India clinch Test series against Australia by AFP

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Ground:	Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
Scorecard:	India v Australia
Player:	V Sehwag, SR Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni, SC Ganguly, SM Katich, MEK Hussey, JJ Krejza
Event:	Australia in India 2008/09

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DateLine: 10th November 2008

 

India capped a tight bowling display to record a crushing 172-run victory over Australia in their fourth and final Test and wrap up the series 2-0 here on Monday.

 

Australia were bowled out for 209 on the final afternoon as they chased an unlikely 382 to suffer their first Test series defeat since the 2005 Ashes in England.

 

It was also India's first Test series win over Australia in seven years as they clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

 

Matthew Hayden alone sustained his team's slim hopes with a bold 77.

 

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was the highest wicket-taker with 4-64, while leg-spinner Amit Mishra (3-27) and fast bowler Ishant Sharma (2-31) provided valuable support.

 

"Once they lost three wickets in the morning, we started smelling victory. We had our plans and executed them very well," said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

 

"It was worrying the way they started scoring in the morning, but we knew it would be difficult to sustain that kind of a scoring-rate.

 

"Our fast bowlers did the trick, especially since there was nothing in the wicket for them. They were backed very well by spinners. All the bowlers shared responsibility. It was an outstanding team effort."

 

Only three teams -- the West Indies (v Australia in Antigua in 2003), India (v the West Indies in Port-of-Spain in 1976) and Australia (v England in Leeds in 1948) -- have chased more than 382 in the fourth innings to win a Test.

 

Australia's chase was virtually over with the dismissal of Hayden, trapped leg-before by Harbhajan while attempting to turn the bowler on the on-side in the afternoon session.

 

Hayden had been looking dangerous with his exciting strokeplay, using his feet remarkably well against spinners and punishing fast bowlers in a 93-ball knock that contained one six and eight fours.

 

But he received little support from the other end as wickets kept falling. The tourists lost their last seven wickets for just 59 runs, leaving Cameron White the second-highest scorer with an unbeaten 26.

 

"It would have been unbelievable if we had chased the target. It was achievable, but on a wearing wicket with quality spinners bowling, it was tough," said Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

 

"We were not good enough here and in Mohali (where Australia lost by 320 runs). It has been a fair result. We played good cricket in Bangalore (first Test), but from there we have been chasing.

 

"India played good cricket and their (defensive) tactics to slow us down on the third day, I think, was the turning point. We weren't patient enough.

 

"All the boys will learn from this. I am still learning and others will also learn what it takes to play good cricket in India."

 

Australia had no option but to go for quick runs in a bid to square the series, but suffered a huge setback in the morning when they lost three big wickets.

 

They made 98 runs in the two-hour session despite India's slow over-rate (21.3 overs), but lost overnight batsman Simon Katich (16), Ponting (eight) and an unwell Michael Clarke (22) who batted with a runner.

 

India set a defensive field in the initial overs and succeeded in getting the wicket of Katich, who top-edged a Sharma delivery while swinging across the line, with wicket-keeper Dhoni taking the catch.

 

Ponting failed to beat a Mishra direct-hit from mid-off while going for a risky single.

 

Hayden continued to defy the Indian attack, once stepping out to hoist part-time spinner Virender Sehwag for a six.

 

Brad Haddin (four) soon followed Hayden, giving Sachin Tendulkar his 100th Test catch at mid-on while attempting a big shot off Mishra.

 

Harbhajan sparked celebrations in the Indian camp when he trapped last-man Mitchell Johnson leg-before.

(Article: Copyright © 2008 AFP)