SCG: Hayden powers Aus to 213-run lead
Matthew Hayden (123) and Michael Hussey (87 not out) battled spin twins Kumble and Harbhajan on a crumbling pitch at the SCG to steer the hosts into a comfortable position at stumps on Day 2 of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test. Australia was placed at 282/4, amassing a lead of 213 runs, with a maxium of 98 overs possible on the final day.
Australia's bid for a record-equaling 16th consecutive Test win received a minor setback when opposition captain Anil Kumble took two quick wickets to get the visitors back in the contest.
Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke were dismissed on consecutive balls to send shivers to the Australian changing room. After stuttering from 250/2 to 250/4, the Aussies recovered to 282-4 with Mike Hussey unbeaten, 13 short of a century and Symonds on 14.
With three sessions remaining, the dilemma facing Ricky Ponting is when to declare and what sort of target he can set India to ensure a result. He must balance the quest for the winning-streak record against jeopardising Australia's 1-0 lead in the series.
Ponting’s regime, that won at MCG by a thumping 337-run margin, lost quick wickets in two batches after resuming at 13/0 on the penultimate day at Sydney.
Fabulous feat
Kumble struck first when Phil Jaques (42) played a rash pull shot to Yuvraj Singh in the outfield, ending a cautious, 85-run opening stand with Hayden. It was the legendary leg-spinner’s 100th Test wicket against Australia.
His celebrations were muted compared with Harbhajan Singh's ecstatic reaction when Ponting (1) pushed a leading edge to VVS Laxman at silly point. It was a record 8th time that the charismatic off-spinner had dismissed Ponting. Only Darren Gough has achieved the same amount of dismissals.
Harbhajan Singh sprinted towards the boundary with his right index finger in the air, after which he rolled twice on the ground in the shadows of the pavilion after removing Ponting with his first ball to the Australian captain.
Hayden and Hussey combined to start the recuperation act. The left-handed duo added 160 runs for the third-wicket. The centurion’s dismissal off Kumble broke the talismanic partnership. Hayden attempted a reverse sweep and found Wasim Jaffer at point.
The smashing opener notched up his 29th Test hundred to move level with Australian great Sir Donald Bradman and South Africa's Jacques Kallis at No. 6 on the all-time list of most centuries.
Clarke (0) edged his first ball to Rahul Dravid at first slip and then Symonds was lucky to survive after failing to offer a shot on the next ball and getting hit high on front pad.
Summary
Australia1st innings: 463, India 1st innings: 532, Australia 2nd innings: 282 for 4 in 83 overs (Matthew Hayden 123, Mike Hussey batting 87, Phil Jaques 42; Anil Kumble 3-110).