India beat Australia by 72 runs yesterday to end the home team's hopes of becoming the first team to win 17 Tests in-a-row in the third cricket Test at the WACA.
Faced with a target of 413 -- a fourth-innings target which had only been successfully chased once in Test history -- Australia began the day on 65-2 and were bowled out for 340, as India took wickets at a steady clip to prevent the home side gaining momentum.
India looked on course for a comfortable win when they reduced Australia to 253-8, but tailenders Mitchell Johnson (50 not out) and Stuart Clark (32) used the long handle in a 73-run ninth wicket stand that briefly threatened an extraordinary comeback. India claimed the last two wickets late on the fourth day.
PHOTO: AFP
From the time Ishant Sharma dismissed Ponting in the morning, Australia struggled to challenge the target, with no one able to make the big century the task required.
Ponting squared up to a delivery that bounced and swung away to be caught by Rahul Dravid at first slip.
In what was the best spell of swing bowling in the match, Sharma (1-63) had Ponting playing and missing repeatedly before finally dismissing him.
Mike Hussey (45) and Andrew Symonds (12) were then trapped leg before soon after lunch.
Virender Sehwag was the unlikely star of the afternoon session, using his part-time offspin to dismiss Adam Gilchrist (15) and Brett Lee (0) in successive overs.
Sehwag took 2-24 from his eight overs.
When Micahel Clarke went, stumped off Anil Kumble for 81, Australia's chances were effectively over.
Johnson and Clark indulged in some lusty late-order hitting as the hosts got the runs required down to double figures but Irfan Pathan finally dismissed Clark who edged a delivery to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
RP Singh (2-95) bowled Shaun Tait soon after to end the match.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and