FOURTH TEST, Nagpur (day three, close):
India 441 & 0-0 v Australia 355
LATEST ACTION (ALL TIMES GMT)  | 606: DEBATE |
e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Mark Mitchener' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606 (Not all contributions can be used)1139: Well, after another long day at the coalface, that's it from us on the cricket front. However, we're only part of the way through another big day of sport here on the BBC. I can certainly recommend Jonathan Stevenson's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League football, which has just begun. Later on, if you're up for more egg-chasing after England and Scotland's rugby league defeats this morning, Phil Harlow will guide you through all this afternoon's rugby union internationals - while it's also the first round of the FA Cup, so you can hear commentaries on nearly every tie via the BBC Sport website. You lucky people.
Live text - Premier League, with Jonathan Stevenson
FA Cup commentaries on the BBC But I'll be back once more tomorrow morning to bring you day four of India-Australia - so I expect you back here bright and early for another 0400 GMT start! Thanks again for all your e-mails, continue to debate Australia's tactics on 606 if you wish, and enjoy the rest of your day.
"The Australians' tactics have been bewildering today. The Indian bowling has been containing, but rarely threatening (for a new track, Nagpur is behaving well). The Aussies could have had a dart, been all out for 300 by tea, but at least made the Indians think what do do next"
Alex, again from Warrnambool, via text on 811111132: Punter has a little chat with both umpires before slouching off the field with his hands in his pockets. CLOSE OF PLAY (DAY THREE) 1131 - Ind 0-0 (1 over)
After all that, we have Mitchell Johnson bowling to Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay. Johnson beats Sehwag through the gate with one that keeps low, but it just misses off stump. Even with just one over to be bowled, "Punter" Ponting is chewing gum, though slightly more ponderously than normal. Sehwag sees off the over with a couple of back-foot defensive strokes, and they'll start again tomorrow morning as though nothing had happened. 1119: The umpires take a light-meter reading before walking off. Very strange that Australia waited right until the end of the day to give it the long handle - if they wanted India to bat for a significant amount of time (ie longer than one over) tonight, then why not hit out earlier? And if not, then why not try to chip away at India's lead for a bit longer, given they had competent batsmen right to the bottom of the order? INDIA LEAD BY 86 ON FIRST INNINGS 1118 - WICKET - Johnson c Zaheer b Mishra 5 - Aus 355 all out (134.4 overs)
Another single from Johnson, so Lee takes guard to Mishra with the Aussies trailing by 87 (a figure unlucky for them). The big man is off the mark with a straight-driven single, then Johnson has another big heave-ho and in a similar manner to White, it sails down the throat of Zaheer at long-on. So, India will have to come out and bat for one over. 1114 - Aus 353-9 (134 overs)
The last man is birthday boy Brett Lee - who, according to some accounts, has been down at 11 because of illness. Not what you want when it's your 32nd birthday. A Johnson single brings Lee on strike, he plays forward well to his first two balls. 1110 - WICKET - White c Sehwag b Harbhajan 46 - Aus 352-9 (133.2 overs)
White picks his spot well, sweeping Harbhajan from outside off stump to the square leg boundary. He now has 46 - his highest score in Test cricket - and the Aussie score is past 350. But whether he has a rush of blood to the head or has been told by the dressing-room to get on with it, he whacks the next ball high over mid-on but miscues it and is caught by the sunhatted Virender Sehwag at long-on, just four short of a maiden Test fifty. 1108 - Aus 348-8 (133 overs)
Spin from both ends as Mishra replaces Sharma. There are men in the deep for Johnson if he tries to hit out, but he's watchful in defence. "Hi Mark. Can you clarify something? Was it Mitch Johnson that was dropped? I wonder if Sachin and VVS winked at him later on - 'We're watching out for you mate, you've been good to us'. Come on India! Now's not the time to be generous"
Amit, the "Shiz" (Shijiazhuang is weary on the fingers), China, in the TMS inbox
[It was indeed Johnson who was dropped by Laxman - MM] 1105 - Aus 348-8 (132 overs)
Bhajji bowls around the wicket to White, urged on by the close fielders. White is still using his feet well, but can't move the score on - a maiden over ensues. We're now past the official close of play time (1100) but will carry on to try to bowl the seven remaining overs to get in 90 for the day. "Oh... that look and feel of the shiny new red cherry. I still can remember those times when I was thrown the new ball to bowl for my second division Belgian club. I felt like I was Wes Hall and I obviously was not. I preferred the few overs of the old ball anyway - and why not, it swung in Belgian conditions even if you bowled it across the seam"
Bharath in California (for now) in the TMS inbox 1102 - Aus 348-8 (131 overs)
A lovely cover-driven four from White is the first boundary for 18 overs, he now has 41. When Sharma strays to leg, White turns him well through mid-wicket but can only take a single to one of those men in the deep. "Is this the slowest Australia have batted in the last 20 years? They have managed to score 144 runs this morning in 77 overs, that is a whopping 1.87 per over. still can't get their strategy"
Rahul Malhotra, Ipswich, in the TMS inbox 1057 - Aus 343-8 (130 overs)
Zaheer's off again, Harbhajan's back on. There's three men on the boundary on the leg side, if White is tempted to enter his favourite Twenty20 mode and give it the big one. But he's not tempted this over, just taking a single off the final ball again. 1054 - Aus 342-8 (129 overs)
Sharma bangs in another no-ball, then White knocks a single down to third man. Johnson gets another edge but it squirts just past third slip and they run one, then White farms the strike once more. Johnson and Sharma, incidentally, are the joint highest wicket-takers in this series, with 13 apiece.
"Is it me, or is Ishant Sharma possibly a long-lost relative of Damon Hill?"
Alex from England, watching in a bar in Warrnambool, Vic, via text on 811111047 - Aus 338-8 (128 overs)
India are happy to allow White a single off Zaheer to get Johnson on strike. Zaheer is swapping between bowling over and around the wicket, varying his angle of attack, but Johnson sees off the over. Aussies trail by 103. "I cannot believe that I don't have the channel that actually shows the match. 800 others though - am enjoying the tomfoolery and commentary, not necessarily in that order - whilst trying to cut out the noise of builders in all the apartments in the vicinity!"
Andrew (member of the Rainmen cricket team - London), living currently in Lokhandwala, Mumbai, India - in the TMS inbox 1041 - DROPPED CATCH - Aus 337-8 (127 overs)
Now, Mitchell Johnson's a fair bat (one Test fifty), but should he be going in ahead of Brett Lee (five Test fifties)? Surely Lee isn't a number 11? Is this another manifestation of the rumoured Ponting/Lee row from earlier in the series, or has Johnson's left-handedness earned his promotion? Either way, it's all happening suddenly as Sharma fires in a no-ball which was well in front of the crease - then, Johnson induces an edge to Laxman at second slip, but VVS puts down an absolute regulation slip catch that sails through his grasp. They run two, then Sharma, who's bowling at a fiery pace, shows his frustration with another no-ball. An eventful over, to say the least. 1035 - WICKET - Krejza lbw b Sharma 5 - Aus 333-8 (126.1 overs)
Zaheer jogs down to the other end to have a word with his younger new-ball partner Sharma. Whatever he said, it worked as Sharma fires one in at Krejza, it hits him on the knee-roll pad and umpire Dar is pretty quick to raise his finger. Triple Nelson strikes! Krejza mutters something under his breath as he stalks off, but to be honest we thought he was pretty much plumb. 1033 - Aus 333-7 (126 overs)
Unsurprisingly, Zaheer Khan will share the new ball with Sharma, bowling left-arm over the wicket and slanting the ball into the two left-handers. Krejza guides a single to third man, and the Aussies trail by just 108 now. It's been heavy going today, I won't pretend otherwise, but all four results are still eminently possible. And 333! Where's David Shepherd when you need him?! 1029 - SECOND NEW BALL TAKEN - Aus 332-7 (125 overs)
The second new ball is belatedly taken, and handed to Ishant Sharma, and after a single from White, Sharma immediately has Krejza tucked up with the new cherry, though the lbw shout is stifled as the ball was going down the leg side. Krejza steers an inswinger to long leg for a single. "When I lived in NZ and the England team were playing there I used to run down the garden waving a football rattle every time we took a wicket"
Ol, Hampshire, in the TMS inbox 1024 - Aus 328-7 (124 overs)
Still no sign of the second new ball. but Harbhajan is going to have another trundle in place of Mishra. Three men around the bat for Krejza, plus a reasonably short mid-wicket. India have two sub fielders, RP Singh and Subramaniam Badrinath, on the field for Ganguly and Sehwag. Krejza's defensive technique sees him through the over. "The Australian tail-end stand and the rise of Indian blood pressure... good title for a research paper? This is the crucial moment that defines Australia and what kind of muscle they can flex. It's up to Dhoni's captaincy now to end Australia's run as quickly as possible and save his compatriots unnecessary visits to the doctor's office"
Amit (holed up inside his apartment eating some Kung Bao Ji Dian), Shijiazhuang, China, in the TMS inbox
[You're making me hungry, and all these drinks intervals for the players are making me thirsty - MM] 1015 - Aus 328-7 (123 overs)
White, who's been farming most of the bowling, tries to sweep but steers the ball straight to leg slip. He tries to steal the strike again (deliberately? Does he not rate Krejza's batting?), but Krejza takes a single off the last ball and drinks are taken. "Let's get one thing straight, it's Test cricket being played; patience and mental toughness are required to excel. Sometimes these virtues are best tested with negative lines and restrictive field placements. It can't all be smash bang wallop Twenty20-style. Anyone who thinks otherwise clearly has no knowledge of the way the game is played. Having said that it's extremely surprising the Aussies aren't trying to move the game forward - of course they will complain about Indian tactics, but what do Punter and co expect? India to serve up a load of filth to allow the Aussies back into the series? Australian self-entitlement beggars belief sometimes"
Trudger (former cricketer - nursing a hangover in Dubai) in the TMS inbox 1013 - Aus 326-7 (122 overs)
White tentatively puts bat and pad forward to Mishra's googly, before a fierce straight-drive is fielded well by the bowler. A single rounds off the over, and Billy B rules we'll have one more over before the next drinks break. 1009 - Aus 325-7 (121 overs)
White slides a single to long-on as Sehwag pings in another rapid over. "Although I don't agree with the Indians' slow over rate, I can at least understand it. Why on earth are the Aussies slowing the game down though!?"
James, Newcastle, in the TMS inbox 1007 - Aus 324-7 (120 overs)
It's still Mishra - strangely, Harbhajan hasn't bowled since tea, although he did bowl 17 on the trot earlier today. White jabs a single, Krejza nearly pops a catch up to short leg but it falls short. 1004 - Aus 323-7 (119 overs)
A single takes White to 26, will he be eyeing up his Test-best score of 44? Krejza blocks the rest of the over out defiantly.
"What are Australia's tactics now? Are they playing to win it? If yes, what is the strategy? Why did they play so slowly in the morning and afternoon? I'm struggling to figure it out"
Sheltec on 606
Join the debate on 6061001 - Aus 322-7 (118 overs)
Cricket fans come in all shapes and sizes - and the Aussies are bring cheered on by a man in a full kangaroo suit, with a bright yellow bikini on over the suit. Mishra is getting plenty of turn into the rough outside leg stump, but White steers his googly away for a single to fine leg. Krejza is off the mark with a two off his legs. 0958 - Aus 319-7 (117 overs)
Sehwag bowls round the wicket to White, who blocks out the first five balls before steering a single off the last. "As a Pom living in Oz, I support two teams: England and whoever is playing Australia. So go India and clean up the Aussie tail"
Mike Duffy in the TMS inbox 0956 - Aus 318-7 (116 overs)
New batsman is Jason Krejza, who survives his first ball in Test cricket. Can he match his amazing bowling from the India innings with a memorable knock this evening? 0954 - WICKET - Haddin c Dravid b Mishra 28 - Aus 318-7 (115.5 overs)
Haddin survives an lbw appeal from Mishra, but his innings is then ended when the ball fizzes in from outside leg stump and Haddin (padding up, offering no stroke) gloves a catch to Rahul Dravid at slip. 0951 - Aus 318-6 (115 overs)
Another thought about the go-slow - given that this is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (and both those legends of the game are in the commentary box), get AB and Sunil to go into the dressing-rooms after play to confront and shame the players for their slow over-rates! Haddin steers a single, then White carefully sweeps Sehwag for a double which brings up the fifty stand. Another swept two, and suddenly the Aussies are only 123 behind. 0948 - Aus 313-6 (114 overs)
After India delay starting the next over to fiddle with the field placings and hold some impromptu tactical talks, the Aussie batsmen get fed up and insist on having a drink brought on. I'm sorry to go on about this, but if I were match referee Chris Broad, I'd fine the lot of them on both sides for blatant time-wasting. White steers a single through the covers, Haddin nicks the strike off the last ball. 0943 - Aus 311-6 (113 overs)
Dhoni is shuffling his bowlers rapidly as Sharma's off after one over and Sehwag switches ends. Some excellent running brings Haddin an all-run four as he steers Sehwag to the long boundary at cover point. A single takes Haddin to 26, another takes White to 28. This stand is suddenly worth 45 - what can India do? And for those of you who value numerical symmetry, the score is 311 after 113 overs. 0938 - Aus 305-6 (112 overs)
Mishra has changed ends to replace Sehwag - but Harbhajan demolishes the stumps with a throw from the cover boundary when Haddin runs an easy single. "I saw the Indian innings on TV. It was disgusting to see so many wide balls on both sides, quite impossible to score. They would be wide in limited-overs games but not in the Tests, I presume"
Satish Desai in the TMS inbox 0933 - Aus 304-6 (111 overs)
Sharma replaces Mishra so Haddin's helmet returns, but we're still bowling with the replacement old ball. Australia's 300 is finally reached with a Haddin single. By comparison, they have taken 354 deliveries to get from 200 to 300. White straight-drives a four straight back past the bowler. Jason Krejza is padded up in the pavilion, will he come in before or after Brett Lee? "This is where India are missing Anil Kumble. He would have cleaned up the Aussie tail in no time"
Bharath in California (for now) in the TMS inbox 0928 - Aus 299-6 (110 overs)
Sehwag keeps it tight against White, a maiden over and his figures are now 12-2-22-0. 0926 - Aus 299-6 (109 overs)
Aussies trail by 150, and Dhoni pushes mid-off about three-quarters of the way back, enticing Haddin to hit out against Mishra. He takes him on, but the lofted drive goes over Harbhajan's head at deepish long-off for a second-bounce four. Haddin carves the nest ball wide of Harbhajan, this time along the ground for four.
"Since tea England have been scoring rugby points faster than Australia have been scoring runs"
Paul in Lancs in the TMS inbox
Live text - England v New Zealand, with Paul Fletcher0922 - Aus 291-6 (108 overs)
We have our first boundary for 23 overs as White goes into Twenty20 mode, hoisting Sehwag towards cow corner for four. 0920 - Aus 287-6 (107 overs)
Mishra tosses the ball from hand to hand before firing it in at Haddin - he plays and misses, Dhoni whips off the bails and it's all down to third umpire Suresh Shastri... Are the bails off by the time Haddin slides his foot back? The verdict is... not out "Hi Mark, have been following yours and others' text commentary - it's fantastically enjoyable to read (probably better than telly and the goofy commentators when you wish the volume was mute!) I'm in Belgium and in the process of an audit. I'm sneaking in moments in between to 'refresh' and catch up on the scores. The guys getting audited seem a bit confused when I look at my 'message' in the Blackberry and go 'Yes!' (when an Aussie wicket goes)"
Shomik Majumdar - enjoying Europe - in the TMS inbox 0914 - Aus 287-6 (106 overs)
Haddin jabs Sehwag for a single. At least the over-rate seems quicker after tea. 0912 - Aus 286-6 (105 overs)
After a single takes Haddin to double figures, Mishra gives it plenty of flight against White, who as a fellow leg-spinner ought to know what he's facing, but doesn't look too comfortable. "This makes a interesting period of Test cricket - intriguing contest between the spinning ball and Australian tailenders. Exactly what a Test cricket lover wants"
Paresh Desai in the TMS inbox 0909 - Aus 285-6 (104 overs)
A rapid over from Sehwag concedes one single to each batsman. 0906 - Aus 283-6 (103 overs)
Haddin and White exchange singles against Mishra, who also advances the score with his second no-ball of the day.
And with 0900 GMT having passed, 606 is open for business - come on in and let us have your views on a day's play that saw just 91 runs in the first two sessions!
Join the debate on 6060902: We have a ball change - but's not the second new ball (which has been available for 22 overs). Instead, as India want to carry on with the old ball (as is their right) - but the old ball must have gone out of shape, as they've consulted with the umpires and been given a replacement old ball. But as the TV commentators point out, why couldn't they have sorted out all the ball changes during the interval, rather than delaying the resumption of play? 0858: While we're at the tea interval, if you're a rugby league fan, I can heartily recommend Paul Fletcher's live text commentary on England v New Zealand from the World Cup. The Kiwis are just doing the haka, and England have turned their backs on them!
Live text - England v New Zealand, with Paul Fletcher TEA INTERVAL 0841 - Aus 280-6 (102 overs)
Change of bowler, same action (off-spin) as Bhajji takes a rest after a spell of 17 overs and Sehwag will send down the last over before tea. He's quickly through his over, just a single by Haddin is added and that's tea - Haddin and White have seven runs each. 0839 - Aus 279-6 (101 overs)
Haddin and White are a little more confident against Mishra than against Harbhajan, pushing the singles with relative ease. 0835 - Aus 276-6 (100 overs)
Harbhajan gets a bit of bounce against Haddin - who, buoyed by getting off nought, steers the "Turbanator" away for a two and a single, while White is fortunate when he's deceived by a top-spinner which bounces kindly past slip for two. 0832 - Aus 271-6 (99 overs)
White dabs a single, Mishra turns the old ball sharply past Haddin's outside edge. The Aussie stumper is finally off the mark with a single from his 25th delivery.
"All hail Mark Mitchener, the greatest cap commentator of all time... such headwear talk being far more interesting than the Aussie team right now. Stir it up Beefy, I spy a 5-0"
RAA in the TMS inbox0829 - Aus 269-6 (98 overs)
Haddin has changed his headgear for the second time, despite not having scored a run yet - he's back in his cap, with spinners at both ends. Harbhajan implores umpire Bowden to give Haddin out lbw, but Billy B's not interested. Maiden. "India's tactics are spot on - Australia should be hitting out if they want to save the series. Following the cricket with the aid of jet lag here in Stockholm having just returned from biz trip to Hong Kong"
Nav Garayal in the TMS inbox 0826 - Aus 269-6 (97 overs)
Amit Mishra's leg-spin is introduced for the first time since yesterday evening, and he sends down a maiden to White. 0823 - Aus 269-6 (96 overs)
White tries to sweep Harbhajan, and there's a half-hearted appeal from the close fielders as he's struck on the knee well outside off stump. He rotates the strike with a single to the diving Zaheer at mid-off. 0819 - Aus 268-6 (95 overs)
Zaheer bowls round the wicket to Haddin, with a packed off-side field, but the keeper is still to get off the mark. We've had 79 runs in 46 overs today. 0815 - Aus 268-6 (94 overs)
White, who has a fantastic batting record in Twenty20 and filled his boots in a spell with Somerset, sweeps Bhajji for a two to get off the mark. 0812 - Aus 266-6 (93 overs)
Haddin is resolute in defence against Zaheer and plays out a maiden over. 0808 - Aus 266-6 (92 overs)
Australia are really up against it now as Cameron White, who hasn't set the world alight with his bowling, might need a big innings if he's not to be supplanted by Jason Krejza as the Aussies' "new" number one spinner. 0806 - WICKET - Watson b Harbhajan 2 - Aus 266-6 (91.4 overs)
The match bursts into life again as Bhajji tosses it up to Watson, who plays a forward defensive and makes contact, but can't stop it trickling onto his stumps anyway. 0803 - Aus 266-5 (91 overs)
After facing one ball in a cap, Haddin has to call for his helmet pronto as Dhoni looks to turn the screw by recalling Zaheer to the attack. With Australia suddenly on the back foot, Watson dabs a quick single off the final delivery. 0759 - Aus 265-5 (90 overs)
New batsman Brad Haddin, also wearing a cap, defends his first ball. We have two right-handed batsmen in for the first time this innings. 0757 - WICKET - Hussey run out (Vijay/Dhoni) 90 - Aus 265-5 (89.5 overs)
Still no sign of the second new ball and as we now have off-spin from both ends, Hussey trades in his helmet for a Baggy Green cap. A square-cut brings him an easy two, taking his score to 90. But all of a sudden, Hussey plays forward, the outstretched hand of silly point Murali Vijay grabs the ball and flicks it back to Dhoni who deflects the ball onto the stumps as Hussey tris in vain to regain his ground! The third umpire's consulted, and the verdict is out - "Mr Cricket" is back in the hutch for 90! "I haven't seen a bit of this series but have followed it closely on the text commentary, and the common theme is that the Aussies are sitting back and letting things happen to them. I thought it had been raining out there when I logged on today such was the scoring rate. They have allowed themselves to get bogged down it seems, not something we are used to seeing - all is not well in the Aussie camp I reckon"
Graeme Edgar, Peterborough, in the TMS inbox 0753 - Aus 263-4 (89 overs)
Finally, a fourth bowler is called upon as Virender Sehwag, who bowled a tidy spell of 6-1-11-0 yesterday, comes on with his right-arm off-spin. Hussey sweeps the first ball, which beats keeper Dhoni - and first slip Dravid has to dive to stop the ball hitting a helmet and surrendering five penalty runs like they did on one occasion yesterday. Huss manages to run a couple, then steers a single to long leg. 0748 - Aus 260-4 (88 overs)
Harbhajan moves to bowl around the wicket to Hussey, who dabs a single through the covers. Still pretty frustrating to watch, though - neither side are willing to take the initiative by risking giving the initiative to the opposition. "Do you remember when England bowled Gilo [Ashley Giles, left-arm spinner] over the wicket outside leg stump to Sachin? The Indians said it was a disgrace and ruined the game of cricket. How exactly is bowling 12 overs an hour a yard outside the off stump with an 8-1 field not doing the same thing? This is making me angry!"
Rob, Totnes, England, in the TMS inbox 0740 - Aus 259-4 (87 overs)
Sharma has the 8-1 field in place for Hussey, who's able to force an easy two off his pads into the wide open spaces on the leg side. A single to Hussey allows umpire Dar to signal the drinks break to begin - and the ground crew bring on a huge beer can with a cowboy stetson on top! Surely not a tribute to everyone's favourite cricket-loving Texan billionaire, given that he finds Test cricket "boring"?! "34 overs by India in two and a half hours. Comes to about 13 and a half overs per hour, not quite as stellar as the Aussies but competitive!"
Alok Tiwari, Champaign, Illinois, USA, in the TMS inbox 0735 - Aus 256-4 (86 overs)
Harbhajan has Watson in a bit of trouble with the turn he's getting, but he plays out a maiden over safely. 0732 - Aus 256-4 (85 overs)
New batsman is fair-haired all-rounder Shane Watson, while Dhoni takes the opportunity for another quick "huddle" with his team. Watson is off the mark with a single. 0728 - WICKET - Clarke c Dhoni b Sharma 8 - Aus 255-4 (84.4 overs)
Hussey works Sharma away for another single - this left-hand/right-hand combo isn't doing much for the over-rates either. But Sharma has the crowd on his feet with a beautiful away-swinger which finds the edge of Clarke's bat and deflects into the arms of the delighted, capless Cap'n Dhoni! "Hi MM, I am not sure why Dhoni is not using Mishra. He has used him only for 10% of the overs bowled. On this track he should have done 25-30% of the bowling. Then about over-rates - the captain should be banned for the next match. Or if 'x' number of overs were not completed by the team in the match, the captain should be banned for 'x divided by two' number of matches. For the Indian first innings (not day), Australia came up four to six overs short. So Ponting should be banned for two to three matches. This would make captains more serious"
Keralavarma Vijay Thampuran, Thripunithura, Cochin, in the TMS inbox 0724 - Aus 254-3 (84 overs)
Hussey brings up the 200 for Australia with an excellent cover-driven four through a rather surprising, gaping gap in Bhajji's off-side field, then a swept single takes him to 80. 0721 - Aus 249-3 (83 overs)
Hussey plays and misses at Sharma as the long-haired seamer slants a delivery across his left-handed opponent. Then, a great stop by Murali Vijay at cover point turns a possible four into a dot ball. Hussey finally cuts a single to Ganguly on the cover boundary. 0717 - Aus 248-3 (82 overs)
Clarke uses his feet well to Harbhajan, but can't force him away until he steers a single to point off the fifth ball, and Hussey adds another off the last. Slow progress here. "I can't see Jeremy's idea [0541] working as surely the batting side would do all they can to slow the over-rate down and then hit the ball as far and as hard as they can every time they face a ball. Meaning, the run-rate would be stupidly high and the over-rate stupidly low"
Tom in the TMS inbox 0713 - Aus 246-3 (81 overs)
No sign of the second new ball yet (which is available now), but Zaheer's off and Sharma returns - we still haven't seen Amit Mishra's leg-spin (or Virender Sehwag's off-spin) today. Hussey can't penetrate the infield, so it's another maiden over. 0710 - Aus 246-3 (80 overs)
A short delay while VVS Laxman removes his shin guards and other protective equipment, which are taken off the field. After the criticism of Australia's over-rates on the first two days (not just from me, from many of you e-mailers too), India aren't particularly hurrying today - and I'm afraid two wrongs don't make a right. Hussey and Clarke milk Harbhajan for three singles between them. 0705 - Aus 243-3 (79 overs)
Zaheer reverts to his 8-1 field against Hussey, who pushes a single through the vacant gully area. Just the three bowlers used today by Dhoni. Zaheer tries switching to bowling round the wicket to the right-handed Clarke, but with no success. The lead is now 198. "Re: multi-tasking and following live text commentary. I am currently covering the New Zealand election for Auckland's major newspaper and am using Twitter, Facebook, our website, watching on streaming video and following the cricket on the BBC. Do I get a prize of some sort?"
James Murray, Auckland, in the TMS inbox
[Isn't being in New Zealand enough of a prize? I had a great time there earlier this year when I went out for the last two England Tests - MM] 0700 - Aus 242-3 (78 overs)
Bhajji tosses it up to Hussey, who reins in his temptation to smash it, and instead dabs a single to cover. Just one from the over. 0656 - Aus 241-3 (77 overs)
Clarke is watchful against Zaheer. There's still large numbers of empty seats at the VCA Stadium, but apparently there have been issues over transportation as it's quite a way from the centre of Nagpur. Maiden over. "I like Jeremy's idea [0600]... but runs added should probably be twice the run-rate, otherwise the fielding side would take even longer to set perfect fields"
Jivtesh in the TMS inbox 0652 - Aus 241-3 (76 overs)
Hussey improvises with a bold reverse sweep for four through the vacant point region, before an orthodox sweep brings a single and takes him to a patient 69 from 187 balls. Clarke tickles Harbhajan round the corner for one. 0647 - Aus 235-3 (75 overs)
Zaheer to continue at the Pavilion End, but no slips in for Clarke, who pushes the first ball straight back to Zaheer - who makes to throw the ball back at the stumps but fumbles it. We then see some comedy fielding from Harbhajan when Clarke off-drives, Harbhajan slide-dives at mid-off but only succeeds in kicking the ball over the boundary for four. 0643 - Aus 231-3 (74 overs)
Is Harbhajan tempting Hussey to sweep? There's men at short fine leg, short leg and long leg - and India begin the afternoon session with a maiden. 0639: We're nearly under way again - my commendations, once again, to the BBC TV Centre foyer's breakfast service, which certainly makes these 0330 starts bearable. Harbhajan to continue. LUNCH INTERVAL 0600 - Aus 231-3 (73 overs)
Having bowled to 8-1 fields to the two lefties, Zaheer has a more orthodox field for Clarke - although there's a man in at silly mid-off, on the drive. Clarke wants a quick single but Hussey sends him back. And that's lunch. "Hi Mark. Just want to let you know that it's approximately 12.52am Saturday on a mildly 50F fall weather in beautiful Boston, Massachusetts and I am following the text commentary. Incidentally I was born in Guyana and kudos to all cricket fans who have spanned the globe and are multitasking. Keep up the good work"
Prakash in the TMS inbox
[Glad to be of service - MM] 0554 - Aus 231-3 (72 overs)
New batsman is Michael Clarke, who scored a hundred in the last Test. He's the non-striker as Hussey tries to turn Harbhajan off his legs and eventually succeeds. Right-hander Clarke knocks his first ball away for a single to leg, to pinch the strike. 0548 - WICKET - Katich lbw b Zaheer 102 - Aus 229-3 (71 overs)
Hussey steers Zaheer through the gap and runs two to Ganguly on the cover boundary, before dabbing a single. But the home side finally make the breakthrough when Zaheer slants a reverse-swinging yorker in to Katich, it hits him low on the pad and umpire Dar adjudges it would have hit leg stump. 0544 - Aus 226-2 (70 overs)
Harbhajan to continue - having collected his 300th Test wickets yesterday, can "The Turbanator" make the breakthrough before lunch? Hussey tries to sweep but is hit on the pad by one that pitched outside leg stump. He eventually nicks the strike with a single that takes him to 60. 0541 - Aus 225-2 (69 overs)
There's not much of a rest for Zaheer as he switches ends to replace Sharma at the Pavilion End. Fellow southpaw Hussey works him to leg for a single. "How about if you don't bowl your 90 overs, the batting side gets their run-rate times the unbowled overs added to the score? It would also encourage positive batting"
Jeremy, following on phone in Kerala, in the TMS inbox
How to get cricket scores on your mobile 0537 - Aus 224-2 (68 overs)
Houston, we have a spinner! Zaheer takes a break and Harbhajan Singh - who took the new ball with Zaheer yesterday - comes on to bowl some off-spin. Again, it takes a long conference between Harbhajan, Dhoni and Tendulkar to set the field - he has a slip in, as well as two helmeted men at silly point and short leg, while Dhoni is also helmet-clad to stand up to the stumps. Bhajji is right on the money instantly, ripping one past Katich's outside edge. Another four byes are conceded by Dhoni as he misses one down the leg side, which brings up the 150 partnership. 0530 - Aus 220-2 (67 overs)
Still Sharma - these two have bowled unchanged all morning, I guess we might expect some spin before lunch. The bowlers are bowling tightly, the batsmen aren't taking any chances - who will blink first? Sharma oversteps with a no-ball, then Katich rotates the strike with a leg bye. 0526 - Aus 218-2 (66 overs)
A diving stop from Vijay in the packed ring of cover fielders keeps Hussey on 58. India trying to put the squeeze on - just 18 runs in the last 14 overs, and 29 in 17 all day. 0522 - Aus 218-2 (65 overs)
It's been quite an attritional morning so far - Aussies have only been scoring slowly but more importantly, haven't lost any wickets, while India have been trying to restrict the batsmen to one side of the wicket and make them frustrated. Maiden over. "Regarding distinguishing initials [0426] - I remember when the Edrich family used to field an entire team. WJ (Middx & England) was captain. BR (Kent) was an ever-present. Can't remember the others"
David, Spain, in the TMS inbox
[Cricinfo also lists EH Edrich, GA Edrich, JH Edrich and JW Edrich as having played first-class or minor counties cricket! All appear to be related to each other, apart from JW Edrich - MM]
INTERNET LINK: The Edrich clan's stats, on Cricinfo 0517 - Aus 218-2 (64 overs)
Both bowlers are still bowling to 8-1 fields, with just a token mid-on patrolling the entire leg side. Another edge, this time from Hussey... but it's well wide of the slips and a streaky four for "Mr Cricket". He now has 58. Zaheer strays onto the leg side, but Hussey can only play it straight to that man at mid-on. 0512 - Aus 214-2 (63 overs)
As the drinks break concludes, Dhoni corrals his fielders for a Michael Vaughan-style "huddle", which seems to be a regular feature of the new Indian skipper's captaincy. But Katich looks like he gives another chance, edging Sharma towards VVS Laxman at second slip, but VVS can't hold on. Laxman points a finger at the ground in front of him, indicating that he didn't think it carried anyway. 0504 - Aus 214-2 (62 overs)
Dhoni lets an embarrassing four byes through his gloves - now it's time for an "official" drinks break, as opposed to the "ad hoc" ones which happen at the fall of a wicket.
"I may be wrong but I think Sharma needs a haircut!"
Dheeraj Sood in the TMS inbox
[Or at the very least, a trim and a tidy-up! Just imagine a "Rest of the World" seam attack featuring Sharma, Lasith "The Slinger" Malinga, Ryan Sidebottom and Nathan Bracken! Asad Rauf could be umpire - MM]0459 - Aus 210-2 (61 overs)
Hussey aims a bloodthirsty pull at Sharma, but swings and misses like a frustrated baseball player. Sharma, who's cultivating a bit of a goatee beard on the sly, raises his head to the heavens in frustration. A single takes Hussey to 53, Katich guides another good-length ball through the covers for one. Hussey pushes-and-runs the last ball for another well-judged quick single - this pair have now added 136. And a PS - in case you think I'm biased on over-rates - England are as guilty as most teams in that area, hence former ODI captain Paul Collingwood being handed a four-game suspension during the summer. 0454 - Aus 207-2 (60 overs)
Even though we're due a drinks break in 10 minutes, there's a delay for a change of gloves - eventually, the umpires intercede, but it does nothing for the over-rate. You may think we bang on too much about over-rates - but considering the financial cost of attending Test matches, it's a bit rich (pun intended) that the paying public doesn't even get to see 90 overs on some days. Also, better over-rates might see more positive results. What do you think? Meanwhile, Zaheer is cover-driven by Katich a couple of times, but he can't beat the infield. Another maiden. 0450 - Aus 207-2 (59 overs)
Sharma still keeping it tight against Hussey, there's not much margin for error with an 8-1 field. Another maiden - just seven runs in the last seven overs. "Having an all-rounder like Watson at six is useful and can add balance to a side. Particularly when you have a reliable bat as your keeper to add some security. But adding to this selection a player like White makes little sense. Surely Clark would have been a better option. If he closes down one end then Krejza is more dangerous as they need to score off him. It was a defensive selection and 1-0 down in the series, with this being the last match that was an approach that was disappointing to see. Makes Punter rather a hypocrite after his comments following the first Test don't you think? Go India!"
Rasheed in Hong Kong, in the TMS inbox
[It's a fair point - with White only bowling 10 overs, which Katich and Clarke could have done between them, he could have either picked Clark or even another specialist batsman in Shaun Marsh - MM] 0444 - Aus 207-2 (58 overs)
Zaheer is also now bowling to an 8-1 off-side field to Hussey, his line and length is pretty good, but Hussey steers the last ball past point for a single. 0440 - Aus 206-2 (57 overs)
Katich is watchful against Sharma, despite reaching three figures - maiden over. 0436 - Aus 206-2 (56 overs)
Hussey steers Zaheer for a single to third man, which is where most of the runs have come today. Katich adds another to the same area. 0431 - Aus 204-2 (55 overs)
Dhoni encourages his fielders again as Sharma slants the ball across Katich. But Katich is not to be denied, and reaches his fifth Test hundred (and second against India) when he steers a four wide of the slips down to third man. He's wildly applauded by the members of the Aussie dressing-room, as well as the flag-waving Australian fans in the stands. He's certainly deserved it. 0426 - Aus 200-2 (54 overs)
Hussey shoulders arms as Zaheer gets a bit of movement. Another maiden. And to answer an e-mail from yesterday (which arrived after close of play - I intended to answer it but someone's deleted it from the inbox!), the reason why some players (eg Hussey and Sharma) get their initial on the website's scorecard (as M Hussey and I Sharma) is that we have to distinguish players who regularly play (or have the possibility of playing) for the same team as someone with the same name. Hence, Steve Harmison is always "S Harmison", even when playing for England, as he often plays alongside brother Ben ("B Harmison") for Durham. Make sense? 0421 - Aus 200-2 (53 overs)
That's what I like to see - Dhoni has a man in at Reasonably Short Extra Cover for Katich, and is in fact bowling to an 8-1 off-side field. But Katich, despite being on 96, displays none of the rushes of blood to the head that Tendulkar had in the nineties on day one, and sees out a maiden over.
"Morning, Mark. Not bleary eyed yet but reckon I will be by the time I finish watching today's play. Obviously taking a break at about 1245 - apparently there's some football match on! Come on Arsenal!"
Josh Finlay, London, via text on 81111
[Close of play in Nagpur is 1100 GMT - though we can go on until 1130 if the minimum number of overs haven't been bowled - MM]
Arsenal v Man Utd team news0416 - Aus 200-2 (52 overs)
Dravid appears to be nursing a heavily-strapped finger (in which case, I have to ask, what on earth is he doing in the slips?), but more good running by Kat and Huss allows a quick single to take Kat to 96. "One mistake boys, one mistake", yells captain Mahendra Dhoni to his fielders - presumably hoping to gee them up - but "one mistake" is instantly delivered as Hussey edges into the gap between first and second slip, and the diving Laxman at second slip can't stop it going through for four. That's Hussey's 12th Test 50, and Australia's 200. 0411 - DROPPED CATCH - Aus 195-2 (51 overs)
The wild-haired Ishant Sharma takes the second over of the day - he bowled pretty tightly yesterday, although he opens with a wide. But then he's let down when Katich hangs out his bat to a wide one and Rahul Dravid puts down a pretty regulation catch at first slip, to his left. Oh dear. They run one, and then Sharma advances the score with another wide.
We had some cracking debate on the e-mails yesterday, with plenty of chat over everything from the lack of Test matches in Kolkata to Australia's chances in next year's Ashes. And I took a bit of stick for persistently referring to Australia's slow over-rate. But live text commentary makes you a little thicker-skinned than most - so do get involved by e-mailing in to tms@bbc.co.uk (with "For Mark Mitchener" in the subject line), texting in on 81111, or using 606 after 0900 GMT. 0405 - Aus 192-2 (50 overs)
Australia carry on where they left off yesterday, with Katich steering left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan through a gap in the covers for a single. His partner Mike Hussey does likewise, and Kat nicks the bowling to reach 94. 0356: Also in the world of cricket yesterday, South Africa beat Bangladesh by 61 runs in their first ODI. My colleague Jamie Lillywhite (who's taken over match report duties on this Test today) informs me that Mohammad Ashraful played very well for the Tigers, hitting 73 off 78 balls, but apart from him and Saqibul Hasan (51), they struggled. 0345: Morning, everyone. With the final Test intriguingly poised after a fightback by Australia on day two, it's (bleary) eyes down for day three. The match situation is that India were eventually bowled out for 441 yesterday, with debutant Aussie off-spinner Jason Krejza taking an astonishing 8-215. In reply, having been 74-2, a century stand by Simon Katich (92 not out) and Mike Hussey (45 not out) has taken the tourists to 189-2.
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?