FOURTH TEST, Nagpur (day four, close): India 441 & 295 v Australia 355 & 13-0 Australia require 382 to win 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)1145: Right, that's it from us, though if you want to carry on the debate, 606 is the perfect place. Join the debate on 606 It's been a marathon four days - thanks to all of you who have stuck with us on the live text. My reward is to go to sleep tonight at the same time as the rest of the UK, your reward is to have Tom Fordyce in tomorrow morning to take over the live text for the final day of the series. I hope you can join Tom bright and early - play starts at 0400 GMT again. CLOSE OF PLAY (DAY FOUR) - AUSTRALIA NEED ANOTHER 369 RUNS TO WIN, WITH 10 WICKETS REMAINING 1131 - BAD LIGHT STOPPED PLAY - Aus 13-0 (1.2 overs) Billy Bowden takes a light-meter reading from each end. But we're going to sneak one more over in, with Ishant Sharma handed the new cherry for the second over. There are two men out on the hook for Hayden - after two balls are bowled, the umpires check the light again, offer it to the batsmen and they take it. That will be that for the day. "Good to see two Tasmanians clean up the tail. Well neither of them are actually but both adopted us for a while. Krejza will be the next in the list of Aussies to only play one Test match I think. PS Where are all the Sarahs?" Steve, Hobart, in the TMS inbox 1128 - Aus 13-0 (1 over) Zaheer Khan opens up to Matthew Hayden, who defends his first ball and it spoons up but safely short of the keeper and slips. Haydos then wafts a looser delivery down to fine leg for four. A single brings Simon Katich on strike, and he serves notice of his intent by slashing a four through point, then pulling another through fine leg.
"To respond to all those English fans writing in with glee about Australia's demise please answer me this question: When was the last time Monty took 12 wickets in a Test match?" Andrew Stanwell in the TMS inbox Download our Monty Panesar masks1122: While we're waiting for Australia to bat - we're expecting just one or two overs - all of you pining for Ben Dirs' return to live text commentary duties may wish to read his BBC blog for his verdict from New York on Joe Calzaghe's win. Ben Dirs' blog 1120: And still, the debate over these two great cricketing nations continues... "Dhoni has been really impressive and once Dravid retires, he should move up the order and bat at number three" Yogesh, enjoying the BBC coverage in Mauritius, in the TMS inbox
"I have to agree with Alok [1002] re: Ponting as a captain. The last time he was under real pressure was without McGrath in the 2005 Ashes, when he clearly failed to cope with that pressure, as demonstrated by his sulky reaction to getting out to a substitute fielder, and his general mood on the pitch. I think Australia are about to learn about life without the three of the best players seen in the game for a long time" Ian Butler, a happy Brit following the game on the web in Sydney, in the TMS inboxINDIA SECOND INNINGS - AUSTRALIA REQUIRE 382 TO WIN 1113 - WICKET - Mishra b Watson 7 - Ind 295 all out (82.4 overs) Mishra nudges Watson fractionally wide of Haydos at slip, and the resulting four pushes India's lead to 381. But the innings ends when Mishra chops onto his stumps, and Watson finishes with 4-42. 1111 - Ind 291-9 (82 overs) Krejza's figures before this over were 4-143 (12-358 for the match) - he's worked hard, can he claim a 13th? Ishant Sharma has a Test-best score of 23, he's a tall young man with a big reach but plays out a maiden successfully. 1108 - Ind 291-9 (81 overs) Last man Ishant Sharma lopes to the crease, wild hair barely contained by his helmet, and has to duck a couple of short balls from Watson. Another short ball is guided to fine leg for a single. Mishra adds a couple more. 1103 - WICKET - Harbhajan b Watson 52 - Ind 288-9 (80.1 overs) Watson is rewarded for some patient bowling as he cleans up Harbhajan after a gritty fifty. 1102 - Ind 288-8 (80 overs) Just a single apiece from new man Amit Mishra and Harbhajan. 1100 - Lest we forget. BBC News report: Remembrance Sunday services remember British fallen1058 - WICKET - Zaheer c Haddin b Krejza 6 - Ind 286-7 (79.2 overs) Zaheer tries to force Krejza off his legs and the ball scuttles for four byes. But then he tries a paddle sweep, Haddin gloves the ball up into the air and takes it at the second attempt. 1056 - Ind 282-7 (79 overs) Zaheer's clearly not here to make up the numbers, as he aims a big hit but knocks the ball straight down into the pitch. He and Watson exchange a few verbals. Zaheer eventually nudges a single. "Don't forget now - two minutes' text silence at 11am" Paul in Lancs in the TMS inbox [That's a good point - MM] 1052 - Ind 281-7 (78 overs) New batsman is Zaheer Khan. Despite being a left-arm seamer, he's a right-handed batsman, and sweeps Krejza over Haddin and very fine for four. An authentic straight drive brings in a single, and Krejza has now conceded the second-highest number of runs in a game for a debutant. Harbhajan piles on the misery for the Aussies as he reaches his fifty with a single, and the crowd go absolutely wild.
"Punter must be livid about picking up those three wickets [before tea]. All that celebrating, not to mention the new batsmen slowly making their way onto the pitch really slowed down the over-rate!" Blakey (loving every apoplectic word of the Australian radio commentators) from Perth, in the TMS inbox1046 - WICKET - Dhoni c Hussey b Krejza 55 - Ind 274-7 (77.1 overs) Dhoni's defiant knock ends with a sense of anti-climax when he hits the ball onto his boot, it loops up and Hussey takes a very good diving catch at gully.
"To improve the over-rate, any match which ends in a draw should be awarded to the team with the quickest over-rate, this would discourage time wasting" Anonymous, via text on 811111045 - Ind 274-6 (77 overs) Have the Aussies abandoned their "improve the over-rate" tactics? The medium-fast seamer Shane Watson returns for the first time in this final session. He certainly stops the flow of runs, but Bhajji defends well and that's a maiden over.
Meanwhile, in the ODI in Benoni, the splendidly-bearded Hashim Amla is carving Bangladesh's bowlers to all areas of the park, he's 118 not out with 10 overs left of their innings. Live scorecard: South Africa v Bangladesh1040 - Ind 274-6 (76 overs) The luckless Krejza is still getting plenty of turn, but you sense the heart has gone out of some of his team-mates. And when he strays with a wide one, Harbhajan hammers a cover-driven four, and a single takes him to within one run of his own half-century. 1036 - Ind 269-6 (75 overs) Clarke takes more punishment from Harbhajan as he clubs a four through the covers before tapping another quick single. Dhoni gives the left-arm tweaker the charge, forcing him through mid-on for four (that's the century stand), then two more singles complete the over. 1033 - Ind 258-6 (74 overs) Harbhajan steers a three to deep extra cover, and he seems to be limping now as well. Maybe they should both call for runners - that's always amusing, even if it's a run-out scenario waiting to happen! A single from Dhoni, and that really is his fifty - his 12th Test fifty, and his fourth against Australia. Bhajji survives an lbw shout from Krejza, then guides a single to fine leg. 1029 - Ind 253-6 (73 overs) Bhajji guides Clarke for a two to fine leg, then another swept single takes him to 34. 1026 - Ind 250-6 (72 overs) Harbhajan moves to 32 with a single, Dhoni steers an easy two past mid-on to bring up the 250, and Dhoni raises his bat as though he's got 50, even though we reckon he's only got 49... and we get some audible profanity from Haddin over the stump microphone. Naughty, naughty. 1023 - Ind 247-6 (71 overs) Now it's Harbhajan's turn to get some treatment from the physio, after that arm muscle injury I just mentioned, while Dhoni is sat down and takes his pads off to check on his own injury. After that interlude, Clarke fires in a maiden over to Dhoni.
"When was the last time ANY team bowled their overs at the required rate in a Test? It has been a problem to too long" Dateaction on 606 Join the debate on 6061016 - Ind 247-6 (70 overs) Krejza drops one loose outside off stump, Harbhajan hangs his bat out and blasts a single to the point boundary, although in stretching for it, he looks like he may have stretched an arm muscle or two! Cameron White, who is the Aussies' "Boundary Fox" on the cover fence, is seeing plenty of the ball as Dhoni clubs Krejza there and they run three. 1012 - Ind 243-6 (69 overs) Clarke is still bowling over the wicket, Gilo-style, firing the ball at the batsman's legs and after a single from Dhoni, another confident Harbhajan sweep brings four for "The Turbanator". More singles and twos, the runs are really flowing now, although Dhoni still looks in pain - why doesn't he call for a runner? 1008 - Ind 235-6 (68 overs) During a drinks break, Dhoni holds up play while he calls the physio on to give him treatment on what may be a hamstring problem. But he gets up in time to steer Krejza for a single, as does Harbhajan. Dhoni jabs a couple to third man, then a single to fine leg but he's clearly limping. Bhajji plays his favourite sweep shot for another single, then the ball flicks off Dhoni over slip when he tries to reverse-sweep and they run a leg bye. 1002 - Ind 228-6 (67 overs) Harbhajan nudges Clarke for a single, Dhoni blasts a full-toss to long-off for another. "Re: over-rates, I think Ponting's captaincy is overrated (sorry about the pun but a strategically shaved chimpanzee could have captained Australia when Warne, McGrath, and Gilchrist were around). In any case, they've bowled 10 overs in 40 minutes since tea and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that at that rate they're not making a dent in the nine overs that they are behind" Alok Tiwari, Champaign, Illinois, USA, in the TMS inbox 0959 - Ind 226-6 (66 overs) Harbhajan opens up against Krejza, firmly sweeping him for four. The lead is now 307. Bhajji then lets a ball hit him that pitches outside the line, and takes a blow on the shoulder-blades for his pain before he turns a single to leg. But Dhoni's excellent running between the wickets brings him two from a sweep, then a single apiece means it's nine off the over. 0955 - Ind 217-6 (65 overs) Michael Clarke gets to turn his arm over for the first time in the match. He bowls orthodox slow left-arm, so it means we've had all four "normal" types of spin from Australia in this game - off-spin (Krejza), leg-spin (White), left-arm spin (Clarke) and left-arm chinaman (Katich). However, if his introduction is part of Australia's plan to improve their over-rates, it's counter-productive as it takes a minute and a half to set the field! Harbhajan steers a single, then Dhoni feasts on another long-hop, carving a four to the mid-wicket fence to bring up the fifty partnership. 0951 - Ind 212-6 (64 overs) Krejza bowls round the wicket, but serves up a long-hop to Dhoni who wallops it to mid-wicket for four. 0947 - Ind 208-6 (63 overs) Punter spits on his hands for the umpteenth time this match as we have more unthreatening military medium from Hussey, and Bhajji plays out a maiden. 0944 - Ind 208-6 (62 overs) Dhoni sweeps Krejza for four from outside the line, then gets a top edge over the solitary slip for two. Another sweep, once more from outside off stump, brings him a single and takes his score to 25. Harbhajan bunts a single to third man, he has 15, and this little stand is suddenly worth 42. 0941 - Ind 200-6 (61 overs) As he did earlier in the series, Hussey is holding the ball behind his back as he runs in, trying to disguise which way he's holding the seam. He's also so heavily covered in sun cream that it looks like his face has been splattered with an iced bun. A maiden over, but so unthreatening that Dhoni must be laughing.
"Why is Ponting crying about overthrows and desperately running around to improve the over-rate to avoid a ban? Doesn't he realise he'll probably get a ban for clearly using profanity at the umpires about the overthrows decision?" CricketMogul on 606 Join the debate on 6060938 - Ind 200-6 (60 overs) A Dhoni single off Krejza brings up India's 200, but I'm as confused as the TV commentators by the Aussie tactics here. They've been content to bowl at a very slow over-rate for the entire game - yet when they get to tea after a flurry of wickets, suddenly they abandon their vice-like grip on the game in a bid to improve their over-rates! E-mail or text in if you can explain what's going on! 0936 - Ind 199-6 (59 overs) Dhoni nudges a single to reach 18, Harbhajan adds another as the bizarre Hussey experiment continues. 0933 - Ind 197-6 (58 overs) Dhoni nudges Krejza for a single, while Harbhajan smears a single to third man as the lead reaches 278. Dhoni steers a single to square leg, Johnson's throw misses the stumps and four overthrows ensue, but Punter isn't happy. He goes over to the umpires, seemingly claiming that "over" had been called before the overthrows ensued (given that the umpire appeared to have handed the bowler his cap). Punter is spitting feathers, but the runs stand. And all that arguing over those runs won't help Australia's over-rate either, which is the object of their play at the moment! Astonishing scenes. 0927 - Ind 190-6 (57 overs) More bizarre scenes as 12th man Stuart Clark comes on to give Ponting a message. Is it about over-rates? In any event, White's off and Mike Hussey's on to bowl his occasional right-arm medium pace. Dhoni has swapped his helmet for a dark blue India cap, but he won't mind too much if the Aussies are more concerned about getting through overs quickly than winning the match - which is the impression they're giving at the moment. Dhoni taps a quick single to Mitchell Johnson, whose throw from mid-on breaks the stumps at the striker's end, but Harbhajan had made his ground. 0924 - Ind 189-6 (56 overs) Krejza, at least, is causing India more problems than White, tossing it up well to Harbhajan and getting a bit of drift. Maiden over. "I think Haddin [43rd over] was just trying to get himself featured on A Question of Sport in the 'What Happened Next?' round, although to be fair he could have made it more interesting by using some lingerie he brought out of his pocket. Anyway, can you let us know if he phones through to the BBC to try and find out when he'll be on?" Dave, Cumbria, in the TMS inbox A Question of Sport - try this week's pictureboard 0920 - Ind 189-6 (55 overs) White to continue. Madness, or a cunning plan? Harbhajan steers a single to fine leg. Meanwhile, TV replays show Clarke, while Punter was off, signalling "we're nine [overs] down" to Lee - the penny having finally dropped after their appalling over-rates in this game. More easy singles from Dhoni and Bhajji are milked from White's bowling - just the three runs from the over, but I can't see him bowling India out in a month of Sundays, let alone today. 0917 - Ind 186-6 (54 overs) Punter's back on the field, but the horse may have bolted as Dhoni turns a single off his legs and Bhajji then blasts Krejza for a powerful cover-driven four. "What do you think would be a reasonable final day target for a result to be forced?" Lionel in the TMS inbox [The Aussies never seem scared of chasing any target, however unlikely - remember Edgbaston 2005! MM] 0914 - Ind 180-6 (53 overs) Johnson takes a rest as Cameron White's leg-spin is introduced for the first time in the innings. And Dhoni immediately goes after him, steering an easy two to the cover boundary. Then, White lets fly with an awful wide down the leg side that goes all the way to the boundary. Dhoni carves an easy single to cover - and vice-captain Clarke, who's been deputising for Ponting who's off the field, goes to have a word with the bowler. Harbhajan shovels a loose delivery over his left shoulder for a single, as he and Dhoni add more ones and twos, feasting upon what, by international standards, was a very poor over. 12 runs from it, has White handed the initiative back to India? 0909 - Ind 168-6 (52 overs) Cap'n Dhoni is now India's key figure - a lofted sweep brings a single to deep square leg. Bhajji sticks out a pad as Krejza bowls well outside off stump, so just one run from the over. 0905 - Ind 167-6 (51 overs) Harbhajan sees off a maiden from Johnson, and the Aussies are undeniably bouncier after that flurry of wickets before the interval. 0901 - Ind 167-6 (50 overs) The incomplete over from before tea is completed as new batsman Harbhajan Singh pushes a single.
And with 0900 GMT having passed, 606 is open for business - come on in and discuss this gripping encounter. Join the debate on 606TEA INTERVAL 0841 - WICKET - Tendulkar run out (White/Haddin) 12 - Ind 166-6 (49.5 overs) Dhoni turns a single to leg. But even with tea in the offing, India are going to pieces here as Tendulkar prods into the covers and sets off for a run which was never there, Dhoni sends him back and Tendulkar is comfortably run out by Cameron White's throw! Tea is immediately taken, but it's all gone wrong for India. Bad for India, very good for the match - India are 166-6, "net" 252-6. 0837 - Ind 165-5 (49 overs) Dhoni advances down the track to tip-and-run a quick single to Johnson, but that's it for the over.
"I've been looking at Dravid's stats after his latest failure. 'The Wall' now averages a very modest 20.94 in his last nine Tests. This doesn't seem to be a temporary form blip as in 23 Tests in 2007/08 he's managed only two hundreds with an average of 32.51. Should he now follow the Kumble/Ganguly lead and announce his retirement? Unless the selectors want his experience while Vijay and Ganguly's replacement get established. It's T minus half an hour or so when I'll be running with this on 606" Andrew in Sheffield in the TMS inbox Join the debate on 606 after 0900 GMT0833 - Ind 164-5 (48 overs) Can captain Mahendra Dhoni steady the ship? He plays the hat-trick ball off his legs for a single to stretch the Indian lead to the mental milestone of 250. A superb over by Krejza, and it throws the match wide open again. 0829 - WICKET - Ganguly c & b Krejza 0 - Ind 163-5 (47.2 overs) For the last time, Sourav Ganguly walks out to begin a Test innings. Even the Aussie fielders respectfully applause the "Prince of Kolkata", who has scored 7,212 Test runs and whose average has never dipped below 40. But his Test career ends with a golden duck as he gets a leading edge and the ball floats back to Krejza for a caught-and-bowled! Krejza's on a hat-trick again! 0825 - WICKET - Laxman b Krejza 4 - Ind 163-4 (47.1 overs) Krejza's bouncebackability is confirmed when he turns one very sharply past Laxman's outside edge and clatters his stumps! The TV commentators describe it as "unplayable", but that's VVS back in the hutch. 0824 - Ind 163-3 (47 overs) Johnson moves around the wicket to the right-handed Laxman, and bangs one in short but Laxman can't force it past the point fielder. Having been stuck on three for a while, he finally dabs a single into the covers.
"Re: the five runs Haddin just conceded [43rd over]. Never seen anything quite like it either. Although I remember Sir Viv once throwing his cap at a ball as he chased it towards the boundary. He missed and England got four runs rather than five" Sudhakar in Lymm, in the TMS inbox0820 - Ind 162-3 (46 overs) Krejza returns, and suddenly he's getting a lot of turn against Tendulkar. Haddin misses one down the leg side and the Indian pair run two byes. Unlike Sehwag, Tendulkar's in no hurry against the off-spinner, and plays out a maiden over. 0815 - Ind 160-3 (45 overs) Watson takes a rest after taking 2-34 from his 12 overs and Johnson returns for the first time since lunch. Tendulkar turns a single off his legs. And if you're wondering about a lack of scorecard on our site from England's practice match in Mumbai, we've been officially told it's because the Indian cricket authorities have not allowed an official scorer into the ground, because it's only a practice match. One journalist is there, sending out reports. Apparently. I can tell you, though, that Andrew Flintoff hit 101 not out in England's 297-4. REPORT: Sidebottom to miss England opener 0811 - Ind 159-3 (44 overs) Michael Clarke leaves the field, not looking particularly well, so Peter Siddle is on as a sub-fielder. Laxman turns Lee well off his legs, but can't beat the man at short mid-wicket. maiden over. 0807 - Ind 159-3 (43 overs) Watson is still trying to mix up the reverse swing against Tendulkar, with a slip in and a man at leg-gully-ish. But when he nudges one down the leg side, the diving Haddin throws one of his wicketkeeping gloves at the ball to stop it! The umpires consult, decide that's unfair play and award India five penalty runs! Never seen that happen before. Tendulkar dabs a two to leg to round off the over. "Good Morning Mark! It's well past 2pm but I'm just rolling out of bed. I stayed up late to watch Barcelona take on Valladolid at what was 3.45am my time and it was definitely worth the effort. Methinks that if India can amass 300+ runs today - plausible, if the current run-rate holds - we will have something to look forward to on Monday, other than work" Amit (sporting the just-out-of-bed-look), The Shiz, China, in the TMS inbox 0800 - Ind 152-3 (42 overs) Another single from Tendulkar, as Lee charges in with the sweat pouring off him. 0756 - Ind 151-3 (41 overs) Watson strays with an aerial wide, which sails high over Laxman's head, which even raises a chuckle from Punter. Would have been a maiden over except for that one.
"Aussies still have a chance! I'm a fan of them but only after India. This game here on BBC is immensely lovely! Let me add a woman's perspective - I find Simon Katich quite handsome after Dravid, any takers? The latter, though, seems to be a little out of touch" Sree in the TMS inbox0751 - Ind 150-3 (40 overs) Laxman steers the first ball after drinks for a single, then a no-ball brings up India's 150. The lead is now 236.
Meanwhile, over in Benoni, Bangladesh have won the toss against South Africa in their second ODI and will field first. "Mark, where is Cameron White? Is he not Australia's first-choice spinner?" John in Clitheroe, in the TMS inbox [Probably not after Krejza took 8-215 in the first innings! White only has five Test wickets at 64... MM] 0742 - Ind 148-3 (39 overs) Watson has a short mid-wicket and a short mid-on (just next to the non-striker) for the wristy Laxman, who taps a single. Meanwhile, Lee, down at long leg, wipes his sweaty brow with a large towel. Tendulkar runs a couple to take his score to eight, and time for another drinks break. "Watching the cricket on TV in New Zealand as it meanders to another draw. But I want to mention the England U17 women's soccer team. I've just got back from watching them beat Japan in the quarter-final of the U17 World Cup. A fantastic match, equalising with a stunning 35-yarder in the 90th minute - and then going on to win on penalties. Unheard of - an England team winning on penalties! Superb" Mark S, Hamilton, NZ, in the TMS inbox 0737 - Ind 145-3 (38 overs) Lee keeps it tight against Tendulkar, with the field pretty well spread already, but the Little Master's defence plays out a maiden over. "There has been so much talk about the 'negative tactics' employed by Dhoni yesterday, with the outside off-stump line and 8-1 field. Such tactics are not just part of cricket. How many times have we seen football teams defend in numbers once they go 1-0 up. It is up to the opposition to react to that and consider it as a challenge. This is Test cricket, teams must be good enough to play against all sorts of tactics and strategies" Hariharan K, India, in the TMS inbox 0733 - Ind 145-3 (37 overs) Tendulkar dabs a single off his legs, Laxman's off the mark with another and then Sachin keeps the strike. Watson has impressive figures of 9-1-28-2. "Sorry to hear that the Nagpur stadium is more empty than full... I watched my first ever game of ice hockey yesterday - it's still very early in the season, but boy was the stadium full, and the cheers loud enough to nearly blast the roof off! Now if only these Americans could be educated about the thrills of Test cricket..." Miriam, in Madison, in the TMS inbox [Or any cricket - we'd probably have to break them in gently with Twenty20 before unleashing the full majesty of Test cricket - MM] 0728 - Ind 142-3 (36 overs) New batsman is VVS Laxman (with a white bandana with blue polkadots under his helmet). Lee is getting a bit of reverse swing both ways, but Laxman sees him off for a wicket maiden. And with that wicket (his 53rd against India), Lee has become the highest Australian Test wicket-taker against India (overtaking Richie Benaud's 52). Marvellous. 0722 - WICKET - Sehwag c Haddin b Lee 92 - Ind 142-3 (35.1 overs) Krejza takes a rest as Ponting recalls Lee to the attack - and it pays immediate dividends as Sehwag tries to nudge one off his hip and Haddin takes a good legside catch! Bit of an anticlimax when Sehwag looked set for a ton. 0720 - Ind 142-2 (35 overs) Watson's bowled well this morning, can he snare the big fish Tendulkar? Punter has a minor quibble with umpire Aleem Dar about the state of the ball. Tendulkar is off the mark with a typically classy off-driven four.
"Careful, MM. Comparing Punter to Bush [see 0538] is political vilification" Ashvin Iyengar in the TMS inbox [But who would be more offended by the comparison? Ponting or Dubya? MM]0716 - Ind 138-2 (34 overs) A full-bunger from Krejza gets the treatment it deserves from Sehwag, who marmalises it through mid-wicket for four. The fielders are scattered to the four winds (or rather, the four corners of the ground), but he guides another two to long leg to reach 92. When Krejza sends down a wide one way outside off stump, Sehwag sticks his pad out at it and it shoots down to third man, but he's unable to run - having not attempted to play a shot. Krejza screams another lbw appeal off the last ball, but more in hope than expectation. 0712 - Ind 132-2 (33 overs) The roar around the ground tells us that Sachin Tendulkar has walked to the crease, fresh from his first-innings century. He defends his first ball. 0709 - WICKET - Dravid c Haddin b Watson 3 - Ind 132-2 (32.5 overs) Sehwag, as ever, keeps the score ticking with a single, while Watson is getting some late inswing against Dravid. But he's undone by one which just leaves him, getting the faintest of nicks into the bright yellow and green gloves of keeper Haddin. "Re: Subhash [0457] - The stadiums in India are too bad to spend bucks on tickets, when you get a comfy view on the telly. Make no mistake, India-Australia Tests are really popular - here at the IIT [Indian Institute of Technology, in Delhi], hardcore techies are glued to TV, blissfully ignorant of final exams round the corner" Raveesh Gupta in the TMS inbox 0704 - Ind 131-1 (32 overs) Krejza has four men around the bat for Dravid, two on each side - slip, silly point, leg slip and short leg. The silly point and short leg are helmeted, as is keeper Haddin, but Dravid elegantly steers a two to the mid-wicket fence. 0701 - Ind 129-1 (31 overs) Sehwag runs a quick single and when Hussey's throw breaks the stumps and cannons off to safety, they run a second. A single brings Dravid on strike, and he's been short of runs lately but prods a single to backward point. "Please confirm - for India to get to second place in the Test rankings they need to win this, not draw. I read somewhere that they need to win the series 2-0" Pat in South Africa, in the TMS inbox [That's right, as I understand it - but don't ask me to explain how the rankings are worked out! MM] INTERNET LINK: ICC World Rankings 0655 - Ind 121-1 (30 overs) Sehwag opts for careful placement this over, guiding a two to third man and stroking another two through mid-wicket. When he does hit out, he gets a top edge but it falls safely between mid-wicket and deep square leg.
"I can't wait to see if Krejza plays in the Ashes and what KP can do to him" Adam, via text on 811110651 - Ind 116-1 (29 overs) As that Dale Winton/Darren Gough Saturday evening gameshow's slogan goes, "Bring on The Wall!" - it's Rahul "The Wall" Dravid in at number three. He sees off the rest of the over. Watch Darren Gough in "Hole in the Wall" on BBC iPlayer 0647 - WICKET - Vijay lbw b Watson 41 - Ind 116-1 (28.2 overs) Vijay joins in the fun, albeit in a more orthodox manner, with a handsome cover drive - but Watson hits back the very next ball, trapping him lbw as he tries to play forward! Billy B has a long, long look but raises his crooked finger of doom. 0645 - Ind 112-0 (28 overs) Some post-lunch carnage from Sehwag as he goes after Krejza - smashing a huge six over long-off, smashing another one straight for a first-bounce four and carving a couple of twos all around the wicket. 0639: Well, I can tell you that it's not entirely going India's way in their cricketing contests against India. In a typically excitable press release from Cricket Australia, the Aussie women's team (aka the "Southern Stars" beat India in their fifth one-day international today - to win the series 5-0. Shelley Nitschke hit 94 off 56 balls. LUNCH INTERVAL - INDIA LEAD BY 184 RUNS 0601 - Ind 98-0 (27 overs) This may be the last over before lunch, but Vijay and Sehwag are still happy to run quick singles. Can they reach three figures before the interval? Vijay plays and misses a couple of times, and that's lunch. A good session for India, and high time for some brekky. 0556 - Ind 96-0 (26 overs) As we head towards lunch, Sehwag - still not moving entirely comfortably - works Krejza for a single. The Indian pair exchange singles, which leaves Sehwag on 54 and Vijay on 35 - his highest Test score. Punter tries to lead the Aussies by example by donning a helmet and coming in as a second short leg for Vijay, who works another single down to long leg. But when the fielder from his favoured third man area is removed, Sehwag steps back to give himself room and square-cuts down to that exact place. 0552 - Ind 88-0 (25 overs) Still Watson, but Vijay continues his defiance as he waits to edge a two down to third man. "Good job to the Indian team for outplaying the Australians in this series, and they deserve to win (though I still hold out hope for a 5th day boilover). The difference seems to be the better balance of the Indian team - ie fantastic attack in both seam (Sharma) and spin (Harbhajan) and a deep, experienced batting line-up. That said, the Aussie team looks more balanced now with Krejza in the attack, and with Symonds back in the covers putting the fear of God into would be single-snatchers, the Australians will not be written off easily in future Tests" DM, Brisbane, in the TMS inbox 0547 - Ind 86-0 (24 overs) Sehwag carefully gets off strike with a single to square leg. He's still not happy with his calf, but may hang on until lunch. "Well bowled, Jason", chirps Haddin as Vijay defends well against Krejza. Another loud get-down-on-one-knee-with-arm-aloft lbw appeal from Krejza, but he's out of luck so far - Hawk-Eye agrees with Billy B that although the ball was turning out of the rough outside off stump, it wasn't turning enough to hit the stumps. Another careful single means Vijay has 32 and Krejza has 0-38 from seven overs. 0543 - Ind 84-0 (23 overs) Vijay is still remaining careful against Watson, his temprament has impressed me on this, his Test debut. A maiden, and Sehwag needs some attention to his calf muscle, so the physio comes on to have a quick look. But he carries on batting.
And at Madison Square Garden, Calzaghe has won on points. Well done him. Live text - Calzaghe v Jones, with Nabil Hassan0538 - Ind 84-0 (22 overs) Sehwag crashes Krejza through mid-wicket with another brutal pull to bring up his 17th Test fifty (and his second of the game) off 76 balls. He steers another single to leg before Vijay joins in the fun, lofting Krejza to cow corner for a first-bounce four. A single means he keeps the strike - the lead is now 170.
"Ponting looking pretty nonplussed - kind of like Dubya when facing the economic crisis" Ashvin Iyengar in the TMS inbox [If I had a pound for every time an e-mailer compared Punter in looks to George W Bush, I'd be a rich man, with or without the credit crunch - MM]0535 - Ind 74-0 (21 overs) Johnson takes a rest after 10 overs and all-rounder Shane Watson comes on for some right-arm medium-fast seam. Vijay moves to 26 with a single, and the debutant must have half an eye on beating his first-innings score of 33. Punter shuffles his field and sticks a man back on the mid-wicket fence for Sehwag, who clips a well-run two off his legs and then tickles a single to third man.
"I hope the Punter doesn't (again) cry 'foul play' and 'negative' batting from India at the end of the match and hold India's slow batting accountable for the result. The Aussies consumed 10 overs more than India and scored 90 fewer runs in the same duration" Prajwal, Hyderabad, India, in the TMS inbox0528 - Ind 70-0 (20 overs) Krejza gives it a bit of width and Vijay, in contrast to Sehwag's all-out assault, carefully tickles the ball down to third man for four, then nurdles another single. Just over half-an-hour until lunch. 0525 - Ind 65-0 (19 overs) Sehwag guides a double past mid-on to take his score to 43. I guess as time ticks on, Australia's hopes of levelling the series are ticking away too. The lead is now 151. 0521 - Ind 63-0 (18 overs) Well, Sehwag obviously isn't afraid to rile Krejza - he slog-sweeps him for a mighty four to the square-leg fence. Another loud lbw shout, but still not good enough to impress Billy B. Sehwag steers a sneaky single, it's fun watching these two lock horns. 0518 - Ind 58-0 (17 overs) Sehwag on-drives Johnson for a single as the left-armer begins his ninth over. Considering the Queenslander's girlfriend Jessica Bratich is a karate champion, perhaps he's not someone to get on the wrong side of. 0514 - Ind 57-0 (16 overs) Sehwag finds the gap through the covers again as they run three to the cover boundary - he now has 35. Vijay then firmly cuts Krejza past point to take his score to 20. 0509 - Ind 50-0 (15 overs) After a drinks break, Sehwag steers another single towards his favoured third man area to bring up the fifty partnership. 0501 - Ind 49-0 (14 overs) A table shows Sehwag as the highest Test run-scorer in 2008, with 1,290 - knocking Graeme Smith into second place. Vijay shows off an immaculate defensive technique against Krejza before delicately feathering a single to mid-on. Sehwag guides one to leg, then Vijay scampers a well-run three to the cover boundary. The last ball sees Sehwag ride his luck as he lofts one just short of the diving Lee at mid-off and they run one. 0457 - Ind 43-0 (13 overs) Sehwag clips Johnson off his legs for two, then taps another two down to third man. The overall lead is now 129. "I am fed up with this whine about the death of Test cricket. Stadium crowds in India is the worst barometer to measure the popularity of Test cricket. If that were the criterion, the IPL was a massive flop in Mohali and Hyderabad where the stadiums were less than half-full for most IPL games. Also, most Indians prefer watching Test cricket at home on telly rather than getting stuck up in the heat in a useless stadium. Also, Indian employers are not at all tolerant to taking leave (to watch a Test match). In fact, most Indians don't use up their quota of vacations every year" Subhash, Mumbai, India, in the TMS inbox 0453 - Ind 39-0 (12 overs) Lee takes a rest and debutant Krejza enters the fray to see if he can match his 8-215 from the first innings. He has an "in-out" field, and Vijay carves a single to mid-on. Krejza sinks to one knee to appeal when Sehwag is hit on the pad, but he was hit well outside the line and they run a leg bye. Vijay then guides the last ball for two. 0448 - Ind 35-0 (11 overs) A loud appeal for a catch behind from keeper Brad Haddin as Johnson slants one across Sehwag, but to no avail as Billy B is unmoved. Off-spinner Jason Krejza is warming up as Johnson completes a maiden over.
And after all the hours, weeks and months of build-up and hype, the Calzaghe fight is finally under way. Have a quick look at the text commentary if you like, as long as you promise to return here for the cricket! Live text - Calzaghe v Jones, with Nabil Hassan"Evening Mark! Sitting here at the University of Toronto with a gorgeous strawberry blonde looking to see how this Test unfolds as Australia prepare for the Ashes in England next year. As an England supporter, I'm rooting for India to take apart the Aussie bowling attack once again. Come on you Indians!" Charles from the University of Toronto, in the TMS inbox 0444 - Ind 35-0 (10 overs) An attempted Lee yorker is cracked straight back by Sehwag, with both Lee and umpire Dar diving for cover. Sehwag then on-drives past mid-on for another four, and a single increases the Aussie misery as it keeps him on strike! 0440 - Ind 26-0 (9 overs) Sehwag's flashing blade square-cuts Johnson for four past backward point. A single stretches the Indian lead to 112. "After the sad and thoroughly avoidable loss of United yesterday, only a thumping landslide win for India can enliven the atmosphere here. And I am supposed to be studying here at this crucial moment? Who am I kidding? Go India" Raveesh Gupta in the TMS inbox 0435 - Ind 21-0 (8 overs) Sehwag knocks Lee away for a couple. Considering Lee's health problems yesterday, how many overs will he be able to bowl off the reel today? This is his fourth, and Sehwag rounds off the over with a nudged single to fine leg. 0431 - Ind 18-0 (7 overs) The effervescent Sehwag taps a single off his legs, Vijay is more defensive against left-armer Johnson. 0427 - Ind 17-0 (6 overs) Umpire Billy Bowden whips out his walkie-talkie and sends for a new ball, so fourth umpire Sudhir Asnani ambles out with a box of balls, looking in no hurry. "Punter" Ponting seems happy with the new ball - a slight scare for India when Vijay has to send Sehwag back when he fancied a run, but Vijay steers a two off the final delivery. 0418 - Ind 15-0 (5 overs) Baseball fans familiar with Manny Ramirez and the concept of "Manny being Manny" (when he gets careless in the field or while running the bases) may know what I mean when I say we've got "Sehwag being Sehwag". The boy Viru only seems to be able to play one way, whatever the situation - never mind that India's main danger of losing the series would be if they play too many reckless shots and get rolled for 150, he's already aiming some lusty blows at Johnson but failing to make contact each time. Maiden over. "Australian newspapers are complaining about Zaheer being provocative! This from the inventors of mental disintegration" Ash from Detroit in the TMS inbox 0414 - Ind 15-0 (4 overs) Remember, just add 86 to the India score to get their overall lead - so if they're 10-0, they're "net" 96-0. Sehwag keeps the scoreboard ticking with a single, then Vijay opens the face and steers Lee down to third man for four. 0410 - Ind 10-0 (3 overs) Aussie captain Ricky Ponting has a third man in straight away to block off one of Sehwag's favoured scoring areas, but a classy cover-drive off Mitchell Johnson gives us the first boundary of the innings. He steers a single to third man. Remember, we want you to get involved as well - so e-mail us at tms@bbc.co.uk (with "For Mark Mitchener" in the subject line), text us on 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word - this is extra-important today so that we can distinguish your texts from the vast numbers coming in about the Calzaghe fight), or use 606 after 0900 GMT. 0405 - Ind 5-0 (2 overs) There had been some doubts over Brett Lee's participation after he was laid low by a stomach virus yesterday and only batted at number 11 after spending time on a drip. But he's fit enough to take the first over of the day, and Murali Vijay gets India under way with a straight-driven single. Virender Sehwag nudges a single of his own, while Lee oversteps with a no-ball and Vijay turns a two off his legs. 0355: We had a bit of a strange day, tactics-wise, yesterday - with India often bowling well wide of off-stump to an 8-1 field, and Australia's batsmen not taking any risks until the last 20 minutes of the day's play. The match situation is that India are 0-0 after one over of their second innings, 86 runs ahead of Australia - with two days' play left and India leading the series 1-0. 0345: Morning, everyone. It may still be the middle of the night here at BBC TV Centre in London - but for the nocturnally-minded (or those of you on more civilised hours elsewhere around the world), we have a choice of text commentaries for you - as you may be aware, there's a big scrap about to start elsewhere in the world. So, if you want to see two titans going toe-to-toe, urged on by some of the most passionate fans in the world, often squaring up to each other, getting warned by the referee for the odd elbowing incident and getting involved in some serious "trash talk"... stick with me for live coverage of the fourth day of India-Australia.
Alternatively, those of you who want to read about Joe Calzaghe's bout with Roy Jones Junior, check out Nabil Hassan's text commentary from the other side of our otherwise deserted office. Live text - Calzaghe v Jones, with Nabil Hassan
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