India vs Australia - Third Test - Day 2, 3 & 4 (A postiive Aussie take for a change)

Finally I get to post some positive words about these Test matches! (From an Aussie perspective at least).

After being thumped for nearly two days and conceding 613 runs, Australia answered in the only way possible, if they were to maintain any semblance of dignity and have any chance of retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

After India's 7 for 613, Australia had to prove to India that this was a feather-bed wicket with lightning fast boundaries. In doing so, they had to undermine as must as possible, the dominant performances of the Indian batsman. And they did!

In a previous post I called for Australia to start batting like a team, and they did that too. Every recognised batsman getting above 50, they left India with such a small lead on the first innings that a win is now much less likely than a draw. Not only that, but snagging 2 India wickets in the evening of Day 4, is a gentle reminder to India that they are very beatable.

Without Gambhir next test (possibly) and with Kumble's finger sure to be troubling him, things have evened up a bit in the injury stakes.  (Not sure how bad Harbhajan toe is!) We now look like being in for a series deciding fourth Test.

I haven't been that optimistic that we'd be presented with a pitch that the Aussie seam attack and second rate spin attack was capable of taking 20 wickets on. I have been expecting flat, dusty wickets which would pretty much ensure India hold on to their 1 nil lead - but I hear now that a new pitch has been installed at Nagpur and maybe, just maybe, there could be a little unpredictability about it.

A glimmer of optimism flickers deep within, and the Australian side should at least go into the fourth test, with some momentum, at least as much as the Indians can claim, albeit, needing to win!

Labels: aus v ind 2008