The Roar‘s live commentary from the fourth Test saw a huge day for Australia at the Adelaide Oval, as Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke made twin double-centuries in a dominant performance. The pair put on 384 runs together, a record for Australia against India.
The former and current captain came together before lunch on Day 1, with Australia at a tricky 3/84. They were 3/335 at stumps, 3/469 at lunch, and 3/470 in the first over after lunch when Clarke was finally dismissed for 210. Ponting was dropped on 186 and 215, and eventually dismissed for 221.
In Sydney they had added 288 together. Their effort here dwarfed even that.
Scale aside, it was a stunning display of batsmanship in terms of quality. On one of the friendliest pitches around, Ponting and Clarke flew along at four an over for most of their stand. Their full range of shots was on display, Ponting with hefty pulls and back-foot square drives, Clarke going through the covers and advancing to loft the spinners down the ground. All in all, a treat to watch.
Ponting was out with the score on 530. Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris made some hard-swinging runs at the end, after Mike Hussey was bizarrely run out by a sensational reflex effort by Gambhir at short leg. It was the first piece of inspired fielding from India.
Australia eventually declared at 7/604, a huge and intimidating total. They then got two crucial wickets before the close – Sehwag out to an awful shot and a sensational catch, caught and bowled off a full toss from Peter Siddle, that Sehwag should have put away to the fence.
Then Rahul Dravid was unlucky to be bowled by a ball that deflected off his front pad, his elbow, and back onto his stumps. Ben Hilfenhaus was the beneficiary.
Those were the kind of lucky breaks that didn’t go India’s way when they were bowling. Tomorrow, India will need to hope the luck changes direction. They will need to bat an extremely long time to have any hope of avoiding defeat here.
But Australia’s bowling showed rare signs of raggedness in the final hour, with a lot of full tosses and leg-side deliveries. The pacemen will need to tighten up substantially given the tough conditions that will face them tomorrow.
With Gambhir in good touch, and such an easy pitch for Tendulkar, Laxman, and Kohli to come in on, plus the understudy keeper Saha with a lot to prove, India actually have a good opportunity to put together an imposing score of their own.
Whether they’re able to take that chance remains to be seen.
Join us to find out from the first ball tomorrow, and to join in the cricket conversation across Australia and overseas, as we take you through live from start till stumps here on The Roar.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
So a dominant day for Australia overall. Ponting and Clarke each made double centuries, before both being dismissed in the session after lunch. Their partnership was a record for Australia against India, as they added 386 runs together. Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris made some hard-swinging runs at the end, after Mike Hussey was bizarrely run out by a sensational reflex effort by Gambhir at short leg. It was the first piece of inspired fielding from India, who had dropped Ponting on 186 and 215. Luckily for them, he didn't make them pay too much further. He'd already done most of the damage. Australia eventually declared at 7/604, a huge and intimidating total. They then got two crucial wickets before the close - Sehwag out to an awful shot and a sensational catch, caught and bowled off a full toss from Peter Siddle, that Sehwag should have put away to the fence. Rahul Dravid was then unlucky to be bowled by a ball that deflected off his elbow and back onto his stumps. Ben Hilfenhaus was the lucky beneficiary. Those were the pieces of luck that didn't go India's way when they were bowling. Tomorrow, India will need to hope the luck changes direction. They will need to bat a very long time to have any hope of avoiding defeat here. But with Gambhir in good touch, and such an easy pitch for Tendulkar, Laxman, and Kohli, plus the understudy keeper with a lot to prove, they actually have a good chance of putting together an imposing score of their own. Can they take that chance? You'll have to tune in with The Roar from 11 am AEST tomorrow to find out.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Full bowling figures for Australia: RJ Harris 6 2 18 0 BW Hilfenhaus 6 1 21 1 PM Siddle 3 0 13 1 NM Lyon 5 2 9 0 MJ Clarke 1 1 0 0
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Siddle got the wicket of Sehwag caught and bowled for 18, while Hilfenhaus bowled Dravid with a big slice of luck, Dravid out for 1.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Well, Gambhir ends the day on 30 not out, and he looked good. Tendulkar ended with 12. In the last 9.2 overs of the day, he scored only 1 run.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
It sure is annoying when visions of the Adelaide Oval morph into Laurie Oakes in front of your eyes.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Difficult to say, not the innings that India would have hoped for, losing Sehwag to a cracking catch and Dravid to *snortgiggleheehee* doesn't really get compensated by the 61 runs so far.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Well, the couple of wickets we predicted did fall. What do we think? Where is India at? What is this pitch going to do tomorrow?
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Field in close. Clarke holds him up. Bowls... forward defence... Tendulkar survives... and that's stumps! Time, gentlemen, please.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Solid defence from the penultimate ball, and one more to go...
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Haddin getting very vocal about Clarke's left-arm spin.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Two balls quickly, Tendulkar looking for a run, not getting one...
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Well, Lyon raced through that over, to give Australia the chance for one more... and it's Michael Clarke! Wants the fairytale.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Cuts the third ball well, but straight to point...
Geoff Lemon
Expert
FOUR! Gambhir drives through cover nicely for four. That's better, not just shutting up shop. Lyon the bowler. 2/61
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Solid defence for the last two balls, but that was some good bowling, making him leave, making him play, keeping him guessing. Two overs allegedly remaining, though they may only get through one.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Third ball he leaves, fourth he defends. Tension rising.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Second ball, Tendulkar leaves, but that was a dangerous line there. Sachin looks dicey. He doesn't know what to do.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Harris bowling, huge appeal as Tendulkar plays and misses, but Harris wasn't interested. Wow. The slips really went up.
Hazey the Bear
Roar Rookie
Yep, and Tendulkar's looking pretty iffy out there at the moment...
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Got Tendulkar in Sydney, didn't he?