Chennai Test - Post tea session

Prem > Here come the Aussies -- with Slater holding up a 'Hi Mum' placard just before stepping on to the field.

Prem > Here come Laxman and Das. Play about to start.

Prem > McGrath will bowl the first over, and interestingly, he has just one slip in place. Australia, very strangely, starting out in a defensive frame of mind -- a wicket or two in the morning is what they need. In comes McGrath, and off the first ball of the day, Das is gone. Lots of reverse swing, Das shaped to play the flick on the on too early, we were talking of how they needed to settle down first but Das into a forcing shot first up, beaten by swing, hit on the pad, and plumb in front of middle. India, with that wicket off the first ball, 211/2 and now the game wide open.

Prem > Tame end, meanwhile, to a very courageous innings by Das -- he held the innings together from the start, gave Ramesh the space needed to play himself into touch, kept the pressure on the Aussies with his attacking shotplay -- the lad deserves more than a little appreciation for this effort. Sachin Tendulkar, now, with two slips. On off, reverses winging late, and Sachin pushes out on the off.

Prem > mcgrath in again to sachin. 211/2 india, first over of the morning, that was a touch shorter and no swing therefore, given the lack of length, tendulkar behind the line, plays it down.

Prem > mcgrath, outside off this time with just a hint of seam movement. good first over this, from mcgrath, using the best conditions he will have today -- not yet hot, lots of sea breeze, some cloud overhead, and an older ball just right for reverse swinging. mcgrath, in again to sachin, with two slips. again, atouch short, coming in off the seam and sachin content to get behind the line and play it out gently on the on

Prem > outside off this time, no movement, india 211/2 at the end of the over, the first of the morning

Prem > Jason Gillespie to bowl the second over, with Laxman on strike. That first ball seems to have slipped -- went about 4 feet outside off and wide called. 212/2.

Prem > gillespie, to laxman. Short, and laxman punches off the front foot through cover, single. a sweeper in place first thing in the morning. Gillespie now to Sachin, Laxman meanwhile on to 60. 213/2.

Prem > sachin with the upraised bat stance, and gillespie goes wide of the crease, using the angle in to draw sachin forward. sachin playing for a bit of swing in, inside the line, the ball flashes past the bat going through straight

Prem > gillespie in again. to sachin batting 0. outside off, full in length, and sachin lets it go

Prem > india still 178 below Australia, gillespie in to sachin, angled in on off this time and sachin easily forward and defending. quite right too, this intent to defend -- he needs to spend time out there, get his eye in and feet moving. two slips, gillespie in, outside off, and no bounce. sachin covers up and lets it go

Prem > gillespie in again to sachin. That is a bad ball. Short, nothing in it, no bounce even and Sachin just stands tall and punches through wide mid off. Four, India 217/2 and Sachin off the mark with that boundary off the last ball of the over.

Prem > There's an interesting theoretical exercise coming up for Waugh. Assume he bowls his fast men five overs apiece, this morning. That takes you to 74 overs. Which also means he wont be able to take the new ball as soon as it becomes due. And puts the onus on the spinners. Meanwhile, Laxman on 60 facing McGrath. one slip in place, the aussies treating the number three with great respect here, they have a sweeper out for him on the off as well.

Prem > mcgrath to laxman. Uh oh. Outside off, Laxman shaping to drive, gets the thick outer edge, through the gap between keeper and slip, down to third man, four, takes him to 64 but one of the least convincing shots he has played in his last three innings, and sachin quickly across to talk to him, 221/2 the score. mcgrath again, to laxman, outside off and left alone.

Prem > Outside off again. Barring that one ball, McGrath not really making Laxman play, the line is about a foot or more outside off, which works if the batsmen are chasing but Laxman lets them all through, making that over a bit of a waste.

Prem > Gillespie to Sachin. Ball one, short, no real sign yet of swing for gillespie, sachin plays to point. Ball two is fuller, gets more time in the air to do something laterally, comes in from off to middle and sachin gently guides behind square, single. 222/2 india. gillespie in to Laxman now. outside off and square driven, but there are now two points in place, close to each other, the more backward of the pair cuts that off

Prem > gillespie in again, to laxman. very, very wide of off, goes to where slip should be, gilchrist can't latch on, and that is two byes. Very erratic start by Gillespie who has been impressive right through this series.

Prem > OUtside off, and Laxman drives, on the half volley and square on the off, gets the single. very hard shot to play, this, but laxman has the knack of playing it well. 225/2 and india still 166 behind

Prem > End of the over, with Sachin content to let the last ball go, India 225/2 and four overs gone this morning

Prem > Laxman on strike. McGrath resuming, now with two slips after that edge in the previous over. point, cover, mid off also on the off. Outside off, going through straight and Laxman lets it go. Strange -- when McGrath bowls a full length and angles in, the reverses wing gets dangerous -- Das today, Sachin in Cal, can tell you just how much. Cant understand why, therefore, he keeps bowling half a foot to a foot outside off. Might work in Aus, not so sure about it working here unless the batsmen do silly stuff

Prem > mcgrath, to laxman and for the third time in succession, laxman content to watch one through outside off. 225/2.

Prem > mcgrath again, to laxman. still that line a foot outside off, laxman still content to cover up and let it go.

Prem > mcgrath, and that is better -- closer to off, seaming in, but still outside off and laxman seemingly very sure of where his off stump is, covers up, lets it bounce over the off stump through to the keeper. in again, mcgrath. outside off, and laxman watches it go. 225/2. And at no time in that over did McGrath make Laxman play -- and if the batsman doesn't play, he can't get out, can he?

Prem > Point is, it is Australia that needs wickets in a hurry. India have all day, and most of tomorrow, so time is not a concern for the home side. And that makes it vital for Aus to attack and get wickets early -- a containing outside off line is not the way to do it, I would think. Gillespie for his part, bowling now and still seemingly struggling to find his rhythm, been bowling all over the place this morning. SAchin on strike, gets a half volley outside off and treats it the way he usually does -- very low to the ground, bending at the knee, free swing of the bat, tremendous bat acceleration into teh shot and the ball whistles through cover, four. 229/2.

Prem > Gillespie again and that was a beauty -- very quick, closer to off, right length, and it kept low. Sachin beaten by the low bounce more than anything else, gets the edge, and again, through the slip cordon -- it bounced before first slip, though -- to third man, four more. Ball three, again the half volley, again the cover drive, but not as well hit, finds the fielder, no run. 233/2.

Prem > 70th over in progress, gillespie with a short one this time, very badly directed, hitting middle, then going a long long way off the seam out on the on, Gilchrist can't cut it off, four more byes. 237/2.

Prem > gillespie again. to sachin. outside off, some seam away, better length on that last ball and sachin covers up and lets it through. End of the over, India 237/2.

Prem > And that is the wicket -- Laxman has been a touch tentative outside off this morning, McGrath gets one closer to the stumps, makes him play at it, a slight away movement finds the edge, and Mark Waugh snaffles it nice and low at slip. India 237/3 and Laxman out before he settles. 65 to his name.

Prem > Two early wickets was just what India didn't need -- now, the onus really on the 'Big Three', Ganguly Sachin and Dravid, to bat India to strength here. Ganguly the new man in.

Prem > mcgrath to ganguly. ball one, over the wicket, angled across, but too far wide and left alone by the captain

Prem > That is closer to the stumps, Waugh attacking Ganguly with three slips and two gullies plus point and cover, ganguly plays out on the off. Next ball, fuller in length, seaming away and ganguly content to let it go

Prem > 237/3. india still trialing by 154. And that was a beauty. Top pace, very close to off, I think Ganguly misjudged that one, decided to let it go very early, that one wasn't too far outside off and his pad wasn't covering the line of that stump. End of the over, and india 237/3.

Prem > Sachin, batting 13, on strike, 72nd over, and the first change of the morning, gillespie off, Miller coming in and will bowl seam, not off spin. Should get some swing, actually, with the old ball. 18-3-64-0 so far

Prem > Miller, to Sachin. That one a touch short, on off and sachin checks a punch, finds mid off, no run

Prem > nice line this by miller -- bowling just back of a length means he wont get much swing, but the line just around off means the batsmen cant hit him about either, and that puts the cork in the bottle at one end. That ball,though, was wide of off, SAchin cuts, there is a sweeper in place, sachin gets one. 238/3.

Prem > The Aussie idea seems to be to try and shut one end down, and attack at the other. It also gives Gillespie some time to get his breath, and focus -- been very erratic this morning. Miller goes round the wicket to Ganguly, one slip[, point, deep cover, short cover, mid off. Packed off field for Miller to bowl that off line.

Prem > That was off spin, really -- floated up just around off, turning away, Ganguly covers up and lets it through to end the over, india 238/3.

Prem > mcgrath continues. sachin on strike, and he is the wicket mcgrath keeps looking for, so this should be fun. outside off first up, same line that got laxman, closer to off but sachin content to watch it go. in again, this time on off, gentle push to mid on, sachin running with the push wanting the single, gnaguly unmoved. sachin had the right idea -- strike needs to rotate here

Prem > mcgrath in again. two slips. outside off. sachin forward, shapes to play, sees the ball swing away and not in, pulls his bat out of line at the last second. nice to see that leave, technically very good. mcgrath again, outside off, and sachin this time, lets it go through

Prem > again, outside off. wider this time and sachin not interested. 238/3 and india trailing by 153 at this point. Brilliant ball that, mcgrath very close to the stumps, holds that line, lands on off, just short enough to have the batsman unsure about coming forward, then seams it just enough away to beat the bat. Sachin beaten all ends up on that one nad lucky not to touch, end of the over.

Prem > Miller bowling to ganguly, and it is off spin. keeper and slip up, silly point in place, but an overpitched ball and ganguly into the drive, they have the field out for that shot, just one run. 239/3. And for Sachin, it is seam up from Miller. Gilchrist and the slip go back. right arm, over, and very very wide of off, some swing, but misdirected

Prem > miller, again outside off and again, sachin not interested. next ball, fuller in length, the ball reversing there, and sachin quick to cover the line and defend in front of off nad middle

Prem > next one, some swing, but away from off and sachin watches it through. end of the over, india 239/3.

Prem > mcgrath to ganguly, the slip cordon in place and waiting. 239/3 the score. right arm over, and on off, too full, ganguly drives on the off and runs with the shot. That's better, they need singles, plenty of them because the Aussies have clearly decided that one part of their strategy should be to dry up the fours. India 240/3.

Prem > mcgrath to sachin, wide of off, short as well, and sachin watches it go

Prem > mcgrath, to sachin batting 14. two slips, and well bowled. reverse swing, then darting in off the seam and sachin quickly inot line playing out on the off.

Prem > mcgrath to sachin. funny statistic, his lowest average -- 18 -- is against Bangladesh. Something for people to toss around to support the argument that he is not all that great. Meanwhile, McGRath on off, and SAchin defends. Ends the over, India 240/3, 75 overs gone and it is miller with his off spin to Ganguly who pads up. Three round the bat.

Prem > Miller on off, Ganguly on the drive, but gently, and finds mid off, no run. 240/3. miller this time, goes wide of the crease and angles in, ganguly forward covering the line and defending. Ganguly needs to get set here, it has been something like 19, or 20, Test innings since he last got himself a 50. And he won't find a better time than the series-deciding innings to bat himself back into form. Interesting field, slip, silly point, short cover, point, backward cover, mid off -- absolutely no room on the off, there. Miller again, and ganguly content to push tot he shorter of the two covers

Prem > 12 overs, 29 runs, two wickets this session, 53 minutes of play so far this morning. Gillespie takes the ball from McGrath, ball one on off and SAchin pushes square, finds the fielder, no run. Two slips backing Gillespie.

Prem > gillespie again. good ball, fuller in length, just a hint of angle in on off, sachin forward, defensive

Prem > gillespie, to sachin. ON off, a touch too full, Sachin fluently into that drive, Waugh at cover cuts it off well, no run.

Prem > gillespie, to sachin. short, held back a bit, just outside off and sachin defends

Prem > gillespie again. on off, and nicely played, got into line, then angled the bat just enough to steer it through point, single. 241/3 and sachin on to 15, india still 150 shy of Aus first innings, 77th over in progress, one ball left and gillespie to Ganguly. Round the wicket with three slips and two gullies

Prem > gillespie to ganguly. goes wide of the crease, but loses control of line, ball very wide of off seaming even wider away, left alone, and that is the end of the over. 241/3 india

Prem > Nearing the end of the first hour of play, and attendance here is 1512.

Prem > Miller, with his seam up stuff, to Sachin. Outside off seaming away. Miller seems to have decided he will bore/irritate Sachin to death. One slip in place, Miller in again, this one angled in on off and sachin quickly onto it, angling his bat, guiding it wide of midwicket, gets the one. Noticeably, after those two fours early, SAchin has been checking his shots, not really pushing, looking to just angle the ball away, not taking any undue risks. 242/3 the score.

Prem > Miller, off spin now, to ganguly with three round the bat. I wonder just how hard this is, to bowl seam up one ball, off spin the next -- involves tremendous adjustment, really. Miller again, and ganguly content to defend to the full length and off and middle line.

Prem > miller, this one angles to leg. Ganguly shaping for the flick but checking a bit, beaten, gets it on the pad but that was going down leg. Next ball, a touch short on off and ganguly guides a drive out on the off side, gets one, India 243/3.

Prem > Testing

Prem > And that, folks, is drinks. A breather for me, be right back

Prem > postdrinks, and gillespie resumes with three slips and two gullies, plus point cover and mid off. 243/3. Outside off, cut away but gully fields.

Prem > India still 148 behind. Gillespie in again to ganguly. outside off and some lift, gnaguly first shapes to drive, sees the lift, and lets it go. 79th over of the innings, new ball due after one more but not likely Waugh will take it, McGrath has just come off a long, tiring spell. Gillespie again, very wide of off this time, no ball called, Ganguly throws his bat at it, off the toe, over point, four. Sachin down the track immediately, to talk to his captain. 247/3.

Prem > Gillespie again, to Ganguly batting 7. India 248/3 sorry, left out the no ball. Gillespie in again, and a lovely ball. goes wide, angles in, beats the bat with the angle as ganguly tentatively pushes. No sign of foot movement from ganguly, which isw hat is causing him trouble. He is just pushing without getting his front foot into line. AGain, wide of off, again ganguly chases, but controls it this time, finds point, single, 249/3.

Prem > Good ball agian, Gillespie much better in his second spell of the morning. That one lifted off length, just outside off, sachin sways away.

Prem > gillespie again, tto sachin. on off, fuller, pushed to cover, good stop at cover by Waugh, ends the over, 249/3 india

Prem > Miller with his off spin, resumes and Ganguly again just that little bit tentative on the drive. Ball was in the slot, really, but he checked it. Ball two, played much better -- controlled off drive, and running with the shot getting him the single. 250/3 India.

Prem > One interesting thing meanwhile about Walsh's 500 wicket haul -- he has taken 2 Tests less to get to 500, than Kapil Dev, at number two on that list, took to get to 434. An amazing stat really, because Courtney has had other great fast bowlers bowling with him for all but the last year of his career, and has had to share his wickets. MIller, meanwhile, with his seam up stuff to sachin who plays to cover on the up, finds waugh, no run

Prem > Inswing this time, fuller length, sachin forward and content to play defensively. 250/3 at the end of the over.

Prem > 16 overs for 39 runs, two wickets lost this morning thus far. Gillespie resumes. Still the slip cordon, Gillespie staying around the wicket to the left hander, that one outside off and a touch short, left alone

Prem > Gillespie in again. To Ganguly. Outside off, some swing as well, and again, Ganguly content to watch it go by

Prem > gillespie in to ganguly. yet again, that line just outside of off, some deviation in the air, ganguly lets it go

Prem > good ball. again hit the same line, but this time angled it in, ball flashes by closer to off as ganguly covers the line and leaves. nice to see, though, that this time, the front foot is right into line. And that was another beauty. Short, lifted at extreme pace, ganguly had no idea where that one was going. In a tangle, and the ball flies off the maker's name on the bat, lucky it didn't carry to the gully region. Gillespie again, but wide of off and left alone, no damage, 250/3 india.

Prem > Lots of pressure now on Sachin, with Ganguly not really shaping well, Miller with his seam up, inswing on good length and tendulkar pushes and runs to mid off. Ganguly needs to do the same, really, to relieve pressure on himself. India 251/3 and Sachin 17. Patient knock, 51 balls so far, he was on 13 off 17 balls at one point. MIller, off spin with three round the bat, to Ganguly who lets it through outside off, 9 off 35 to him.

Prem > miller, and that ball actually hit the ball rather than the other way around, ganguly just holding his bat there, the ball turning a bit and hitting it, running off on the angle and ganguly gets one through the slip cordon. 252/3.

Prem > Miller to sachin, short outside off, the square drive finds point, no run.

Prem > Miller this time, off the long run, but bowls off spin instead. Sachin a bit puzzled, shaped to play to off, the change of pace has him playing early, thick inner edge out on the on side gets him one more, 253/3 india at the end of the over

Prem > 16 runs so far for this wicket. 82 overs gone. Gillespie to Sachin, just around off and guided to point. no run

Prem > Gillespie, nice angle in then seam away, Sachin moves into line, then angles his bat away to take it out of line. lets it through, india trialing 138, now 253/3. gillespie, this time quicker and angling in to off, sachin behind it, defending

Prem > gillespie to sachin. that one was shortish, outside off, just the slight hint of movement, saschin first shaping to play the length, spotting the movement, and letting it go. His eye seems to be in today, been making these late adjustments on the leave very well, when he is not at his best, he tends to play at these. Short ball, on off, next up and Sachin sways away.

Prem > End of the over, india 253/3. very quiet play and understandable too. Tendulkar batting 18, Ganguly 10. And intent on consolidation. Miller to Saurav, three round the bat, and again, that ball actually just came on and hit the bat. Ganguly looks all at sea here, just had his bat held on the angle, the ball just straightening and hitting the bat. Next ball, cut away, a bit of width there, and Ponting dives to stop at point, single taken. 254/3.

Prem > Miller to sachin and back to his seam up stuff. outside off, left alone.

Prem > Miller, and now no fielder catching. Just a short midwicket, and sachin this time, using the lack of slip, deliberately running one down to third man, and running like a startled hare, gets two. 255/3.

Prem > Miller to ganguly, back to off spin, on off and ganguly defends on line of off

Prem > 44 runs in 20 overs this morning, two wickets gone, gillespie to tendulkar, quick, on off and tendulkar well forward, guiding to mid off, no run. 255/3 india

Prem > That's straighter, on off angling to middle and sachin at once, shuts the bat face, runs it out on the on towards midwicket, gets the single. 256/3.

Prem > gillespie to ganguly. around the wicket, the slip cordon in place, ditto gullies. batting 11, and guiding one off the thick outer edge to gully, from line of off.

Prem > Good ball. Lovely inswing and late at that, but this time, Ganguly nicely into line and playing out on the off. No run, but that was well played

Prem > 256/3 india, 85 overs bowled, tendulkar 20, ganguly 11. miller to sachin, and pushed back down the track first up. india still 135 shy of Aus

Prem > Miller, outside off and sachin guides to point. No run, finds the fielder.

Prem > That is outside off, a foot wide, Sachin goes for it this time, guides it past cover, single to end the over, India 261/3.

Prem > Gillespie continues. Sachin on strike, India still 130 behind. Outside off, back of good length, sachin into line, then lets it through

Prem > Gillespie, and a lovely ball, late inswing, this is the one that mcgrath used to take out Sachin last time, but this time, Sachin right in line, hits it into the ground and over the bowler's head, stopped at mid on, no run

Prem > Gillespie, and again the full length on the stumps, SAchin content to play gently out on the on. 261/3.

Prem > Gillespie in again, two slips, on off, this over he has kept them all on the stumps, mostly very full, got the ball to swing at speed, and sachin very correct in defence. End of the over, a maiden, 261/3 india

Prem > Miller continues. Floated up on off, driven to mid off, fielder well back but ganguly doesn't take a step. This really is silly -- he is under pressure, and the way to release it is to take runs.

Prem > That's better. Same ball, same shot, and this time, Ganguly takes the run to the identical fielder, at the identical spot. And made it easy. 262/3.

Prem > Miller now to Sachin. And it seems that he is going to use off spin, finally. slip, short square leg, and sachin goes two feet outside off and paddles on the on but finds square leg, no run, end of the over, 262/3.

Prem > Ponting now taking over from Gillespie, strangely still no sign of Warne. To ganguly, on leg, and guided square on the on for a single, India 263/3. NOt sure about this, really, could well let Ganguly off the hook here.

Prem > 128 still behind, india. and ponting bowls two feet outside off to sachin, some swing, and left alone

Prem > Ponting, outside off but closer this time, sachin covers the line, and keeps an eye on it going through

Prem > Last ball, closer to off and sachin steers behind point, gets the single, keeps strike, India 264/3.

Prem > 89 overs bowled, and I am beginning to suspect the new ball will be taken after lunch. Miller continues, on off turning to middle, sachin gentles it out behind square off the shut bat face, single. 265/3.

Prem > 265/3 india. miller right arm aorund to ganguly, who pushes his pad at one on off. next ball, again bat tucked behind pad, more dangerous this time, but ganguly lucky that ball hit fractionally outside line of off. miller again, line of middle this time and ganguly uses his bat in defence.

Prem > this time, pitched fuller and pushed through quicker, ganguly swings into a sweep but not too well, misses. Next ball, on leg. And ganguly gets it on the pad before he can even bring his bat down. I donno -- the way he is playing spin, here, he looks a shadow of the player he is at his best. and it is not like Miller is another Muralitharan.

Prem > 26 overs, 54 runs this session. 265/3 india, ponting to sachin. wide of off and left alone

Prem > POnting, bowling a very full length and keeping it outside off, sachin lets it through, end of the over, 265/3

Prem > Miller to bowl, 28th over and last one of the morning session. 54 runs scored so far, two wickets lost. Ganguly on strike, square leg, silly ponit, gully, slip.And ganguly lets another ball come on and hit the bat.

Prem > miller again, this one shorter and turning, some lift as well and ganguly plays it out on the off, no run

Prem > That';s better -- controlled sweep to the line of middle stump, single taken to square leg, india 266/3.

Prem > Miller to sachin. The amazing thing about this morning is that Warne hasn't bowled a single one of the 28 overs bowled -- even Ponting has had two. Wonder what's going on with Warne. 92nd over of the innings, 55 overs scored this morning, miller to sachin who pushes his bat into line outside off, lets hit run high off his pad, end of the over and that is lunch. India 266/3, and with that, going off for a break.

Prem > Quick recap, At luunch Sachin batting 27 off 89, Ganguly 14 off 61, India 266 on the board, 28 overs in the morning session for 55 runs, and the loss of Das and Ramesh. And closing figures on the chat list at lunch, 3213. Adios to every one of you, have a good lunch/whatever, see ya in 35. *gone*

Prem > Soprry for the late resumption of commentary. The Indians out there, and McGrath bowling with two slips and two gullies in place

Prem > Some bounce, and the ball levaing the left hander on the angle away. Ganguly leaves it go

Prem > That's in the slot. Too full, so the ball leaving on the angle is in the right slot for Ganguly to move into hisd drive, plays it to perfection through coverpoint, four. 270/3. India will have to take its batting cue from Laxman in Calcutta -- what worked, was that he kept scoring runs off all bowlers, which is the only way they can turn the pressure back on the Aussies. Bouncer, nd Ganguly goes under it. 270/3 at the end of the first over after lunch

Prem > 18 to gamnguly, 27 to Tendulkar and Warne finally gets the ball, for the second over after lunch

Prem > 121 shy, India of Aus total. Tendulkar on strike. Warne to bowl. Buzz around the ground now. One slip in place. floated on leg, and tendulkar defends

Prem > 209/3 india, warne lands the next one a couple of feet outside leg, sachin swings it around to fine leg, gets the single.

Prem > correction to the score. Typing error that, India 271/3. Warne now to Ganguly. ONly the one slip, not a sign that Warne is any too confident against the Indians. A short cover as well.

Prem > wide of off, really wide of off in fact and ganguly guides the single. Next ball, down leg and sachin paddles but doesnt connect

Prem > this time, sachin using the wrists to work from leg through square leg against the turn, gets the single. 273/3.

Prem > Shot!! Tossed up outside off, Ganguly pushes his front foot across, but inside the line, leaves himself room, and swings hard, clear and handsome, taking it from outside off, hitting with the turn, over wide long on, four to end the over. 277/3.

Prem > 29 sachin, 22 ganguly, mcgrath in to sachin on line of off with two slips in place and sachin forward, palying it out on the off. no sign of movement for mcgrath after lunch, yet

Prem > Shot!! A bit too full McGrath and Sachin quickly onto it, driving through cover on the half volley. Long chase, and two more for that. 279/3.

Prem > That one held back a bit, hits off, seams to leg, sachin shapes to tuck it to leg and misses, hit on the pad. next ball, outside off, sachin covers up and lets it through

Prem > India now 112 behind Aus. The runs slowly being chipped away and an ideal position is to go in this evening 100 to the good. McGrath, meanwhile, on off and sachin defends.

Prem > mcgrath. ourside off and bang. On the up, hit with ease, through cover, four. 283/3 with that four off the last ball of the over, hit with immense authority to a line just outside off

Prem > Hasn'tt really gone for McGrath so far, sachgin, interesting to see. Warne, wide of off, and ganguly lets it go

Prem > warne again. keeping it about a foot and a half outside off, angling across the left hander looking to turn it back. to that line, ganguly can get into trouble only if he chases, or hangs his bat at it. Here, content to push his pad into the line. that one closer to off, and ganguly bats it back down the track.

Prem > that one flighted a touch more, some overspin, on off and gentle turn to middle, ganguly plays it to short square, no run, ends the over, india 283/3.

Prem > 35 sachin, 22 ganguly, 96 overs bowled, still no new ball, mcgrath continues to sachin

Prem > wide of off, and no bounce. sachin cuts, the ball goes under the bat. Just one slip in place, which probably prompted sachin into that shot to the line he left alone all morning. sweeper in place on the off now. mcgrath again, on off angling in, nicely played wide of point, single. 284/3.

Prem > McGrath in to Ganguly, and immediately goes round the wicket, slip, gully, wider gully in place and Ganguly's gone. Outside off, Ganguly waves at it, gets the edge to the ball seaming away, and Gilchrist holds. Ganguly's tortured stay in the middle comes to an end, gone for 22 off 76 balls, 284/4 the score.

Prem > McGrath, last time, with Ganguly at the non-striker's end, asked him how his "friend" was doing. Ganguly looked shocked, then replied with a wan smile. Next ball, found himself at the batting end, McGrath went round the wicket, and took him out first ball. Here, he was clearly thinking of that, tried to hit a ball he could have easily left alone. And paid for it. Brings Dravid now to the crease.

Prem > It is now 20 Test innings since Ganguly had a 50 to his name, and the pressure of lack of runs is showing in his game. McGrath, to Dravid, swinging yorker and Dravid digs it out well.

Prem > That one kept low. Gilchrist surprised, lets it through his legs. Was snatching at that, rather than letting it get into his glove, took his fingertips, and down to third man, four byes. 287/4 india

Prem > Mcgrath, and Dravid pushes at the line just around off, thick edge, superb diving stop at slip, on the first bounce. No run, but not a particularly convincing exhibition of defence either. Ends the over, 287/4.

Prem > 5 overs, 22 runs, one wicket so far after lunch. Sachin facing Warne. One slip. Short on leg turning to off and sachin on the back foot, patting it out to mid on, no run

Prem > warne, in again, tossed it up further, just outside off, and a checked sweep, played to perfection on the half volley, two down to the fine leg region. 289/4.

Prem > warne again, to sachin. 101 behind india. short on middle and sachin onto the back foot, thumps it through cover, finds the sweeper, single and now it is Warne to Dravid.

Prem > On leg, some overspin causing it to curve in, and dravid nicely forward, defending. 291/4 india, slip, silly point, square leg up close. on line outside leg this time, quicker through the air, and dravid defends again

Prem > warne to dravid. outside off, some flight and loop, dravid drives, to mid on, reaching for the shot, and they run a rather risky single, 292/4 at the end of the over.

Prem > test

Prem > Okay, sorry for that, back llive now with Sachin batting 40 having taken a single off Warne, now in to Dravid with three round the bat. Hits line outside leg, dravid pushes it out on the on

Prem > This one is on off turning away, dravid goes back, square drives, finds coverpoint. no run. next one, too full, outside leg and dravid checks an on drive, plays it through midwicket, gets two more. 297/4.

Prem > Short, on off this time, the top spinner, lovely forcing shot from dravid and a superb stop by Hayden at backward point. Last ball, outside off turning away and left alone. End of the over, India 297/4.

Prem > Miller now takes over from McGrath. Using both quicks in short bursts, Waugh. McGrath has bowled 24, as has Warne. Today, the premier quick has taken 3/18. And Miller to Sachin, first ball, on off and down on one knee, lifts over midwicket, six. Smashing hit, and clean as a whistle. 303/4 india.

Prem > Nice little touch out on the on now, and Sachin races the single, Dravid responding well. These two run well together and here, they need to. 304/4 india, still 87 behind, and miller to dravid, slip, leg slip, short square, the on drive, checked, and dravid runs with the shot, single. 305/4.

Prem > This is better, both batsmen actively looking for singles now, which is what they didn't do this morning. On off from Miller and SAchin nicely forward to the three quarter length, defends. Next one, on off, turning, sachin steps inside the line, lets it turn past him, then just glides it to fine leg, using the fact that there is no man there, gets the four and that his his 3rd 50 of the series. 51 off 109 balls, six fours and one six. India 309/4. Miller, and sachin this time plays out on the on, finds midwicket, 12 in the miller over, his first, and India 309/4.

Prem > Warne to Dravid. Still three round the bat, one of them on the on. Warne pitching outside leg, well outside and dravid pushes his pad at it. 82 still short, india. warne in again. dravid whips into an on drive, but a bit too eager, to the overpitched ball, hits too hard, misses, lucky to find it hit the pad or gilchrist would have had a stumping. warne again, on leg and dravid defends

Prem > that's better, good use of the feet, coming down the track, to the pitch and on driving firmly, finds midwicket. Warne again, outside leg and short, Dravid quickly onto the back foot, rocks into the pull, wide of midwicket, four. That's good, not letting Warne have it his own way. 313/4 india at the end of the over

Prem > Miller resumes to Sachin. Nice line just outside off. Sachin has been trying to step outside off and play to leg, off the offie. High risk strategy that, but then, that is what he does once he belieffes he is set. Ball three tossed up on off, sachin plays on the on, no run.

Prem > OIutside off, and sachin guides the drive through cover. one more, moves to 52. india 314/4 and dravid on strike to miller. onto the front foot, on driving, finds the fielder though, no run

Prem > 10 dravid, this is the 103rd over of the indian innings, no new ball yet, waugh trying his spinners in tandem. on off, some turn in, drvaid forward, and defends.

Prem > Warne again, to Sachin. 314/4 the score, india 77 behind. slip in place and from line of middle, sachin sweeps, a controlled shot this time, finds the single behind square. 315/4.

Prem > warne now to dravid, who after his 180, seems a lot more relaxed out there and it shows in the shots he has been trying against Warne, where previously, he would stick his pad out for everything. warne in. short, outside leg, turning in and dravid rocks back and pulls, wide of mid on, good fielding there, single taken. India 316/4.

Prem > warne. very very short, really dragged that down, and with a man sweeping on the leg, Tendulkar still smashes that past him. Four. 320/4.

Prem > That was the top spinner went awry. IOn again, on leg, gentle tap on the on and before gilchrist can tidy up, they run the single, field well back for sachin and now he is milking the singles as well. 58 now and india 321/4.

Prem > 321/4 the score. Miller to Sachin, who tries to work it out on the on, finds his pad. 70 shy, india, of the aussie total. miller in again, sachin shapes to go down the track, ball dropped short, so he defends

Prem > Sachin this time, driving on the off, finds one. india 322/4. that one was a touch short, on off turning to leg, dravid goes right back, plays square on the on with the turn, and gets another single. 323/4. nice to see such rapid strike rotation here. miller agfain to sachin. gentle play on the on, slight misfield at short square and again, they are off and running. one more. 324/4.

Prem > Drinks on the field, with India 324/4 and still 67 short. Taking a breather here. Be right back

Prem > /Warne after drinks. To sachin. on off, some overspin and turn, sachin defends. batting 60, dravid 12.

Prem > That second ball tossed up a bit too much, sachin drives to mid off, but doesnt run. 324/4. 106th over, this, still the old ball, Warne to sachin again. on leg, gently played on the on and they take the run. good confident calling and running, this pair so far.

Prem > warne with a slip and silly point, no short square now, to dravid. pitches leg and dravid defends

Prem > warne again. to dravid, short on off and superb footwork that. quick as a flash onto the back foot, lets it bounce, then thumps it off the back foot through cover, four to end the over. India 328/4 in 106 overs

Prem > 61 sachin, 16 dravid, miller resumes to sachin with a slip and now a short square after sachin twice stepped inside the line and tried to play to leg. that one is pushed through outside off, first ball of the over, sachin jumps back and cuts, but finds point. in again, miller and this time, sachin goes back, plays with the turn on the on and gets one more. 330/4.

Prem > 61 still short, india with 6 wickets in hand. barring the one two-Test series against SA, SAchin so far has had at least one century in each series, and now seems set to continue his run at Madras. Looking very dominant now, meanwhile, dravid content to defend outside off

Prem > 16, dravid, on strike to miller. on off, some turn in and dravid defends, to end the over.

Prem > warne continues. outside leg, the paddle sweep, but finds short fine leg, no run. warne again, with just the one slip, again the paddle but played a bit wider and they get the single. 331/4.

Prem > 60 still to go for india to draw level. which is merely the first step. warne now to drvaid, slip, silly point and short cover, rest of the field spread. tossed up on off, some curve, lots of turn and no bounce. dravid into line, the ball turns well past the bat which in any bcase was tucked behind the pad. warne again. and dravid quickly onto the fuller length on leg, on driving effortlessly, splits the bowler and mid on, four. 335/4.

Prem > 20 runs dravid, and 50 for the 5th wicket off 67 balls, good going. 335/4 india, warne to dravid, too full, dravid takes it on the full outside leg and blasts it wide of mid on, four more. 339/4 india, two fours in that over.

Prem > 42 runs off the last 8 overs, 108 bowled so far in the innings, miller resumes to sachin who again goes a long way to off, and glides to on across his stumps, long chase for fine leg, two more. 341/4.

Prem > miller again to sachin. slip and short square. sachin forward, then waits, lets it come in, taps it out to midwicket, man there on the line and they race two more. 343/4.

Prem > 34th over, miller, now going for 103 and counting. in to sachin, short, outside off, rocks back and square drives, to the sweeper, single. 344/4.

Prem > miller to dravid, a silly point joining the other two close fielders, dravid lunges a long way forward and defends

Prem > 47 runs still behind, India, miller to dravid. on the front foot, defensive push, no run, india 344/4 at the end of the over

Prem > 17 overs, 78 runs, and ganguly's wicket this session so far. very quick rate this, and mark waugh now takes over from shane warne. 344/4 as warne comes in to sachin, who goes back and taps out on the on and takes the single. 345/4.

Prem > waugh to dravid. one slip, and dravid quickly back, flicking with the wrist along with the turn, takes the single. 346/4

Prem > waugh, floats one up on off and sachin forward, defending

Prem > and agian, good flight, some loop, very full and sachin checks the push on the on, no run. next ball, a bit short, and sachin forces on the off against the turn but finds the other waugh there at cover. no run

Prem > end of the over, india 346/4, sachin 69 and dravid now on strike, to miller. ball one outside off, a touch short and dravid goes right across, gets low, extends the arms, gets the bat under it and lofts over midiwcket, four. superbly hit shot, followed by the walk across the stumps and the flick out to fine leg, single. 350/4 and aus now 40 ahead

Prem > Miller outside off, and sachin forward, gnetly defensii. Next one, same line, sachin cuts, well fielded at point, no run

Prem > that's cheeky. stayed back, let the ball pitch outside off, then just pushed his bat at it to take it behind point, single. 347/4.

Prem > miller to draivd, quick ball that, turned in as well, dravid kept his eye on it, plays out on the on, single, 352/4 india at the end ofthe over

Prem > 111 overs gone. 352/4 and waugh resumes to sachin.batting 70, dravid 30. full length, and sachin guides a shot to point, single. 353/4.

Prem > mark waugh to dravid. india 38 behind. and that is nicely played, off the back foot, with the turn, to midwicket, single. 354/4.

Prem > OUtside off, sachin square drives, finds point. next ball, forward, defending, no run, end of the over, india 354/4.

Prem > 70 off 93 so far, this partnership, as miller resumes to dravid. nice ball on off, and played out on the on. 354/4. 37 short, india. miller again to dravid, slip, silly point, short square, and drvaid quickly onto a flighted ball, on drives, yet again hits it flush, four more. 358/4.

Prem > miller again. to dravid, and again the on drive but this time, the bat face shut a bit, finds mid on on the shot

Prem > 33 short india, miller to dravid, outside off and dravid pushes his pad at it

Prem > 358/4, and dravid this time is in prime touch. onto the back foot, letting the ball curve back in with the spin, then forcing through cover against the line on the up. very hard shot, played very well. two more. India 360/4.

Prem > 360/4 india. 113 overs gone. And finally, the new ball taken.

Prem > The flow of runs against spin forcing Waugh's hand here. Gillespie to bowl the first over with the second new ball. 21-5-58-0 so far, Jason.

Prem > Ow... the first one kicked off a length. sachin defensive, gets it high on the bat and takes his hand away feelingtthat jolt. Next ball, outside off, and driven. well fielded at mid off, single taken, 361/4.

Prem > 30 still short india. game dead even now. either aus keeps india from leading by too much, and goes back into the box seat, or India get away from the aussies, which means the tourists are down and, with the need to bat last, out. gillespie to dravid, flicked on the on, single. 362/4. now to sachin, outside off, some lift, and sachin lets it through

Prem > gillespie, and a quick ball that. angling in, hitting just outside off and rushing through, sachin covers the line and lets it go

Prem > 72 sachin, off 149 balls. facing gillespie, just outside off coming in, and pushed to point, no run, 362/4 india at the end of the over

Prem > mcgrath, for the second over with the second new ball. dravid the man on strike, and leaving one through outside off

Prem > 3/54 mcgrath thus far, 3/18 today. in agian to dravid. good speed, nice length on off and dravid forward, plays it back

Prem > mcgrath, to dravid. on off, some lift, dravid solidly behind it, defends. batting 37.

Prem > 362/4 india. 29 short. mcgrath to dravid. short ball and smashed, the pull, didnt time it well, though, gets just one wide of mid on. had the roll of the wrist right, but hit it off the toe of the bat, not the middle. single.

Prem > on off, mcgrath, and sachin defends. 363/4.

Prem > mcgrath, to sachin. problems with the sightscreen, lull in play here

Prem > It's damn strange, to see cops and others just walking around, in front of the screen. Wonder what they think it is there for. all set now, mcgrath in again to sachin. 363/4. wide of off, and left alone, end of the over.

Prem > 363/4. sachin 72, dravid 38, gillespie in to dravid, on off and played out on the off, no run

Prem > Gillespie, inswing, too full though and dravid immediately onto that. going nicely on his knee to the drive, through cover, four. immense confidence now, dravid, and playing his shots right off the middle. 367/4

Prem > Gillespie to Dravid, now batting 42. on off and nicely forward in defence this time.

Prem > gillespie in to dravid, on off and dravid defends, the push going to point. no run

Prem > Gillespie again, outside off and dravid lets it go. end of the over, 367/4 india

Prem > mcgrath, to sachin. short. just outside off and sachin sways out of line.

Prem > 83 runs off 117 this partnerhsip, as compared to 47 off 158 between sachin and ganguly. another short one and again, sachin sways away from line. 367/4, this is the 117th over.

Prem > and again. on off and lifting, sachin sways out of line and now stands up and holds mcgrath's eye. holds it till mcgrath turns away. McGrath asking SAchin to hook, Sachin stands there without a blink. Another short ball, and Sachin just ducks under it

Prem > Last ball, outside off, McGrath completes the follow through as sachin lets it go, then has something to say and this time, sachin says something right back. Okay, the needle seems to be really on now.

Prem > gillespie continues. ball one, on off and dravid gently plays out on that side of the track,. india 367/4, now just 24 short. and with one full session still to go

Prem > gillespie, two slilps in place, to dravid on off nd dravid defends

Prem > gillespie, to drvavid. outside off, too full, and again, dravid flashing into that cover drive, classically executed, four more. 371/4. second over in succession that dravid has played that shot.

Prem > Bouncer, in retaliation, and dravid goes under it. Meanwhile, one thing I am curious about, the rule is two bouncers in an over tops -- but McGrath in that one, pitched every ball short, several climbing over Sachin. Wonder why no one said anything -- Sachin didn't seem to mind, one nbit, but that is not the pointreally. Meanwhile, another bouncer, gillespie to dravid. who sways away again.

Prem > gillespie to dravid. short again, angled in and dravid defends, india 371/4.

Prem > mcgrath resumes, to sachin. outside off, and he lets it go.

Prem > mcgrath, to sachin. round the wicket, and short again. and again, sachin goes under it

Prem > mcgrath to achin. this one on off and sachin bats it back down the track.

Prem > mcgrath, to sachin. bouncer, wide of leg and sachin unruffled again. end of the over, 371/4.

Prem > 119 oves gone. sachinb batting 72. and mathew hayden being given the ball, final over before tea. single to dravid out on the on side, 372/4.

Prem > sachin in his turn, plays it out on the on, one more. 373/4.

Prem > uh oh, dravid played that to mid on, then some yes no stuff, seems like they are losing that concentration seeing tea approaching. almost got sachin run out there. hayden again, and dravid plays out on the on. no run.

Prem > hayden, down leg stump line this time and dravid flicks, gets the single, 374/4 and now india trailing 17.

Prem > hayden, to sachin. short outside off, cut away, four. superbly played, and that is tea. 378/4 india, trailing by 13 runs. Tendulkar 77, Dravid 48. 28 overs, 112 runsand just the one wicket in this session. And as we go in for the tea break with India 378/4 off 120 overs, bye for a bit to the 6315 people now following this.

Prem > *gone, for 10*

Prem > Here we go, guys -- the Aussies coming out now for the final session of play, with the indian batsmen about to follow. Make or break for the Aussies, and for the Indians as well. Bat through the evening, and this pair would have given India the upper hand. Couple of wickets, and Aus are in the game again. Nice to see a Test that in the last session on day three is that balanced

Prem > Dravid will take first strike, batting 48 off 76 and coming down to the number 6 slot seems to have done a world of good. No longer as defensive as when he comes in one drop. And talking of that -- short ball, and dravid at once pulls, four, and that is his 50. 382/4 and dravid, off the first ball of th4e post tea session, 52 off 77 balls. Been a lovely innings, controlled aggression right rthrough. Another short ball, another pull, this time Gillespie gets his foot behhind it in the line, and they run three more.

Prem > mcgrath now to sachin. outside off, and hit wide of mid off, good stop, there as a single there but not taken. 385/4 the score.

Prem > McGRath, and sachin quietly playing out on the off, no run

Prem > mvggrathj, outside off and that time, he just stands up, to one closer to off, and punches off the front foot on the rise, four. left the field standing, and India at the end of the over, 389/4.

Prem > 389/4 india, 121 overs gone. just two short of the target, and miller comes on now. ball one, on off, played out on the on. no turn, that is a new ball, just about 8 overs old, so miller will get bounce, but not much turn. ball too slippy for finger spin. millera and dravid on drives, effortless shot and placed to perfection, four more. lovely, and tthat puts india in the leda. 393/4.

Prem > miller, and dravid this time plays off to leg, a bit riskily, but gets two more. amazing change in attitude, here, dravid, been attacking from ball one. on off miller, and dravid defends. india 395/4 and now every run made is one for the aussies to pull back. slip, short square in place, ball well outside off, dravid shoves his pad at it

Prem > another bit of pad play, and dravid 61, india 395/4, at the end of the over

Prem > 122nd over here, tendulkar batting 81, partnership 111 off 152 now, mcgrtath to sachin and smashed to cover, superb diving stop saves the single, ponting there, but one anyway. that was hit with a lot of power. 396/4.

Prem > mcgrath to dravid. short, outside off, he swings into the pull again, but this time, the ball coming slowly off the deck, dravid too early into the shot, misses.

Prem > mcgrath, boucner, this one steep and dravid goes under it

Prem > mcgrath, and dravid drives on the line just outside off. again, easily into the shot, looking immensely confident now. finds cover, no run

Prem > tendulkar batting 82, dravid batting 61 off just 89, india 396/4 in 123 overs, and miller, who like warne has gone for 100+, to sachin. on off, and the batsman forward, playing out on the off, no run

Prem > miller again, to sachin. wide of off, picked up by sachin and swung around. and that is going to be very very expensive -- sachin went for the hit, there was a man out there on the line, the hit went high, the fielder had it covered, the simpleest of takes but down it goes. Michael Slater the culprit, Sachin wasn't even running the single. in the end, they cross, and Waugh looks down at the ground. India 397/4 and now Drravid with the off drive, single, 398/4.

Prem > That is three replays I saw, and I still can't figure what Slater was doing. Seemed to be so eager to get Sachin, he overdid it. 400/4 india at the end of the over

Prem > Sachin has had his share of luck going the other way, this tour. Now for a change, it runs for him. On strike now, though, is Dravid to McGrath

Prem > Okay, Slater did a little hop as the ball came down, exuberance more than anything else, and that could be a huge, huge miss. 400/4 and dravid meanwhile, content to watch them tgo outside off. Sujata > Hi guys and gals. Sachin is in an attacking mood now that the deficit is wiped out. Let's hope he makes use of this life he got. Steve Waugh meanwhile looking as if the Last Frontier has become the Lost Frontier.

Prem > mcgrath, to dravid. on off, and played out on the off side, no run. dravid in fact would do well to take a deep breath and settle again. as will sachin. when something like that happens,the concentration goes for a few. Dravid, batting 62 and watching them through here. mcgrath, outside off, and driven, but finds mid off, no run. 400/4.

Prem > 125 overs gone. sachin batting 85, dravid 62, 116 the partnership, miller to sachin who is demurely forward this time

Prem > strange, this, sachin has been taking more than due chances against miller for some reason. goes a long way to off there, then tries to paddle to leg across his stumps, lucky not to touch.

Prem > 400/4 the score. miller, short, pulled, and langer for once ducks under it, that was hit with ferocity. single to the sweeper, india 401/4.

Prem > miller, outside off, and dravid cuts, misfield at point but the fielder recovers in time, no run

Prem > miller again to dravid. and nicely onto the front foot there, dravid, on driving nicely, wide of mid on, the sweeper has to run around to collect, slater, and two more to dravid, 403/4 at the end of the over

Prem > 126 overs gone. 86 sachin, 64 dravid off 99 balls. And off goes McGrath, on comes Warne. So spin now at both ends. 28-1-111-1 for warne, second successive innings he is returning 100+ figures.

Prem > warne again, to sachin. again well outside off, and again, sachin just watches it Sujata > If these two can go on for today and get a 100-120 run lead than the Indians definitely will have the upper hand in this match.

Prem > warne again, one slip in place. to sachin, and very very wide of off. left alone.

Prem > warne again, to sachin. this one just outside off, and sachin again content to watch

Prem > This one closer to off, sachin stays back and cuts. Single to the sweeper. 404/4 and warne now to dravid again, pitching two feet outside off, then turning it further. not sure what this new line is about. end of the over, 404/4 india

Prem > 128th over, miller to sachin and that is better. onto the front foot this time, and on driving from well outside off, the ball whistling past mid on, four. tendulkar 91. india 408/4.

Prem > miller, to sachin, outside off and sachin stays back and cuts, finds the sweeper on the off, single. 409/4. sachin 92.

Prem > miller to dravid, and he in turn rocks back, square drives, finds point, no run. india 18 ahead and counting. miller in again, and this time, a delicate cut. angled it beautifully away from that point fielder, four. superb strokeplay this, foiur more, 413/4 at the end of the over

Prem > tendulkar 92, dravid 68, india 413/3 in the final session, 128 overs bowled, 26 more to be bowled today and off the first ball of warne's next over, an easy off drive, man there right back on the fence, single taken, india 414/4 and sachin 93 Sujata > Steve Waugh now stuck for bowling options. The spinners are looking as lethal as Boycott's grandmother and Mcgrath is a tired man. Tired but still majestic. A true champion as Prem puts it.

Prem > warne to dravid, slip and silly point in place. round the wicket, and that was a very good ball, lots of curve in, dravid jumped back and played it down, bat onto pad. ball pitched outside leg, warne appealing for the lbw but now way, not with it landing outside line of leg. another one, same line but not as much turn. goes through to gilchrist

Prem > warne changing the angle on dravid now, another one wide outside leg, dravid sweeps and misses, ball curls abck in but misses leg stump

Prem > warne to dravid, again ouitside leg, dravid tries to flick, gets it on the pad

Prem > Again, floated outside leg, dravid on drives, but toe of the bat into the ground, no run. end of the over, a very good one from warne.

Prem > ACtually, that "champion" comment was in response to Sujata's own comment that mcgrath, for all his not so endearing ways, has immense heart, and looks as if he would bowl from both ends if he was allowed to and the team needed him to. Miller, meanwhile, resumes to Sachin, india 414/4.

Prem > That one on off, and sahcin plays it square on the on, no run

Prem > on line just outside off this time, miller, and sachin defends

Prem > identical line, next ball, but sachin this time well forward, angled bat taking it from off to backward square, single, moves to 94 and india 415/4 ahead by 24.

Prem > 130th over of the indian innings, and goes to again prove that old theory, that if the Indians focus on playing as many overs as they can, they become an unstoppable batting side. end of the over, india 415/4.

Prem > 130 overs gone. 131 off 201, this partnership so far. warne continues. he's bowled very well this game, as good as any he has ever bowled, and yet not been able to break through. now round the wicket, wwith slip in place and a packed on field, to sachin. outside leg, curving in and sachin defends

Prem > No ball, warne, next up and one more to the total, india 416/4.

Prem > outside leg, and sachin paddles. single to short fine leg, 417/4.

Prem > That was very far outside leg, too far in fact because it doesn't force dravid to play. india 417/4 and warne again, to draivd, slip and silly point, bowling well outside leg. for this line, frankly, I would move that silly point away, how in heck can you get a bat pad there anyway when the ball lands well outside leg?, and have him at short square in case dravid pushes at this line and edges.

Prem > That one, WArne tried for too much overspin, dropped it short and quick as a flash, dravid rocking back and pulling, hitting high over the infield splitting mid on and midwicket, four more to end the over, 421/4 india

Prem > That's it. MIller, ball one, outside off and sachin launches into it, huge swing of the bat, taking it from outsidde off and smashing it back over the boiwler's head for a huge six, and that is 100 number 25. in context of the game, a very important one. 427/4 and now defensive, to the next ball.

Prem > Very quiet innings, this, except for the occasional bursts of aggression. But now he seems to have changed gears again. Miller dropped that short, and was greeted with a savage pull, through midwicket, four more. 431/4.

Prem > Miller again, and sachin this time, lunghing in defence to line outside off

Prem > 104 off 197, 11 fours, 2 sixes. and now into line outside off, and defnesive. 431/4. 26 50s, 25 100s, 57.59 oaverage, 6681 test runs at this point. End of the over, and india now ahead by 40.

Prem > having got here, though, sachin really needs to do a laxman, and look to bat on. if he can do that, with dravid looking good at the other end, then Australia will increaisngly face a situation wehre they can only draw, or lose. warne continues, to draivd, same field as last over, and round the wicketthe line.

Prem > warne to dravid. right arm, around, lands way outside leg and dravid goes down the track trying to change the angle, gets there, but takes it on the boot instead of the bat.

Prem > again, the curve of the ball through the air causing dravid problems on the line outside leg. he really ahs to take a cue from laxman, here, and go down to the pitch, shutting the angle down on warne. india 40 ahead, here, 431/4 and warne again, well outside leg and dravid pads up

Prem > warne again, round the wicket, very wide of leg, dravid paddles, finds short fine leg.

Prem > warne again, closer to leg, dravid defensive, end of a maiden, 431/4. Sujata > If these two can go on for today and get a 100-120 run lead than the Indians definitely will have the upper hand in this match. Sujata > Sachin has it in him to easily convert this 100 to a 200, especially as he is in one of his favourite grounds with his favourite bowler.

Prem > change in bowling, with Mark Waugh now taking over from miller, and sachin and dravid both taking singles off the first two balls, playing on the on with the spin. 433/4.

Prem > mark waugh to sachin, on off, full, flicked around and a single square on the on, 434/4, the lead now 43.

Prem > mark waugh in to dravid, a forcing shot off the back foot to the on side gets dravid one more to end the over, 435/4 india leading 44 now

Prem > 134 overs gone. 435/4 india. the innings going at 3.25, Dravid batting 75 and Gillespie now in for Warne. Who actually was bowling very well to dravid those last tow overs, seems like Steve Waugh took him off a touch too early here.

Prem > 70 overs have been bowled today. there are 20 more to go. And Dravid's gone nuts. That ball was quick, full, outside off, and dravid goes on one knee and smashes him over long on for six. The only other time I have seen him do that to a quick, was to Donald in Durban in that famous ODI. Nex tball, driven, to mid off, dravid wanted the run, sachin said no, quite right too since the ball as going fast and the fielder at mid off was attacking that. dravid scrambles back.

Prem > batting 81 now annd flicks the next one to midwicket, but fidns the fielder. 441/4 india, 50 ahead now

Prem > gillespie to dravid. short, down leg, flicked, fine, gilchrist dives, anticipating and moving early, gets a glove to it and down she goes. Strange -- now it is the Aussies fielding like the Indians used to, tell syou what pressure can do. Gilchrist actually got there, in time, but couldn't close his fingers around it. Single. 442/4 and now a life to dravid three balls after smashing gillespie down the ground for six.

Prem > gillespie now to sachin, on off and driven, exquisite shot that. just eased into it, guided it, no effort, through cover. long chase again, two more, india 444/4 at the end of the over -- the kind of score that has David Shepherd hopping

Prem > anyways, with drinks on the field, a quick breather here. and leaving on a thought -- for aus, first the batting, then the bowling, and now the fielding is letting them down. Strange to see a team that seemed unbeatable so recently, go to pieces this quick, really

Prem > post drinks, with 19 overs left to play, it is Warne to continue, with dravid on strike, continuing a partnerhsip now 163 runs and counting. warne content to bowl well down leg, a good two feet or so, looking to curl it back in and get dravid around his legs. at least, so I hope, hard to see how else he can get a wicket on this line

Prem > warne again to dravid, bit of light hearted chatter there between them as he pitches well outsdie led and it hits dravid on the pad. Next ball is three feet down leg. Now this really is silly. Dravid can't paly it if he wants to, heck, Gilchrist can't collect it either, out of that rough, and it is down for four byes.

Prem > 18 more overs to go. india 448/4. lead now 57. and first ball, next over, gillespie, and sachin just rocks back, smashes a square drive to the ball just outside off, up on his toes to control the shot, and the ball is through, four through point.

Prem > 452/4 now india, 61 ahead. sachin 112. gillespie in with just the one slip now.

Prem > brilliant bouncer, and a brilliant leave. sachin went into it, saw it climb, and swayed away very well. that was good cricket all round.

Prem > gillespie in again, to sachin. pushed gently to point, and a single to sachin. 453/4.

Prem > gillespie to dravid, be surprised if there isn't another bouncer coming up, after that shot dravid hit earlier. And sure enough, short, quick, outside off and dravid lets it go. end of the over, india 453/4.

Prem > warne now to sachin, staying around the wicket. sachin goes back, lets it go, yes and no stuff there and sachin spreads his hands wide, wondering what dravid was calling him for and dravid holds up his hand in apology

Prem > again, outside leg and sachin doesn't move a muscle, lets it go through

Prem > 62 ahead india, warne to sachin, and again, he just takes a step back, keeps an eye on it and let gilchrist do the dirty work

Prem > 453/4 india. warne into his 34th over. to sachin, thjis time just a foot and a half outside leg, sachin lets it hit the pad

Prem > one good thing for this line is, it dries the runs up, neither batsman can really go for it. Laxman did, using his long legs and reach to keep skipping down the track. 169/250 balls the partnership, meanwhile and dravid, on 81, on strike. gillespie to bowl, short, outside off and played down Sujata > Sachin's got another life now when Gilchrist threw at the wrong end. Gets me wondering how we Indian fans are so unforgiving for our own team when they make mistakes on the field. This time the Aussies have made more and they're paying for it.

Prem > gillespie, lifter. very well bowled, on off, and dravid right up on his toes playing it down. good technique, and brilliant, big hearted bowling.

Prem > Gillespie, and again, the bouncer. good direction, hitting off, seaming to middle and leg which means the batsman sees it coming at his face. dravid goes under it

Prem > gillespie, and that's the wicket. otuside off, very full, dravid into the drive but this time, not really getting that front foot right into line, finds the edge and Gilchrist holds. Gillespie has bowled brilliantly right through, deserved that wicket. Drvid, meanwhile, gone for 81 off 140 balls. Superb knock coming in at six, but now out just when he had the attack collared.

Prem > Sachin now has the whole work to do all over again. 453/5m the socre, Dighe the new man, sachin batting 113 and india ahead by 62 and needing to at the least double that. WArne to bowl, goes round the wicket and sachin defensive on line of leg

Prem > warne and this time, sachin sweeps. single out to fine leg, 454/5.

Prem > actually, doubling the lead is still not enough. what india need to be looking at is to force the aussies entirely on the defensive -- it is when they try defending to spin, that they come unstuck. And to do that, ideally they had to have kept Aus out in the field all of today and most of tomorrow. Failing that, they have to put Aus in facing a good 200 deficit and knowing that they have to first make that, before they can even make india bat again. and remember, aus actually plays the second innings pretty badly, more often than not. Dighe, meanwhile, has warne coming over the wicket to him. innings on debut, ball on leg, and he gets in a bit of a tangle defending. actually, he bats very well, dighe, and has his bombay mate with him here. sweep, next up, and gets the single and gets off the mark, india 455/5 and leading by 64.

Prem > meanwhile, that last ball gillespie bowled to dighe was something to see. whizzed through at 149.1k, which is around 93mph, fastest ball this season by far. amazing pace, considering the wicket. gillespie again to dighe, another very fast ball, but down the leg this time.

Prem > outside off this time. dighe watches it go. gillespie in agian, bowling with great heart here. outside off, going through, nice pace and carry, dighe again lets it go

Prem > 455/5 the score, india 64 ahead now. three slips, gully, short square leg and another quick one. seam,ing in, dighe beaten on the flick, hit on the pad but going down leg.

Prem > gillespie again, to dighe. outside off coming in, dighe covers the line and watches it go. batting 1, tendulkar battigng 114.

Prem > gillespie in, last ball of the 141st over. 64 were bowled yesterday, so Aus still have 13 overs to go, and there goes another real quick ball, zipping past dighe before he can really react. end of the over.

Prem > warne to continue, round the wicket to sachin. 455/5. slip and silly point in place, lands outside leg, tendulkar stands there and lets it hit him

Prem > warne, and that is superbly hit. outside leg, and sachin this time, paddles very very fine, beating the short fine leg placed just for that shot. mistake warne made was going a bit too wide of leg there

Prem > another paddle, but this time the line closer to the stumps, not as much room for sachin, so he finds the fielder. next ball, again the paddle, again very fine, ponting the fielder placed for that shot, warne challenging, and sachin taking him on, beats ponting, four more.

Prem > Okay, this is challenge and counter. Bouncer now by WArne, from round the wicket, sachin ducked, then threw his bat at it as it went past, hit it over slip, deliberately, down to third man, four more. 467/5. He actually jumped in the air to hit that shot. That is three fours in the over so far, and Sachin and Gilchrist share a laugh after it is over. 467/5 at the end of the over and lead now 76.

Prem > gillespie, with three slips, gully, short square, to dighe, short, quick, and dighe actually does well to get behind it and play it out on the on, 468/5.

Prem > gillespie now to sachin. 77 ahead india. shapes to guide to third man this time, but ends up playing it down at his feet

Prem > gillespie now to sachin. 77 ahead india. shapes to guide to third man this time, but ends up playing it down at his feet. gillespie, one slip for sachin, in again, and short and quick outside off, sachin gets away from it

Prem > 126 now sachin, india 468/5 leading by 77. gillespie again. on off, the slower ball this time, and he plays it defensively

Prem > gillespie again. lovely yorker, and well dug out too, to end the over, 468/5 india

Prem > warne, to dighe. over the wicket with three round the bat, on leg and dighe looking good on that defense there

Prem > warne, again good curve and dip on that one, on line of leg and dighe nicely forward, defending

Prem > A sweep attempted to the last ball, but dighe misses, ball too full for the shot. end of the over, 468/5 india

Prem > And there goes Sachin. Outside off, actually not much in this ball, but Sachin looking to force, went across, cut, the ball came in just a bit and off the thick bottom edge, Gilchrist takes a nice catch, very low, Sachin gone 126 off 230 balls, India 468/6.

Prem > gillespie now to sairaj bahutule. staying over the wicket to the left hander, angles one across and let go by sai. now gillespie round the wicket, the aussies pushing for wicket snow, seeing a glimmer of a chance here.

Prem > gillespie, with india 468/6 and india ahead 77, to sairaj, drift down leg, a flick, off the pad and a good stop at short square. no run

Prem > gillespie has dravid and sachin, and that is just reward for the fire he has brought to his bowling today. end of the over, 468/6 india.

Prem > warne continues. dighe on strike, line outside leg from over the wicket and he pushes his pad at it

Prem > hmmm. close shout that, the flipper, dighe goes forward, takes it on the pad, big shout, but turning just enough to miss off. good decision as it turns out on the replay. next ball, checks a drive, gets a thick edge on it down to third man, two more, india 470/6

Prem > warne to dighe. who goes back and cuts, plays it well but finds steve waugh at point, no run

Prem > that's out. the flipper, again leg and middle, dighe again pushing at it with pad in front of bat, that is the one going straight, and he';s gone, plumb. good batsman this chap, not sure why he had to use his pads all the time. 470/7 india.

Prem > Zahir khan the new man in but it is sairaj facing gillespie, the fast bowler now putting all he has into this, looking to blast out the remaining indians. bowling quick, with three slips and two gullies and the man under the helmet on the on.

Prem > 470/7 india, and on balance, the game has yet again become dead even. Brilliant yorker from gillespie, and well played by Sairaj.

Prem > So how can it go from here? Australia needs to have a lead of 200 or more and put india back in with a day to bowl them out -- which means blasting away tomorrow.

Prem > gillespie in again, and real quick ball that one. thus far, 7th over in progress this spell, 3 maidens, 15 runs, 2 wickets.

Prem > gillespie in again, and real quick ball that one. thus far, 7th over in progress this spell, 3 maidens, 15 runs, 2 wickets. and to end the over, he fires another one past sairaj, who lets it go. 92 runs this session, off 27 overs, 3 wickets gone. 470/7 india, leading 79.

Prem > warne, to zahir. well down leg, and he plays it to short square leg. there is also slip and silly point in place.

Prem > warne again, this one outside off, played to point. no run. 470/7

Prem > warne now sending down a stream of flippers here, looking for thhe lbw. good ploy, to the tail, zahir facing. that was outside leg coming in and zahir defends

Prem > And again. on leg, and zahir defends. india 470/7

Prem > mcgrath now takes over from gillespie, who at the end of the previous over indicated to his captain that he had run out of steam. mcgrath now to sairaj., right arm over, and on off, played defensively

Prem > On the stumps, some seam towards off, and sairaj again defensive. 149th over, this,. of the indian innings

Prem > Next ball, middle and leg, and sairaj plays square on the on and gets one. 471/7 and india ahead by 80

Prem > zahir on strike to mcgrath. on off, nicely played to cover, no run

Prem > Oh nice. slower yorker, zahir spots it, strokes it through cover, takes one, keeps strike. 472/7 india

Prem > warne now to zahir. still right arm, over and angling on line of leg. 94 runs this session, 28 overs bowled. warne again to zahir, good curve and spin there, beats the bat

Prem > warne again, to zahir, and he lets this one hit the bat, thick edge, but wide of short square, no run. 472/7 india

Prem > warne, down leg and zahir lets it hit the pad. maiden, 472/7 india.

Prem > Miller now brought on for mcgrath. 472/7 the score. miller around the wicket with three round the bat to Sairaj

Prem > 4 round the bat, that is -- three on the off, one on the on, nad sairaj forward, in defence. milelr floating them right up, the batsman nicely behind the line and playing it late

Prem > 472/7 and india 81 ahead. miller in again, and sairaj shapes to push on the on, that was held back a bit, almost gave the bowler a return catch there

Prem > 472/7, maiden over there from miller

Prem > Another interesting part of this equation is overs. 180 left over the last two days. Question for australia is, how many can they use, to put a lead, and how many do they think they need to bowl India out, considering that the last two innings have seen India batting at close to its best. Warne meanwhile on off, turning away, pushed through the slip cordon by zahir, two more.

Prem > warne, to zahir. tossed up, played out to cover, quick single taken. 475/7. india 84 ahead

Prem > warne to sairaj. who, we keep getting told by sanjay manjrekar, is a very good hitter against spin. slip, silly point, short square. warne stays over the wicket, and sairaj clubs him out to cover, but finds the fielder

Prem > warne to sairaj. flipper pushed through, left alone and 475/7 india at the end of the over

Prem > 32 overs bowled, 97 runs scored, 3 wickets lost this session, and miller again to zahir, pushing an off break through at express speed but outside off, and left alone

Prem > miller, and that is out. held that back, zahir reached into the drive, put it back up for miller to hold on the follow through and india 475/8.

Prem > Harbajan the new man in. Miller, bajju takes it on the pad, big appeal, but it was missing off. Next ball, a heave on the on side, puts it in the air but between two fielders, two more, 477/8

Prem > Uh oh, what was that? outside off, and Harbajan pats it to slip. There goes number nine, 477/9 and wicket number two in the over to Miller.

Prem > 153 overs gone, warne to bowl the final over of the day, and sairraj drives on the on, finds the fieldder

Prem > warne, on off and sairaj defneds

Prem > warne, ball three of the final over, and sairaj takes it on the full and heaves it to midwicket, mcgrath has a long chase, thre more. 480/9. 89 lead

Prem > warne now to last man, Nilesh kulkarni. 480/9 india. three balls to go. outside off and nilesh sticks out his pad. two balls to go

Prem > 480/9. 89 ahead india. warne to nilesh. on off and nilesh defends

Prem > 2/140 warne, and warne goes round the wicket for the last ball of the day, to nilesh kulkarni with five roun d the bat. three of them on the off, but ball wide of off and nilesh cover sup and lets it go. 480/9 india, leading 89,. and that is stumps. 34 overs, 102 runs, 5 wickets this session. And with that, shutting down, back again at 9.30 tomorrow. Till then, to the 9303 guys and girls logged on here, adios, stay safe and smiling all. *gone*

Mail your comments