India push ahead, Aussies on edge
C Ramaswamy

Chennai, March 21: The real drama will unfold only on Thursday as India go into the final day of the series-deciding Test cricket match with an edge over Australia in the wake of yet another sensational spell from Harbhajan Singh on the penultimate day on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old lad from Punjab bagged a rich haul of five for 82 to put the Aussies in a spot of bother. The tricky off-spinner signed his name even on the last ball of the day with the scalp of Shane Warne to raise the hopes of the home team.

Australia left the field for the day at a none-too-impressive 241 for seven in their second essay. They have a lead of 131 runs. India should act fast to polish off the Aussie tail on the morrow to clinch the series.

The Australians continued to be puzzled by Harbhajan who has been making waves ever since he fashioned the stunning victory at Eden Gardens in the second Test, where he pocketed 13 wickets.

The Indian innings folded up in the morning with Colin Miller trapping the last batsman Nilesh Kulkarni. The other overnight batsman Sairaj Bahutule remained unbeaten on 21 as India amassed 501 to have a 110-run lead.

Aussie openers Matthew Hayden and Michael Slater played with poise. Hayden was, as usual, in his elements. Slater, who has not been a success hitherto in the series, wielded his willow effectively. Hayden used his luxurious sweep to whack a six off Nilesh Kulkarni even as the bowler landed the ball outside the off-stump. However, the defiance of the muscular left-hander was blown out by the same bowler in his sixth over, much to the relief of the Indian camp as Zaheer Khan took a spectacular catch in the deep.

The majestic Aussie might have been disappointed to be out for 35 (40b, 3x4, 1x6). But the 30-year-old Queenslander can look back with pride at his impressive batting contribution. He had 549 runs at a strike rate of 109.8.Harbhajan, brought into the attack early in the fourth over of the innings had to wait to reap his harvest. In his 10th over he trapped Adam Gilchrist cheaply. The wicketkeeper-batsman, who showed promise scoring a 122 in the first Test at Mumbai (he was adjudged as the man of the match for the fine effort), flattered to deceive thereafter.

In his next over Harbhajan brought an end to Slater’s solid innings of 48 (82b, 4x4, 1x6) when the opener snicked to Laxman. Slater put on 41 runs for the fourth wicket with Langer. Leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule chipped in to remove Langer (21, 74m, 54b, 2x4, 1x6) in his first over to leave the Aussies at 4 for 141.Then it was left to the twins Mark and Steve Waugh to lend some respectability. Both played cautiously and added 52 runs in 22.5 overs. Harbhajan separated them. Mark Waugh tried to tackle a rising delivery on the leg-side. But it resulted in a brilliant catch by Rahul Dravid at backward short leg.

Ricky Ponting, whose form has touched a new low - his previous scores being 0, 6, 0, 0, 0 - made his highest today with 11. It was Harbhajan again who shattered his hopes.

The bowler frustrated the Aussies further scalping Sharne Warne. Till now Harbhajan has taken 29 wickets in the series.

scoreboard
AUSTRALIA: (1st innings): 391
INDIA (1st innings)
SS Das lbw McGrath 84
S Ramesh c Ponting b Warne 61
VVS Laxman c M Waugh b McGrath 65
S Tendulkar c Gilchrist b Gillespie 126
S Ganguly c Gilchrist b McGrath 22
R Dravid c Gilchrist b Gillespie 81
S Dighe lbw Warne 4
S Bahutule (not out) 21
Zaheer Khan c&b Miller 4
Harbhajan Singh c M Waugh b Miller 2
N Kulkarni lbw Miller 4
Extras (b-19, lb-2, nb-5, w-1) 27.
Total (165 overs) 501.
Fall of wickets: 1-123, 2-211, 3-237, 4-284, 5-453, 6-468, 7-470, 8-475, 9-477.
Bowling: McGrath 36-15-75-3, Gillespie 35-11-88-2, Miller 46-6-160-3, Warne 42-7-140-2, Ponting 2-1-2-0, Mark Waugh 3-0-8-0, Hayden 1-0-7-0.
AUSTRALIA (2nd innings)
Matthew Hayden c Zaheer b Kulkarni 35
Michael Slater c Laxman b Harbhajan 48
Adam Gilchrist lbw Harbhajan 1
Justin Langer c Laxman b Bahutule 21
Mark Waugh c Dravid b Harbhajan 57
Steve Waugh (batting) 43
Ricky Ponting c Dravid b Harbhajan 11
Shane Warne lbw Harbhajan 11
Extras (b-4, lb-6, nb-4) 14.
Total (for 7 wkts, 80 overs) 241.
Fall of wickets: 1-82, 2-84, 3-93, 4-141, 5-193, 6-211, 7-241.
Bowling: Zaheer Khan 4-0-13-0, Sourav Ganguly 1-0-8-0, Harbhajan Singh 33-13-82-5, Nilesh Kulkarni 21-6-53-1, Sachin Tendulkar 12-0-43-0, Sairaj Bahutule 9-0-32-1.

Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.