India Sports News

An exciting start to the Border - Gavaskar series and it couldn't have been scripted better. A topsy-turvy day for both the sides as the pendulum swung from one pole to another. Melbourne Cricket Ground, hosting it's hundredth test witnessed a perfect first day. Australia decided to bat first after winning the toss. Phil Jacques and Matthew Hayden gave the perfect start to the hosts posting 135 runs for the first wicket. The Aussies were successful in avoiding any fall of wicket in the first session. But session two saw the revival of fortunes of the visitors.
Kumble gave the initial break to the Indian team, when he got opener Jacques stumped on the score of 66. Australian skipper Ponting could'nt do much and was bowled by Zaheer Khan on just four runs. Mike Hussey too had a bad day and was caught leg before by Kumble. However, Matthew Hayden kept going strong and scored his 28th Test century. Michael Clarke and Hayden tried to glue the innings, but Clarke departed on an individual score of 20 runs, R P Singh being the damager this time. Next to go was Hayden on a score of 124, the scorecard reading 241 at that time.
Andrew Symonds came in next and went on a hitting spree. He hit 35 runs facing 42 balls in the process but couldn't continue and had to walk back to the pavilion, the skipper again doing the damage. Adam Gilchrist also tried to bring his team back into the game but he too fell to Kumble. Kumble again entered the scene and sent back Brett Lee. Now it was again the turn of Zaheer Khan as he sent back Brad Hogg.
However, despite Kumble and Zaheer's brilliant bowling performance the Indians failed to pin down the last wicket as Australians ended the day on 337 runs for the fall of nine wickets. Kumble ended the day with a fiver while Zaheer bagged three. Despite regular fall of wickets the Australians are in a good position and the Indians have a grave task at hand, if they want to challenge the Aussies.
Source:- http://www.headlinesindia.com/sports/index.jsp?news_code=66847