Test interestingly poised by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Scorecard:	India v Australia
Player:	ML Hayden, SM Katich, RT Ponting, V Sehwag, A Kumble, A Mishra, Z Khan, I Sharma
Event:	Australia in India 2008/09

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DateLine: 31st October 2008

 

Australia fight hard
Half centuries by Hayden, Ponting and Hussey made sure that Aussies were still in with a chance of saving this test match going into the fourth day. Sehwag kept plugging in and kept India in the hunt as Australia are still 275 runs behind going into day 4 ending day 3 at 338 for 4. Sehwag finished the day at figures of 3 for 66 filling in for the injured Captain.

Anil kumble injured
India suffered a blow after lunch when Anil diving full length to take a catch of Mathew Hayden split his webbing on the left hand. He went to the hospital for stitches. India were down to three bowlers but Sehwag filled in for his captain beautifully. The Indian team would want to get him on the field as early as possible so as to make use of the wearing pitch.

Aussies dig in
Aussies applied themselves really well. The opening partnership set things rolling for them. Katich and Hayden made sure that they used the crease as well as their feet to the spinners. Kumble was too short, where as Mishra was handled well by using the feet. Zaheer started the day with a barrage of bouncers at Hayden. Hayden negotiated him very well and also made sure that Khan and Ishant didn't make any impression in the morning. Both of them completed their half centuries before Katich came down the track and got foxed by Mishra to be bowled.

Good partnerships
Australia were involved in a couple of back to back partnerships that has got them into this position. Hayden and Ponting put their head down after lunch and made sure that they followed up the opening wicket partnership with one more good one before Sehwag struck trapping Hayden right in front. Hayden was unlucky to miss out on a well deserved hundred. But Sehwag had other ideas. Ponting and Hussey once again made sure that India did not get back to back wickets. Ponting played a well crafted restrained innings most unlike him but to the needs of the teams interest. He handled the reverse swing of Ishant and Zaheer really well post tea. But the dreaded figure of 87 caught up with him getting castled once again by Sehwag.

Sehwag the saviour
Sehwag really got India out of a whole. When Anil got injured in the morning one wondered how India would manage with three bowlers, especially with fast bowlers not getting anything out of the wicket. But Sehwag filled in beautifully and rounded the day off with the wicket of the stubborn Hussey. Hussey was castled right at the end of the day's play for a well deserved fifty by a beauty from Sehwag , keeping India's hopes alive going into the fourth day.