A tame draw

I don't remember the last time I saw an Australian team playing for a draw, it pretty much shows how rattled they were from the Perth's loss.

Kumble won the toss and elected to bat, Sachin helped himself to another century, Laxman as usual threw away his wicket when he was well set for a big one. Just to rub it in kumble almost got his second century before running out of partners or patience which ever way you want to look at it. When the Australians turn came to bat, Hayden hit his third century of this series and Indians had their task cut out when RP Singh pulled out injured. Ricky Pointing and Michael Clarke scored a century each and it was nice to see Pointing being made to work for his runs. By the time their innings folded, there were only two results possible either a draw or an Australian victory, which was stretching it a bit too far.

Second time around Sehwag finally proved to all and sundry that he belongs to this level by playing one of the best knocks played in this series, which in a way saved India from an embarrassing situation. Actually by the end of day 3, I lost complete interest in this test match save for the chance to see Adam Gilchrist play one last time, was more than disappointed when Sehwag held on that catch which dismissed Gilly. Test matches involving Australia won't be the same any more at least for me with Gilly gone.

The score line of 1-1 would have been apt for this series but I guess, 2-1 ain't that bad either.

Wanted An Encore at Adelaide

Fours years back, India did the unthinkable beating Australia in Australia even after getting tonked for 400 runs on the first day of the test match with Ricky Pointing going on hit a monumental double century, and then India lost 4 wickets for less then 100 runs on board. As was the case in Kolkatta , Rahul dravid & VVS Laxman had other plans and put on a partnership of 300+ runs after which, Agarkar joined the party with some great seam bowling and skittled out Australia for a score of less than 200. The target of 230 was achieved and for the first time since the days of Allan Border, a visiting team went one up on the Aussies.

If Rahul Dravid and Laxman come to the party this time around as they did in 2003-04 then it's going to be a tall task for the Aussies to force the result in their favor and then there is a small thing of Sachin Tendulkar, who might want to make amends to the modest record he has over here, as always he looks solid and I won't be surprised if he signs off this test match, which most probably will be his last test in Australia, with one of his special knocks. Jaffer has been having a pretty poor series and I think he will be dropped for this test match and won't be surprised if Bajji is brought in his place, as the pitch over here suits spin bowling. That being the case I think Pathan will open with Sehwag, as Dravid has never been comfortable with opening. Once again Dinesh Karthik being unlucky to be left out, but his chance will come sooner or later.

Australia have no such worries with Matthew Hayden coming in for Chris rogers, which should be a big relief for them with those twin failures of the top-order, in both the innings of the Perth test. Shaun Tait might be replaced with Brad Hogg, who has to deliver the goods for this might be his last chance to resurrect his test career with Stuart MacGill breathing down his neck.

After the performance in Perth the Indians will be cock-a-hoop and Australia will be looking to win this match, and show that Perth was just an aberration. India was the last country against whom Australia lost back-to-back test matches and if Aussies do lose again in Adelaide, won't be a surprise to me.