FINAL SESSION

Prem > Post tea play about to resume, with the Indian openers walking out now behind the Aussies.
Prem > McGrath to begin the bowling after the break. Players still settling into their positions, and here comes mcgrath, to das, outside off, no swing or seam, going through and left alone.
Prem > outside off again, shorter this time, and lifting and das sways out of line. ball three, das gets hold of a nbouncer, pulls, not keeping it down but getting it over square leg, single to fine, 108/0
Prem > not a well controlled shot that but das still prepared to take mcgrath on when he bounces. next ball, too full on off and middle and ramesh immeidately into the effortless flick he plays so well, through midwicket, four, india 112 and ramesh completes his 50. been a while coming, too, after a few bad outings. and he follows that with as immaculate a straight drive as you want to see, again to the fiull line on off, four more. 116/0.
Prem > mcgrath to ramesh. 56 off 108 balls with six fours so far. and plays the next square, from line of off, to point, no run. 116/0 at the end of the first over after tea, 35th of the innings.
Prem > warne to bowl the second over after the break, and now just one slip close to the bat. pitcehs ball two down the leg side, das pats it to square leg and they run the single. 117/0
Prem > warne now to ramesh, slip and short square in place. way outside off and ramesh reaches for it, drives, a bit in the air to mid off, well short of any fielder though, no run.
Prem > warne again, again outside off, ramesh this time moves into it, drives, but finds extra cover, no run
Prem > warne to ramesh. two feet outside off that time and full in length, turning in, ramesh covers up and lets it go. end of the over, india 117/0, 36 overs bowled
Prem > 58 to das, 56 ramesh. 117/0 in 36 overs india. mcgrath in to das. outside off, and das covers the line and lets it go
Prem > that one climbed, just outside off, das on his toes, pats it down to point, no run
Prem > good ball. that one was banged down, and das struggling to keep that down, went a long way back to play it. mcgrath again, short again, outside off and played down on the off, no run
Prem > with no swing on offer, mcgrath now intent on using bounce to try and unsettle das. ramesh has a word with him now. mcgrath, bouncer, on middle and leg and he lets it go this time. maiden over, 117/0 india
Prem > warne continues. way outside off, and ramesh this time lets it through.
Prem > warne, closer to off, ramesh pushes his pad at it. no danger, ball too short and strike too far outside off to even induce an appeal.
Prem > that is closer to off and ramesh with bat away from body, pushing square. slip, and short square. warne again. fl;ipper on middle and driven to mid on, single, 118/0
Prem > warne to das, one slip in place. on line ouitside leg and das content to shove his pad out and let the ball turn in and hit it
Prem > warne again. to das, on middle turning to off and das defends. 118/0 at the end of the over
Prem > 58 das, 57 ramesh, 38 overs gone and india 118/0. mcgrath, round the wicket, to ramesh. on off and nicely played on the off side. no run
Prem > mcgrath, outside off and jsut a little bit of swing, ramesh flirts with it and lucky not to touch through.
Prem > mcgrath in again, round the wicket. outside off, shorter and wider and rmesh content to let it go
Prem > mcgrath in again to ramesh. again short, outside off, going through at just over waist high and again, ramesh content to watch it go
Prem > fuller in length this time and ramesh forward, now getting his shots off the middle, palys to mid off, finds the fielder, no run, bating 57 and india 118/0
Prem > Bouncer, to end another maiden, india 118/0 at the end of 39 overs
Prem > warne to das. down the leg side, das down the track, nice footwork, the lets the pad do the work with bat tucked behind it. warne in again, with a slip in place,, on leg, turning to off, played with the turn and finds cover
Prem > floated up on off this time, das using his feet nicely, checking a drive, finds the single to mid off, no run. 119/0
Prem > warne to ramesh. quicker, on off, and good work that. gentle tap, checking, to mid on, single running with the shot. 120/0. warne this time, cuts loose with a huge shout as das defends on line of middle and off, umpire Kuertzen says no and quite right too. Hitting middle and off, a leg break, where would it go but outside off?
Prem > end of the over, 120/0 india. And just for the record, at this point, there are 5904 people logged in here. Thanks all. McGrath, round the wicket, resumes to ramesh.
Prem > McGrath to ramesh. On off, nd played to cover, no run there. india still 271 shy and wright is the kind of coach who will tell the team that having got aussies down, it would be a good idea to really grind them out, bat on till day four if they possibly can. which just might explain the quieter play after tea. this one on off, some seam, takes the thick edge out behind point, single to ramesh. 121/0
Prem > mcgath, over the wicket, shortish on line of off and das behind the line, defends
Prem > outside off this time, and das covers up and lets it through
Prem > mcgrath, just around off and das plays out to cover, no run, ends the over. 121/0 india, quiet play continuing here.
Prem > 59 apiece to both batsmen, they have been going neck and neck for the most part. warne continues. to ramesh with two men in close on the off, wide of off there the first ball and ramesh pushes his pad at it. ball two, closer to off and immediatley flicked with the turn on the on and ramesh gets two more. this is one problem for warne bowling to ramesh -- his wristwork means that anything close to off coming in is flicked out on the on.
Prem > 123/0 and warne again, quicker this time and fuller on off and ramesh defends
Prem > warne, outside off and he's gone. Ramesh shaped to play from wide of off to leg with the wrist, shut the bat face too early, thick edge onto his pad and up for silly point to hold. Ramesh gone for 61, a good innings, 132 balls, india 123/1 and Laxman the new man in.
Prem > laxman defensive to the first ball, on line of off, ends the warne over and india 123/1.
Prem > mcgrath resuming to das batting 59, 43rd over of the innings and that was short on middle, and das punches through mid on, gets two more, moves to 61. 125/1 the score.
Prem > mcgrath again to das. ball two. on off with just one slip and das plays it out to cover, no run
Prem > mcgrath, on off seaming in a bit, das behind it and playing out to mid on, no run
Prem > 266 shy still, india of the aus total, mcgrath goes round the wicket now to das.
Prem > angled across and hitting line of off, some slight reverse there as well, das plays out on the on side, finds the bowler on the followm through, no run. mcgrath being officially warned now for running on the pitch. in again, on leg going to middle and short, das on his toes, plays it to square leg, no run
Prem > mcgrath to das. one slip, one backward short leg, and this one angled across to outside off, left alone by das. 125/1 and it is Warne now to Laxman
Prem > 44th over of the innings coming up. warne with sip, silly oint and short square to laxman, gets him on the pad, but too full, and on line of leg and middle. that was the leg break, hitting just outside leg, kuertzen not interested. next ball, on off turning away, punched nicely off the back foot, through cover, long chase and three to laxman to get off the mark, 128/1.
Prem > warne now to das, with just the slip. on off and das content to push his pad at it, the turn will take it outside off, so no danger there
Prem > now a short cover, almost silly point, for das to add to the slip, das down the track, misreads the flight of one going down leg turning in, driven inside out, ball flaring off the edge and a single behind point.
Prem > warne, to laxman. driven, hard, back down the track, warne fields and slams the return back to the keeper. 129/1 india
Prem > warne again to laxman. three round the bat, and laxman plays out on the on side, no run, 129/1 at the end of 44 overs
Prem > 262 more for india to get to the Australian score, 9 wickets in hand, gillespie to take over from mcgrath, with just the one slip, and das on strike
Prem > gillespiue, on off first ball, and played out to cover, no run.
Prem > gillespie, in his 6th over, to das. on off again and das forward, playing out on the off. no run
Prem > gillespie again. to das. and that was quick. das tentative in defence and the ball is through him before he saw it. gillespie asking Das what his lucky charm is, or some such. anyway, some lip there, which das ignores. next ball, on off, das a bit hesitant, thick outer edge and into the ground, palmed away by slip and gilchrist tidies up.
Prem > gillespie to das. a touch short, but down line of leg, das flicks it fine, gets the single and laxman comes on strike. 130/1 india
Prem > On off, laxman drives, finds cover, no run, end of the over and india 130/1
Prem > warne resumes, to das. ball one is floated across and lands outside leg, das pushes his pad at it.
Prem > warne, tossed that right up on leg, too full nd das quickly onto it, down on one knee and blkasts it over midiwcket. not sure if tthat is four or six, umpire checking with the third umpire. that one raced off the middle of the bat and was hit with venomous power, seems to be six.
Prem > That is six, and India 136/1. WArne again to das, down leg and he pushes, single out on the on side, india 137/1.
Prem > shortish, on off, laxman rocks back and forces, ricky ponting at silly point takes it on the body, no run. warne again, and this time, laxman plays a dangerous push, thick edge, mark waugh at slip dives, but the ball too wide for him to get his fingers under. that was a firm push but a dangerous one. no run.
Prem > That ends the over, india 137/1 and laxman, generally a slightly shaky starter, living up to that image. some firm shots, also a couple of hairy ones., so far. gillespie continies, pitches short, das checks a short arm pull, finds mid on, no run
Prem > on off this time, and das defends. 137/1 india, still 254 short of australia's 391 all out
Prem > gillespie in again to das. two slips in place now. wide of off going wider, and das lets it go
Prem > gillespie again, toiling hard here, on line of off and das defends. 137/1 the score. in again with two slips backing him, to das. that one cut in, from off to middle, das plays to the on side, a touch late, takes it on the pad. no dmaage, no run
Prem > ouch, that one kept low outside off, das reaching for it and the ball sneaking under the bat through to the keeper. end of the over, india 137/1 and warne resumes to laxman. batting 3, das batting 70, 47 overs gone
Prem > on drive, played early, in the air but well short of mid on. warne again to laxman, on middle and turning to off, laxman behind the line there playing it down
Prem > warne to laxman. floated up on leg, and a checked on drive finds mid on, no run. 137/1, in the first hour after tea
Prem > warne again, the same line but this time, laxman really into the on drive, perfectly hit and timed, nice use of the wrist as well to angle it wide of mid on, four. 141/1 india
Prem > warne, this time on off and again, ponting in the way of a hard forcing shot by laxman.
Prem > warne this time, well flighted on middle and laxman defends, that is the over, and that is also drinks, India 141/1 and a breather here for me.
Prem > post drinks play resuming with gillespie bowling, to das. outside off, some pace as well and das content to let it go
Prem > gillespie, outside off and das this time punches square, finds point, no run
Prem > gillespie, to das. first over after the final drinks break. on off, and das forward, playing defensively out on the off.
Prem > gillespie, on off and das behind teh line playing it out on the on this time
Prem > warne to continue, bowling to laxman. tossed up, thumped back, warne manages to get a hand to it and takes the pace off, mid on tidies up. no run
Prem > warne again to laxman. down leg side, full, gently patted out towards midwicket, single. brings das on strike
Prem > 142/1 india, warne to das. the aussies taking their own time in between deliveries, the heat seems to be getting to them now. fielders ambling around. strnage, though, the tv commentators are quick to mention it when india does it, but no one is talking about this now. on off warne, and das defends.
Prem > warne, and again, das quickly into the sweep as the bowler lands outside leg and fullish, two more through square leg, 144/1 the score
Prem > warne, and on line of leg, full, das defends, india 144/1 at the end of the over
Prem > 50 overs gone, 144/1 india, llaxman batting 8 and to a ball outside off, caressed through point, four to laxman. 148/1.
Prem > gillespie in again to laxman, and now the cover drive, nicely played but finds the fielder. das meanwhile batting 72.
Prem > gillespie and this time, laxman steering one behind point, a slight fumble and they take the single. 149/1. in again, gillespie, and das plays square, no run to point.
Prem > gillespie in again to das. bouncer, and he ducks under it.
Prem > this one on off, das well behind the line, defends, india 144/1 and das seems to have dug in for the long haul now, batting with good application and patience, very focussed.
Prem > the big need for the aussies though is laxman's wicket -- if that guy settles, with the confidence of his last innings backing him, he could be lethal on this track. now batting 13 and facing warne. three round the bat, and a brilliant straight drive. nice little skip down the track to line of leg, effortless drive, four straight back down the track. 153/1.
Prem > warne to laxman, and that one a bit wide of off and laxman again very quickly ont it, full exntesion of the arms into a cover drive, four more. 157/1 india, and laxman now 21.
Prem > warne, to laxman. short, pushed through, the flipper outside off, laxman looked to force but misses. well outside off that ball
Prem > warne again. to laxman. flighted on off and laxman forward, defends. end of the overr, india 157/1.
Prem > gillespie in now with jsut the one slip, both batsmen looking ominously comofrtable out there, 12 overs left to play in the day and das facing gillespie. 157/1 india. yorker length, goes through das, but outside off.
Prem > Meanwhile, for fun, this -- 6658 people now logged on, so we have a little stadium happening right here. Hey all. Gillespie in again to das, bad ball, middle and leg line and das with a wristy flick, through wide midwicket, and he gets two more before it is chased down. 159/1.
Prem > gillespie, and bangs that one in, seemed a touch irritated, ball short, lifting on off and das on his toes plays to point, no run
Prem > gillespie in again, to das, bouncer, going middle to outside leg, gilchrist dives and takes as das shapes to paly then avoids. appeal, but that hit the inside of the arm, at the back. No problem, nad gillespie's and gilchrist's appeal itself very muted. next ball, beaten outside off and gillespie again has something to ask das, thugh with a smile. 159/1 india at the end of the over.
Prem > warne to continue. laxman cover drives, and an accurate throw comes in from the fielder, waugh, hits the stumps at the other end but das well in. 159/1.
Prem > warne again to laxman, slip and short square in place. quicker, on middle, good ball forcing laxman back and hurrying him in defence
Prem > warne, to laxman. flighted on off, laxman down the track taking it on the full, using his wrists to drive on the on but finds mid on,no run
Prem > warne again, to laxman. short, on off and laxman leans back, lets it turn and blasts him through cover, four more. impeccably hit, the ball just racing away from the field. 163/1.
Prem > warne again, to laxman. flighted, and laxman easily down the track, to the pitch and an outstanding straight drive, leave sthe field standing and the bowler stunned. that was brilliantly played. second four on the run. 29 to him, now, and india 167/1.
Prem > warne again to laxman. five fours off warne already. wide of off going wider and laxman doesnt bother to play at it. end of the over, 167/1 india.
Prem > the big plus for laxman is steely wrists -- slight backlift, but the wrists generate enormous backspeed as the bat comes down on the shot, and that is what is sending the ball racing through the outfield. gillespie now to das, ball one, gently played out on the on and a single taken, das gets away from gillespie, 168/1 and laxman on strike
Prem > gilleespie to laxman, short ball and laxman does well, going inside the line and letting it through
Prem > and this time, gillespie on off and again, laxman easing into that drive. finds cover this time. no run
Prem > 168/1 gillespie to laxman, who pushes square on the off to a lifting ball on line of off. no run
Prem > gillespie, to laxman.s hort, lifting on off and laxman behind the line and plays it down.
Prem > 11th over from gillespie, 27 runs taken off him so far and easily the most incisive of the aussie bowlers on view this innings, really pushing for pace and giving all batsmen problems. not laxman that time, though, on off and laxman again easily forward, playing a checked cover drive, gets two more to end the over on 170/1.
Prem > and now warne taken off. used to be sachin who did that to him, now laxman doing it in his turn. miller brought on, and bowling to das with a slip and a square leg. outside off going through, and das lets it go
Prem > 170/1 india, das batting 75 and on driving, but finds the fielder
Prem > miller, to das. india still traiiling 221 and now Das into that swept pull again. on one knee, full swing of the bat, taking it from a foot outside mid off nad blasting it over midwicket, four. moves to 79 and india 174/1. next ball, outside off and das lets it go
Prem > miller again to das. on off, and played defensively
Prem > 14th over for miller, 37 runs so far,, and das rocks back to cut a short one, that bounces more so das pulls out of the shot, just dropping his wrist enough to let it through. end of the over, india 174/1.
Prem > laxman back on strike and gillespie. first slip, third slip and gully, laxman batting 31 off 38 and das batting 79 off 168, 56 overs gone. and again, laxman effortlessly into line of a short ball outside off, driving through coverr. magnificiently played, erect and tall and the whippy punch through cover, long chase for slater, he pulls it back in the line, very good work in the outfield, keeps it down to three. next ball, on middle, das plays it off his hips, single to fine leg, india 178/1.
Prem > das now 80 not out, laxman 34 not out. warne already 1/73. that one was a full toss at chest high, laxman defends, and gillespie apologises.
Prem > gillespie and again, laxman into that punch to coverpoint. amazing how he does it -- stands tall, gets just inside the line, then generates enormous bat speed into the shot. ponting dives and fields, this time, no run. gillespie again, and this one driven, nicely on the full as gillespie tried to york, single to wide mid off, 179/1 india
Prem > gillespie now to das, who cover drives off the front foot, no run, 179/1 at the end of the over
Prem > 80 to das, 35 to laxman off just 42 balls, and this partnership now worth 56 for the second wicket. 57 overs gone, 179/1 the score, and miller to bowl to laxman.
Prem > nexgt ball, and this time, laxman easing it from middle stump to fine leg, four. 183/1 india
Prem > nexgt ball, and this time, laxman easing it from middle stump to fine leg, four. 183/1 india
Prem > that one jumped off a length around off and laxman, batting 39, defensive.
Prem > mniller, and laxman that time beaten. lunghed a long way forward, to the top spinner, didn't pick it, beat gilchrist as well, four byes, and 187/1 at the end of the over
Prem > 204 still shy, india of the aussie total, das batting 80, laxman 39 off 48 balls, 58 overs bowled, 187/1 india. And McGrath now takes over from gillespie. on off and das plays to point
Prem > mcgrath, to das. again a good line on off, das content to play him out on the off
Prem > 12th over for mcgrath, so far figurs of 3 maidesn and 35 runs. in to das, outside off, and left alone
Prem > mcgrath, to das. again, that line outside off and again, das very content to watch it go.
Prem > 187/1 india, mcgrath to das. this one on off and tapped out on the on, finds midwicket, no run
Prem > mcgrath, short outside off, das stays low and cuts, finds point, no run, maiden and india 187/1.
Prem > 25 overs so far this session, 80 runs taken off them. one wicket lost of ramesh, india 187/1 and miller to laxman. too full, laxman forward, a flick of the wrist and the ball disappears over mid on. four. 191/1
Prem > miller again. short, outside off, he rocks abck and slams it through point, four more. 195/1.
Prem > miller again, and this time, laxman forward driving, finds cover, no run
Prem > 47 already to laxman. 51 balls. and that ball is gone. Down on one knee, slams it over the straight field, four more. vicious shot, third four off four balls this over, india 199/1 and that is 51 off 53 balls to laxman, his third successive half century -- if you can call 281 a half century, that is. and now he rocks back, lets one turn and bounce and pulls, through midwicket, long chase, and they take three more. India 202/1, 15 runs in that miller over to Laxman.
Prem > 54 off 54 balls now laxman, 60 overs gone, 202/1 the score, das batting 80 off 176 and content to anchor. mcgrath to bowl.
Prem > wide of off and full, and laxman drives to point, finds ponting. no run
Prem > m grath, to laxman, outside off and he reaches for that, gets annoyed with himself for playing a loose shot, walks away and has a shake of the head. 39 dot balls, 10 fours in laxman's 54 so far
Prem > that was very wide of off, mcgrath. laxman lets it go. india 202/1.
Prem > mcgrath, with just one sli;p, to laxman. again, very very wide of off and laxman lets it through. mcgrath content not to give runs to laxman, bowling well out of his reach now
Prem > mcgrath, and yet again, two feet outside off, almost. laxman lets it go
Prem > mcgrath, outside off, laxman again lets it through, india 202/1 at the end of the over
Prem > 79 runs for the second wicket off 116 balls and laxman the main aggressor, 54 of those runs coming to him while das sensibly content with the anchor role
Prem > three more overs to go for play today, and das on strike. 189 shy, india now of the aussie total. miller going round the wicket, pitches off, and das defends.
Prem > miller, and this one on off, das shuts the bat face, plays to mid on, and a very quick single taken. 203/1.
Prem > 81 das, and laxman on 54 takes strike. laxman whips one to the on side off line of off, gets the single, 204/1.
Prem > 81 das, and laxman on 54 takes strike. laxman whips one to the on side off line of off, gets the single, 204/1.
Prem > that was angled across, das goes back, looks to nudge to fine leg but finds point, ball going squarer than he wanted it to. end of the ovrer, 204/1 india
Prem > 55 l;axman, on strik to mcgrath and here we go agvain, wide of off. at least two of those balls in the last over were wides, evne by test standards
Prem > and again. wide of off. left alone
Prem > 204/1 india, and again, mcgrath content to just keep it wide of the off, and laxman watche sit go
Prem > that one, again outside off and laxman this time reaches for it and works one through point. moves to 56. 205/1 and for lxman should be a great feeling, to know that mcgrath is forced to go defensive against him. das on strike, mcgrath to bowl, and for him, cleser to the stumps, pitches outside off, angles in, huge appeal for lbw as the ball hits the pad but that strike outside line of off and angling down to leg.
Prem > mcgrath, and das pushes to point, no run, 205/1 at the end of the over and the final over of the day now coming up
Prem > 29 overs and 98 runs this session, last over coming up. 186 more for india to overhaul australia. and just in case it matters, no follow on this time. miuller round the wicket, laxman plays out on the on, no run to shoft square
Prem > shjort ball, and laxman rocks back and pulls. two more to him, india 207/1.
Prem > miller, now wide of off, laxman reaches into thd drive, finds cover, no run
Prem > miller to laxman. on leg and a nice little nudge oiut to fine leg, single, 208/1 india
Prem > miller now over the wicket to das, last over of the day, two balls to go, 208/1 india, four round the bat and das takes that on the full as miller flights, cover drives, gets two more. 210/1 india
Prem > das batting 83, india 210/1. india going at 3.29 so far, and that last ball, again the angled bat, single behind square, india 211/1 and that is it for the day. India going in 180 behind Australia with 9 wickets to go, 104 runs off 30 overs for ramesh's wicket in that session. Das unbeaten 84 off 185., laxman batting 59 off 69. And with that, thanks to all of you logged in for the company, I am out of here, see you tomorrow. *gone*

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