Indomitable Australia reel India in

It will rankle deeply with the Indians tonight that the advantage they had fought so hard to establish was squandered by poor strokes from three of the most experienced men in the squad. Sourav Ganguly set the tone with a slap that didn't make it past Michael Hussey at gully, and Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman followed suit with terrible miscues across the line. Dravid's heave at Andrew Symonds saw him fall seven short of a century, and he admitted afterwards that it was one of those strokes that "makes you look stupid" if it doesn't come off.

The same could be said of Laxman, who started in typically languid fashion before losing his way as Symonds and Michael Clarke rushed through the overs. If there was a blot on Australia's performance today, it was their tardiness in the field. Granted that it was very hot, but to finish six overs short despite the extra half hour was beyond the pale. Graeme Smith got slapped on the wrist for a similar offence against the West Indies recently, and it remains to be seen if the match officials here will take a similarly stern view.

Australia deserve immense credit for finding a way back after an afternoon session dominated by Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar. Apart from Michael Clarke's drop of Dravid when he had made just 11, the fielding was superb, exemplified by Chris Rogers' diving stops at point and the stunning catch that Hussey took to send back Ganguly. The bowling too was disciplined, with Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson snaring the wickets after Stuart Clark's probing line had stemmed the early Indian tide.

The one disappointment was Shaun Tait. Ricky Ponting waited 100 minutes before throwing the ball his way, and though he nudged the speed-gun up to 154 km/hr at one stage, he was never accurate enough to maintain a stranglehold on the batsmen.

After the hue and cry over umpiring since the Sydney game, it was perhaps inevitable that there would be a couple of talking points here too. Tendulkar's dismissal - too high, and outside off stump too - ruined what was otherwise a very good day for Asad Rauf, and India then benefited from Billy Bowden, who gave Dravid not out when a Johnson yorker appeared headed for middle and off stumps.

Rogers, given the baggy green by Justin Langer in the morning, will surely get his chance to impress tomorrow, and India may yet rue the late loss of wickets on a pitch that looks to be full of runs. It's certainly a quicker pitch than those at the MCG and SCG, but nothing like the greased-lightning WACA specials on which the West Indies used to inflict such damage in their halcyon years.

While Tendulkar and Dravid were adding 139, it didn't appear very menacing at all. Tendulkar wasn't quite the impudent force he was at 18, but still batted beautifully, with a couple of bunts over slip that caught the eye. The stroke that he played so often against South Africa at Bloemfontein in 2001 was a good one to employ on a pitch with such bounce, and you could well see some of India's lower order attempting the same when they combat the second new ball tomorrow.

Dravid's effort, with some screaming drives through the covers, matched Tendulkar's, and was testament to the strength of will and hard work that has seen him play himself back into form after those tortuous knocks in Melbourne. The failure to carry on will upset a man who has always been a perfectionist, but at least  he's once again back and performing in the No.3 niche where he feels most comfortable.

India's best chance of success is to survive the new ball and push on towards 400. Anything less, and you sense that they might just be batted out of the game by an Australian line-up that should relish the extra bounce and pace on offer.

Comments

[dsylexic]

whats with the freemantle doctor business?. swing is achieved thru the combination of a correct wrist position and humid conditions .the breeze has a really minor role to play. this is what the subcontinental theory of swing postulates.no idea about the aussies.are they trying to explain it thru some aerodynamics ?. drag etc?

[Tarun Y]

(Ok, post no.2 - the "stat" one was at Perth only; not all tests!!)

OK, again - I know its Australia. And yes, they're magnificent. Yes, they're match-winners. Yes, anything can happen ... but ...

COME ON INDIA!!!!!

I knew India not folding, and not being bowled out for 150 on day 1 was a really good omen.

We're effectively 170-1 ... lets aim for 375 (fingers crossed - more) and lets hammer them at the WACA!!!

So much for all that "Taity's gonna take their heads off ... " talk!!

COME ON INDIA!!!

[Tarun Y]

Hi Dileep,

Would you pls care to comment on this stat I've dug out ...

(yes, Australia are magnificent and anything can happen etc etc)

In the past decade, everytime Australia have batted 2nd (and last-if needed), they've won each and everytime the opposition has folded on day 1 (ie, skittled out for <200 ). The only time this hasn't happened is the only time in past decade Australia haven't won at Perth: a 2001 test vs New Zealand, where New Zealand racked up 500 plus in the first innings.

SUPERSTITIOUS POSITIVES FOR INDIA TO TAKE FROM THIS:

1] NZ closed day one on 293-7 (eerily similar to what we have)

2] A wicket-keeper was not out overnight (Adam Parore) and went on to whack a ton!
(come on Dhoni!!! yaar, you're better than Parore!)

3] A spinner (Vettori) picked up 6 wickets for less than 100 runs in the 2nd innings of the game!
(all eyes on you Anil bhai!)

OK,OK - superstitious signs they may be, but at least Australia will have to work for a win, unlike previous victories in the last 10 years at the WACA.

[Tarun Y]

Hi Dileep,

I think India had a better day than what most journos are giving them credit for.Admittedly, 297-5 would be much,much better than 297-6 (I would have bitten the hand of the former, if offered to me before a ball was bowled). Laxman's dismissal was careless.

If Dhoni and Pathan (With Kumble -who's no dunce with the bat- to come) can get upto 375 ... perhaps, cross 400, then India should be in a happy place.

The "Fremantle Doctor" should help RP Singh and Irfan Pathan. Together, or at least one of them, should be able to put in a performance much,much better than what Mitchell Johnson served up today.