Aussies struggle against spinners

Australia once again proved its weakness on spinning tracks as its batsmen struggled against Indian spinners on the first day of the fourth and final Test at Ferozshah Kotla here Friday.

March 22, 2013

Talat Zaki Hafiz


NEW DELHI — Australia once again proved its weakness on spinning tracks as its batsmen struggled against Indian spinners on the first day of the fourth and final Test at Ferozshah Kotla here Friday.

Off-spinner R. Ashwin led the attack with 4-40 as India was able to get regular breakthroughs throughout the day as Australia managed 231-8 at stumps on the first day.

Even though the Aussie top-order was not able to stand up against the likes of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, it was their lower-order batsmen who gave India a firm resistance in the final session.

Peter Siddle (46 not out) was the mainstay of the tail-enders as he formed crucial partnerships with Steven Smith and James Pattinson.
?Siddle added 53 runs for the eighth wicket with Smith (46) and 41 with Pattinson for the ninth wicket.

Ashwin and Jadeja shared six wickets between them, with Ashwin taking four while Jadeja picked up the remaining two.

Ashwin got rid of Australia’s Steven Smith to provide India crucial breakthrough in the post lunch session. Smith (46) edged Ashwin’s delivery off to short-leg where debutant Ajinkya Rahane was quick to nab it.

Earlier, Steven Smith and Peter Siddle steadied the otherwise crumbling Australian line up to guide the visitors to 153-7 at tea.

After Ishant Sharma provided a couple of breakthroughs in the opening session, Ashwin and Jadeja ripped through Australia’s middle-order.

The bowlers were also helped by some atrocious shot selection on the part of the Aussie batsmen.

From a relatively secure 94 for two at lunch, the visitors paid dearly for their indiscretion, losing wickets in a heap.

Credit should also be given to India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for rotating his bowlers successfully.

He frequently changed the ends from which each one of them operated, thereby making life difficult for the batsmen.

Ed Cowan (37) did all the hardwork surviving the dangerous first session, playing and missing on a number of occasions. Just when he looked set, Cowan went for a sweep shot and was bowled round his legs.

Shane Watson didn’t impress on his Test captaincy debut.

Having survived a stumping appeal in the first session, the all-rounder was removed by a typical left-arm spinner’s delivery from Jadeja. — Agencies


March 22, 2013
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