Aussie duo dent Indian hopes
Monday, 13 October 2008
Aussies Shane Watson and Brad Haddin shared a vital partnership late on the fourth day in Bangalore to stifle a resurgent India in the first Test.
With just six caps between them, the pair came in with the pressure on the tourists for the first time as they slid uncertainly from 99-2 to 128-5.
But an unbroken 65-run stand saw Australia's lead stretch to a healthy 263 as they reached stumps on 193-5.
The Aussies start day five as the likeliest team to get a result.
Queensland all-rounder Watson ended the day on 32, while New South Wales wicketkeeper Haddin was unbeaten on 28. Their stand looks to have ensured India will not break their 13-year wait for Test success at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
It was a fascinating final hour as India's bowlers threw everything they could at two right-handers who had played in just three Tests each before this one.
Neither had been picked as a specialist batsman, but they produced the sort of grit and application that has characterised wearers of the baggy green for generations.
There were one or two dicey moments - and two within a single delivery when Haddin was almost run out after Zaheer Khan could not believe umpire Rudi Koertzen had declined an lbw appeal.
With just six caps between them, the pair came in with the pressure on the tourists for the first time as they slid uncertainly from 99-2 to 128-5.
But an unbroken 65-run stand saw Australia's lead stretch to a healthy 263 as they reached stumps on 193-5.
The Aussies start day five as the likeliest team to get a result.
Queensland all-rounder Watson ended the day on 32, while New South Wales wicketkeeper Haddin was unbeaten on 28. Their stand looks to have ensured India will not break their 13-year wait for Test success at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
It was a fascinating final hour as India's bowlers threw everything they could at two right-handers who had played in just three Tests each before this one.
Neither had been picked as a specialist batsman, but they produced the sort of grit and application that has characterised wearers of the baggy green for generations.
There were one or two dicey moments - and two within a single delivery when Haddin was almost run out after Zaheer Khan could not believe umpire Rudi Koertzen had declined an lbw appeal.