Story Australian Int Season - RETIREMENT

[MWaugh]

Watson Suffers Injury

Shane Watson faces another stint on the sidelines after being flawed by yet another serious injury as the young queensland all-rounder appeared to injure his left shoulder while fielding in the 1st test match in Brisbane.

Watson attempted to dive for a ball off the bowling from Brett Lee, but landed unevenly on his left shoulder. The injury is yet another setback for the promising youngster, having missed the 2003 world cup in South Africa after requiring an operation only months out from the tournament.

It will leave Australia in a delicate position having lost a competent batsman as they will look to chase down Indias 2nd innings total to win the 1st test match.



(Shane Watson is surrounded by concerned team mates Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath while Erol Alcott (insert) helps the paceman off the field)

 

[MWaugh]

Agarkar Falls By The Sword - India 9/142

Ajit Agarkar went down attacking as India's slump continued as they tourists fell to 9/142 on day 4 of the 1st test. Brett Lee continued his devistating spell as he picked up his 5th wicket, again caught by Justin Langer, this time at short cover as Agarkar fell for 8 early in the session.

Lee tempted the tailender into lashing at a ball just wide of off stump which flew to Justin Langer who took a regulation catch at short cover.

 

[MWaugh]

Lee Storms Home To Clean Up Tail - India 10/142

Brett Lee completed one of the most devistating displays of pace bowling seen in Australia in many years as he cleaned up the Indian tail to leave the tourists all out for 142, a lead of only 191 runs and with still over 5 sessions of play remaining in the match.

Lee finished with figures of 6/64 from 18.4 overs to rock the tourists into submission, capturing all 5 wickets in the morning session on day 4 to go with the wicket of Sourav Ganguly late on day 3.

Aashish Nehra was the final batsman to fall, Justin Langer attracting the ball once more as Nehra edged to Langer at 3rd slip. Lee making full use of both the seamer friendly GABBA wicket, the huge support from the home crowd and the tentativeness of the Indian tail end against quality 150km+ pace.

 

[James219]

Great bowling performance, puts Australia firmly on the front foot. Brilliant reporting!

 

[Cricket_60]

Great performance by the Aussies

 

[MWaugh]

Scorecards

Scorecards from the Indian 2nd Innings



After a strong performance with the bat in the first innings with 10/328 batting first on a seamer friendly GABBA wicket, India would be extremeley dissapointed with their performance in the second innings. Gautam Gambhir again stood tall for the tourists with 66 in a meagre total of 142.



(Gautam Gambhir on his way to 66)

But it was Brett Lee who stole the show as the New South Welshmen ripped the middle and lower order apart at the seams to claim 6 wickets and put Australia in a very strong position to go 1-0 up in the series.



(Brett Lee celebrates one of his six wickets)

With Australia requiring 191 runs to win, India will still feel that they have a chance to claim a victory here if they can capture quick wickets early in the Australian innings and take the initiative from the home side. First innings centurian Ricky Ponting will be a key wicket and the loss of Shane Watson for the final innings will leave Australia one batsman short.



(Ricky Ponting will be a crucial wicket in the run chase)

If the pitch continues to play tricks as it has done for the first 3 days and early on the fourth day, then fans from Melbourne to Mumbai will be in for some nailbiting cricket.

 

[MWaugh]

Khan Strikes Early - Australia 1/13

Zaheer Khan struck early for India as he claimed the crucial wicket of Matthew Hayden for only 7 as Australia slipped initially to be 1/13 as they look to chase down the 191 runs required for victory.

Khan had Hayden caught at gully by captain Rahul Dravid as the Queenslander looked to pierce the off side field with a cramped cut shot. The rushed shot produced an edge that flew to Dravid at over head height.

 

[MWaugh]

Khan Claims A Double - Australia 2/16

Zaheer Khan claimed the wickets of both opening batsman as he dismissed Justin Langer for 8 as Australia slumped to 2/16 chasing 191 to win.

Khan exploited a soft spot on the GABBA wicket which held up fractionally. The ball just outside off stump tempted Langer into driving through the cover region, however the ball held up enough to produce a lofted drive which landed safely in the arms of Sachin Tendulkar at cover.

Australia now in a delicate position of 2/16 chasing a small target, the tradion of Australia struggling to chase down small targets potentially ringing true on day 4 of the 1st test.

 

[Bala]

great counter by Zaheer! Lee was devastating with the ball. This match is going to the wire.

 

[moza1]

Great game.
Hope the aussies win.

 

[Short Leg]

Can Punter make a ton in both innings

 

[MWaugh]

Khan Rattles Clarke - Australia 3/30

Zaheer Khan has potentially brought Australia to its knees with a devistating first spell with the new ball to leave Australia at 3/30 chasing 191 to win on the fourth days play in Brisbane.

Khan took the scalp of Michael Clarke for 11 to go with his prior wickets of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer to leave Australia in a very shakey position of 3 down with still 161 remaining to get.

The pressure will now firmly rest on the shoulders of captain Ricky Ponting, test newcomer Michael Hussey and vice captain Adam Gilchrist as Australia prepare for a vicious dog-fight to the end.

 

[MWaugh]

Hussey And Ponting Steady Ship

Australian captain Ricky Ponting and test debuton Michael Hussey appeared to weather the storm cast out by Indian paceman Zaheer Khan as the pair put on 56 to take the score to 3/86 chasing down 191 for victory.

Ponting looks again in superb touch, cruising to 41 after seeing out the brutal opening spell from the left arm quick. Spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh were unable to trouble the Ponting and Hussey (19*) as the intensity of the match builds.

 

[MWaugh]

Captain Reaches 50 - Australia 3/109

Australian Captain Ricky Ponting continued his great start to the home season with a crucial half century to go with his first innings century as Australia edge closer and closer to Indias target of 191 runs to win the 1st test in Brisbane.

Naturally one of the most attacking batsmen in world cricket, Ponting's 50 came from a lengthy 96 balls and included only 2 boundaries, one of which cleared the mid on fence.

 

[MWaugh]

Ponting Falls To Kumble - Australia 4/112

Leg spinner Anil Kumble provided the vital breakthrough for India as he captured the wicket of Australian captain Ricky Ponting for 53 to leave Australia in a dangerous position at 4/112.

Kumble had the captain struck in front LBW just as Ponting appeared to be gaining dangerous momentum. There can be no real arguments about the decision with Ponting being struck straight in front to the Kumble flipper which skidded straight on.

Vice captain Adam Gilchrist and Michael Hussey will now have to get as close as possible to the 191 required for victory to ensure the tail does not get exposed on a difficult pitch.