Post Lunch Session

Prem > Okay, guys, play will resume shortly. Meanwhile, a few thoughts. Australia, by collapsing as they did -- interesting how a defeat works on the mind, this same side had tailenders who would hang in there forever -- have given the Indians the gift of time. Had the Aussies batted till tea or later, and put 550 or so on the board, India would ahve been fighting to save the game. Now, with less than 400 on the board, and with good batting conditions still prevailing, the home side has the option of batting for a long time, focussing on staying out there, and looking to go into a lead.
Prem > Given how the Aussies are playing now, India leading by 100, 150 will put enormous pressure on the touring side -- and that has to be India's goal.
Prem > The players are out there, and play will begin with Das facing McGrath with Ramesh at the other end.
Prem > McGrath poised to begin the attack, and the Aussies badly need one or two early wickets to turn the pressure back on the Indians. Three slips, gully, a very short point in place.
Prem > forward short leg and leg gully in there as well, ball one on middle and leg and nicely tucked off his hips by Das, two for it off the first ball.
Prem > mcgrath in, to das. shortish on off and das behind the lines, plays it back
Prem > McGrath, again to Das. short outside off, some lift, and left alone.
Prem > mcgrath, short, on middle and Das pulls, ball came on a bit but he controlled it well, gets two, 4/0 india.
Prem > on off next, gentle tap out on the off and they run a quick single. 5/0 india
Prem > Ramesh now on strike, and the ball angles across. left alone by Ramesh, and India 5/0 at the end of the first over
Prem > gillespie to bowl the second over. aussies will be under pressure at this point, a good time for the indian batsmen to really push them hard. Gillespie, among others, has cut his hair very close, now sporting the new haircut and running in to Das. Outside off, fullish, and nicely driven, through mid off, two more. 7/0 india
Prem > gillespie again, to das. outside off, shorter in length and Das lets it through
Prem > On off this time seaming to middle, Das plays with the shut bat face, finds short square, no run.
Prem > Gillespie in again. nice easy run, very good action on the delivery, lovely ball. Late swing, in, on a very full length, DAs shapes for the drive, the seam movement beats the shot, thick inside edge flashes past the stump and down to fine leg for four, very lucky there das. 11/0
Prem > gillespie to das. more than mcgrath, gillespie is the one who has used pace, variety and fire to trouble all the indians. outside off this time and das lets it go
Prem > 391 the aussie total. laxman slated to come in at three. second over, last ball, gillespie to das, outside off seaming in and das covers up and lets it go, end of the over and india 11/0
Prem > McGrath, to Ramesh, still the packed slip field. plus man under the helmet on the on, bouncer second ball, and ramesh goes under it. can expect a lot of these, Ramesh, after he showed an inclination to go after McGrath's bouncers in Bombay
Prem > mcgrath again to ramesh. again short, angled across this time and the batsman sways out of line. ramesh needs to dig deep and find the concentration and focus he needs to stay out there for 10 to 15 overs -- if he can do that, with his shotmaking skills, he could be lethal. but it is the early overs, and the concentration of a flea, that has been his undoing. angled delivery again, and ramesh just looks at it go
Prem > 12 wickets to mcgrath so far, 9 to gillespie, between them they have had to do most of the work. Which actually is a better position to be in that Bajju, who has taken 24 so far, and battled almost single-handed. another angled delivery, another leave. good work so far by ramesh refusing to be tempted by that line. on off, last ball, and ramesh into line, plays to cover, no run, 11/0 at the end of the over
Prem > Gillespie to das. on leg stump, and das easily off his hips, down to fine leg, gets the single and the field changes over for gillespie to ramesh./ 12/0 india
Prem > gillespie, around the wicekt to ramesh. good thinking by the tall pacer, that is the line that ramesh gets into trouble against. on off, this time, and ramesh behind the line, defending
Prem > gillespie again. fuller, on off, ramesh forward driving, but finds cover, no run
Prem > gillespie, this one is quicker and on line of middle angling to leg, ramesh flicks but beaten by the extra pace. was a gimme ball really, as far as line goes, but the extra pace defeated thes hot. no run.
Prem > gillespie in to ramesh, who will feel the pressure a bit since there has been some serious talk among the management of dropping him and having Dravid open. It nearly happened here, before Wright and Ganguly decided not to disrupt a batting lineup that did well in Cal. End of the over, 12/0 India and all the runs so far to Das's credit. On strike, now, to McGrath
Prem > mcgrath, ball one, on off and played out on the off, das nicely in line. ball two, short square leg now going to a very short midwicket, which is a bit surprising -- unless mcgrath is working either on forcing an uppish on drive, or a lunging defensive shot that puts the ball out in front of the wicket on the on. wide of off, next ball, and das content to lift his bat out of line and let it go
Prem > Oh good work. McGrath pitches short and again, DAs swiftly into the pull. Not always in an ideal position to hit this, but he does roll his wrist nicely over it when he plays it, so keeps it down, and nice to see him take on mcgrath when he tries to intimidate with the bouncer. 3 more, 15/0 india and ramesh lets the next one through on the angle outside off
Prem > mcgrath to ramesh. again the angle, again ramesh doesnt bother to play at it. mcgrath going too wide of off to make the batsman play. end of the over, 15/0 india.
Prem > gillespie into thie 6th over of the indian innings. on off. das forward, defending. has looked good thus far in this innings
Prem > gillespie in again, outside off, a bit too wide, no movement in the air or off the seam, das lets it go. actually, the indians finding luck running their way -- afternoon sessions in Madras are the best for batting aginst quick bowlers, because the sea breeze is stilled, there is no help from the atmosphere and it is very hard to get the ball to do stuff in the air for you. agian, outside off, shortish, no movement and again, das lets it go
Prem > 15/0 and Das on strike to gillespie. on off, fuller, gently played out to cover, no run. three slips, gully, man under the helmet on the on, the initial field also had an extra gully, plus a leg slip, field now diluted a bit. gillespie in again, outside off, and das lets it go.
Prem > gillespie to das. outside off, short, and a perfectly played cut. Got on top of it, cut down on top of the ball, hit with enough timing to beat the slip cordon before they could react, it went all along the gtround to third man, four to end the over, 19/0 india.
Prem > das like most little men loves to cut, and does it well. it is when driving away from the body that he gets into trouble. mcgtrath, meanwhile, to ramesh yet to open his account. on off and ramesh easily onto the front foot, gently playing it back down the track
Prem > mcgrath again. to ramesh, on off and a punched straight drive, beats the bowler, no ball as well, two taken, plus the extra. 22/0 and ramesh finally off the mark, 16 balls to do it.
Prem > mcgrath again to ramesh. outside off on the angle, and ramesh lets it through
Prem > mcgrath, and this is a bad ball. too full, on leg, and an effortless, whippy flick off the pads, through midwicket, four. 26/0 india
Prem > mcgrath in again to ramesh. on off, driven on the up, not much foot movement but got his bat behind the line first, finds point, no run
Prem > mcgrath in again, to ramesh. three slips, gully in place but no close fielder on the on. anotther ball on middle and leg, ramesh eases it through midwicket, chase for langer, two more to ramesh, 28/0 india and a nice easy start so far
Prem > on off this time. ramesh behind the line, plays to mid off, no run, end of the over. 28/0 india.
Prem > das on 19, ramesh 8, and already, a bowling change. colin miller into the attack, for the first time this series, and it is off breaks, not seam, he will try.
Prem > good ball from miller, pitching just short, and making it kick a bit. das defends. next ball, too full, lovely drive and a brilliant diving stop at cover by steve waugh. that was four to almost any other fielding side. miller again, and das this time clips on the on, going forward to a ball flighted more, finds midwicket, no run
Prem > And again. Das looking to go forward, shut the bat and play with the turn taking it from off to on. been finding midwicket. next ball, the one going through with the arm, outside off, das pushes at it, beaten because he was playing for the off break but this didnt turn. end of the over.
Prem > mcgrath continues. bouncer first up, no ball as well, and ramesh easily under it, letting it through. 29/0 india
Prem > onmiddle this time, ramesh again flicks, nicely, but this time finds midwicket. no run.
Prem > mcgrath again, outside off, the ball angling across the left hander and ramesh again lets it go, been doing that meticulously in this innings. good to see this lad play with some focus, has all the talent in the world but tended to be too casual in his approach so far. bouncer, and ramesh goes under it.
Prem > mcgrath finally switching to round the wicket to ramesh. on off, and ramesh plays it back. here, mcgrath will be looking to pitch off, get ramesh into the shot and try and take it away off the seam to find the edge. in again, to ramesh, short, and ramesh goes back, slams it off the back foot on the rise, through cover, the fielder there gets a hand to it and takes the pace off, point then chases it down, but two more. 31/0 india
Prem > end of the over, india 31/0 and a nice positive. 19 das, 10 ramesh, das now facing miller. right arm, off spin, short ball first up and gently played off the hips, on the turn, to fine leg, single. 32/0
Prem > the offie now to the left handed ramesh, going round the wicket, slip and gully plus one catching on the on, finds the off stump line adn ramesh defends
Prem > miller, quicker this time, he does push his deliveries through quick, fuller in length, ramesh defensive. 32/0 and miller in again, right arm around, ramesh goes down the track and miller drops it short, ramesh pushes his pad at it in defence.
Prem > miller agfain, to ramesh. short, flat, straight outside off and ramesh content to let it through, 32/0 at the end of the over
Prem > you got to reckon, watching miller bowl, that while his pace might hustle the batsmen, if he could slow it down a touch and toss it a bit higher, he will get the lift and turn harbajan got. mcgrath meanwhile off, gillespie back on, and just two slips and a gully now, the close in field being slowly whittled down. And again, a short ball, Das goes back, forcing drive off the back foot on the up, througth cover, two more. 34/0
Prem > gillespie, fuller in length, das goes forward and defends. batting 22, ramesh batting 10.
Prem > gillespie in again. on off, das checks a push, thick inner edge out on the on side. no run
Prem > gillespie to das. on off, gentle play out on the off, looks for a single then changes his mind, was no run there anyway. one thing you notice about das, when he plays the ball off the square, he immediately is down the track a step or two, his eye on the single. gillespie again, outside off going through and left alone. 34/0 india
Prem > gillespie to das. short ball, lifting and das goes under it, end of the over, 34/0 india
Prem > miller continues. could have a lot of bowling to do here. slip and gully plus short cover. and looking for line of off, ramesh for now content to defend
Prem > quicker through the air that last ball, ramesh quickly onto it, flicks on the on, gets the single, india 35/0 at the end of the over. nice, really, to see a solid, cautious start by the indians. have been prone to play loosely and lose early wickets, but the attitude of the team in this test has been considerably better. gillespie, round the wicket, to ramesh abtting 11. outside off, bad ball, too full and driven easily through cover, not really hitting it, just guding it gently and two more to the batsman. 37/0 and gillespie again, on off this time, angling in and ramesh pats it out to cover, no run
Prem > gillespie again. to ramesh. too full, bad line as well on middle to leg, flicked through midwicket, ball stops a foot short of the ropes, three more for ramesh, india 40/0
Prem > gillespie in to das. on off, played to point off the front foot with an angled bat, finds the fielder, no run
Prem > gillespie in to das. on off, das behind the line, plays down the track, no run
Prem > 40/0 at the end of the gillespie over, 13 bowled so far in this innings, ramesh 16, das 22 and warne takes over form miller, probably looking for that rough outside leg stump he can get from that end.
Prem > warne, with his head shaved almost to the roots, to ramesh, stahying over the wicket, angled across, hits outside off and ramesh pushes, misses.
Prem > warne again. slip, short square. and ramesh waits, lets it turn, flicks it on the on with the turn, single. 41/0. they need to do this, keep taking runs off warne, not allow him to dominate and dictate what line he will bowl. slip and short square now to das. the rest of the field saving the singles. wide of leg, looking to hit the rough, interesting to see das attempt the sweep immediately. ball a touch short, and das too a touch short statured, so cant get his bat far enough forward to hit that shot, this time.
Prem > warne to das. on off, gently played to cover, no run.
Prem > das this time, rocks back and square drives, finds point, no run, 41/0 india atthe end of the over.
Prem > 17 ramesh, 22 das, and 14 overs gone, 41/0 and now miller switches ends, takes over from gillespie so both opening bowlers now off. and a double spin attack in place. key period of play coming up now.
Prem > right arm, round the wicket, miller and some drift, slower through the air this time, on off and ramesh defensive. ball two, shorter, and ramesh pushes at it, through point, gets the single. 42/0
Prem > miller now over the wicket, to das, only one slip and short square in place -- correction, now leg slip coming in.
Prem > miller to das. 42/0 india./ short, pushed through, das plays the defensive shot, finds short square leg
Prem > miller again. short, turning in, das off the back foot finds leg slip with the angled bat
Prem > miller in again to das. tossed up on off and das content again to defend. 349 short of aus, india at this point
Prem > miller, wide of leg and short, das shapes to sweep, misses, 42/0 at the end of the over
Prem > warne resumes. ramehs on strike. wide of off, ramesh drives, extravagant shot, thick outer edge and past the sole slip, down to third man, four. that ball was in the slot actually, but ramesh tried to drive a bit too fine, causing the edge. 46/0 india.
Prem > warne again. outside off and into the rough, ramesh defends.
Prem > warne, wide of off, gets it to curl back in, ramesh covers the line, lets it go to gilchrist
Prem > warne to ramesh. on off this time turning in, ramesh shuts the bat face and plays out on the on
Prem > warne again. india 46/0. flight and loop, not much turn, on line of off and ramesh nicely forward and in line, defends
Prem > warne again. ramesh flicks off to leg, finds midwicket, no run, and that is drinks with india 46/0, having seen off the first hour of play, and taken the two new ball bowlers out of the attack. taking a breather here. be right back
Prem > post drinks play resumes with both batsmen on 22 apiece, india 46/0. miller to bowl. das on strike, and letting the first ball turn in, then playing it out on the on, gets the single. 47/0
Prem > miller bowling with three round the bat -- for the right hander, a leg slip standing squarish, short square and silly point, for ramehs it is slip, silly point short square. on the back foot square driving, ramesh, and finds the fielder. next ball, too much of flight, too full, on leg, bad ball and rmesh wuqickly onto that, on driving fluently, four. 51/0 india
Prem > nedt ball, short, and ramesh onto the back foot and slamming it square, through point, two more and india 53/0.
Prem > ramesh as a leftie should in theory have more problems aginst the offie, but here is playing him like a gentle medium pacer, thanks to the way miller piushes them through quicker and flatter in the air. miller to ramesh. round the wicket to the left hander. outside off, left alone, end of the overr and india 53/0
Prem > 28 to ramesh, 23 das. warne to das, one slip and one short square, pitches outside leg, too wide and das immediatgely into the sweep, doesnt hit it too hard, just guides it through midwicket, four. 57/0
Prem > warne again. outside leg, some curve through the air and das forward, lets it hit his pad
Prem > warne again, to das. just two close to the bat, steve waugh defensive, flipper on off and das onto the back foot, forces square on the off, but finds point. played htat off off and middle stump. in again, warne, and das again into the sweep, that one bounced, ball too full for the shot really, beaten and lucky to see the ball bounce over the stumps
Prem > warbe again, and that is better, das down the track to line outside leg, and on driving. finds mid on, but a much better shot than that heave off the previous ball. flipper on off, das defensive. 57/0 india
Prem > 28 ramehs, 27 das, 18 overs bowled, 57/0 india. miller continues. on off, ramesh uses his wrists to force on the on, gets the single, 58/0
Prem > 27 off 53 balls faced, das, facing miller, short ball and off the back foot, forcing with the turn on the on, single to midwicket, 59/0
Prem > miller again to ramesh, round the wicket, on middle and ramesh forward, defends
Prem > miller, floighted on off, nicely driven by ramesh but to mid off, no run
Prem > miller, and ramesh again driving, nice and easy, but to mid off, no run. 59/0
Prem > miller in to ramesh. more curve and flight there, ramesh forward defending. 59/0 at the end of the over
Prem > warne, to das. top spinner and again, das prepared to go back, make room and square drive. finds point, no run.
Prem > trouble with that shot is if it keeps low, could go under the bat. next ball, pushed through quicker, das spots the line just outside off and pushes his pad at it
Prem > 59/0 india, warne outside leg and das on his knee, heaves it behind square, not a pretty looking sweep but effective, gets one, 60/0
Prem > warne now to ramesh. right arm over, outside off going through, and ramesh lets it go.
Prem > warne, again angling right across ramesh and landing about a foot and a half outside off, obviouysly trying to get ramesh driving at him. ramehs doesnt oblige, though. in again, this one outside off and keeping low, ramesh watches then cuts it at the last minute, single to point, 61/0 at the end of the over
Prem > miller to ramesh, on off, driven, finds mid off. ther eis a short cover for that shot played uppishly, but ramesh ahs been keeping it on the carpet thus far. 61/0 at the end of the over
Prem > warne to das. on leg, played with a slightly angled bat, a single just behind point results, 62/0
Prem > that was bad. warne to ramesh, nice drive, mid off back, both batsmen shape to run, then stop, mix up. they needed to run on that. ramesh again drives, superb stop at cover. 62/0 still the score
Prem > 390 to ramesh, 5 singles in it so far, warne pushes one through quicker nad ramesh defends, india 62/0 at the end of the over
Prem > 30 apiece to each player, miller right arm over to das. on off, and played out on the off, no run
Prem > miller, and das content to come forward and play gently out on the off. 62/0 the score. still the slip leg slip and short square. miller again, and this time, too full, das onto his knee, swings it from outside off, over midwicket, four. 66/0
Prem > hit it nicely on the half volley, bat behind the ine and hitting through the line. miller beats das with the arm ball, outside off, going past the bat on the defensive push, 66/0 at the end of the over.
Prem > warne to ramesh, a forcing square drive, but finds point, no run. now a ball on off, some turn in, and ramesh quietly forward, defending. next ball, that's good, onto the fdront foot, shut bat face, quick single behind square leg, 67/0 and das back on strike
Prem > das down the track, nicely behind the line of a curving delivery from warne, defends. warne again to das. on off, fullish, played back down the trackl, no run, 67/0 india
Prem > miller and warne will have a tremendous amounT of bowling to do and if the indians keep them at bay, then the humidity will start telling on their spirits as well. miller, floater up on off and ramesh watches it and plays defensively, late.
Prem > hmm. interesting. ramesh came dancing down, miller changed his line, ramesh spotted it, adjusted, used his wrist, hit it out past short cover, through the gap and got two more. 69/0
Prem > on off this time, ramesh defends. again, the same line, just outside the stumps this time, shorter, more bounce, ramesh covers up and lets it go, 69/0 india
Prem > warne to das. ball one, on leg, some turn to off, das backs away and forces square. finds the fielder at point.
Prem > warne again, to das. and again, das on his knee as soon as warne overpitches, nice easy extension ofthe arms on the swing, right off the middle and swept through midwicket, four. 73/0
Prem > Oh glorious. Down the track, the perfectly played inside out drive, through wide mid off, beats the field, that was played from ouytside leg to the off side, briliiantly hit, like that shot laxman played in cal, four. 77/0. and warne again to das. floated on leg, gently played back. batting 42 now.
Prem > that';s a good ball. curve, pitching leg and middle, then turning outside off, going past the defensive bat. no ball, and das pats it back from yorker length, 78/0
Prem > warne again to das. on off, das pushes, thick bottom edge, no run, 78/0 at the end of the over
Prem > miller, right arm round, to ramesh. on off, played to midwicket, finds the fielder, no run. india 313 still shy of the aus score of 391. miller again, on off, still the slip and silly point, nice ball that with some curve in, hitting line of just outside off, then going away from the left hander. ball three, down the line of middle played out on the on, square leg in quick, no run
Prem > miller again, and this time, ramesh whips off his hips to one a bit shorter and quicker, finds square leg yet again
Prem > miller, on off, quick this time and fuller in length, defensive shot, no run, 78/0 india at the end of the over
Prem > 42 das, 33 ramesh, warne to das on leg and he pads at it. appeal, but line just outside leg, plus it is a leg break, be turning outside off. warne again. way down leg, das pushes, a bit in the air but no one clsoe to take it, no problem.
Prem > warne again to das, nice little contest building here, that was on middle and lovely shot. das went back, let it turn to off and a delicate late cut, through backward point, four. superb shot, takes a lot of eye and couragte to play off a leg spinner pitching middle. 82/0 india, and warne rockets one way outside off, das looks at it go. 46 off 77 balls, das. 7 fours. warne again and this one on leg, das defends
Prem > end of another warne over and thus far, no sign of joy for him. das has been handling most of his bowling, and doing very well. in his own way, doing a laxman, keeping warne unsure about what shot he will play -- he has cut, square driven, pulled, swept, and driven inside out so far. 46 das, 33 ramesh, 28 overs gone. miller and ramesh rocks back, slams it to cover, small fumble, single taken. 83/0
Prem > miller content to stay round the wicket to das with three round the bat, two of them on leg side. not getting the kind of bounce and turn bajju was getting -- but then, miller doesnt give the ball as much air, so the ball doesnt bite as much when it hits the deck. 308 behind, india. 83/0 the score, miller again to das. full length angling across and das pushes to mid off, no run/
Prem > miller to das. quicker through the air, on off and das forward, defending
Prem > 83/0 the score, miller in again to das, right arm over the wicket now. on off and das forward, defneds. No run, ends the over, 83/0 india
Prem > warne resumes. flights one up to das, and he is easily onto it, down on his knee, sweeps. four through midwicket and das complets a fine 50. off 85 balls, India 88/0 and huge applause for a gritty beginning by Das.
Prem > warne again to das. on off turning, and square driven. finds point, no run
Prem > warne oputside off, left alone this time.
Prem > warne, to das. 88/0 the score. one slip the only man up close now, aussies going entirely ont he defensive. warne wide of leg, and das sweeps. finds backward square, no run, end of the over and india 88/0
Prem > 50 to das, 35 ramesh, 30 oves gone, 88/0. miller. two men close, on off, miller going round the wicket. ramesh content to reach right forward and defend
Prem > miller this time a atouch short, ramesh goes back, cuts, but finds point, no run
Prem > very subdued, ramesh here today, seems like someone gave him a talking to and quite right too. he needeed to learn to put a price on his wicket. miller, right arm round, to ramesh and a delicate late cut, let it bounce, go past him, then eased it to third man sueprbly, four. 92/0.
Prem > warne to das. way down leg, and das swings into the sweep, plays it very fine. long chase there, and they get one as langer at short fine dives and cuts it off. 93/0
Prem > outside off to ramesh who drives, but doesnt quite get hold of it properly. 93/0 and this next ball, ramesh tucks out on the on, gets the single. 94/0
Prem > warne again to das. who is doing to him what hayden did to the indian spinners. this one, quicker through the air on off, and das content to defend
Prem > warne again to das. on leg, defensive push, no run. ramehs batting 40, das 51. 94/0 the score
Prem > warne to das. kjust one slip. way down leg, swept, but finds short fine leg, no run. 94/0 at the end of the over
Prem > 32 overs gone, and change in bowling. just one over left for tea and mcgrath takes over from miller to bowl it.
Prem > 33rd over and the last one before tea. mcgrath with two slips, to ramesh. on off, ramesh plays it out on the on off the front foot
Prem > mcgrath to ramesh, on middle, lovely flick off the pads through midwicket, ramesh playing the shot tothe fuiller length, nicely chased down by waugh, three more to ramesh. 97/0 the score
Prem > mcgrath to das, on off, and a nice defensive push, no run. 97/0, just two slips. mcgrath outside off and he tries to cut, that one stayed down, beat the shot.
Prem > mcgrath again to das. outside off, some swing in, das covers the line and plays it back down the line
Prem > hmm. looks like one more over for tea. miller to bowl it, now switching ends with warne. 34th over of the innings. slip and silly point and ramesh onto a ball tossed right up, drives fluently, through cover, two more. 99/0
Prem > Oh, nice. again too full, and ramesh forward, on driving. three more, india 102/0, first century partnership for india this series, and only the 8th century partnership for india in the last 50 Tests. 203 balls, and miller now to das who drives, beats mid off, lovely shot, four more. beautifully played, that off drive, nicely forward and full flourish on the drive by das. 106/0 india.
Prem > outside off, quicker ball, beats das outside off. next ball, tucked out on the on, single, 107/0 india in 34 overs. scoring at 3.15 runs per over in that session, das not out 56 off 100 balls, ramesh 46 off 106. And the indians in the pavilion applauding the opneners back, good to see, and with that, shutting down here for the tea break, back in 10.

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