The Australians surrender the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
3.30 P.M.
Out gunned, out thought, out maneuvered and out sledged, Ponting’s Australians surrendered the Border- Gavaskar Trophy. Though they began the day with an outside chance of winning the test and retaining the Border- Gavaskar Trophy, the Australians squandered the opportunity by rapidly losing 3 wickets in the first session. Strangely, for a team that prides itself on its preparation, the Australians committed the same errors they committed in Mohali. Barring Hayden whose talent matched his bravado, the rest succumbed to vain ambition.
Sadly, so consuming was their vanity, they failed to play out the day and salvage a draw.
Ponting’s words in the aftermath of Mohali that ‘they (Indians) played like us’ proves prophetic, it was India that played like Australia through out this series: the Australians played like a pale imitation of India.
6.00 A.M.
For some inexplicable reason, just when you expected him to go for the jugular, Ponting let India of the hook by turning to his part time bowlers. That decision saved India who promptly capitalized on his generosity to set a target of 382.
This has set the stage for a cut and thrust 5 th day. Surely, with a pragmatic Dhoni at the helm, the Indian team will go about sealing Australia’s fate systematically. Dhoni himself has said that the key to the 5 th days play lies in how Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma bowls. So in all probability, it could be a repeat of the third days tactics- choke the run flow and force the Australians to make mistakes. If India holds onto the all the chances then we may well see an Indian victory: otherwise, it will be a draw.
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16 comments:
I doubt Hayden will be choked by the field settings - he will surely try to counter-attack. I doubt it will be a draw (Australia going for the win will mean either they win or India wins).
RS,
Then it will be an exciting day.
billy is ensuring just that...OTT...
Not to worry Pan. The Australians appear desperate to get out.:)
Hayden dropped twice - is that the match?
RS,
He is also batting beautifully. Queasy feeling in my stomach.:)
as long as Hayden was there I thought they had their chances. I think Symmonds would have made a difference.
RS,
Even I thought so. Symonds may have put the Indians on edge. However, it is a wonder that the mighty Australians are so dependent on one man.
Congratulations Ott!
Out gunned, out thought, out maneuvered and out sledged...
never have seen them getting this kind a thrashing even in 2005 series...the results could have been very different...
battered...butchered...and stripped of their world champion aura...so much so that even SA has started dreaming...
congrats!!
Soulberry,
Many congratulations to you and your readers.
Pan,
I do not mind SA dreaming but I certainly mind if the English start dreaming.
Cheers ott!
trust you had a very good day.
NC,
Absolutely rocked. Had to down a couple of pints to steady myself.:)
Now this is dusted, we have to worry about England... am afraid, these bowlers will loose steam by the time the test series come. Too much cricket with no rest.
Scorpi,
We have Munaf and RP in reserve- no major worries there.
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