http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 vs India – 2nd Test – Australia thump India – Match Recap
Australia have thumped http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 to take a 2-0 lead in the four match Test series after an all-round rout culminated in the tourists losing by an innings' margin in the 2nd Test, played at the SCG, January 6, 2012.
It was an exceptional outing for the hosts, who finally answered all criticism to emerge resoundingly victorious. The success proved that all is not lost in an ageing middle-order, while the pacers can deliver on a regular basis.
Above all remained http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978, the skipper, whose work ethic and commitment at last reaped benefits in his own individual performance, where he joined only a handful of Aussie players to have made a triple century. More importantly, it was the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar which paved way for an overwhelming success by an innings and 68 runs.
Day 4 began with the Indians showing brief resistance with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/PM-Siddle-c2197 to depart on 83 – which remained the highest score of the innings.
This initial glitch did little to upset the rhythm of the tourist’s new found resistance, as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 dealt with the inform Aussie bowlers with a sense of confidence. Together with Tendulkar, the duo showed, although for short period, that the Indians would not go down without a fight, treating the crowd to some excellent stroke play.
Both reached commanding fifties and with them, an important 100-run stand as the pitch offered little to the bowling side. It enticed Clarke to bring himself on just before the second new ball was due, and the skipper provided the much needed breakthrough with the wicket of the Little Master.
The new ball was taken immediately and it resulted in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BW-Hilfenhaus-c1204 taking out Laxman with an exceptional leg-cutter which straightened just enough to clip the off-stump.
With the experienced duo back in the dressing room, the Aussie pace batteries worked in tandem to get the better of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Z-Khan-c98379’s cameo of 35 was brought to a halt by Peter Siddle, as India went for tea at 351 for 8.
From losing just one in the first session, the tourists lost five in the second as the hosts closed in on an innings victory, which came shortly after the resumption, despite http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nathan-Michael-Lyon-c78822 caught Ishant Sharma lbw before Hilfenhaus claimed the final scalp of Ashwin to register his second five-wicket haul of the series.
Man of the Match award was unsurprisingly presented to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 for his 329-run marathon, which allowed his team to make 659 in their first innings in reply to India's 191. All hopes of a series win have faded with India's embarrassing capitulation, but with 2 matches still to go, they will be eager to break their away hoodoo.
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