Century-maker Clarke frustrates India

Tag : tea makers

New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Virender Sehwag claimed his firstfive-wicket haul in Tests even as butter-fingered Indian fieldersdropped sitters to allow Australia narrow down the gap withIndia’s huge first innings score of 613 for seven decalaredat tea on the fourth day of the third cricket Test at Feroz ShahKotla here Saturday.
Michael Clarke (101 batting), smiled his way with the giftsshowered on him by the benevolent hosts as he reached his eighthTest hundred, while giving him company was Brett Lee, carryingAustralia to 539 for seven at tea. Australia now trail by a mere 74runs.
Clarke was dropped thrice during his five-hour long innings, twiceoff Sehwag’s (5-104) successive overs in the post-lunchsession as he and Cameron White, who scored a tenacious 44,stitched a 106-run stand.
First it was V.V.S. Laxman, who turned 34 Saturday, dropped asitter from Clarke when he was on 91. As if it was not enough AmitMishra dropped another dolly at square-leg boundary inSehwag’s next over, with Australian vice-captain on 94.Clarke’s first life was courtesy Ishant Sharma in the fourthover of the morning when he was on 21 and still searching for hisfirst run of the day.
But the dropped chances failed to demoralise Sehwag who immediatelyafter the two dropped chances, clean bowled White, as if to make astatement to the fielders.
Clarke went on get his hundred just before tea off 219 balls infive hours and it included six fours and one six.
Other than the dropped chances, there was not much action on thefield in the session as Indian spinner tried hard to get somepurchase from the wicket, which now looks easier to bat, comparedto Friday when it had an encouraging turn and bounce for spinners.
Anil Kumble and Mishra bowled round the wicket to pitch the ball onthe rough patches and get turn but could not trouble Clarke andWhite much.
Kumble returned with heavily bandaged injured fingers to take hisfirst wicket of the series. His returned in the 14th over of theday.
The Indian captain, who required 10 stitches on his left littlefinger, showed courage despite his non-bowling fingers beingheavily strapped. On the third day, Kumble injured his finger whileattempting a difficult catch of Matthew Hayden in the post lunchsession and had to be rushed to the hospital. He could not fieldfor the rest of the day.
The Indian skipper’s return brought luck for India as Sehwagstruck from the other end, removing Watson.
Sehwag, who has been turning the ball a long way and took threeAustralian wickets Friday, struck after Clarke and Watson scored ata fast clip scoring 57 runs in the first hour.
The part-time spinner turned the ball from outside the off to clipWatson’s leg stump.
Kumble, who bowled nine overs on the trot, took a blow on theinjured hand but claimed the wicket of Brad Haddin in the sameover, stumped by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
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