Australia batted sedately yesterday as it worked toward setting India a massive run target on the fourth day of their opening cricket test
The tourists compiled 77 for the loss of three wickets in the morning session, taking its second innings score 204 for seven at lunch. Leading by 228 runs in the first innings, the Aussies are now in a commanding position with a 432 lead over India.
PHOTO: AFP
No team has ever successfully scored so many runs in its second innings to win a test match. The highest successful second innings run chase was 418 by the West Indies against Australia at Antigua in 2001.
India's spin bowlers restricted run scoring on the unpredictable Chinnaswamy Stadium wicket as Australia lost overnight batsmen Michael Clarke (17) and Damien Martyn (45), along with skipper Adam Gilchrist (26).
At lunch, Shane Warne was batting on 26 and Jason Gillespie was still to open his account.
Australia, chasing its first test series triumph on Indian soil in 35 years, scored 474 in its first knock and dismissed India for 246.
In India, the highest winning score in the fourth innings is 276 -- for the loss of five wickets -- by the West Indies at New Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium in 1987.
Gilchrist on Friday declined to enforce the follow on and asked his batsmen to bat a second time.
During its last tour to India in 2001, Australia lost a test match after enforcing the follow on, which appeared to have played a role in Gilchrist's decision not to risk batting last on a weary track.
Three years ago, India fashioned one of the most remarkable comebacks in test history after being forced to follow on in the second test at Calcutta. Outplayed in the opening test at Bombay, India had bounced back from the brink to clinch the series 2-1.
On Saturday, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (3 for 76) had Clarke caught by Aakash Chopra at forward short-leg, before Martyn lofted him straight to substitute Mohammad Kaif at short mid-wicket.
Gilchrist also fell to a catch by Chopra at forward short-leg off leg-spinner Anil Kumble (2 for 49).
Sri Lanka versus Zimbabwe
Sri Lanka's seam bowling attack dismissed a youthful Zimbabwe for a paltry 104 in 33 overs yesterday in their limited-overs international of the triangular series.
Only opener Stuart Matsikenyeri (37) and Dion Ebrahim (24 not out) made double figures as Zimbabwe's batsmen struggled against Sri Lanka's four-pronged pace attack after Marvan Atapattu won the toss and elected to field first.
Matsikenyeri hit some powerful boundaries on the off-side of the wicket in his 46-ball knock, and Zimbabwe was cruising well at 54 for for 1 after 12 overs. But Zimbabwe went on to lose its last nine wickets for 50 runs.
Matiskenyeri, who hit seven fours, attempted an extravagant stroke, only to be bowled by Farveez Maharoof.
Vusimuzi Sibanda was dropped by Nuwan Zoysa at mid-wicket, only to be caught by Jayantha off a Maharoof ball in the next over to make it 55 for three.
Leg-spinner Upul Chandana finished as top wicket-taker with three for 15. He neatly caught Elton Chigumbura off a full toss delivery, trapped Tinashe Panyangara lbw, and then clean bowled last man Edward Rainsford.
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