Zaheer-Ponting Tiff, Watson Century, Indian Comeback Mark Day 1 Stumps

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

     A dramatic day’s finish marked the first day of the first Test of the India Australia series and one would have to say, simply because of the comeback that India have had the better part of the day to gloat about.

         But it was certainly not intended to go that way the manner in which Australia went about purposefully in the morning session before lunch on day one. It did not dent their efforts despite the fact that Simon Katich was Zaheer Khan’s first of three wickets for the day. Shane Watson has been something of an enigma on the international scene, particularly in Test cricket. when he does hang up his boots, this will be one of those days that he will remember for the manner in which he held up one end even as Australia were beginning to lose sight of the plot.

         The morning’s dominance when Australia chalked up 101 runs for the loss of one wicket was steered by the fluency of Shane Watson and the pugnacious quality of the Australian captain, Ricky Ponting. Much has been written and said about Ponting, his age and run scoring ability, his recent dips in form and the inevitable comparison with Sachin Tendulkar who is showing no signs of slowing down but rather to the contrary. However, the defiance of the Australians were beginning to puncture into India’s no.1 Test team status in the ICC rankings.

           However, the events of the afternoon bore better fruit for the hosts in Mohali. What turned the match, or at least the day’s events, on its head was the dismissal of Ponting himself. Until that point, India looked lethargic in the field, drawing comparisons with their more athletic counterparts. The two dropped catches that allowed Watson to get away with a life and then some were also making India sweat under the heat. But it was that one moment that brought India back into the game and suddenly alive.

         Ponting perhaps did not anticipate that he was running to the danger end. That would explain his rather belated effort to get to the crease but late by Suresh Raina’s throw that disturbed the bails. But perhaps it was not even then that India realized they were playing with one of their strongest foes. Zaheer chose to let his tongue instead of the ball talk, and gave the Australian captain a piece of his mind as he walked back to the crease. Not one to back down in a confrontation, a livid Ponting returned to exchange tirades only to be halted by the presence of the umpire, Billy Bowden.

          But by then, the heat of the high noon sun had been well surpassed. India employed their spinners to get effect as Harbhajan Singh began to find his feet once more and Pragyan Ojha vindicated his captain’s choice by strangling the difficult Australian batsmen. Even Watson was halted in his free flowing ways, leading to a blockade that began to see the pressure tell on the visitors.

         The intermittent wickets kept India in the hunt and alert to the possibility of more mayhem, while Australia failed to shake off the shackles. Two more wickets to Zaheer and Watson’s job had become infinitely more burdensome, with even Michael Clarke succumbing tamely to the guile of Harbhajan. Australia, who should have capitalized on an incredible start, were reduced to save ignominy, placed perilously at five down for 224 when stumps were called at the end of the first day’s play. 

©Sreelata S. Yellamrazu for ©www.mindspacecricket.com