All is fair in War & Love Cricket SCG Part 2

Second Test from 2 January -6 January

In Sydney at the SCG Sydney Cricket Ground

India vs. Australia Second Test at Sydney

IND vs. AUS, Second Test, Sydney (day1): Symonds hits ton as Aussies stage brilliant recovery

Jan 02, 2008

India allowed Australia to wriggle out of a precarious position as the hosts rode on Andrew Symonds' unbeaten scintillating century to stage a remarkable recovery in the second cricket Test Sydney today.

Electing to bat, the Australians were gasping at 134 for six at one stage before Symonds (137 not out) and Brad Hogg (79) not only pulled the team out of the pits with a 173-run seventh wicket partnership but take them to a comfortable 376 for seven at close on the opening day. Brett Lee (31) was giving Symonds Company at stumps on a day which saw the script going terribly wrong for the Indians after the post-lunch drinks break.

The Indian bowlers exploited the morning conditions on a lively SCG track with pacer Rudra Pratap Singh (4/108) ripping through the top order but the going became difficult as the pitch eased out during the day. It turned out to be a frustrating day for the Indians as Symonds not only notched up his second Test hundred but took Australia to a commanding position by finding an able ally in Hogg after their top order batsmen had perished cheaply.

To be fair, the Indians were also done in by some poor umpiring decisions with Captain Ricky Ponting and centurion Andrew Symonds being the beneficiaries. Symonds could have returned to the pavilion when he was on 30 if a confident caught behind appeal was not turned down by umpire Steve Bucknor much to the dismay of the Indians. Television replays showed that Symonds had edged the ball to Dhoni and the flamboyant right-hander made full use of the reprieve. IND vs AUS, Second Test, Sydney (day one, stumps): Australia 376-7 v India

• India vs Australia Second Test at Sydney

IND vs AUS, Second Test, Sydney: Dravid to open again, Sehwag left out

Jan 01, 2008

Unfazed by Rahul Dravid's flop show in the first Test, the Indian team management today decided to persist with him as opener and leave out specialist Virender Sehwag for the second Test against Australia starting Sydney tomorrow.

Dravid, who batted at a snail's pace to total 21 runs in 180 balls in the first Test, is all set to open the innings at the SCG as well after Sehwag was once again overlooked despite skipper Anil Kumble saying that there was a "50-50" chance of the aggressive right-hander playing. Dravid's promotion to the opener's slot from the number three position has been criticised by former cricketers who feel the move cost India the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.

Meanwhile, in what is sure to come as a blow to the visitors, Zaheer Khan has injured his ankle, bringing Irfan Pathan into the equation. Pathan is likely to make the playing XI if Zaheer fails to recover.

On the other hand, high on their empthatic 337-run win in Melbourne, the Australians have retained their playing XI. This means slinger Shaun Tait will once again warm the benches, while chinaman bowler Brad Hogg keeps his place in the side.

IND vs. AUS, Second Test, Sydney (day2): Laxman's ton guides India to 216 for 3

Jan 03, 2008

VVS Laxman made a flamboyant 109 and guided India to 216 for three at the close of play in reply to Australia's first innings score of 463 on the second day of the second Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) Thursday.

Sourav Ganguly was batting on 21 and Sachin Tendulkar on nine when the stumps were drawn. Rahul Dravid also broke his mental shackle with a gritty 53.

Earlier, Symonds eclipsed his previous highest score of 156 set a year ago against England in Melbourne with his 344-minute epic that rescued the Australians on the opening day. Symonds, helped by big partnerships with Brad Hogg (173 runs) and Brett Lee (114), added 329 runs for the last four wickets to frustrate the tourists.

All-rounder Symonds blasted the Indian bowling for 18 fours and two sixes off 226 balls for his second century in his 17th Test match. Lee claimed his fourth Test half-century and Mitchell Johnson batted boldly to rub the salt into the Indian wounds. The Australians' big innings came after being in strife at 134 for six midway through the first day's play.

The Australians rattled along at a brisk 4.1 runs an over in their innings after going to first day stumps on 376 for seven off 89 overs. Indian skipper Anil Kumble finished with 4-106 off 25.3 overs with left-arm paceman RP Singh taking 4-124 off 26 overs. Lee fell five runs short of his highest Test score before he was leg before wicket to Kumble for 59. IND vs. AUS, Second Test, Sydney (day two, stumps): Australia 463 v India 216-3

IND vs. AUS, Second Test, Sydney (day3): Tendulkar's brilliant ton puts India in control

Jan 04, 2008

Sachin Tendulkar gave glimpses of his vintage form by cracking an unbeaten 154 as India took control of the second cricket Test against Australia by taking a vital 69-run first innings lead.

The 34-year-old master batsman not only notched up his 38th Test century after a prolonged sequence of dismissals in the 90s this year but led a stunning Indian counter-attack which took the visitors to a commanding first innings total of 532. Matthew Hayden (5) and Phil Jacques (8) were at the crease with Australia reaching 13 for no loss at close on an eventful third day which was completely dominated by the visitors.

Resuming at the overnight total of 216 for 3, the famed Indian batting line up finally lived up to its reputation as they plundered runs at will on a good batting track at the SGC. IND vs. AUS, Second Test, Sydney (day three, stumps): Australia 463 & 13 for 0 v India 532

IND vs. AUS, Second Test, Sydney (day4): Hayden lifts Australia to commanding position

Jan 05, 2008

Matthew Hayden's century helped Australia take a lead of 213 into the pavilion as an early stumps was called on the fourth day of the Second Test against India at the SCG on Saturday.

The hosts were 4 for 282, after Indian skipper Anil Kumble (3 for 110) struck twice in quick succession close to drinks in the final session. After scoring the impressive century and steering Australia to a position of command, Hayden (123) was caught reverse sweeping by Wasim Jaffer off the bowling of Anil Kumble to have the hosts at 4 for 251.

Earlier Hayden had linked up with Mike Hussey (87 not out) in a telling partnership of 160 to lift the Australians into a commanding position. The day's play was called to an end early when the umpires offered the light to Hussey and Andrew Symonds (14 not out) with four overs remaining. IND vs. AUS, Second Test, Sydney (day four, stumps): Australia 463 & 282-4 v India 532

IND vs. AUS, Second Test, Sydney (day5): Australia beat India by 122 runs, equals record.

Jan 06, 2008

Part-time spinner Michael Clarke claimed three wickets in five balls of the penultimate over to clinch Australia a dramatic 122-run second Test victory against India and a record-equaling 16th straight Test win at Sydney on Sunday.

India had looked to be hanging on for a determined draw, with skipper Anil Kumble leading the way with an unbeaten 45. But he could only watch from the other end as the last three wickets tumbled in the second-last over to hand Australia an astonishing victory.

Clarke, with his left-arm off-spinners, claimed 3 for 5 off 11 balls to get Australia home and they will now shoot for a world record 17th straight win in the third Perth Test on January 16-20. While Clarke may have won Australia a thrilling Test, all-rounder Andrew Symonds was judged man-of-the-match with his unbeaten 162 and 61 and 3-51 in the second innings.

The Australian team fought to the end and ringed the remaining Indian batsmen with six fielders to get a breakthrough after Kumble and Harbhajan Singh looked likely to bat out for the draw.

Earlier Ponting called a halt to Australia's second innings at 401 for seven, leaving India with 72 overs to go after the runs. Hussey remained unbeaten on 145 off 259 balls at the time of the declaration for his eighth Test hundred and boosted his average to 84.8 in 20 Tests. Kumble finished with 4-148 off 40 overs and now has 599 Test wickets, while fellow spinner Harbhajan took 2-92 off 33 overs. IND vs. AUS, Second Test, Sydney (day five, close): Australia 463 & 401-7d beat India 532 & 210 by 122 runs