http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 vs Australia- Mohali Test day 2 (Review)
Australia ended day 2 of the first Test against India on a high with the all important wicket of Virendar Sehwag as India ended at 110 for the loss of 2 wickets. Australia had earlier posted 428 runs in their first innings, after resuming on day 2 at 224
for 5.
Day one was dominated by the hundred from Shane Watson, and the spat between Zaheer Khan and Ricky Ponting. Aussies after winning the toss had elected to bat first, after losing Katich early Australia did well in the middle part of the innings.
But as soon as Ponting was dismissed the visitors somewhat went into their shell and the scoring rate dipped dramatically. Aussies ended the day at 224 for 5 with Shane Watson and wicketkeeper Tim Paine at the crease.
Day 2 started brightly for Australia, the defensive mindset seemed to have finally taken a backseat. Watson and Paine, although not playing at the rate of knots, did make use of every loose ball. The duo withstood the test of early morning pressure from
India and managed to put on a partnership of 53 runs for the 6th wicket.
Shane Watson was the man dismissed as the partnership was broken when he was caught at silly mid on by Gautham Gambhir off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 scored 126 runs with 10 boundaries.
Next in was Mitchell Johnson, who is also fast staking claim to be an all rounder. Johnson did no harm to his claims by putting on a good stand alongside Tim Paine. The left-right pair frustrated the Indian attack, who by then, were already thinking of wrapping
up the innings. Johnson took the spinners on and smashed 3 big sixes, while Paine continued in his orthodox manner.
The pair added 82 runs for the 7th wicket and took the score past 350. Johnson was dismissed after scoring 47 runs from 66 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes. Paine found another competent partner in shape of Ben Hilfenhaus.
Paine then started playing some big shots as he knew he was fast running out of partners. The wicketkeeper fell short of a 2nd Test hundred by just 8 runs, as he was caught by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 off the bowling of Zaheer Khan. Australian innings finally
folded for 428 runs. Zaheer Khan was the chief destroyer with 5 wickets.
India’s reply started in a predictably aggressive fashion. The ever explosive Virendar Sehwag tore into the Aussie attack. Gotham Gambhir gave him good support and the 2 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 boys went on to put on 81 runs for the first wicket.
There was typical flair and arrogance about the way Sehwag went about his business. The wristy right hander was severe on anything close to his legs as he whipped it on the open leg side boundary. Going too wide on the off stump was not a good idea either
as he is equally good in the covers.
The Indians were playing at the rate of more than 6 runs per over. Normally one would think it is something out of the ordinary considering it is a Test match. But anyone, who has seen, Sehwag and Gambhir open especially in India would have not even bothered
to raise an eyebrow.
Gambhir was finally dismissed for 25 runs, as Johnson got one to jag back and trapped him right in front of the stumps. Sehwag though continued and maybe played one shot too many, just before close of play Veeru skied one and Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 took an easy
catch.
Sehwag scored 59 runs from just 54 balls with 10 smashing boundaries. India ended the day at 110 for the loss of 2 wickets, still trailing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 by 318 runs.
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