Aussie batsmen stage fightback
Friday, 31 Oct 2008 12:04
Matthew Hayden made 83 to help Australia to 338-4 at stumps
Australia have reached a creditable 338-4 at stumps on the third day of the third Test against India in New Delhi, replying to the home side's declaration of 613-7.
In an innings characterised by watchful play, the top four in the Australian order all made half-centuries without any carrying on to crack three figures.
After resuming on 50 without loss after being put into bat for the final 15 overs of the second day, Australia's openers, Simon Katich and Matthew Hayden added a further 73 to the score before the former was bowled for 64 by spinner Amit Mishra.
Hayden and captain Ricky Ponting took the score past the 200 mark as the Baggy Green staged a fightback, until Hayden was dismissed by Virender Sehwag after being trapped in front of his stumps on 83.
Ponting continued to frustrate the home side's bowlers, who were struggling to create any movement or uneven bounce off the benign pitch.
The skipper was eventually dismissed for 87 by Sehwag, but not before the team's score had been advanced to 284.
The final wicket of the day – and Sehwag's third – saw Mike Hussey (53) clean bowled.
However, Michael Clarke and all-rounder Shane Watson steered the tourists home to end the day only four wickets down with the prospect of a draw looming large.
Australia must win either this or the final Test in Nagpur if they are to level up the series, in which they are currently behind 1-0.