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With one day to go, four outcomes still possible at the WACA

Steven Smith continued his amazing form in India. (AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD)
Expert
16th November, 2015
3

When a team totals over 550 runs in the first innings, one thing should be certain – they won’t lose.

But at stumps on day four of the Perth Test any of the four results are possible: a draw, a win for Australia, a win for New Zealand or even a tie.

To Australia’s massive 9 declared for 559 (David Warner 253, Usman Khawaja 121), New Zealand did not buckle down. They took a 65-run lead in amassing 624 (Ross Taylor 290, Kane Williamson 166).

In an amazing turnaround, Australia lost 2 for 46 and were still 19 runs in deficit. Then a magnificent and unbroken 212 runs partnership between skipper Steven Smith (131 not out) and Adam Voges (101 not out) turned the Test Australia’s way.

However, this fluctuating Test can swing either way today.

It reminds me of the December 2003 Adelaide Test between Australia and India.

Australia totalled 556 in the first innings and ended up losing. It must have been especially heartbreaking for Ricky Ponting who scored a classy 242, hitting 31 fours.

I remember him blowing a kiss to his wife when he reached 200. India’s leg spinner Anil Kumble took five wickets but gave away 154 runs.

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India started badly losing 4 for 85 but were rescued by Rahul Dravid (233) and VVS Laxman (148) who added 303 for the fifth wicket. It was batsmanship at its sublime best.

Quickie Andy Bichel took 4 for 118 as India made 523, only 33 runs behind.

India’s medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar surprised Australian batsmen swinging the ball both ways as he captured 6 for 41 and Australia were dismissed for 196.

Set 230 to win in about 100 overs, India was struggling at 4 for 170 but Dravid took them to a four-wicket victory with an unbeaten 72. Deservedly, he hit the winning runs – a four off Stuart MacGill.

Steve Waugh chased this ball and presented it to Dravid saying, “well played”.

Dravid had scored 305 runs across two innings and was the popular man of the match.

Only once before had a team totalled more runs in the first innings of a Test and lost. That was in the 1894-95 Ashes Test.

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In that game Australia scored 586 in the first Test in Sydney with centuries from George Giffen (161) and Sydney Gregory (201). England was bowled out for 325 and was forced to follow on.

They did better in the second innings scoring 437, opening batsman Albert Ward making a gritty 117.

But when needing 177 runs to win Australia was all out for 166 (left-arm spinner Bobby Peel took 6 for 67) and lost by 10 runs.

Thus scoring more than 550 runs in the first innings provides no immunity to defeat.

I predict a draw or an Australian win in Perth today.

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