A turgid game for three days sprung to life in the final two as conditions suddenly became more difficult for the batsmen (a lesson for the BCCI?) and the finish was truly memorable. Yet again Australia's propensity for batting collapses came back to haunt them as they went from 87 without loss to 192 all out in their second innings.
But despite not being a vintage Australian side, they do not lack grit and competitive spirit and it took a truly wonderful innings from their nemesis VVS Laxman in a magnificent ninth wicket stand with Ishant Sharma to deny Ricky Ponting his first test win as captain on Indian soil.
So how did the Aussies rate?
Shane Watson - 9: Continued his inexplicable success as a test opener with two contrasting innings, with his second test century being a particularly determined effort. Now averages over 50 as an opener - we may have been wrong to doubt Watson, but we still don't like him!
Simon Katich - 6: Failed in the first innings before a typically gritty performance in the second, which epitomised the workmanlike approach of this Australian side.
Ricky Ponting - 7: Won't score many easier fifties than he did in the first innings and will still be furious that he ran himself out. Failed in his second knock to a familiar foe in Sharma. Cut a disconsolate figure at the end.
Michael Clarke - 4: Was out three times for 18 runs if you include the no ball from Sharma in the second innings. A poor match from arguably Australia's best batsman.
Mike Hussey - 5: Occupied the crease for a long time in both innings but strike rate was painfully slow on both occasions. Unlucky to be given out leg before to Harbhajan second time around.
Marcus North - 4: He may have got the prize wicket of Tendulkar, but his test career is hanging by a thread after two disappointing performances with the bat. He may have got a dreadful decision in the second innings but it ended a painful knock where he struggled from first ball to last.
Tim Paine - 8: Desperately unlucky to miss out on a deserved hundred and kept competently enough for one playing his first test on the sub-continent. If Haddin fails to recover from injury, the gloves are in safe hands.
Mitchell Johnson - 7: A typically inconsistent performance from Mummy's Boy saw a wonderful bowling display in the first innings followed by a wicketless second innings. In between, Johnson showed he can bat with a breezy 47 to add impetuous to Australia's first innings crawl.
Nathan Hauritz - 3: Went for over four runs an over and was horribly impotent throughout. The worst Australian test spinner since Murray Bennett?
Ben Hilfenhaus - 7: Poor with the ball in the first innings but came back well in the second with four wickets that seemed to have handed the momentum to his side. Should do well against England.
Doug Bollinger - 6: Bowled wonderfully on the final morning with his extra lift and three wickets looking like seeing Australia over the line. Didn't come out after lunch because of injury - they obviously don't make Australian fast bowlers like they used to. 'The Demon' Spofforth must be turning in his grave.
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Posted by: Job en ligne | Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at 07:39