily. Vijay edges Starc but it falls short of Clarke in the slips but otherwise Indians have been largely untroubled on a perfect pitch for the batsmen.

Vijay plays the paddle sweep against Lyon and gets it fine for a four but strangely the Australians made a huge appeal for LBW but replays show that it was off the bat. In the same over, Tendulkar chips down the track and plays a perfectly-timed drive through the covers for his third four.

With captain Clarke off the field, it seems Brad Haddin is in charge of proceedings out in the middle. He comes after a small break and immediately makes a bowling change, replacing Lyon with left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty.

Lyon's bowling figures so far read 25-8-110-1. He made the first breakthrough for Australia with the all-important wicket of Dhawan.
10:22  
India 331-2 (75) vs Aus 408

Tendulkar slogs Lyon over midwicket for his first boundary of the innings to take India's total to 315 for two in 70 overs.

India playing out Siddle cautiously while looking to score against Lyon. Vijay steps down the track to the off-spinner and plays his favourite chip over midwicket but hasn't got enough on it as the deep square leg fielder covers up for two runs.

Siddle bowled a good tight over to Vijay, who spoils it at the end by drilling the last ball through the covers for a four.

The fast bowler bowled a longish spell of eight over, taking one wicket for 16 runs to help Australia check India's progress.
10:13  
India 304-2 (66) vs Aus 408

Vijay gets the first boundary of the day in streaky fashion as he gets a thick outside edge trying to steer Siddle to the thirdman region and that takes his score to 96.

Sachin Tendulkar taps Lyon on the off-side for a single to get off the mark and bring up India's 300 in 65.1 overs.

Meanwhile, Vijay jumped down the track and chipped Lyon over midwicket for a boundary to bring up his hundred in some style, from 204 balls.

This is Vijay's third Test hundred and all three have come at home against Australia.

At the other end, Tendulkar quietly plays out a maiden over from Siddle, who has bowled a good probing spell so far.

Vijay plays the sweep to Lyon but gets a top edge but it lands safely behind square on the leg side and spins away for a boundary in the vacant fine leg region.
09:34  
India 292-2 (63) vs Aus 408

Lyon has started off well on Day 4. Vijay looks to defend on the front foot and is hit on the pads as Lyon appeals for LBW but it is turned down.

Cheteshwar Pujara doesn't last long as he falls LBW to Siddle. He was given leg before wicket to Siddle as he was struck right in front of the stumps but replays showed that he had got an inside edge. How could Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar have missed that.

Australia have started well this morning, claiming two wickets in the first five overs for nine runs.

Also, this was Siddle's 50th wicket outside Australia.
09:23  
India 289-1 (60) vs Aus 408

Peter Siddle starts proceedings on Day 4. The first ball was on target and came in a bit forcing Vijay but the second drifted on the pads which the right-hander flicked through midwicket for three runs.

Lyon struck with the wicket of Dhawan in the second over of the day. The left-hander, who made 187 in his first innings in Test cricket, pushed one straight to the fielder at silly point as Australia finally made the breakthrough.

Dhawan hit 33 fours and two sixes in his 174-ball knock and could add only two runs to his overnight tally and lasted just 10 minutes on the fourth morning.

Dhawan put on 289 runs for the opening wicket with Vijay (87) from 360 balls to give their team a fine start.

09:00  
India 283-0 (58) vs Aus 408

Shikhar Dhawan, who blasted a century on debut, will be looking to continue his positive approach and pile on the runs on Day 4.

He is currently batting on 185 from 168 balls, having hit a massive fours and two sixes.

His opening partner Murali Vijay, who will resume on 83, would be looking to complete another century.

India are currently trailing Australia by 125 runs and they will try to eat up the deficit before lunch and then put continue to pummel the Aussies in the last two sessions.

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