So not like Australia

Australia added 260 runs today. Apart from Hayden’s 30th test hundred and that Ponting batted with grit to reach his highest score in the series yet, Australia almost has nothing to show for today. Of course, neither does India, in the sense that we managed to get only 3 wickets. India’s attack today was weakened significantly by the hamstring injury to R P Singh. But I must say that our bowlers toiled manfully and have almost got Australia to think about a draw, rather than go flat out for a win. A 3-1 margin of victory would give Australia a huge psychological boost ahead of the ODIs.

Over the last few years, Day 4 at Adelaide has provided a decisive turning point. Not long ago, England scored 500+ in its first innings- and lost the test. If I am not wrong, the average score for the third innings at this venue is around 165- although the average 4th innings score is almost 50% higher. Any cricket stat gurus who can confirm this pls?

All in all, I hope we have an action-packed Day 4 (and Day 5).

Even contest at Adelaide

After a scratchy start yesterday, Ponting persevered and grafted his way to another century. He is probably Sachin’s closest rival, and the one most likely to eclipse Tendulkar’s record of the highest number of test centuries. Michael Clarke showed yet again why he is regarded as one of Australia’s most exciting talents, and between his and Ponting’s tons, they have made sure India has no chance of winning the Adelaide test.

Ishant Sharma continues to evolve as a bowler and has already won Wasim Akram’s heart. He also works up a fair pace (he bowls consistently at about 140Kmph) and is a very useful addition to our bowling arsenal. Pathan too has reached a personal milestone of a test double- 1000 runs and 100 wickets.

At this time (end of Day 4), it is fair to say that the match is unlikely to end in anything but a draw. Of course, strange things have been known to happen in cricket, and especially in India-Australia matches.

In the absence of a result, the most important news is Adam Gilchrist’s decision to retire from test cricket after this match. He had a rather poor game at Perth, having missed a few catches and stumping opportunities. And as is always the case when a high performer slips a little, numerous questions were immediately asked about his future in the team.

Gilly (or “Churchy”) is without question a terrific cricketer and has been the architect of many Aussie wins around the world, in partnership with McGrath and Warne. But he is also high on integrity and in modrn days, is one of the few batsmen that “walks”. I must confess that I was more than a little surprised at his relative silence after the Sydney test. I remember thinking to myself that some day, after he retires, he will probably say how troubled he was by the hapennings on and off the pitch. I did not expect he would retire so soon. But at 36, reflexes do perhaps start slowing down and he knows it is best for Australian cricket that he makes way for Brad Haddin. When Gilchrist took over from Ian Healy, everyone said it would be hard act to follow. And the same is perhaps true now- Gilchrist’s shoes are quite big and Haddin will have to grow in stature quickly to fill them. What will help Haddin, in my view, is that Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee have a few more years left, and as they polish their skills and he his, “c Haddin b Johnson” may become the new Aussie mantra.

Thanks for all the entertainment, Adam. All the best! And Brad- all the best to you too!