India turned a bad morning into a bright afternoon despite the committed effort of Shane Watson, who collected his third century in a week, according to website cricinfo.
Watson, who posted twin hundreds in the tour game, survived two chances in delivering the sort of performance expected of a specialist opener, not one Australia have manufactured over the past year.
Despite Watson's calm 101 on the opening day, the visitors are far from safe at 224 for 5 following a stinging late burst from Zaheer Khan, India's only fit paceman following a knee injury to Ishant Sharma. Zaheer, who was steaming in the second session during a confrontation with Ricky Ponting, gained his second lbw when he picked up Michael Hussey (17) with a reverse-swinging delivery and followed up by clipping Marcus North's off stump when he tried to leave on 0.
Zaheer finished with 3 for 45 off 16 overs to continue the fine recovery from a side that was struggling badly over the first half of the day. The locals would have been even happier if MS Dhoni, who returned from the Champions League Twenty20 two days ago, had caught a regulation chance off Tim Paine (1 not out).
On a pitch with low bounce and gaining in turn, Watson began in an aggressive mood but toned down once Ponting and Michael Clarke departed before tea, leaving the tourists at an uncomfortable 172 for 3. Until Ponting's departure for 71, Australia had been the ones in control but his run-out forced a change of pace, and Watson started grinding towards three-figures.
There was no rush from Watson as the Indian spinners delivered tight spells in the afternoon and were called on for more work following Ishant's departure after 7.4 overs. Only 45 runs were scored in the final session as the ball softened and the spinners closed in against the defensive Watson, Clarke and Hussey.
Australia 1st innings
SR Watson not out 101 SM Katich lbw b Khan 6
RT Ponting run out 71
MJ Clarke c Dravid
b Harbhajan Singh 14
MEK Hussey lbw b Khan 17
MJ North b Khan 0
TD Paine not out 1
Extras: (lb 4, nb 10) 14 Total: (5 wickets;
90 overs) 224
Australia 224-5 in first India Test
FE Team | Published: October 02, 2010 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina giving her valedictory speech at JS Sunday.
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