Story ICC Best Of The Rest Championship

[Short Leg]

Lee Puts Up His Hand​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
India 4/262 - 55 overs
11:16am - Day 3

Tendulkar 108(94)
Laxman 34(39)*

Lee 1/44
Clark 0/62
Tait 1/50
Warne 2/82
Symonds 0/23

India trail by 106 runs

A crucial wicket has been taken by Brett Lee. Sachin Tendulkar is out after a breath taking century at Chennai. just 94 balls after coming to the crease we have all witnessed a smashing ton by the little fella. How many times have you seen it? A century and then the batsman's out not long after. A loss of concentration in this 40 degree heat spelt the end of Sachin after he tried to smash one over cover but picked out Ricky Ponting.

​

Yuvraj Singh's arrival to the crease marks the last of the specialist batsman so Australia will need him quickly to have a chance of first innings points.

 

[Short Leg]

Mix-up Silences Chennai Crowd​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
India 5/313 - 72 overs
12:34pm - Day 3

Laxman 66(103)*
Yuvraj Singh 17(41)

Lee 1/61
Clark 0/69
Tait 1/63
Warne 2/96
Symonds 0/23

India trail by 55 runs

A mix up has seen the end for danger man Yuvraj Singh on just 17. Andrew Syomds made a poetic one handed pick up and throw to Warne who took the bails off at the non strikers end and the 3rd umpire wasnt required. For the first time in the series the Indian crowd was silent as they held such hope for the man in form.

​

With that big pile of ash now at the non strikers end as a result of Yuvraj being burned in walks Dhoni. Many fans hold tickets on this man and India might just need a score out of him today as there innings seems to of stalled since the loss of Tendulkar. Laxman needs to kick on now after this start.

 

[Short Leg]

Warne Sends Laxman Packing​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
India 6/323 - 76 overs
12:53pm - Day 3

Laxman 74(121)
Dhoni 2(8)*

Lee 1/61
Clark 0/76
Tait 1/63
Warne 3/99
Symonds 0/23

India trail by 45 runs
Laxman has one it again. Another score in the 70's for VVS when his team really needing more form him. He has picked out Langer on the square leg fence and JL held on infront of a big crowd willing him to drop it. The momentum is swinging in favour of Australia now with 2 quick wickets and 2 new batsman at the crease. Can Australia wrap it up here with the help of Warne and claim first innings points at Chennai?

​

Warne gave Laxman a massive send off which was picked up and broadcasted on DD Sports coverage around the world. This is what millions of veiwers heard.

Yeah! Cop that you ---- choker. On ya bike you clown another 70 for ya! Come on boys let's do this for the boys back home C'mon! Let's knock over these carters in the tailend!

Irfan Pathan who is no mug with the willow will partner Dhoni in search of the 45 runs then need to be infront at the change of innings. For the first time in the series Australia are not behind as both teams are now on a level playing feild. Who's your pick to win it?

 

[Short Leg]

India Take The Lead​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
India 7/399 - 94 overs
2:48pm - Day 3

Dhoni 41(63)*
Pathan 34(53)

Lee 1/75
Clark 0/82
Tait 1/63
Warne 4/133
Symonds 0/31
Hodge 0/13

India lead by 31 runs

A solid partnership between Dhoni and Pathan has taken India past Australias total and claimed first innings points. Not suprisingly it was Shane Warne to break the partnership with Gilchrist doing the work behind the stumps. The pair showed no respect for Warne coming down the track and slogging him until Warne found the answer.

​

Warne has 4 wickets in his kit bag now and will be looking to wrap up the tail and get Australia back at the crease setting up a total that will be good enough for Australia to win on Indian soil.

 

[Short Leg]

Who Would Win A Battle Between Warne And Superman?​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
India all Out 416 - 103 overs
3:43pm - Day 3

Inida lead by 48 runs

Once Warne had Dhoni caught on the very edge of the boundary by Hayden the castle collapsed and India was all out on the stroke of Tea on the tird day.

​

Harbhajan Singh was caught by bounce and spooned a catch to Hodge followed by Patel who had no clue about the slider from the one and only Warne and was victim of LBW.

Shane Warne has returned the best figures of the ICC Best Of The Rest Championship so far and will continue to impress throughout.

​

Australia now has a session to get infront of India and work towards a challenging total in this second test. The match is looking good for a result so we will find out which team is the better under pressure.

​

 

[Short Leg]

Australia Set To Resume​

Justin Langer and Mattew Hayden are waiting in the middle ready to get underway here in the second innings live from Chennai. Australia will start 48 runs behind.

​

Both men have had productive time at the crease with 3 centuries betwwen the 2 already in this tournament. India broke the partnership early in the first innings can theymanage again. If not Australia will be in good position to set a tough total for the home teams chase.

​

 

[Short Leg]

Australia In Top Shape​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Autralia 0/97 - 30 overs
Stumps - Day 3

Langer 43(89)*
Hayden 52(91)*

Pathan 0/44
Patel 0/13
Tendulkar 0/39

Australia lead by 49 runs

The Australian opening pair are at there best in the centre. A wicketless session means that the tourists are in the box seat with the lead and looking good to post a massive total. You have to question Dravids captaincy when he opts for Tendulkars leg spin instead of the experience of Harbhajan or Kumble in this period where the game is won and lost.

​

Some classic shots in there unbeaten 97 run partnership​

Australia shows no signs of letting up as they offered no chances to India throughout the 2 hours in the final session. Still with 2 days to play Australia will be looking to bat quickly and aggressivly to amass a good enough total.

​

Hayden and Langer are all smiles as they walk off unbeaten at stumps​

 

[Short Leg]

Turbanator Strikes First Blow​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Australia 1/106 - 36 overs
11:20am - Day 4

Langer 44(110)
Hayden 60(104)*

Pathan 0/44
Patel 0/14
Tendulkar 0/39
Harbhajan Singh 1/8

Australia lead by 58 runs

Australia has lost there first wicket after an opening stand of 106. Justin Langer lost off pole attempting to drive through the covers but missed the leather. Hayden at the other end is on track for just another lazy three figure score isnt he in terrific form.

​

Ricky Ponting has anther oppertunity to improve his average of 21 here with a flat track and an Australian lead. You would feel that the visitors need a hundred from someoje and a couple of 50s to build a big enough lead.

 

[Short Leg]

Hayden Is Turbanated​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Australia 2/205 - 57 overs
12:42pm - Day 4

Hayden 100(168)
Ponting 51(61)*

Pathan 0/69
Patel 0/22
Tendulkar 0/59
Harbhajan Singh 2/18
Kumble 0/29

Australia lead by 157 runs

No sooner had Hayden signaled the crowd for his hundred before he was back n his way to the pavillion. The big Queenslander inside edged to Kumble who took a good catch. Australia in a comanding position at the moment with just 2 wickets lost in there 57 overs at the crease already with 2 100 run stands. Ricky Ponting is returning to form with a smashing half century off just 60 balls.

​

Haydos reaches a lazy 3rd ton for the Championship​

Ponting who was averaging 21 before this innings is finaly showing what he can do but has also had his share of luck serviving a few close shouts for LBW.

​

Would you give the skipper out?​

Brad Hodge is the new man in. Hodge will need runs here if he wants his place in the team. The Victorian hasnt made a score since his 74 on debut against the West Indies and has made just 160 runs for the Championship in 5 outings. Can he do it?

Hodge has his neck on the line in this innings​

The Turbanator Harbhajan Singh is the only thing stopping Australia from taking the second test away from the home team. Australia will keep attacking as they need to score runs quickly so they leave enough time to bowl India out.

 

[Short Leg]

A few more updates on the second test to come.

Is anybody keen to say anything or should i talk to myself?

 

[Mr. Kurns]

3 words - AWESOME stuff mate :happy

 

[Short Leg]

3 words - AWESOME stuff mate :happy

Cheers mate good to see your enjoying the Aussies road to victory.

 

[Short Leg]

India Sends A Message With Double Blow​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Australia 4/261 - 71 overs
2:20pm - Day 4

Ponting 79(101)*
Hodge 20(31)
Symonds 8(13)

Pathan 0/82
Patel 1/34
Tendulkar 1/85
Harbhajan Singh 2/23
Kumble 0/29

Australia lead by 213 runs

Brad Hodge is left wondering whether he will step back into the Australian team after failing again. A modest 20 for the Victorian means that Australia has lost there 3rd wicket.



Andrew Symonds was the next man out after edging to Sehwag. Another low score for Roy as he is just hanging in there in international cricket.

​

This match has now taken a turn in Indias favour. Another quick one especially the wicket of Ponting will put India in the hot seat and have the home team big favourites to take the series lead. What does everyone think?

 

[Short Leg]

Punter Is Back!​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Australia 4/309 - 82 overs
3:09pm - Day 4

Ponting 103(138)*
Hussey 24(31)*

Pathan 0/82
Patel 1/61
Tendulkar 1/106
Harbhajan Singh 2/23
Kumble 0/29

Australia lead by 261 runs

Well they say that class always triumphs overall. Thta is certainly the case in Chennai as Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has launched his first three figure score of the championship. Congratulations Ricky do the Aussies proud.

​

Australia is running out of time to declare if they are going to bowl India out on this Chennai road. Can they bat quick enough to get 350 to 400 runs infront.

 

[Short Leg]

Match In The Balance​

2nd TVS Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Australia 4/335 - 89 overs
Tea - Day 4

Ponting 110(150)*
Hussey 39(62)*

Pathan 0/90
Patel 1/67
Tendulkar 1/110
Harbhajan Singh 2/23
Kumble 0/33

Australia lead by 287 runs

A wicket wouldnt be the worst thing for Australia now as they need an Adam Gulchrist innings of quick runs to save there chances. With just 4 sessions remaining in the match you would think Australia need 110 overs at India to be able to bowl them out. At the same time they need enough runs so that India dont chase them down easily. The players have 20 minutes to sample the Indian culture before going back out on the feild.

​

The India culture at Tea​

Can Australia knock up a quick hundred and then have a go at India before stumps on day 4 only time will tell.