India, trailing by a staggering 468 needed partnerships and contributions throughout the line-up in the pursuit of drawing this game, a victory seeming out of reach. Gambhir, in India’s second innings, adopted a different approach. He played with intent from the outset, scoring his first half-century of the series. Gambhir and Dravid put on 82 together before Dravid was bowled by Hilfenhaus. It was down to Gambhir and Tendulkar and the lower middle order to offer resistance. Laxman and Tendulkar put together 103, which forced a bowling change that had Clarke bring himself on, a gamble that paid off. Adding to his brilliance with the bat in the first innings, he added Tendulkar’s wicket to his kitty, denying him of his 100th century in this historic Test. Laxman, on his favorite ground in Australia, fell to another beauty by Hilfenhaus that deceived his defenses and clipped the edge of the off-stump.
The session after Lunch on Day 4 saw India lose five wickets. Resistance was offered by Ashwin like every other innings in the series, who scored his first half-century, aided by Zaheer Khan who scored a quickfire 35. Hilfenhaus got Ashwin to mistime a pull to Lyon at mid-on to wrap up the Test and have his second five-wicket haul in Tests.
Clarke’s men delivered with intent right from the first innings when India won the toss and elected to bat in the historic 100th Test the SCG was hosting. Pattinson got Gambhir on the third ball of the opening over of the match; following which wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Pattinson caused havoc dismissing four of the top five batsmen, with Siddle and Hilfenhaus picking three wickets each. India were bowled out for a meager 191, with Dhoni’s unbeaten score of 57 being the highest.
In response to India’s 191, Australia lost three quick wickets and were in peril after Zaheer Khan dismissed the top three with only 37 on the board. A valiant fightback led by former captain Ricky Ponting – who scored his first century in two years along with Michael Clarke, put up 288 together before Ponting was dismissed for 134. Clarke along with Mike Hussey then built a record 334 partnership against India for the fifth wicket. Clarke scored his maiden triple century which was the first ever to be witnessed at the SCG. With Hussey scoring 150, Clarke, unbeaten on 329, declared although he was only five short of Don Bradman and Mark Taylor’s score of 334. With Australia having an overbearing lead of 468, Clarke thought it best to declare and chase a victory for the team than chase a score for personal glory; a gesture which was appreciated and acknowledged by the cricketing fraternity.
Clarke’s men have beat India by an innings after 12 years, the last time that had occurred was back in 2000. Having led from the front and having forgone the chance to chase personal milestones to ensure Australia’s victory, the 100th Test match ended perfectly for Clarke. The Perth Test at the WACA might see the return of Ryan Harris who would be replacing Nathan Lyon, due to its bouncy wicket. The Indian team has about a week’s time before the Perth Test to find their way forward. As for Australia, they have played their best cricket in the past few months and against a formidable opposition; they’ve tasted blood and will want to make it 3-0 at Perth.
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