Watson seizes initiative for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 on the first day of Mohali Test
Shane Watson blasted Indian bowlers with a determined knock as he took Australia to a safer position on the first day of the first Test at Mohali. This was the third century by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 in a week, having scored two tons earlier in
the tour games. His consistent performance over the last year in Tests has also substantiated his claim of being a specialist opener.
Zaheer Khan provided some respite for Indians as he took some crucial wickets just before the end of the day. Australia ended the day at 224 for 5 after Zaheer inflicted some late damage. Zaheer Khan was the only fit fast bowler
in Dhoni’s arsenal as knee injury to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ishant-Sharma-c64566 has ruled the lanky bowler out of the Test. Zaheer also featured in a spat with Australian captain Ricky Ponting after the latter was dismissed; Suresh Raina's precise hit from midwicket removed Ponting. After
the third umpire ruled the Australian captain out, Ponting found himself involved in the war of words with Zaheer as he passed the Indian fielders. Commenting on Ponting’s dismissal, centurion Watson said: “It was mainly the way the Indians bowled after the
unfortunate run-out of Ricky. Their fielding lifted, and they bowled a lot better too. Early on in the first session, we were able to rotate strike fairly easily, and score fairly easily as well. As soon as Ricky got run out, they really stepped up.” Zaheer
finished the day with figures of 3 for 45 in 16 overs as he brought India back into the match.
Australia started the match confidently as Watson kick-started the innings in an aggressive manner but he cooled down with passage of time. Ponting and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 were dismissed before tea, leaving the visitors on 172-3. Ponting made
71 before he was run out. Ponting’s dismissal brought change in the tempo of Australian innings as Watson and Hussey started batting cautiously in order to avoid batting collapse. Watson patiently built his innings as he completed his century with a leg-side
clip off Harbhajan Singh. It took 279 balls by Watson to make his century in which he scored eight boundaries. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 exhibited an indisciplined display as they missed many chances to limit the tourists. Indian fielders regularly dropped catches and missed
run-outs. Additionally, their bowlers produced an uncharacteristically disorderly performance which can be seen from Ishant Sharma’s spell which featured 8 no-balls.
India brought on four specialist bowlers in the match in which one (Sharma) injured his knee on the first day of the five day Test. With Sharma’s exclusion, Dhoni is left with Zaheer as his only pace-man while the duo of Harbhajan
Singh and Pragyan Ojha will fulfill the role of spinners. This is a big blow to India’s chances as Mohali is famous for supporting fast bowlers. Harbhajan, who came into this match after passing a fitness test, produced an improved performance after the lunch
as he troubled Aussies with his dodgy leg-break. Commenting on the spinners of India, Watson said: “It was really difficult to score. The spinners especially bowled very well. The ball goes a bit soft as well, so it's hard to really pierce the field at times.
The last couple of wickets were disappointing. It's very hard to start against the reverse-swinging ball, and Zaheer is very skilled in these conditions.” Harbhajan finished the day with the figures of 1 for 69 off 29 overs featuring the single wicket of Michael
Clarke. On the other hand, Ojha failed to make an impression as he finished the day wicket-less after bowling 31 overs.
However, India are confident that they will come back in the match sooner or later. Talking to reporters after the match, Ojha said: “The way we came back the last few overs was great. Getting those three or four wickets has put
them under pressure. It looks like it will turn after a couple of days. If we stick to our line and length, we'll extract something from it. It's going to be a bit slow.”
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