Tue, 03 Jan 2012 - Australia vs India, India Tour of Australia 2011-12, 2nd Test Match

Final Score- India: 191 - 400 / 10 in 110.5 overs RR: 3.61, Australia: 659/4 d in 163.0 overs RR: 4.04

Clarke’s Australia crush India

After their batsmen had nearly shut India out of the game, the Australian bowlers needed little more than two sessions on the fourth day to complete the formalities. The visitors showed semblance of a fight but crumbled under the mountain of runs to be defeated by an innings and 68 runs. Courtesy this win, Australia have taken an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four match series.

The superb batting display by Michael Clarke and company had left India facing a huge 468-run deficit. Fifties from Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and R Ashwin were not enough to prevent an innings defeat, 3rd in four away Tests. However, India managed to reach 400 on foreign soil after a long time.

The hundredth Test at SCG saw Australia dominate proceedings from the word go with skipper Clarke leading the way with a triple-century. While the home batsmen dominated, the bowlers made life difficult for the Indian batsmen. Despite India scoring 400, the Australian bowlers had the upper hand for most part with Ben Hilfenhaus picking up five wickets for second time in the series

When play began on the fourth morning under overcast skies, India still trailed by 354 runs but the prospect of rain and presence of Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir at the crease raised few hopes. But, neither the rain gods came to their rescue nor the two overnight batsmen were able to extend their partnership.

Gambhir, on 83, perished while trying to deflect a Peter Siddle delivery towards the leg side, only to get a leading edge that was snaffled by David Warner at point. Thus, Gambhir’s century drought continued, his last ton coming at the start of 2010.

Tendulkar and VVS Laxman joined forces after the early wicket and prevented any more damage till Lunch. In isolation, India’s score card had a healthy reading after the end of first session, 243 for 3 but given the circumstances, a lot was still left to be done.

Tendulkar, for most part, looked assured with his decisive foot-work. Even with uneven bounce creeping in to the wicket, he was able to hit some fluent drives. Laxman, at the other end, began shakily but soon regained his touch. A trademark whip off Nathan Lyon got him going.

The duo added 103 for the fourth wicket before Michael Clarke had Tendulkar caught at first slip, the edge deflecting off the gloves of Brad Haddin straight into the hands of Michael Hussey. A Tendulkar century here would have been a consolation for India but that was not to be as he made the long walk back having scored 80. Like the first innings at Melbourne, India lost their way once Tendulkar departed. From 271 for 3, the visitors slipped to 286 for 7.

After the left-arm spin of Clarke broke though, the pacers took over. Ben Hilfenhaus led the way with two wickets in as many overs. He produced an unplayable delivery to disturb Laxman’s furniture after he had made 60 runs and had MS Dhoni caught and bowled off a yorker. Although, there were doubts about the catch but replays suggested that the ball hit the toe of Dhoni’s bat and lobbed back towards the bowler.

Virat Kohli started off with back to back boundaries against James Pattinson but the bowler had his man with some help from the track. A length ball kept low to trap Kohli plumb in front. By now, the result was a foregone conclusion and the only question that remained was whether India could survive till Tea.

With nothing to loose, Zaheer Khan and R Ashwin used the long handle to good effect to take India past 300 and stretched the match into the last session. It was only the second time that India had reached the figure in their last fourteen innings on foreign soil. While Zaheer hit 35 in a typical tail-ender way, Ashwin played more like a batsman for his 62. The last three India wickets contributed 114, which proved that the pitch was not a snake pit.

Eventually, India were all-out for 400 and it was odd that the side had managed to put in a good batting show when it mattered little. Given Australia’s huge score of 659 and India’s dismal show on the first day, the margin of defeat was an innings and 68 runs.

India would do well to bounce back in the next Test at Perth, for that to happen the team has to click as a unit.

Day 3: Bulletin on next page