Indian spinners keep Australia in check

India’s spinners struck in the second session to leave Australia on 189 for three wickets at tea on the opening day of the second and final test on Saturday.

By (Reuters)

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Published: Sat 9 Oct 2010, 11:29 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 1:20 PM

After a perfect morning session dominated by in-form opener Shane Watson (57), Australia had their progress halted by Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha soon after lunch.

At the break, Ricky Ponting was batting on 43 with Mike Hussey (29) at the other end, with the pair having raised 57 runs for the fourth wicket.

Australia, who opted to bat first, got off to a rollicking start and the 99-run opening stand between Watson and Simon Katich (43) laid the foundation for a big total before the Indian spinners intervened.

In the first over after lunch, off-spinner Harbhajan removed Katich and returned to send back Michael Clarke (14) as well.

In between, left-arm spinner Ojha cut short Watson’s stay, inducing an edge that was neatly collected by Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the stumps.

The belligerent Watson, who scored 126 and 56 in the first test in Mohali, fell after a fluent knock that included nine boundaries, including three in a single Zaheer Khan over.


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