Australia vs India SCG Test: live scores and commentary, Day 2
Columnist By Geoff Lemon, 4 Jan 2012 Geoff Lemon is a Roar Expert
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Australian cricketers embrace James Pattinson, but he won't bowl again during the Test cricket season through another injury (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Live Scores
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|
Australia v India SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND, JANUARY 3-7, 2012 2nd Test - AUS v IND |
|---|
| India 1st Inn | 191 All Out |
| Australia 1st Inn | 4/659 |
| India 2nd Inn | 400 All Out |
| India won the toss and elected to bat | |
| Australia won by an innings and 68 runs | |
| India | RR:3.61 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batsmen | Runs | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
| R Ashwin* | 62 | 76 | 9 | 1 | 81.58 |
| U Yadav | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Australia | |||||
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Econ |
| BW Hilfenhaus* | 32.5 | 8 | 106 | 5 | 3.23 |
| NM Lyon | 20.0 | 2 | 64 | 1 | 3.20 |
| Last Wicket: | Ashwin, 62 (c:Lyon b:Hilfenhaus) |
| Current Partnership: | 16 runs, 34 balls, RR:47.06 |
Australia and India continue the second Test cricket match at the Sydney Cricket Ground today. Join our live commentary from 10.20 EST. Australia will be looking to press home an advantage with the bat, while India will seek early breakthroughs to restore parity.
Ricky Ponting was 44 not out overnight, with captain Michael Clarke on 47, after a 73-run stand that saw their side recover from danger at 3/37. The stumps score was 3/116.
A now-familiar top order collapse had preceded the partnership, with David Warner departing to a rebound slips catch for 8, Shaun Marsh caught at slip for a first-ball duck, and Ed Cowan lbw after a positive start for 16. Marsh especially is enduring a wretched run, with three runs in three innings.
Australia were only batting yesterday because of an insipid performance by India on the Australian ground that his historically best suited their batsmen. The tourists were shot out for only 191, wilting in the line of Australian bowling that was determined and consistent, but a long way from fire and brimstone.
The good pitch gave some assistance to the bowlers, but should have been good for batting. This was of little help to India, whose batsmen prodded and poked edges behind the wicket and another three catches to Cowan at short leg.
Only MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar looked at ease, with Dhoni producing some rasping shots in an aggressive and unbeaten 57, and Tendulkar unlucky to edge into his stumps after an equally positive 41. Dhoni and R Ashwin at least saved their side from a complete slump, as James Pattinson captured four top-order wickets to extend his flying start to Test cricket, while Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus took three each, including Siddle’s hundredth Test victim.
Still, there seemed to be life remaining in the pitch for Zaheer Khan, who shot out the three Australian left-handers. It will be a crucial first hour this morning. Ponting and Clarke have both been uncertain starters of late, and looked shaky early in their innings yesterday. If India can snare a couple of early breakthroughs and get into the tail, they’ll be a chance of keeping Australia to around 200 to 250, and will remain in the match.
If Australia can push on to 300, it will be a very unlikely comeback for India from there.
Tune in for our scorecard and live commentary from 10.20 this morning. Geoff Lemon will be awaiting your contributions – scroll down to the Comments section for commentary and to join the conversation.
Geoff Lemon is a writer and radio broadcaster. He joined The Roar as an expert columnist in 2010, writes the satirical blog Heathen Scripture, and tweets from @GeoffLemonSport.
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The Crowd Says (317) | Page 1 of Comments
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5:32am
Scotty said | 5:32am | Report comment
Your not from Gosford are you Geoff???
10:55am
Tristan Rayner said | 10:55am | Report comment
Day 3′s live commentary: http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/01/05/australia-vs-india-scg-test-live-scores-and-commentary-day-3/
7:26pm
Rhys said | 7:26pm | Report comment
A dominant batting display today from Australia’s experienced middle order, of that there can be no dispute.
I’m all for Australia winning Tests, but it would be nice to see at least one Test in this series go well into the 5th day. I’m not sure that will happen though. The Indian batting lineup looks shell shocked, even more so than they did against England 6 months ago. Aside from the occasional fiery burst from Zaheer, I can’t see them making significant inroads with the ball either.
It may well be that Australia will only have to bat twice more in this series.
6:46pm
News Top Night said | 6:46pm | Report comment
I think Austrlaia is in a very strong position, and it is very hard for India to make a comeback in this test match now….
I am sure that India can not win this match now, but i do think that India will manage to draw this match…
6:03pm
Aussie Sport Fan said | 6:03pm | Report comment
Great day’s play by the aussies.
5:40pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:40pm | Report comment
And what a sight this is. Michael Clarke leaves the ground to one of the most enthused ovations you’ve ever seen. All of the Indian players flocked to him to shake his hand, wonderful to see. The crowd was upstanding. Michael Hussey gave him a hug, then lagged behind to let Clarke lead him off the ground.
Clarke goes in on 251 not out, equal with Wally Hammond’s score on this ground. Ahead of him in SCG scores are only Brian Lara (277) and Reginal Foster (287). He has made over 200 runs today, and batted the entire day.
Ricky Ponting was the only man out today. He too made a hundred, before slicing to gully on 134. He was almost out running for his century, but aside from that looked untroubled, though never dominant, against less than inspiring Indian bowling. The bowlers toiled but never seemed to threaten.
Mike Hussey came in late and attacked the bowling, scoring 55 of his own in putting on 157 with Clarke, at nearly five an over. Clarke attacked too, as you’d guess by the fact that he outscored Hussey almost two to one in that partnership, Hussey happy to play support.
A devastating day of Australian batting, and records await tomorrow if the captain can hold his concentration. India have no choice but to wait, either until they can snaffle Australian wickets, or the Australians decide they are done and declare. Either way, expect India to have two days and change to bat, to survive, and try to achieve an unlikely draw.
Australia’s lead is already at 291, more than India have scored in any of their recent overseas Tests. Clarke and Hussey can push it on, Haddin can attack India’s tired bowlers, and the persistent Australian tail could easily be worth a few in these conditions. The onus is entirely with Australia, and we can only wait for tomorrow morning to see how the rest of this match will play out.
Do join me then, from 10.20 Australian eastern time. Many thanks for your company today, and do keep the conversations running into the evening. I’ll check in from time to time.
Best wishes and farewells to you all, and what a day of cricket it was. 4/482.
5:36pm
Brendon said | 5:36pm | Report comment
From the top 6 we’ve seen:
The 3 guys under 30: Fail
The 3 old guys: Succeed.
Something to think about.
5:49pm
Red Kev said | 5:49pm | Report comment
Not really much to think about at all.
Clarke is hardly old, he’s the captain making a captain’s knock and it’d be nice to see him developing a new team.
The three younger guys (who incidentally are protecting the three old guys as you call them – hiding down the order like timid little girls) are just starting out, your comment embodies everything that is wrong with Australian cricket fans and commentary at the moment – the perform or perish mentality – show a little faith and patience to the new selections (Khawaja should still be there, and I expect the selectors to drop Marsh for Watson even though he should be persevered with as well). Ponting debuted at 20 and was shown a little faith despite 4 single figure scores in his first 6 tests – he also started down the order protected by the older batsmen (bear in mind he also debuted in a team that couldn’t lose a test match if they tried, the guys coming in now are entering a very vulnerable team).
5:32pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:32pm | Report comment
And Hussey gloves the ball down to fine leg for a single to end the day…
5:31pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:31pm | Report comment
Ah, didn’t realise this was the final over, being bowled by Sehwag. India, as Harsha Bhogle says, have at least done one thing right – they’ve got their overs in.
5:30pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:30pm | Report comment
250!
Not a bad dig from the skip, wouldn’t you say? Home ground, 250 not, and an opponent that was supposed to roll the Aussies is instead lying prostrate beneath his feet.
4/479.
6:54pm
Adam said | 6:54pm | Report comment
Whoever said India would roll Australia?? Someone uninformed obviously. India is known for travelling poorly – so much so they lost 4-0 to England this year!
5:19pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:19pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Another one! Drives straight. That was in the air though, bit of a tired shot. He has passed Tendulkar’s 241 not out, and levelled Doug Walters 242.
FOUR!
And past Walters! Consecutive boundaries, that one cover driven, better shot, flew away for four.
246, Hussey still on 51, Aus 4/473.
5:17pm
Rhialto the Marvellous said | 5:17pm | Report comment
Does this change anyone’s view of Clarke? (Or Ponting for that matter)
5:20pm
MrKistic said | 5:20pm | Report comment
Nup. I’ve always been a fan. Ponting on the other hand… always happy to see him make runs, it’s just the attitude around it that’s been fairly uncool. It will be interesting to see if that changes. If nothing else perhaps the media can focus on something else for a while. Like Clarke batting unbelievably today.
5:22pm
Fisher Price said | 5:22pm | Report comment
Indeed.
5:24pm
Rhialto the Marvellous said | 5:24pm | Report comment
Does Ponting have a history of a bad attitude? (Forgive me, I’m not Australian or a born-and-raised cricket fan.) I spoke to the physio from Ponting’s IPL team (Andrew Leipus) and he said Ponting was super awesome in the way he worked with his teammates, especially the young Indians.
5:28pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:28pm | Report comment
Forgiven. I’m sure he’s great with his teammates and his training and so on. Very determined and hardworking. But his attitude on the field has often been pretty ugly. Sportsmanship generally comes second to winning, and especially as a younger man, he was very inclined to sulk, throw tantrums, bitch and moan. It’s really only in the last couple of years (since he was so severely criticised after this fixture in 2008, in fact) that he discovered the ability to be more statesmanlike.
11:51pm
Brendon said | 11:51pm | Report comment
And Steve Waugh didn’t sulk and get surly? I think it was yesterday Ian Healy made a joke about it when they showed Slater’s dropped catch “clanger” during a classic catches segment.
Allan Border could be a complete A-hole to the point of destroying players careers.
Don Bradman was not even remotely close to a captain as he was a player.
Greg Chappell … no explanation needed.
Yet Ponting has had to cop twice the amount of flak captains of past eras copped.
5:29pm
MrKistic said | 5:29pm | Report comment
I should say it’s more his outward attitude than team attitude. By all accounts everyone is happy with his team work but it was more the stubbornness and the arrogance in his attitude towards everyone else. Which I guess is hard to deny because it obviously contributes to what made him so good. But after two years you get a bit sick of hearing Ricky Ponting saying how well Ricky Ponting is playing in the nets and isn’t actually out of form, despite not making a ton for two years.
5:31pm
MrKistic said | 5:31pm | Report comment
And what Geoff said
5:40pm
Red Kev said | 5:40pm | Report comment
Won’t change my opinions at all.
I would say that Ponting lacks grace – he’s a scrapper (and is probably why he’s been so good as a batsman) and he will not leave the Australian team without being dragged / kicked howling in fury. And that is the problem with him.
It is great to see him make runs, I am happy to be proven wrong when I said he was past it; but I still would have liked to have seen him retired when he relinquished the captaincy after his Ashes (which let us not forget was all sorts of terrible). Australia needs to build a batting lineup and they can’t do it with Ponting and Hussey still there – Clarke and Watson have to be the new elder statesmen.
5:20pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:20pm | Report comment
I’ve liked Clarke and backed him since he became captain. Wasn’t a huge fan before then, but he’s really stepped up, and showed what an unimaginative captain Ponting was. Not sure what the critics are still criticising, but some will have to pipe down after this.
5:25pm
MrKistic said | 5:25pm | Report comment
Definitely agree on that point. Ponting was always too reactive and was happy to just wait for something to happen. Clarke is constantly trying something and generally attacking. Early days yet I suppose but definitely good signs. Not to mention his batting since he’s been cap’n which is just getting better. As we’re currently seeing.
5:22pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:22pm | Report comment
Re Ponting, though, I still think he’ll be a liability in England, whatever he scores in Australia between now and then. It’s flattering to deceive.
That said, good on him, and it was nice to see such a big smile from the chap today. I’ve felt for him, given the pressure he’s been under. Just think he should be gracious enough to choose his moment well.
5:24pm
Fisher Price said | 5:24pm | Report comment
You’d like to think some younger alternatives would get a chance to establish themselves before the 2013 but I wouldn’t bet on it.
5:29pm
Aware said | 5:29pm | Report comment
It’s changed mine. Not just in this match. The captaincy has been the making of Clarke. Maybe he needed the responsibility to bring out his hidden disciplines and strategic skills. He looks like being as ruthless as any also, which may not please everyone. Ponting is much the same though. The boofhead should have been run out on 99.
5:16pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:16pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Glanced fine by Clarke. He passes Bradman and Barnes on the SCG scores list. Useful players, those blokes.
5:14pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:14pm | Report comment
So DanH won the ‘What Will Ponting Make’ competition, with his vote of 145. He thought it would be not out though, with the rest falling away. That’s not happening!
Wild winds starting to blow across the ground. Can India try to make use of the breeze somehow? Can Clarke keep his concentration up for another 30 or 40 minutes? Are these real questions or rhetorical?
4/461.
Hussey 51
Clarke 234
5:16pm
Hazey the Bear said | 5:16pm | Report comment
If the Indians keep bowling like this to Clarke, all of those questions become rhetorical.
5:09pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:09pm | Report comment
R Ashwin getting the Bronx for bringing up his bowler’s century. Zaheer and Yadav are both on 94.
It’s a massacre, frankly.
5:06pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:06pm | Report comment
Clarke on 230. Here are the highest scores on the SCG that sit above him yet.
Tip Foster 287
Brian Lara 277
Wally Hammond 251
Doug Walters 242
Sachin Tendulkar 241*
Sid Barnes 234
Don Bradman 234
Wally Hammond 231*
5:02pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:02pm | Report comment
FOUR!
That was dicey from Clarke, just scraped that over mid-off’s head, but he cleared him, and down to the rope. Flying.
5:00pm
Alex said | 5:00pm | Report comment
Only last summer we sledged an opposition batter until his dismissal on the grounds that he batted like Michael Clarke. Not quite as insulting this year…
5:21pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:21pm | Report comment
It’s a great tactic if you want to get him in the nervous 290s…
4:59pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:59pm | Report comment
Highest score against India at the SCG now from Clarke, passing Justin Langer’s 223.
4:59pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:59pm | Report comment
Half century!
Hussey brings it up with a nudge to the on side. Seven fours, one six, has looked so positive.
Easier when your mates have bashed up the bowlers for four sessions first though.
4:56pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:56pm | Report comment
FOUR!
FOUR!
SIX!
Absolutely smashed those last two! I can’t keep up. Hussey mistimed one through midwicket from Ashwin, then skipped down the pitch and lofted it one bounce for four over wide long on, then clouted one waaay down the ground, dead straight, for six.
Then a single. What a grafter.
4/444. Bingo!
Hussey to 49 all of a sudden.
4:55pm
Rhialto the Marvellous said | 4:55pm | Report comment
This is getting ridiculous.
4:57pm
Rhialto the Marvellous said | 4:57pm | Report comment
4/444… 111 a wicket. whatever that means
5:10pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:10pm | Report comment
It means Ouch.
4:52pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:52pm | Report comment
Jeepers. That 100 run partnership came up in 20 overs. Run rate of 5 per over. These two…
4/427. India is shot. Shot, plucked, carried home in a bag, marinated, braised, roasted, crisped up, coated in gravy, and served with a garlic butter potato mash and fresh field greens.
I guess that means tomorrow they’ll be shat out, wiped away, and flushed from view while I read the newspaper.
4:51pm
Rhialto the Marvellous said | 4:51pm | Report comment
I’m not a fan of India, but please Jeebus, let Tendulkar score big in the next innings. So far all of the (positive) storylines are Australia’s.
4:53pm
Ranger said | 4:53pm | Report comment
If he does that and gets his 100th 100, Indian fans and media will treat even the eventual 4-0 defeat as a victory
4:54pm
Rhialto the Marvellous said | 4:54pm | Report comment
Fair enough. If I were Indian, I would too. What else have they got?
4:50pm
Ranger said | 4:50pm | Report comment
Seriously Geoff and others, you may be hardcore Aussie supporters, and wanted your team to win, but dont you wish India had put in more of a fight – this is like grown men vs toddlers. Really sad.
5:10pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:10pm | Report comment
It is sad. I wouldn’t call myself a hardcore supporter – I’d much rather watch a great match that we lose than a flogging that we win. Unless it’s the Ashes. We had high hopes for this series, this is unfortunate for the contest.
But extraordinary effort from Clarke. Now it’s just a matter of, how high can he go?
4:48pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:48pm | Report comment
Clarke is on Richie! 222!
4:49pm
Hazey the Bear said | 4:49pm | Report comment
*facepalm*
4:43pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:43pm | Report comment
Ha! That one from Sehwag didn’t leave his hand properly. It went straight up in the air, and came down near the umpire. Dead ball.
4:44pm
Hazey the Bear said | 4:44pm | Report comment
Kinda tells the story about India for today, doesn’t it?
4:58pm
SirDonaldBradman said | 4:58pm | Report comment
It was a proper sudoku ball- went straight over Sehwag’s head.
4:42pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:42pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Maybe Clarke heard that was a no-ball. He came down the pitch and smashed that riskily down to long on, past the fieldsman, for four. Got 220 now.
4:36pm
Aravind said | 4:36pm | Report comment
I worried about India playing like this. I also know that Australia once again proved that they are the best. It is impossible to win this test for India. Only a miracle should happen for India to win this test match. We will be able to count those kind of matched by our finger itself. So at least India should try hard to win the next two matches. If they could not play this delivery itself then how are they going to face SODUKU ball. Its a kind of ball that you could not expect or predict which way it is going to turn. I used to play that kind of delivery in my local matches. Even mighty hitting batsman could not play that ball. It can be bowled only by using tennis ball, cricket ball, its very hard to bowl.
4:44pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:44pm | Report comment
Thanks for the comment Aravind. It is a strangely timid surrender from India. They look a very different team away from home.
4:34pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:34pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Through wide mid-on from Clarke, and that takes us to drinks. Gee, what a session so far.
Clarke 215
Hussey 30
Australia 4/416
4:37pm
Rich said | 4:37pm | Report comment
Wow, another 100 partnership coming up? Time to get out of here and put the radio on in the car.
4:30pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:30pm | Report comment
The TV is already on Clarke to make 300. Clowns. You don’t usually start conjecture about a guy’s century when he’s on 9.
4:36pm
The Bush said | 4:36pm | Report comment
My girlfriend thinks she has won a small battle when I let her play music whilst the cricket is on; jokes on her – I’d mute the commentary voluntarily…
4:29pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:29pm | Report comment
Finally a quiet over from R Ashwin after all that excitement. One run from it.
4:27pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:27pm | Report comment
Third umpire involved on a sharp single, but there’s no excitement from India…
4:23pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:23pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Pulled through midwicket now! I can’t keep up with this bloke. The three, the four, and now a two… he’s suddenly on to 209.
4/407. Hussey running with him brilliantly too, calling for the three, calling for the two.
4:21pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:21pm | Report comment
And another three raises the Australian 400.
4/400 – a century per wicket, on average. Easy business.
4:22pm
Rich said | 4:22pm | Report comment
Now they’re just rubbing it in.
4:31pm
MrKistic said | 4:31pm | Report comment
Nah, remember 2004? They’ve only just got started.
4:21pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:21pm | Report comment
200 from 284 balls, 24 fours, 1 six.
Hussey with him on 26.
4:25pm
Will said | 4:25pm | Report comment
Hard not to be happy for Clarke. So many people were dumping on him for pretty shallow reasons before he’d even taken over the leadership. As it turns out he’s been a positive and interesting captain and has made some good scores. For all the chat about his tattoos and underwear ads, he’s always put test cricket first, and might even relax into saying something interesting in an interview one day.
4:35pm
The Bush said | 4:35pm | Report comment
I for one have enjoyed my humble pie…
4:19pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:19pm | Report comment
Double century!
There it is! He clouts that out through square leg, and even on the first run down he was holding his bat aloft, holding a clenched fist up in the air with his other arm. As he came back for the second run, he high-fived Hussey, grinning broadly. But in very little time he is back to the crease, back over the bat, saying let’s get on with this.
4:21pm
Hazey the Bear said | 4:21pm | Report comment
Nicely played by Clarke – Good captain’s knock, solid most of the time and definitely deserved. Let’s hope he can keep this up for the rest of the series.
4:18pm
Ranger said | 4:18pm | Report comment
Okay, I had enough. Come back home boys. In future, we will make sure you only play the likes of Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, West Indies and Sri Lanka. When you are not playing the above mentioned teams, you can play the IPL and make millions.No more Australia, England, South Africa for you. If the ICC forces you to play these 3 teams, we will put in a clause that says we can only play them at home, on slow, dusty, turning tracks, that kill fast bowlers. You know we have a lot of clout in ICC, so we can do anything. We can even ban the opposition from playing fast bowlers and bat with only tail-enders. We can do anything you know. We control all the money supply in this game. So ha-ha-ha-ha.
4:24pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:24pm | Report comment
Ranger, you cad.
Dispiriting, isn’t it?
4:30pm
Ranger said | 4:30pm | Report comment
No Geoff, as an Indian former cricket fan who faces this extraordinary 24/7 hype about our cricket team all year long, I am having a lot of fun. This is what happens when you make utterly mediocre sportspeople in a minority sport played by only 8-9 countries demi-gods. I am having a chuckle, seriously. And I will love it even more after India loses this series 4-0 and Tendulkar gets his much anticipated and discussed 100th 100 in a meaningless one day match against Bangladesh 6 months from now. But knowing my countrymen, when that happens, all will be forgotten and there will be year long celebrations all over the country.
4:18pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:18pm | Report comment
Back foot defensive… ooooh ahhhh go the crowd.
4:17pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:17pm | Report comment
He didn’t hang around before his 100, how about his 200?
Leaves that ball from Zaheer.
4:17pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:17pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Leg glance for a boundary, Clarke to 198!
4:11pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:11pm | Report comment
FOUR!
And Clarke has officially outscored India. He goes to 192. Smashed that through cover.
4:09pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:09pm | Report comment
Australia now lead by India’s first innings score – 191 runs.
4:11pm
Rich said | 4:11pm | Report comment
And Pup has just outdone India!
4:13pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:13pm | Report comment
Kind of makes you cringe a little bit, doesn’t it?
4:16pm
Rich said | 4:16pm | Report comment
I’d be telling fibs if I said no. I hope he gets the double as well. I wish I was watching this.
5:43pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:43pm | Report comment
You’re just following it online, Rich?
4:09pm
Stu said | 4:09pm | Report comment
Tv shots of Bob Hawke drinking with the lads and John Howard with the missus. Then Hawke getting hit in the face batting. I wonder how he’d go of Howard’s bowling. Would be hilarious.
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4:10pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:10pm | Report comment
Stu, I reckon No Arms Jimmy would be able to slog a few off Johnny How-How.
4:08pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:08pm | Report comment
What is he going to do, Clarke? He’s going at a million miles an hour. I reckon he looks like he’s tiring though. I’m tipping he’ll get to 200, but won’t go much past it. 215, 225, going hard at the bowling. But I just like predicting stuff.
4:10pm
wisey_9 said | 4:10pm | Report comment
if he can make it to the end of the day, then a record-breaker is possible…
big if tho…
4:10pm
Hazey the Bear said | 4:10pm | Report comment
If he makes to the end of today’s play, India are gonna be in for some trouble tomorrow. But yeah, he’s looking tired and will probably try to hit out at the end of the day, possibly getting out I reckon…207 for my guess.
4:12pm
MrKistic said | 4:12pm | Report comment
He may be tiring but not as much as the Indian bowlers. He’s just beaten India’s score and he really needs to keep going, he won’t get a better opportunity to bat himself silly for a while I suspect.
4:17pm
Hazey the Bear said | 4:17pm | Report comment
Actually – You’re on to something there Mr Kistic…India look exhausted and I’ve just seen Clarke guide another one down legside for four for little to no effort.
4:04pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:04pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Beewwwwwdiful. Hussey is in breathtaking touch today. (Hmm. Breathtaking touch sounds a bit suss.) Anyway, he is. That cover drive was perfect. Just leaned into it.
22 from 29, Huss.
4:06pm
Hazey the Bear said | 4:06pm | Report comment
“Breathtaking touch” – I’m not gonna judge.
4:01pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:01pm | Report comment
Huh. The TV cameras have spotted Bob Hawke down in the crowd there. They cheer when he comes up on the big screen. Popular figure these days, it seems. God knows he looks good next to any of the current Canberra mob.
4:04pm
Hazey the Bear said | 4:04pm | Report comment
Hey! I live in Canberra…
Oh wait, you’re talking about the pollies….
4:05pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:05pm | Report comment
As long as you don’t work on the hill, you’re alright by me Hazey.
4:08pm
Hazey the Bear said | 4:08pm | Report comment
Did ya notice that Bob Hawke was mobbed, but the second that they put footage up of John Howard there was a boo heard all around the ground?
4:08pm
MrKistic said | 4:08pm | Report comment
Yep, and they’ve just cut over to lil Johnny Howard sitting up among the members. Not so much mobbing going on up there.
4:16pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:16pm | Report comment
He’d probably have them arrested.
8:31pm
jamesb said | 8:31pm | Report comment
its hard to believe, but Bob Hawke hasn’t been PM for 20 years
3:59pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:59pm | Report comment
Huge appeal on that one…
They wanted Hussey there, all the slips charged… Ah, on the replay, it exploded off the pitch and missed the outside edge. But it did move a long way, so they went for it. Great umpiring there, calm and easy…
4/374
3:56pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:56pm | Report comment
DROPPED!
Clarke dropped, tough caught and bowled is put down on the straight drive! He smashed it, Sharma couldn’t hang on.
Then he played and missed at another, a real swish… getting tired?
4/372
3:58pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:58pm | Report comment
Meanwhile, Sharma has figures of 1/100…
4:00pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:00pm | Report comment
Yes, he got a mighty Bronx from the crowd when he raised that, and he playfully doffed his hat to them as he went back to his place in the field.
3:51pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:51pm | Report comment
Ponting has 256 runs in three innings this series, at an average of 85.33.
3:48pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:48pm | Report comment
Four… accidentally… he’s done that a few times this innings. Tried to leave it, again didn’t get the bat out of the way in time, it hit the toe and ran down to third man for four.
And a three next ball, he’s on to 181.
What odds would there have been on Clarke making a double ton before this match? Anyone see this coming?
4/366.
4:07pm
SirDonaldBradman said | 4:07pm | Report comment
No one saw either of them getting out of single figures to be fair.
3:44pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:44pm | Report comment
Does anyone else feel exhausted after long partnerships like that? It’s like you have to start all over again, when it comes to trying to care about the next innings, or the next partnership. You want freshness. Go on Clarke, we’ve been watching you all day…
3:47pm
The Bush said | 3:47pm | Report comment
That’s why, as frustrating as it has been, watching Australia play cricket has become more interesting lately – plenty of wickets and drama…
3:49pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:49pm | Report comment
Too true. You can live and die with each delivery. Whereas when you’re just watching a monster total mount up, it can be like the endless crashing of the tides.
3:38pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:38pm | Report comment
Welcome back after tea. A quick start – two boundaries to Hussey in that first over from Ishant Sharma. He now has 16, scoring shots all in boundaries, from 14 balls.
4/357
3:29pm
John said | 3:29pm | Report comment
Ponting and Clarke both with centuries. Clarke still there at tea with Hussey batting on well..
Did the people saying it would all be about Tendulkar put the mockers on him?
3:16pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:16pm | Report comment
And that will be tea.
It has well and truly been Australia’s day, and Australia’s session. Ricky Ponting was finally out after an innings of 136, and a partnership of 288. His 40th Test century and his sixth on this ground.
Michael Clarke is still there, on 170, looking aggressive and playing some lovely shots. Mike Hussey has faced 8 balls, smashed two boundaries, and looks in great form. His timing on those shots was magnificent.
New ball taken, it got the wicket of Ponting, can it do any more for India after tea? Or can Mr Cricket join in the fun, and Clarke overtake India’s first innings total singlehanded?
4 for 349 at tea, a lead of 158 runs, with 6 wickets in hand. We’ll be back in 15 minutes after tea.
3:15pm
Johnno said | 3:15pm | Report comment
That batting camp before the MCG test match has really seemed to help the batsman.
3:13pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:13pm | Report comment
Played and missed! Where has that been? Yadav got just a little bit of seam movement, cut away from Clarke off the seam, and beat his outside edge as he pushed casually at it. Yadav is making something happen here.
3:11pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:11pm | Report comment
FOUR!
High score
Cut away by Clarke for yet another, Yadav the bowler, and there’s his highest score in Tests, 170 not out against India.
4/349
3:13pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:13pm | Report comment
Yadav still looks dangerous though – Clarke keeps going fishing outside off, he’s gonna get a nick…
3:08pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:08pm | Report comment
FOUR!
PULLED by Hussey for four. Brilliantly played, he was onto that so early. Got it right down toward the base of the bat and it scorched away, almost through wide mid-on, it was so far in front of square. He looks brilliant.
4/345
3:05pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:05pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Short, waaaaay outside off stump, and somehow Clarke pulled it through midwicket with a whiplash stroke, pinged that to the boundary for four more.
4/341
3:07pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:07pm | Report comment
And now Hussey’s in on the act – Same deal, short and wide and punished accordingly.
3:09pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:09pm | Report comment
Tell you what, I was amazed Clarke played that to the on side. And somehow pulled it off. Extraordinary shot.
3:03pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:03pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Clarke cuts through backward point for another boundary, goes to 160. Ponting might be done, but the skipper is not finished yet.
Eight runs from his highest score in Tests. He wants it.
4/335.
3:08pm
MrKistic said | 3:08pm | Report comment
He wants to outscore India.
3:09pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:09pm | Report comment
He’s odds-on to do it.
3:02pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:02pm | Report comment
Well, what a huge innings it was. 134 for Ponting alone, and a partnership of 288 with Michael Clarke. That was Ponting’s 40th Test ton, and the partnership was the 8th highest by an Australian pair in Australia.
Ponting’s hundred came from 225 balls, with 14 fours.
It looked scratchy early, it never looked completely dominant, but he looked better and happier and more confident as the innings went on. His smile to Clarke on 99 when Clarke wanted a suicide single was indicative of a good mental space, I reckon. Nicely played Ponting.
3:00pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:00pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Hussey scores first ball with a push through backward point for four! Hello, Huss.
3:03pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:03pm | Report comment
It was a nice stroke too – nothing streaky about it. Good signs if Huss continues like that – according to the commentators, Hussey has a penchant for being a nervous starter.
Meanwhile, Clarke looks as solid as ever with another four. Where has this guy been all summer?
3:10pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:10pm | Report comment
He’s the same guy who was hurling cover drives at the bowling late last night when he was on not much, and missing them clean each time… The other innings have been the ones when he didn’t quite miss them.
2:57pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:57pm | Report comment
OUT!
Ponting falls at last! The second new ball got him. A touch short from Ishant Sharma, he tried to force off the back foot, and skewed it a little in the air to gully. Tendulkar completed the catch, and Ponting falls to Sharma once more in Tests, but he’s done it after putting 134 runs next to his name.
4/325
3:05pm
Chris said | 3:05pm | Report comment
Well done Punter. I would have dropped him at the start of this summer, so I guess I feel like a fool right now.
2:54pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:54pm | Report comment
Ok, so the new ball is finally here. Zaheer Khan has taken it, and is India’s best hope of anything happening.
2:57pm
Rich said | 2:57pm | Report comment
So something might happen before tea? Anything would be nice.
2:58pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:58pm | Report comment
Well, Ponting’s just gotten out – I think that counts as something…
3:02pm
Rich said | 3:02pm | Report comment
Be careful what you wish for, eh? Maybe that was India’s tactic, bore the pants of the batsmen and then shake things up a bit.
2:47pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:47pm | Report comment
First almost kind of chance in a long while! Ponting nudged Sehwag behind square, and nearly nicked it to leg slip. Went wide of Dravid for two runs.
Ponting 134, Clarke 154, Aus 3/325, India wicketless today.
2:44pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:44pm | Report comment
Here’s an odd one. These two have looked invincible for the last couple of hours. India have had nothing.
The new ball became available this over. India didn’t take it. Ashwin is still bowling! And it’s the 81st over. What the fridge?
3/322
2:47pm
Red Kev said | 2:47pm | Report comment
I tell you what, I’ll give the man his due, Ponting has looked better and better the longer this innings has gone on, he hasn’t really looked like getting out (except for his attempted suicide run to bring up the 100). His later pull shots look like those from 5+ years ago.
2:51pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:51pm | Report comment
It’s one of those difficult ones, isn’t it? Is it regular bowling looking toothless simply because the batsmen are dominating it, or have they dominated to the extent that the quality of the bowling has sunk? Not in this match specifically, but in general.
2:58pm
Red Kev said | 2:58pm | Report comment
Based on Ponting’s dismissal just then I’m gonna go with it was just poor bowling for the first session and a half.
2:47pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:47pm | Report comment
My sentiments exactly – There hasn’t been any indication of danger to the Australian batsmen…No reason not to take the new ball. I’m starting to question Dhoni’s captaining ability here (more than usual).
2:53pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:53pm | Report comment
Me too, Hazey. Ashwin had bowled 19 overs to that point with no success and no threat. Sehwag is a part-time one-day spinner. What on earth is the logic behind persisting with them? Bore the Aussies into a poor shot?
His field settings are extremely defensive too, and were very unhelpful to his own side in Melbourne.
2:41pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:41pm | Report comment
150 up for Clarke
Little fuss, with a single to deep midwicket.
Is it just me, or is 150 the most anticlimactic of the landmarks?
3/316, Ponting on 128.
2:43pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:43pm | Report comment
I think half the crowd has fallen asleep with the Indian bowling…Might explain the lack of response.
2:34pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:34pm | Report comment
Now Virender Sehwag is bowling offpsin, around the wicket, leg-stump line and a leg slip in place, stocky figure of the opening batsman trotting up, bald patch shining through his thinning hair. It looks like a petrol station owner is coming in to bowl.
2:31pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:31pm | Report comment
Couple of slow overs there, the game just drifting at the moment, Australia happy to wear India down as far as they can. Plenty of defence, couple of singles… Ponting has 127, Clarke 144, and without us really noticing, his century is turning into a big century.
India are going to need Dravid, Laxman, Sachin or Sehwag to match these long, unassailable innings from the Australian pair.
3/307.
2:37pm
Big Steve said | 2:37pm | Report comment
clarke would be looking at his highest test score of 168 here wouldnt he?
appoligies to ponting as well, really didnt think he had it in him.
2:38pm
Big Steve said | 2:38pm | Report comment
and congratulations to both of them.
2:42pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:42pm | Report comment
Forget 168, Big Steve – Clarke’s looking to chase down Dizzy Gillespie’s 201. He could get there today, too.
3:03pm
Big Steve said | 3:03pm | Report comment
that score really rubs it into all Australian batsmen. I think any respecting batsman would want to have a high score.
Hope we dont see a collapse now.
2:25pm
Malibu77 said | 2:25pm | Report comment
This is payback.
8 years ago Tendulkar and Laxman put on 353 at the SCG and India made 705.
Brett Lee took 4/201
The Clarke/Ponting partnership is payback! How sweet it is.
2:37pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:37pm | Report comment
Malibu, I hope you’re named for the city, not the beverage. How sweet THAT is. Ugh.
2:21pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:21pm | Report comment
FOUR!
I feel silly using an exclamation mark for that. He barely moved the bat, just nudged it out at Kohli’s slow delivery, in the easiest of late cuts, and just bunted it through third man for four.
That’s the 300 up. 3/301 at present…
2:19pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:19pm | Report comment
Clarke batting in the baggy green cap out there now… a nice sight, almost classical. Something we don’t see very often.
He’s decided that Ashwin and Kohli aren’t a threat to his personal safety. Ponting still has the lid on. Can always top-edge one into your mouth, I suppose…
2:25pm
MrKistic said | 2:25pm | Report comment
Absolutely. No stickers on the bat, playing in the baggy green, if it wasn’t for his tatts and everything being bright bloody pink he could be mistaken for being in an earlier era.
Also is it just me or is Ponting’s helmet blue?
2:38pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:38pm | Report comment
I don’t think it’s you, Mr K, but I reckon it might be your TV.
2:48pm
MrKistic said | 2:48pm | Report comment
I should clarify that I noticed it before when they were both wearing helmets. They’re both the round variety too, but definitely different shades.
We’ll have to wait for the new ball to compare again.
3:15pm
MrKistic said | 3:15pm | Report comment
Hussey’s looks darker than Clarke’s too. Not that I’m obsessed with it or anything.
3:57pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:57pm | Report comment
No, you were right, I think! I gave it a closer look later, and there was something odd about it. Sponsored by Carlton?
2:17pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:17pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Drives wide of mid-on… his on-side play has been terrific today, Ponting. Goes to 123.
3/296.
2:14pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:14pm | Report comment
Main danger for Ponting and Clarke now is getting bored. And I’m not even being facetious.
2:10pm
CJ said | 2:10pm | Report comment
Have to admit, that if you’d shown someone who’d never seen cricket this summer and told them NZ was ranked what, 7/8th in the world; and India was number 3; well…
2:39pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:39pm | Report comment
That’s the beauty of this strange, erratic game…
2:02pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:02pm | Report comment
Clarke is motoring along… 135 now. 3/282 and this total is starting to look imposing.
2:00pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:00pm | Report comment
Lovely shot by Ponting through midwicket from Ashwin for four to get to that 109 score – came down the pitch and drove it away.
1:58pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:58pm | Report comment
So here are the updated Ponting Innings Bet standings. Only the most ambitious (or faithful) entrants are still in the running, with Ponting now on 109…
wisey_9 180
DanH 145*
Stu 116
The Bush 112
Dale 101
dhruv dave 85
BennO 81
Aussiediehard 76
Red Kev 71
Big Steve 57
Harry 51
Millz 45
Rhialto the Marvellous 37
Geoff 17
AdamS 16
1:52pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:52pm | Report comment
SIX!
Well, Clarke has had enough of this. Off-spinner from Ashwin, Clarke came a long way down the track, and just lifted it gently, like he was helping an old lady onto the bus, over the rope straight down the ground.
3/272
1:50pm
Johnno said | 1:50pm | Report comment
Did India need a 3rd practice match before the 1st test , they go on and on in the newspapers about players form the sub continent not being used to the bounce, the SCG wicket yesterday was not that bouncy surly not, nothing like the WACA last year in the ASHES or the MCG last week. And it was hot yesterday so no cloud to swing the ball. Today is hot but a bit of cloud cover.
1:53pm
Disco said | 1:53pm | Report comment
One decent practice match would’ve been a good start. But they’re too busy prioritising one-day cricket, just as before they toured England.
1:49pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:49pm | Report comment
So Clarke has got a jump away here… he’s on 124 to Ponting’s 105.
These two look so well set, now that the nervous 90s are out of the way. Could that relaxation undo them? Will concentration falter? Clarke looks like he’s already on the way to the next milestone. Ponting will want a big one, though whether he makes a mistake is another question.
1:38pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:38pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Another flick through midwicket from Clarke off Sharma…
3/256
1:37pm
wisey_9 said | 1:37pm | Report comment
is anyone going to give me props for my prediction at 10:47?
i wish i was a betting man…
1:41pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:41pm | Report comment
You were spot on, Wisey! Now we just need an exact score from you for Ponting.
1:45pm
wisey_9 said | 1:45pm | Report comment
180 (replied to your 11:03 post)
1:49pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:49pm | Report comment
Long day for India, then…
1:54pm
wisey_9 said | 1:54pm | Report comment
new ball + cloud cover is probably their best bet for a wicket…
1:57pm
MrKistic said | 1:57pm | Report comment
Clarke should be about 250 by then.
3:35pm
wisey_9 said | 3:35pm | Report comment
u might not be far off MrKistic!!
5:45pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:45pm | Report comment
Very prescient, as it turns out. 251* at stumps.
1:36pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:36pm | Report comment
Kohli has come on to bowl some… some what? Wait, what are those? Weird dobblers of some sort. He looks like Chris Harris in that action.
1:43pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:43pm | Report comment
His profile has him as right-arm medium. But he’s bowling slow ones, dobbly and almost flighted out of the back of the hand. Strange grip. Real Harris flashbacks here.
1:36pm
Johnno said | 1:36pm | Report comment
Very hot day in Sydney and those Indian fast bowlers would of been exhausted after the 1st session, it is overcast but still hot UV rays at there highest, if the aussies come into bowl after tea fresh and rested, with a 150 plus run lead , India batters will be tired after being in th hot field too, all advantages to Australia. ANd Shane Watson when fit has to come back into this team no debate, just a case of where he bats,. And his bowling if he can still do it is highly valued as the 5 th bowling option. I think Watson when he bowls well is our best bowler as well , as our best batter, but he only bowls in short spells he can not be the leader of the bowling attack. He is 31 this year In April i think. I hope he still has the ability to bowl those nasty 3-4 over partnership breaking spells.
2:15pm
Chris said | 2:15pm | Report comment
Johnno I’d wait until he’s fully fit (i.e. able to bowl) before bringing him back into the team.
1:35pm
Brendon said | 1:35pm | Report comment
U dont wait to get the knives out do ya red kev?? Y must he retire? The youth has done so good batting so far in this match!
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1:44pm
Red Kev said | 1:44pm | Report comment
Why? Because in 18 months we face the best bowling attack in the world on their home turf (the last time Ponting faced them on his own turf he averaged 16.14 over 8 innings). 10 days short of 2 years and 34 innings since his last century, what if he goes 10 days more than 2 years for his next?
Wanting to prove everyone wrong is commendable. Actually doing it is just brilliant. Going out on top is something Ponting deserves. Wouldn’t you rather see that rather than him scratching around and getting dropped (make no mistake if he slumps again the selectors won’t persist with him)? The guy has nothing left to prove.
1:46pm
Disco said | 1:46pm | Report comment
So, Ponting scoring a hundred – finally – is more useful than a younger player getting a chance to do likewise?
We wouldn’t even need to discuss his retirement if the team had been picked on merit since last year’s Ashes trouncing. Making a ton is always to be commended but let’s not rewrite history because of a good knock against a ragged India.
Ponting had plenty of chances over a two-year period in which he played poorly – and it has cost the team – but the selectors have lacked the fortitude to drop him.
1:35pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:35pm | Report comment
He’s just changed his shirt, Ponting, after looking a bit like a preschooler who’d been making mud pies. That shirt lies by the boundary with his other kit. I’m willing to be it’ll be worth a few dollars some years down the track. Someone grab it.
2:44pm
Red Kev said | 2:44pm | Report comment
Sounds like Mrs Ponting is auctioning it off (unwashed) for their charitable foundation (cancer kids I believe).
1:34pm
Fake ex-AFL fan said | 1:34pm | Report comment
Great work by Ricky, so pleased for him. Regardless of this innings I don’t think we’ll be seeing him play too many more test matches in Australia and it’s fitting that we remember him making a big score, not scratching around for runs clinging to his place in the team.
1:35pm
Disco said | 1:35pm | Report comment
Yes, would be a nice way to go out.
1:33pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:33pm | Report comment
So 100 not out from 150 balls from Ponting.
114 from 158 for Clarke.
3/250 for Australia.
1:30pm
Stu said | 1:30pm | Report comment
On ya Punter!!
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1:29pm
Fisher Price said | 1:29pm | Report comment
That’s him cemented in the side until he faces some decent bowling again.
1:28pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:28pm | Report comment
CENTURY!
There it is! Oh, hearts in mouths! Was nearly run out on the 100th run. He just pushed that ball away, took off for the run, there was a throw at the stumps at the non-striker’s end that would have had him cold if it had hit.
The front of his shirt is absolutely smeared brown with dirt and dust. (His trousers might have been a similar shade after that close call.) He had to dive full length onto his chest to try and make his ground, and would still have been caught feet short, but the throw missed… just… and Ponting, after such a long wait, has finally got that Test match century.
Six of them on the SCG, a record held by Ponting.
1:32pm
Red Kev said | 1:32pm | Report comment
Blimey that was a risky run.
34 innings (17 matches) since his last century – got to applaud his determination. He’s now proved all the knockers wrong, I’m happy to take that on the chin. Now will he do the decent thing and retire on top after this match? Or will we be forced to endure the same debate next summer?
1:33pm
Fisher Price said | 1:33pm | Report comment
The latter – which is not what’s best for the team.
1:28pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:28pm | Report comment
Ah – in all the excitement, I failed to notice the 200 partnership had been raised. Apologies. It’s worth 208 now, off 47 overs.
1:32pm
Rich said | 1:32pm | Report comment
I was wondering when the bets would come out on what the partnership will make. 200 is very, very nice. I think its got 250 in it.
1:37pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:37pm | Report comment
You might be right, Rich. I’ll say 264.
2:00pm
Rich said | 2:00pm | Report comment
Another 6 and we’ll be on the way to your score. Have we got a beer on it?
2:10pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:10pm | Report comment
Sure. But they look more like 350 at this rate!
2:19pm
Rich said | 2:19pm | Report comment
One beer coming your way! I’m not in the slightest bit complaining, but, as you said, I think boredom is the risk at the moment for them.
1:24pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:24pm | Report comment
Dot ball. Pushed up to mid-off.
He won’t want to let this become an issue, getting stuck… Clarke has gone on to 110 already, they were on 92 at the same time.
1:23pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:23pm | Report comment
Ah, here we go. A three off the pads to deep midwicket, and Ponting is back on strike.
1:21pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:21pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Not from Ponting though, but Clarke. Got a wide ball from Sharma, he’s starting throwing his bat at these now, that was VERY wide, and he stretched and just got it, drove it for four.
3/242
Next ball was the same length but a bit closer to him, and he let it go. Remorse?
1:20pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:20pm | Report comment
Heh. Just seeing that replay. Ponting gave Clarke a grin and an enquiring nod, as if to say “What were you doing?” Ricky doesn’t look nervous from that.
1:19pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:19pm | Report comment
And no run! Oh dear. Clarke was almost halfway down the pitch backing up. He had to turn and scurry back as Ponting tapped to cover, and he could have been run out if someone had been sharper on the pick up and throw.
1:17pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:17pm | Report comment
Off his pads! Will get two, won’t get three. Goes to 99…
1:17pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:17pm | Report comment
Zaheer over the wicket, angling across Ponting.
Fourth ball is around the wicket instead, and gets a bit of movement through the air. Ponting leaves again.
1:16pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:16pm | Report comment
Third ball is left, a long lunge forward and bat held high.
1:16pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:16pm | Report comment
And his first ball is met with a straight bat, straight-ish, but that hint of skewed bat stroke across his pad.
Second defended to cover.
1:14pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:14pm | Report comment
So welcome back after it lunch. It will be Zaheer Khan to bowl, Ponting to face on 97.
12:48pm
Johnno said | 12:48pm | Report comment
Hot day , that would of been exhausting for the Indian quicks, and after lunch it will still be hot tough 2nd session for India coming up they will have to I think get the aussies out for under 300 otherwise game over, this weather was really hot hottest part of day, if aussies bowl 3rd session the UV rays would go down and a change is forecast even showers but more cloud cover, so will help quicks.
And the aussie bowlers have been able to put there feet up in the hottest part of the day no batting or bowling.
All advantages right now to Australia.
12:53pm
wisey_9 said | 12:53pm | Report comment
unless there is an inspired spell from one of the indians, i doubt if the aussies will bowl today at all…
12:45pm
Nick_Brisbane said | 12:45pm | Report comment
India seem to have gone downhill since Gary Kirsten left
1:51pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:51pm | Report comment
Definitely lacking intensity. And very staid, defensive captaincy. Surely a coach shouldn’t let a captain get away with that.
12:37pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:37pm | Report comment
So, Ponting will have to endure the lunch break to see if he can get that hundred. He’ll eat his sandwiches on 97 not out. He batted through this morning session without losing a wicket, Michael Clarke going all the way with him and beating him to the landmark to finish with 103.
All Australia that session, and India will struggle to get back into the match from here.
Join us in 40 minutes for Ponting’s nervous nineties.
12:47pm
Aerious said | 12:47pm | Report comment
The next question will be when Australia declares, if this keeps up.
12:54pm
CJ said | 12:54pm | Report comment
Still a touch premature with a lead less than 50, and a lower order not really well-known for resilience.
Yes, the tail wags, but I’m certainly not banking on it scoring 50+ every innings.
1:55pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:55pm | Report comment
No, perhaps not. Was more just going on the feeling of the match, if I can be as ephemeral as that. India didn’t feel like they were going to break through.
2:05pm
CJ said | 2:05pm | Report comment
Perhaps. Funny old game though. A little bad luck and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hussey go down for 13 followed by a duck from Haddin. Then all it’d take would be average tail batting (our tail has been just excellent lately) and Australia’s not even 150 ahead. Of course, NOW…
Doesn’t mean it’s likely, but jeez, don’t jinx it.
2:11pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:11pm | Report comment
True, true. It’s always easy to forget how quickly it can change. Like when Tendulkar and Dravid were well set approaching stumps in Melbourne…
12:35pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:35pm | Report comment
Last ball, driven to mid-on, and that’s lunch.
12:34pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:34pm | Report comment
Sharma’s next is at the stumps, Clarke clips to midwicket, no run, only one ball to go now till lunch.
12:34pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:34pm | Report comment
Yorker! Tailing in. Hit Clarke’s boot and ran away to fine leg. They ran two leg byes… the crowd booed the second run.
12:33pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:33pm | Report comment
Another wide one… funny stuff here.
12:32pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:32pm | Report comment
Ha! Ishant bowling very wide of off stump. “Come on,” he says. “Have a go.”
12:32pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:32pm | Report comment
Five balls to go… there was a no-ball.
12:31pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:31pm | Report comment
Huge ovation from Clarke’s home crowd. India had a packed off-side field there, everyone up, but he pierced it with a cover drive. Will he want a single, or will he want to keep a nervous Ponting from strike?
3/229.
12:30pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:30pm | Report comment
Clarke on 99…
FOUR!
Century!
Cover drive for four!
12:31pm
Red Kev said | 12:31pm | Report comment
Good on him, I’m a big fan of Clarke’s as captain – maybe that will quiet down the critics for a while.
12:32pm
Chris said | 12:32pm | Report comment
Well done Pup!
12:38pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:38pm | Report comment
Yes, he’s done good work as captain, Kev.
12:38pm
Will said | 12:38pm | Report comment
You’d think so, but critics tend to have a two test limit on staying quiet these days. I agree though, it’s great to watch a positive, thinking captain. Dhoni could learn a bit from Clarke.
5:47pm
Geoff Lemon said | 5:47pm | Report comment
Dhoni was woeful today, wasn’t he Will? Clarke is always searching for an option, even when they lose.
12:42pm
BennO said | 12:42pm | Report comment
Me too. I didn’t like the way he was anointed so early and I haven’t been totally impressed with his batting under pressure over the years, but I think he’s made an excellent captain. He impressed from the get go as a T20 captain I think, and he’s done very well since taking over the Test captaincy as well. It’s great.
12:29pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:29pm | Report comment
Ponting… dot ball! Bunted back to the bowler!
Zaheer did beautifully there. Cranked up the pressure.
12:28pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:28pm | Report comment
Ponting… drives!
No run! I think that clipped Clarke at the non-striker’s end. And Tendulkar dived at mid-on to stop it.
12:28pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:28pm | Report comment
Zaheer to Ponting… slower ball! Interesting. Don’t see that much in Tests. Ran his fingers over it. Ponting bunts to midwicket.
12:27pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:27pm | Report comment
Zaheer… dot ball… to backward point…
12:26pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:26pm | Report comment
Ponting… dot ball… knocked to midwicket…
12:25pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:25pm | Report comment
Quick single! Off the first ball. Clarke hammered his way down the pitch there, nudged to point.
12:25pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:25pm | Report comment
He gets one off the last ball. Keeps the strike. Should get two more overs in at this rate. What can they do with it?
3/227.
Zak Khan to continue.
12:24pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:24pm | Report comment
And suddenly Clarke is busting out the forward defensive.
12:25pm
Red Kev said | 12:25pm | Report comment
Wow partnership of 191, India all out for 191. I bet Sachin is watching these two and thinking evil thoughts about MS Dhoni’s decision to bat when he won the toss.
12:39pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:39pm | Report comment
Perhaps, but it was always a bat-first pitch. India just subsided. Put Langer and Hayden on that pitch yesterday morning and I’d expect them to put on 0/220.
12:24pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:24pm | Report comment
Seven minutes left…
12:23pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:23pm | Report comment
Three more! Ponting tickles that ball from Ashwin to fine leg, Sharma has a long run around.
They’re both on 97, they’ve been neck and neck all day.
12:22pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:22pm | Report comment
Well, Clarke hasn’t looked nervous, but Ricky probably will be, a little.
12:21pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:21pm | Report comment
Ten minutes to lunch. Ponting has 94. Clarke has 97.
3/224.
12:20pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:20pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Clarke drives through cover! On to 97…
12:15pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:15pm | Report comment
Clarke 93, Ponting 92…
12:17pm
Big Steve said | 12:17pm | Report comment
will one of them now get stuck in the 90′s at lunch? seems like plenty of time left but you never know in the last few overs before the break.
12:20pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:20pm | Report comment
Not at this rate!
12:14pm
CJ said | 12:14pm | Report comment
I’m probably one of those that claimed we needed youth in the team and wanting Ponting gone. Can’t really argue with results though, and you have to look back at the bigger picture: we have Pattinson, we have Starc coming, we’re waiting on Cummins who seems like an auto-selection – never mind that Siddle (28 I think) is bowling off his head and Hilfenhaus is turning into a workhorse.
We’re playing two young openers, and Khawaja, a good young bat, made way for a form player (if unfit), which bodes well for the depth of the batting at this point. It’s not as if Clarke and Watson are ancient either. And really, aside from Khawaja (who I like), who takes the other old boy’s spot at this point.
Perhaps having Ponting be consistent helps the young players – I mean, imagine if we had a rookie 1-6, they collapse, and our bowlers had to do excellent work to bowl out India only to have to go bowl again after lunch on Day 2 with a 30 run deficit. Of course, that’s all predicated on the fact that Ponting, you know, actually is consistent.
And it’s not even Ponting: if we had ANY guy, of ANY age, who always scored 40 odd off 80 balls; maybe you need that if your batsmen are prone to collapses.
12:36pm
Red Kev said | 12:36pm | Report comment
Yeah I’ve been one too – he’s certainly make me eat some humble pie (although I still think Ponting should move on for the good of the team, I can no longer cite form as a reason to drop him which I could until these matches against India).
I think Hughes will be back as well. Cowan, Warner, Hughes, Marsh, Khawaja, Clarke, Watson is a good 7 to take 6 spots once Ponting and Hussey retire (maybe Ponting’s century will give him good grace and he’ll retire at the end of the SCG test?).
12:46pm
CJ said | 12:46pm | Report comment
I like it. But really, I’d like more than a dozen innings out of Cowan, Warner, and Marsh before we annoint them the saviours. Until then, perhaps we need Ponting to steady the ship (but let me make it clear: only for as long as he CAN steady the ship).
We need to really look at this in the big picture. The selectors could, quite easily, have picked Bollinger/Siddle/Hilfenhaus/Doherty as bowling attack: we’d have missed out on two really good young quicks (Cummins/Pattinson) and a solid spin option in Lyon. That said, I’m giving half-credit for Lyon since the ends don’t justify the means – the revolving door of spinners that produced him is not really a good way of finding Test cricketers.
1:22pm
Red Kev said | 1:22pm | Report comment
Aye, I prefer Khawaja to Marsh but I’d rather see the selectors persist until the end of the WI tour rather than do another knee-jerk dropping of Marsh.
12:13pm
The Bush said | 12:13pm | Report comment
Geoff,
If the track is starting to look this good and assuming conditions remain excellent; what sort of lead is Australia going to need considering we are batting last?
12:19pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:19pm | Report comment
To be honest, India looked mentally shot in the first innings. None of them had the stomach for the fight bar Sachin, who seems to be feeling the pressure of carrying the team, and Dhoni, who played his first form knock for a long while.
I wouldn’t expect India to make more than 250-300 in their second innings, meaning they needed to keep Australia under a 100-run lead on the first to have a prayer. That hope is mostly gone.
So, a lead of 100 to 150, let’s say…
12:23pm
The Bush said | 12:23pm | Report comment
Geez that’s confidence – of course a lead of 150 is still some way off yet. We still have the ever reliable Brad Haddin to bat.
12:12pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:12pm | Report comment
Ooh, the 90s nearly got him! Zaheer had been around the wicket, went back over, got one across Ponting with a bit of movement, and he played and nearly nicked to Dhoni. It swung away… wow.
12:10pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:10pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Both batsmen were on 87 for a moment there, but Ponting got a hip-high leg-stumper, and glanced it fine for an easy four.
Into the 90s!
12:11pm
Big Steve said | 12:11pm | Report comment
who is going to get there first Geoff, or will the indians get lucky?
12:13pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:13pm | Report comment
Clarke, for me. Ponting started playing dodgy shots the second he went to 91… could be a candidate for a pre-lunch falter.
12:07pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:07pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Lofted shot down the ground. Skipped down to Ashwin and launched the high drive. Commentators are waxing lyrical, but I think Clarke skewed that. Looked like he was aiming straight or on-side, and got almost a leading edge, but still carried to long-off.
200 is up, Australia 3/203, both batsmen on 86.
12:05pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:05pm | Report comment
Ponting 85, Clarke 82. 3/198.
12:04pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:04pm | Report comment
So, defensive tactics here. They’ve got Yadav bowling a dry line outside off stump, or trying to. Ponting had a go at one earlier in the over, so they persisted with it, really wide of off. Yadav eventually got called wide on two of those deliveries, and had Ponting pull the one shorter ball for four.
Trying to bore Ponting out? Wonder if he’ll get nervous in the 90s?
12:03pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:03pm | Report comment
FOUR!
Ponting pulls in front of square for four. On to 84.
12:04pm
Red Kev said | 12:04pm | Report comment
Well I did not think these two would still be in when India’s total was overtaken.
12:05pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:05pm | Report comment
Nor I, sire. But they’ve pulled one out of the hat.
12:09pm
BennO said | 12:09pm | Report comment
He passed my score for him. Great!
11:58am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:58am | Report comment
Ashwin getting good turn, but fairly slow turn, not threatening as yet. Needs to do something with bounce and flight.
11:57am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:57am | Report comment
Clarke’s gone into the 80s, Ponting for 79…
11:53am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:53am | Report comment
There was a false shot from Clarke, at last… just spooned at one outside off from Yadav, like he was trying to scoop some ice-cream up for someone to taste… Missed it.
11:50am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:50am | Report comment
Just 9 runs behind the Indian total now, still 7 wickets in hand…
11:49am
Dale said | 11:49am | Report comment
Ponting will get his 100 then out on 101
11:49am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:49am | Report comment
FOUR!
Pulled over midwicket from Clarke…
Jim Maxwell just said it all here. “Pitch is at its best for batting, not much threat in the bowling, and the new ball is a long way away.”
11:46am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:46am | Report comment
FOUR!
Clarke into the 70s to join Ponting! There was a proper cover drive, he played bad ones yesterday, there’s a good one.
Pinching ones and twos with ease before that stroke, these two… could be one of the easier hundreds either of them will make.
Clarke 71, Ponting 72, Australia 172.
11:41am
wisey_9 said | 11:41am | Report comment
the indians needed a wicket early… they haven’t got it…
its going to be a looooong day in that sun!
11:46am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:46am | Report comment
Haven’t really looked like it, have they Wisey?
11:40am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:40am | Report comment
Four leg byes, on to 164…
11:37am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:37am | Report comment
FOUR!
On the pads, shabby from Yadav first ball after drinks.
Clarke goes to 64. Ponting has 69.
3/158.
11:29am
Chuck Norris said | 11:29am | Report comment
Clarke has been anything but convincing this morning. His fifty came from just 60 deliveries but he has only scored 10 runs from the next 35. Has this come about from a more defensive mindset from the Aussie batsmen for this first session or is Clarkie just not finding the gaps?
11:31am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:31am | Report comment
I think it’s more to do with him taking a cautious approach and wanting to play himself in. He went hard at the bowling last night, but probably too hard, and would have realised that when he calmed down.
10 from 35 is A-OK in the first hour of a Test match.
11:28am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:28am | Report comment
So Dhoni is going to turn to Ashwin, and see if the spin can help…
11:26am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:26am | Report comment
FOUR!
Yadav had bowled a maiden to Clarke, but then Sharma was nudged for two, then whipped for four through midwicket. Nice on-drive from Ponting, and that was his first shot that looked really good, perfectly timed, and in control.
Ponting 68, Clarke 60, Australia’s 150 is up.
3/153
11:30am
Matt said | 11:30am | Report comment
If Watson is fit for Perth, is Marsh the man to be dropped, Ponting moving back up to 3, Watson batting 5/6?
11:40am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:40am | Report comment
Marsh hasn’t made a good case for himself, so he looks likely. It would either be that or lose one of the openers, who’ve both done more in recent times.
Then it’s a matter of whether you push Ponting, Clarke, or Hussey up to 3. Huss was an opener, and guys like Ian Chappell have said Clarke should take the responsibility of first drop.
11:56am
Red Kev said | 11:56am | Report comment
I agree it is likely but it will represent another poor short sighted selection decision. Marsh would join Khawaja as a victim of not being given a genuine chance, instead Australia is more concerned with immediate results rather than building a batting lineup.
11:22am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:22am | Report comment
All these advertisers must be feeling a bit sheepish about Mitchell Johnson fronting their TV campaigns…
11:26am
BennO said | 11:26am | Report comment
I’m not watching but that reminds me of the Swisse vitamins ads during the final Tri Nations match this year, James O’Connor kicking goals beautifully in the commercial breaks but sitting on the sidelines during the game because of his hangover earlier in the week.
11:27am
Aerious said | 11:27am | Report comment
Unless he comes back and is much more consistent than ever before, he is on borrowed time. That is if everyone else stays fit.
11:30am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:30am | Report comment
I think he’s gone, Aerious. These three will hold their places for a while yet. Harris is there to come in as a replacement. Then ahead of him in the queue are Starc, Cutting when fit, and maybe Copeland.
Everything the Australian bowlers have done in this series has been based on consistency – the quality that Johnson has never had.
11:46am
The Bush said | 11:46am | Report comment
You do have to think that if Australia comfortably wins this series (and remember that’s an if) or if the Australian bowlers continue to successfully take wickets (i.e. we lose because of our batting), then Johnson will miss the tour to the Windies and presumably have a long, long road back to the Australian team.
Johnson’s other problem is he is now thirty (30)…
11:15am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:15am | Report comment
FOUR!
On-drive from Ponting. That looked easy, he just leant forward and into that shot, nudged it for a fast four.
Ponting to 62, 3/147.
11:13am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:13am | Report comment
Nice whip behind square from Clarke. It has been a feature of his innings, last night and today – looks decidedly dodgy outside off stump, but looks in great touch off his pads. India keep giving him those as a release valve.
11:11am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:11am | Report comment
Oof. That was dicey. Clarke tried to leave, didn’t quite manage to, ball clipped his bat as he was trying to shoulder arms, and ran through to the keeper.
11:10am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:10am | Report comment
Little tiny bit of shape even on his first ball, Yadav. He was impressive in Melbourne, denied a five-for by several umpiring errors, but got big wickets. They’re playing him respectfully here.
11:09am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:09am | Report comment
The young man Yadav is going to have a crack, after an innocuous spell from Zaheer.
11:07am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:07am | Report comment
Another couple through the covers for Ponting. The signs are starting to say: Ponting. Ton.
I’m not quite sure yet though. Got a bit of a feeling about 86. Was Warnie’s favourite.
11:05am
The Bush said | 11:05am | Report comment
Clarke – 85
Ponting – 112
Haddin – bugger all (*again*).
11:03am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:03am | Report comment
Ok, our tips for Ponting’s score looked like this. Obviously some were made yesterday and are already out of the running. Ahem.
DanH 145*
Stu 116
The Bush 112
Aussiediehard 76
Red Kev 71
Big Steve 57
Harry 51
Millz 45
Rhialto the Marvellous 37
Geoff 17
AdamS 16
11:08am
dhruv dave said | 11:08am | Report comment
85
11:29am
wisey_9 said | 11:29am | Report comment
180
11:01am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:01am | Report comment
FOUR!
Ponting pulls Zaheer away behind square. Errant bouncer, seemed to be more glove than bat, but he got it away, signals the rooms for new gloves.
Next ball, takes a single to raise the 100 partnership. It’s all runs, no extras – Ponting has made 44 of them, Clarke 56.
Overall, both batsmen have 56, and Australia are 3/137.
10:53am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:53am | Report comment
Not a lot for the Indian bowlers yet this morning, bar that one corker from Sharma. Hot day, clear sunshine. India will need a batting mistake to make an inroad here…
Ponting and Clarke each working a few runs about the place.
3/131
10:48am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:48am | Report comment
FOUR!
Half-century!
Ponting cuts and cuts well, brings up his 50.
10:47am
wisey_9 said | 10:47am | Report comment
looks like a batting paradise today.
my prediction – ponting and clarke both to make centuries… with ponting enduring an epic nervous 90s that will make for some great viewing…
10:50am
BennO said | 10:50am | Report comment
I think he’ll get out in the 90s if he gets that far. I’m tipping another 70-80 odd.
11:02am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:02am | Report comment
We’ll need an exact score if you want bragging rights, gentlemen…
11:10am
BennO said | 11:10am | Report comment
Fair enough. I’ll give him 81
10:38am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:38am | Report comment
That one short and edgily played away by Clarke, on his toes… good start here from Ishant. Will he ping Clarke? Working him over.
10:44am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:44am | Report comment
Ponting facing… the bets are in… he gets a single, goes to 45…
10:37am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:37am | Report comment
Wow-ee. That ball from Sharma beat Clarke all ways known. It cut in a long long way. Beat the bat by a long way, past the inside edge, and nearly bowled him. Sheesh.
10:33am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:33am | Report comment
Half-century!
Michael Clarke drives away through midwicket for three, and raises his 50.
50 from 60 balls, 7 fours.
Aus 3/120
10:13am
MrKistic said | 10:13am | Report comment
If you wanted to put the mozz on Ponting, you’d say something about his record of getting hundreds in match number 100 and that he’s sure to follow suit today. But I don’t, so I won’t.
Also, wouldn’t Khawaja’s staid and solid 30 odd runs have been nice yesterday? Still I’m sure he’ll be back in the Shield sorting that out right now and putting more pressure on Marsh for his spot.
What’s that? Oh, right.
9:36am
TomC said | 9:36am | Report comment
The Australian middle order is a crapshoot at the moment, but I reckon the tail might wag again. New ball won’t be taken until close to tea, so on a pitch that doesn’t look too scary no reason why the Aussies can’t build up a decent lead today.
9:32am
Aussiediehard said | 9:32am | Report comment
Geoff,
I think Ponting will make 76 runs.
9:02am
Geoff Lemon said | 9:02am | Report comment
Morning readers. What are your predictions for the day ahead? Can India come back? Will Ponting press on? Hit reply to leave your comments, let me know what you’re expecting.
We’re also taking bets on Ponting’s final score – leave your predictions for that as well.