Date-stamped : 29 Jan95 - 10:30
MATCH REPORTS and Commentary : INDIA in AUSTRALIA, TEST 3, Jan 1992

The weather has cleared here and it is fine and light winds
with an estimated maximum temperature of 24C.  Of course, we
have had rain on 3 of the last 4 days and you'd have to
suspect that both captains will want to ask the opposition to
bat should they win the toss.
 -- Michael Fahey

Teams:
 for Australia, Shane Warne replaced Peter Taylor.
        Border, Marsh, Taylor(Mark), Boon, Jones, Waugh(Mark),
        Healy, McDermott, Hughes, Warne, Reid
 For India, Sidhu replaced Srikkanth (as expected), Pandit replaced 
            More (injured) and Banjeree replaced Raju.
        Azharuddin, Shastri, Sidhu, Vengsarker, Manjrekar,
        Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Pandit, Prabhakar, Srinath, Banerjee
 Whitney 12th man for Aust (again), Ganguly 12th for India (again).

 --------------- DAY 1 --------------------------

Azharuddin won the tos, and sent Australia in to bat.  The
pitch is expected to have some early life.  Its expected to
turn later.
 -- kre

 Test 3, Day 1, 1st hour

India won the toss and sent Australia in.

Marsh           B Banerjee                8     1/22
Taylor                                   19
Boon                                      0

With 4 seam bowlers, and only Shastri to bowl spin, it wasn't
surprising that Azharuddin decided to send Australia in.
Border didn't seem very disappointed that he will get to bowl
last.

Kapil opened the innings with a couple of innocuous balls to
Marsh as looseners, then improved, his fourth ball beat the
outside edge of Marsh's bat.  Prabhakar opened at the other
end to Taylor, the first LBW appeal (one going way over the
stumps) came in his second over.

At the minute the croud at the SCG looks quite small - any of
you who would like to attend can probably do so without having
to worry about getting a good seat.  I think I forgot to say
that the croud on the fourth day at the MCG was just under
11000, a match total of approx 89000.

Taylor opened the scoring for Aust on the last ball of
Prabkakar's first over, a drive through mid off for three.
The second of those runs was this opening pair's 2000'th run
opening in tests - this is their 44th opening partnership.

Another LBW appeal from the last ball of Prabhakar's 3rd over
to Marsh - this one was closer, but probably outside off
stump.  Kapil's next over brought the first real appeal, for
caught behind of Taylor.  There didn't appear to be an edge,
Taylor probably hit his foot with the bat.  Marsh finally
opened his scoring with a three to third man (along the
ground) in Prabhakar's next over.

Marsh took the first four of the day from Kapil's fifth over,
a turn slightly behind square that Sidhu was just unable to
save, though he tried.  Another single made this the most
productive over for Australia so far.

Prabhakar bowled a maiden, Taylor took a couple of two's from
Kapil's next, then Taylor attempted to run himself out (or
perhaps, more correctly, Marsh tried to run Taylor out) in
Prabhakar's next (his sixth).  Marsh played the ball out on
the off side, and called for a short single, Taylor responded,
and took off quickly.  Marsh realised that there wasn't really
a run, and sent Taylor back - but Taylor was moving quickly
and took some time to stop, turn, and retreat.  During that
interval, Prabhakar fielded the ball and threw at the bowlers
end stumps, but missed.  Whoever was at the bowlers end to
take the throw wasn't really there (sorry, don't know who it
was, would have been Srikkanth - but he's not playing, someone
has to have taken his place at bat pad) - in any case, he was
a bit behind the stumps, and Taylor regained his ground.

Banerjee replaced Kapil in the next over - his first couple of
balls well off line.  Srinath replaced Prabhakar at the other
end, Taylor took a couple to deep fine leg, that Shastri
managed to drop after he picked up the ball (or seemed to have
picked up the ball), no extra runs from the miss field.  Then
Prabhakar (at third slip) dropped Taylor from what looked to
be a fairly ordinary slips catch, slightly to his left and
about waist high.  He got his hands to it, but wasn't able to
keep control.

Marsh didn't play a shot at one from Banerjee's next over
(after another couple of wide balls), and took it on the pad -
the appeal was denied, the ball was straight, and clearly not
going to hit the stumps.  But next ball, Marsh moved over to
the off side again, but the ball was more on leg stump - in
fact, right on leg stump, which it removed from the ground -
didn't swing, just straight at leg stump.  Aust 1/22.  Boon
came in at number 3, as usual.  Taylor took another two to
backward square, and then a four edged along the ground
through slips to end the first hours play.

Marsh           B Banerjee                8     1/22

 Test 3, Day 1, 2nd hour

Apparently its Manjrekar at bat-pad for any of you who were
wondering from my last report...  Banerjee continued after the
drinks break, Boon and Taylor took leg byes.  Then Boon
managed a single which resulted from a miss field by the
bowler, who just managed to get his hand to it and deflect the
ball a little straighter than it was going.  Tendulkar ran
around, fielded the ball, and threw at the bowlers end stumps.
He missed, but Boon was safe anyway, without even needing to
hurry too much.

Boon took his first boundary with a cut from Srinath.  Next
over Banerjee appealed for LBW from the final ball of his over
(to Boon, after Taylor had taken a single) but it was going
down leg side.  Then Srinath tried an appeal for caught behind
down the leg side for one that probably just touched Taylor's
pad on the way past (it was nowhere near the bat).  Srinath
completed his second maiden with a nice ball that beat Taylor.

Srinath's next over saw him bowl a bouncer to Boon (one of
just a few for the day) which Boon (without a helmet) managed
to just get out of the way of at the last fraction of a
second.  Pandit attempted to stump Boon, thinking he may have
left his ground - I doubt it, but the throw missed, so we
can't be sure.

Prabhakar switched ends and replaced Banerjee in the next over
- Taylor played a nice straight drive that was fielded by the
stumps, denying a run.  He took a single from a no ball, then
Boon took 3 to mid wicket/mid on.  Prabhakar came around the
wicket to Taylow - one LBW appeal, but he'd be lucky to get
one bowling from there.

Kapil also changed ends, and replaced Srinath at the opposite
end - six overs seems to be the standard bowling spell length
so far, that's what everyone is doing.  That was a maiden
bowled to Boon - quite a good over, but without threat.
Prabhakar attempted to bounce Taylor, who pulled him along the
ground to mid wicket for four.  After a no ball, Taylor
dispatched one wide of off stump in front of point for another
4.  1/55 with about 10 minutes until lunch.

Shastri replaced Prabhakar after one more over from Kapil,
he'll probably manage two overs before the interval.  The
field isn't very attacking, almost as if Azzharuddin wasn't
expecting anything much to happen.  Just one scoring shot from
the over, a two that Taylor turned behind square.

Kapil bowled the next over - just a single to Boon, which
turned out to be the final over before lunch, so Shastri only
had the one over.  Aust 1/60 at lunch, not a bad position to
be in after being sent in.

 Day 1 Lunch :  India won the toss and sent Australia in.
                Australia 60 for 1 (30 ov), Taylor 33*, Boon 11*

 Test 3 Day 1 3rd Hour

Srinath replaced Shastri immediately after lunch - Pandit
appealed for LBW from a ball going way down leg side to Boon
... it was also a no ball.  Next ball Boon cut and took three.
Kapil Dev continued from the other end, a maiden.  Taylor
opened his scoring with a couple of twos from Srinath's next
over - between which there was an LBW appeal from one which
was probably going to hit the stumps, but clearly pitched
outside leg stump.  A no ball, and then a straightish 3 to
Taylor brought up the 50 partnership.  Boon completed a good
over for Aust with a pull he didn't quite get on top of, but
which landed safely away from any fieldsmen.  The ball
stopped, the batsmen took two.

At the end of Kapil's first over of the session (apparently -
while the TV was off at an ad break), Kapil complained to the
umpires (O'Connell and Randall?)  about the state of the ball.
His next over was greatly lengthened by several more
discussions on the same matter - it ended as another maiden
with the ball unchanged.

Srinath, and the Indian team, appealed for LBW, again, from
the first ball of his next over (to Boon), this time the ball
had hit the pad (just) outside the line of off stump - Boon
was playing a shot.  Srinath followed that by a no ball.
Three singles followed, the last after a miss field by
Banerjee at mid off, then a poor throw when he had recovered
the ball (not that it mattered in this case).

A few uneventful overs followed, Prabhakar took over from
Kapil Dev.  Boon played a wonderful pull/hook from Srinath for
four, after which the bowler attempted to have the ball
changed again, and again without success.  Banerjee eventually
replaced Srinath - Boon played a nice straight drive that
Banerjee just failed to get down to, and which eventually
rolled into the fence for four.

This ended the hour with Aust on 1/98.  Taylor 45*, Boon 30*

 Test 3, Day 1, 4th hour

Prabhakar continued after the drinks break, Taylor wasted no
time bringing uop the Aust 100, with a four to third man, then
his own fifty a couple of balls later with a quick single.  4
fours, 121 balls, 189 mins.  He took another four, a nice late
cut, from Banerjee's next over.  After that over, the umpires
finally gave in to yet another complaint about the ball, and
changed it.  That one didn't seem to swing any more than the
other one had been, Prabhakar's first over with it was pretty
innocuous.

The commentators believe that this may be te first time ever
that India have picked four specialist fast bowlers in a test.
They also suspect it might be the last.

Banerjee got his second test wicket when Taylor got an edge to
one, and Pandit took the easy chance.  Aust 2/117 in the 49th
over (though just the fourth or something with this ball).

Taylor          C Pandit B Banerjee       56    2/117

Waugh came in at number 4 - Border appears to have dropped
himself down to number 6 (Jones remaining at 5 if the
scoreboard is to be believed).  He allowed himself one ball to
get a look, then played a very nice on drive to open his
scoring with a boundary.  A couple of overs later, Waugh
played one from Prabhakar into the covers and ran - Srinath
was fielding there, picked up cleanly enough, then fell down
before he could throw, the eventual throw was not great (from
on the ground), and Waugh was easily home.

This didn't matter much, as first ball of the next over, Waugh
played a strange kind of shot, got a thick edge and Prabhakar,
now in the gully, took an easy catch.  Three wickets to
Banerjee.  Aust 3/127.  Banerjee appealed for LBW from Jones
second ball - the first for a while - the ball was going a
long way down leg side.  With Jones in, and just 15 minutes
till tea, Azharuddin brought back Kapil to replace Prabhakar.

Waugh           C Prabhakar B Banerjee     5    3/127

Boon cut one into the ground - it bounced over Tendulkar at
point, and went towards the boundary, Tendulkar chased it, and
just managed to save the boundary, allowing Boon just 3, and
Kapil to attack Jones.  Boon played a nice cover drive to
bring up his 50 with a boundary in Banerjee's next over.  The
50 came in 178 minutes, from 135 balls, and included 5 fours.

Jones opened his scoring with a boundary to third man, that
came from the edge of the bat through third slip at a
catchable height - but without a fieldsman there to take it.
Next ball Jones edged again directly to Azharuddin at second
slip - but just on the half volley, Pandit, and maybe Kapil,
thought a catch had been taken, but neither Azharuddin nor
Vengsarker (at 1st slip) appealed.

That over from Kapil ended the session, with Aust on 3/139.

Day 1, Tea : India won the toss and sent Australia in.
             Australia 139 for 3 (56 ov), Boon 50*, Jones 4*
             Banerjee 3/30

 Test 3, Day 1, 5th hour

Srinath took up the attack after the tea break.  Boon took a
pair of twos to keep the scoring moving along.  Kapil Dev
continued at the other end, this time with three slips for
Jones.  He started with a no ball.  Both the third slip, and
bat pad, went away after Jones managed a single (through
slips) to bring Boon onto strike.  In his next over, he
brought the bat pad back for the last ball, even with Boon
facing.

Jones played his first really convincing shot from the first
ball of Srinath's next over, a cut for four.  He appears a
little more settled now.  That boundary brought up the Aust
150.  A little later Srinath got one to bounce a bit and take
te edge of Boon's bat - but it flew safely through slips, and
down to third man for four.  After that Sidhu was sent back to
third man to save the run flow in that area.

Half an hour into the session, Shastri got a chance to bowl
his second over, replacing Srinath, and bowling initially to
Boon.  Just one scoring shot, a drive through mid off that
Srinath managed to dive on, but not stop - still he restricted
the scoring to two rather that the four that would have
resulted had he missed it completely. Prabhakar replaced Kapil
in the next over, and bowled his fourth maiden of the day.
His fifth was his next over.  Incidentally, when you get
"nothing" periods in this commentary, it generally means that
nothing is happening, or nothing worth commenting on - that
is, ordinary bowling (which does not mean poor, just
ordinary), with ordinary batting (occasional runs, nothing
worth comenting on).

Prabhakar just attempted to field with his foot, and gave a
way a run, when he missed - or rather, didn't stop it cleanly.
A single to Jones in Prabhakar's next over brought up the 50
partnership, 64 minutes, 106 balls.  Jones has just 19 of
those, there've been a few extras, but Boon must have close to
30 of the 50.

Jones increased his rate a little with a sweep off middle
stump for a boundary from Shastri.  He then played a straight
drive from down the pitch a bit, but just for a single, there
was a deep mid on (long on almost).

Prabhakar finally got one to move a bit - between Jones bat
and pad, then Pandit managed to miss it, somehow,and four byes
resulted.

Attendance today: 13768 - a regular working day in Sydney of course.

Boon took a step and a half down the pitch to Shastri, and
drove him through mid off for four, to take Boon into the
80's, and bring Aust within 8 runs of 200.  Another nice shot
from Boon.  Drinks were then taken. Aus 192/3, Boon 76*, Jones 26*

 Test 3, Day 1, 6th hour

Prabhakar continued after the drinks break, and for anyone who
didn't notice the inconsistency in my previous two postings
(5th hour), that's because I mentally credited Boon twice for
his four in the commentary, he really was still 76 at drinks.

Shastri continued from the other end.  Eventually Boon managed
to face a whole over (from Shastri) rather than just the last
ball or so (if that), and used the opportunity to actually get
to the 80's, with a 2 then a 3, which also both moved Aust
past 200 (to 201), and kept Boon the strike for Prabhakar's
next over, which he's taken advantage of with another 2
already.

Ganguly is on the field at the minute (no idea who's off) - he
managed to fumble twice on one shot from Boon, but the batsmen
had decided not to take a run, and left it that way.

Next over, Jones moved down the pitch to Shastri, made the
delivery into a full toss, and drove it through mid on for
four.  He then took an easy single.  Same over, Boon drove
pone back in the air to Shastri, who could knock the ball
down, but not hold it.  Jones tried to go back to his crease,
but found Shastri sprawled on the ground behind him.  The
batsmen decided to take the run anyway, but Jones had delayed
enough that Tendulkar's throw from mid on arrived in Pandit's
gloves before Jones was near the crease, and Jones was run out
for 35, 4/210.

Jones           run out                 35      4/210 

Banerjee replaced Prabhakar next over, with Border replacing
Jones, his third maiden over, and Border yet to face a ball.
Border played out a maiden from Shastri next over - Shastri's
first maiden.  Banjeree's next was another maiden to Boon.
Border finally got off the mark with a single from Shastri's
next over.

After watching most of the balls from Banjeree's next over go
past, Border latched onto a shortish one, and pulled it
through mid wicket for a boundary, taking his score to 5.  A
quick single from teh last ball of the over kept the strike
for Border, now with an opportunity to face Shastri, with just
this over left before the new ball is due.  Shastri has 3 on
the fence, and no-one but the wicket keeper close to Border.
Border took two from a turn behind fine on the leg side, then
played out the rest of the over.

With the new ball due, Kapil replaced Banerjee, but didn't
immediately take the replacement ball - bowling to Boon.  A no
ball was the only score from the over, which was completed
with the old ball.  Shastri continued from the other end.
Border square drove through the covers for four, then played
out the rest of the over.  Kapil took the new ball at the
start of his next over - the 88th of the innings.

Big appeal for LBW (and a close one) during this over - to
Boon.  Hard to tell what was wrong with this one, it was very
close, perhaps (just perhaps) Boon got a little edge.  The
over ended a maiden.  Srinath took the ball from the other
end, Border turned the first to fine leg for a single.  Boon
then drove straight, the ball rolled into the fence just ahead
of the chasing Tendulkar.  Boon then collected one on the toe,
which caused him a little pain, they took a leg bye.  A wild,
wide one from Srinath got through slips (where it was aimed by
the bowler), and the batsmen ran for one from the wide.

Kapil commenced the final over of the day (the required 90th
over) just after 18:00 (with no TV coverage left in eastern
Australia).  Border took an early single, then Boon played out
the over - apparently with two silly mid off's at the end.
Aust 4/234 after being sent in is in a reasonably good
position.

Test 3, Day 1, Stumps: India won the toss and sent Australia in.
         Australia 234 for 4 (90 ov), Boon 89*, Border 14*
 -- kre

-------------------------- DAY 2 --------------------------

 Test 3, Day 2, Start of play + 1st hour

A little overcast this morning, and pitch seems a bit harder
than yesterday.  Prabhakar bowled the first over of the day,
and got a little more swing than anyone managed yesterday.

After Prabhakar opened proceedings with a maiden, Kapil took
up the attack from the other end, he also gained a small
amount of movement that hadn't been present yesterday, and
also started with a maiden.  Border turned one from
Prabhakar's next over around the corner for the first run of
the day, then after getting used to the swing for a couple of
balls, Boon drove one through mid on, which reached the
boundary just before Tendulkar could overhall it.  That four
took Boon into the nineties.

Border took two, then one, then one to Boon, plus a no ball,
from Kapil's next over - Border seems intent on not getting
out to Kapil the same way he has in the previous the tests.
Just a leg bye from Prabhakar's next over, then nothing from
the next from Kapil - two complete overs Boon faced without
adding to his score.  Kapil's three overs of the morning have
each featured one meaningless LBW appeal, none of which was
even close.

Srikkanth is on fielding at bat pad - I'm still not sure who's
off.  Prabhakar came around the wicket to Border - bowled one
beauty to Border, angling in then swung away late to beat the
bat.  Next ball was similar, but with a little less movement,
Border managed an edge to that one, which went to Azharuddin's
righht - he threw himself at it, and got his hand to the ball,
but couldn't grab it - would have been a great gully catch had
it stuck.  Border took one.  Then Boon took two more to third
man.

First ball of Kapil's next over, and another appeal, but this
one for caught behind - Kapil bowled one which moved away just
a bit off the pitch, took the edge of Border's bat - Border
was intent on protecting from the in-swinger - and Pandit had
no difficulty.  India's first wicket of the day.  Healy came
in and took a single from his first ball.  Another single to
Boon brought up the Australian 250.

Border          C Pandit B Kapil Dev              19    5/248

Boon took another well run single from the start of
Prabhakar's next over, which Banerjee messed up a bit by
making a meaningless throw at the stumps after the batsmen
were well home.  Healy was then given out, either caught at
bat pad by Srikkanth (which is what the commentators believe,
though no-one believes he hit it) or possibly LBW, though it
looked as if it would have missed leg stump.  Hughes replaced
Healy, and took a single from the remaining ball of
Prabhakar's over, then another early in Kapil's next over.

Healy           C Srikkanth(sub) B Prabhakar       1    6/251

Boon took a single from a no ball to move his score to 99, and
after Hughes played out the extra ball, retain the strike to
give himself a chance for his century in Prabhakar's next
over.  That's exactly what he did, turning Prabhakar to fine
leg for two.  Boon's scores in one innings his of each of his
7 tests at the SCG have been: 49 81 131 184* 149 97 101* -
this is a ground he seems to like (the other innings off each
match Boon has either not batted, or hasn't scored many).
Boon's century was from 293 balls included 10 fours took 352
mins, and included 45 scoring shots.

He wasted no time taking another 3, yet another straightish
drive, this one on the off side, unfortunately that put Hughes
on strike, and he didn't waste much time getting an edge
through to Pandit, to give Prabhakar his second wicket.
Manjrekar came back onto the field along with McDermott (so
now we know who was off, Srikkanth departed).

Hughes          C Pandit B Prabhakar               2    7/259

Kapil bowled two no balls in his next over, the secod of which
Boon took a run from.  Boon drove through wide mid off (extra
cover perhaps) for four from Prabhakar's next over.

McDermott took a single to get off the mark in Kapil's next
over.  Kapil bowled another no ball, then Boon took two to
complete the over.  That left McDermott on strike for
Prabhakar's next over.  Banerjee fielded well to keep him on
strike first ball - ie, prevented a single, then prabhakar
took advantage of that next ball, getting under McDermott's
bat, and demolishing the off stump.  Drinks came onto the
ground as McDermott departed, ending a very good hour for
India.

McDermott       B Prabhakar                        1    8/269

Warne came in after drinks, and played out the rest of
Prabhakar's over, which this became a wicket-maiden.  Srinath
replaced Kapil Dev to bowl to Boon, who took a single from the
fourth ball of the over.  Srinath wasted no time getting in
his first LBW appeal against Warne (hit outside the line),
then Warne managed to dig out the final ball of the over.

In Prabhakar's next over, bowling to Boon, Pandit appealed for
what I can only assume was bat before wicket - no-one else
appealed.  A few balls later, a bigger appeal for LBW, Boon
outside the line of off stump, and might have hit it.  Boon
wasn't able to take a single from the last ball, so Warne will
need to face from the start of Srinath's over.  He did that
satisfactorally, not taking a single from one that he got
through slips (along the ground) from the second last ball.
Big appeal for a bat pad catch on the final ball, from
everyone except the bat pad fielder who knew the ball had not
gone near the bat.  That ended another maiden over.

Boon was again unable to take a single from the final ball of
Prabhakar's next over, leaving Waarne on strike to Srinath
again, and still waiting to score his first test run.  Srinath
asked for another bat-pad catch from the pad, which was
denied, as the others had been.  For a minute it looked as if
Warne had opened his scoring, and the croud cheered, but it
was just a leg bye.  Boon managed another 2 leg byes from the
final ball of the over.

The croud again cheered Warne's first test run in Prabhakar's
next over, then sighed again when it was also signalled a leg
bye - this one was obvious, the other looked more like there
may have been a bit of bat.  Again, Warne managed to keep the
strike this way - it was the second last ball.

Between overs, the umpires discussed the state of the light,
but play continued, with Srinath bowling to Warne.  This over
Warne did finally get credit for his first test run, one
turned behind square, and left enough balls in the over for
Boon to take another and finally regain control of the strike.
Another discussion on the light between overs, with umpire
Randall checking his light metre - Boon seems confident enough
with Warne's ability now, and took a single from the first
ball of Prabhakar's over - he's been bowling now for 90
minutes, and must be due for a rest.  Warne took another quick
single late in the over, leaving Boon just one more ball to
watch past to the keeper - a widish one.

Again the umpires consulted with each other about the light,
this time they offered it to the batsmen who wasted no time in
leaving the ground.  Aust 8/278, with Boon on 114 and Warne 2.
PLay remained suspended for about 15 minutes, and left just a
bit over 10 minutes before the lunch break.

Banerjee replaced Srinath after the interruption, bowling to
Warne, who drove hard - Srinath chased and just managed to
stop the ball before it rolled into the gutter, allowing Warne
just three.  Boon repeated Warne's drive, but a little harder,
this one beat Srinath to the fence quite easily.

Prabhakar continued from the other end, Warne drove again,
Banerjee dove over it in the covers, then had to chase to
restrict the batsmen to three.  And no, I have no idea what
the bowler (fast bowler) from one end is doing in the covers
while "resting" either...  In any case he came back to bowl
the next over, which would be the last before lunch - just one
scoring shot from this one, a four cut hard by Warne to the
backward point boundary, and a nice shot.

Aust 8/292 at lunch, certainly not what they would have hoped
this morning.  The damage was mostly done by Prabhakar, who
bowled a nice, long, spell of swing bowling, aided by the
conditions without doubt.

 Day 2, Lunch: India won the toss and sent Australia in. 
               Australia 269 for 8, Boon 118*, Warne 12*
               Prabhakar 3/69, Banerjee 3/40

 Test 3, Day 2, after lunch

Prabhakar continued after lunch, bowling to Boon, who cut the
second ball for three.  Kapil returned at the other end bowled
one no ball, during which he also (accidentally) knocked off
the bails at the bowlers end (no, Warne was in his ground, no
appeal).  Boon took a single from the next ball, and Warne
played out the rest of the over.

Boon straight drove Prabhakar (very straight) for four to
bring up Australia's 300, then simply played the next ball
with his pad.  A big LBW appeal was refused - this one looked
questionable, it did look as though the ball may have hit the
stumps, but McConnell obviously must have had some doubt
(beats me what it was).  He was forward a bit, and the ball
was swinging in, maybe that was it.

Just twos to Warne, then Boon, in the next couple of overs,
with the sun coming out a bit, and batting conditions
improving - the ball is certainly moving less than it did this
morning.

Kapil gave Warne, who looks in no trouble at all, a nice
friendly full toss in his next over, which he stroked to deep
mid off for three.  In Prabhakar's next over, Warne took a leg
bye, then Boon a single.  Warne turned the last ball of the
over down to fine leg for another single, but no-one backed up
the throw from (??) - Banerjee shold have, and the batsmen
took another two, taking Warne to 20.  That left Warne on
strike (again) to Kapil, and finally Kapil got on to move away
just the right amount to take the edge of the bat, and give
Pandit a good low catch.  9/313.

Warne           C Pandit B Kapil Dev              20    9/313

Reid came in and lasted just two balls, the first he played from the
centre of the bat to mid on, the second he edged to Tendulkar at
third slip, who took a good, sharp, catch.   Reid the first (only)
duck of the innings, and Aust all out for 313, about half an hour after lunch.

Reid            C Tendulkar B Kapil Dev            0    10/313

                 O   M  W   R   Nb W
Kapil Dev       33   9  3  60    9 0
Prabhakar       40  12  3  83    2 0
Banerjee        17   4  3  40    4 0
Srinath         21   5  0  76    6 1
Shastri         13   1  0  37    0 0

 Test 3, Day 2, 3rd hour

McDermott opened the innings with an attempted yorker to
Shastri, who just played it down onto the off side.  Shastri
took the first run of the innings from the next ball, then the
first (non practice) ball Sidhu faced since arriving in Aust
was wide of off stump, and Sidhu allowed it to go past.  Next
ball was more on line, he got a regulation outside edge to
Border at third slip - low - but into Border's hands.
Unfortunately for Australia, Border wasn't able to hang onto
it, and Sidhu had a life from the first ball his bat touched.

Shastri pushed down the ground to the last ball of Reid's
first, innocuous over - really not much more than a warm up.
Earlier there'd been one half hearted, and meaningless LBW
appeal.  Shastri took another three, to mid wicket, from the
first ball of McDermott's next over.

Sidu played the next ball well enough, then one got up a bit,
and passed between gloves and body - the slips appealed, but
neither keeper or bowler, they new any noise must have come
from striking his chest.  One ball later however, and Sidhu is
out for 0, edged to Waugh at second slip, for a good catch -
that will have made Border feel better.  Waugh dived to his
left, and picked up the ball in his left hand, just a couple
of inches above the ground.  Sidhu had been trying to get his
bat out of the line of the ball, but wasn't quick enough.

Sidhu           c Waugh B McDermott               0     1/7

McDermott completed a great over with one that just went past
the outside edge of Manjrekar's bat.  Reid's next over was
better than his first, but also contained a no ball.  Shastri
played one into the ground, in the direction of extra cover -
Jones at silly point got his hand to it, and took te pace from
the ball, but just deflected it straight down the pitch, which
he then had to chase - he did that right down the dentre of
the pitch, hurdling the stumps, though eventually the ball was
fielded by Hughes who had chased also from cover.  Two to
Shastri.

Just a leg bye from McDermott's next over, then Manjrekar took
two to square leg to open his scoring from Reid's third over.

Reid's over ended well beyond the end of the third hour of the
day - no drinks yet because fo the change of innings, but I'll
send this now so those waiting for it get a chance, ...  India
1/13.

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings:  13 for 1, Shastri 9*, Manjrekar 2*

 Test 3, Day 2, 4th hour

Shastri took a single from one of the first couple of balls of
McDermott's next over.  For Manjrekar, McDermott had 3 slips,
2 gullies, and a bat pad.

Reid to Shastri has 3 slips, gully, bat pad, and silly mid
off.  Shastri took one two from this over, after which Reid
left the field, and Whitney came on as substitute.  After
McDermott's over, Hughes replaced Reid, who remains off the
field.  That was a maiden, as was McDermott's next, with the
Indian batsmen playing cautiously.

Waugh replaced McDermott after his successful 7 over spell
(for 8 runs), with Reid still off the field, and India 1/23.
Just a single to Shastri in this over, which is much like
what's been happening in the intervening overs.  Waugh bowled
just two overs, then with just 5 minutes left before tea,
Border brought Warne on for his first bowl in test cricket.
He does look to be getting a little turn already, his first
three were good deliveries, the fourth was up a bit much, and
Manjrekar drove through extra cover for four, I think the
first boundary of the innings, and the only score from the
over.

Hughes bowled the last over of the session, Shastri took his
first boundary (I think) from the final ball of that over,     
turned behind square.

India 1/35 at tea, with neither batsman in any apparent trouble.

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings : 35 for 1, Shastri 21*, Manjrekar 11*

 Test 3, Day 2, 5th hour

After tea McDermott started his second spell, replacing Warne
after just one over.  This session is to be 15 minutes longer
(assuming conditions allow) to make up for the time lost in the
pre-lunch session.  Warne switched ends, and replaced Hughes.
Healy (and then Warne) appealed for LBW from his first ball, to
Shastri, it was missing off stump however.

In Warne's next over, after Shastri took a single, Hughes
misfielded alowing two runs to Manjrekar.  1/46.  With
McDermott bowling to Shastri now, Border has just two slips and
a gully, with the others in run saving positions - not that
Shastri is attacking, just the opposite, he's playing very
defensively.  I suspect that Border is trying to tie him down
completely, prevent any runs, and hope Shastri will get
frustrated and play a rash shot.  Its working in this over, a
maiden.  Warne bowled a shortish one in the next over, that
Manjrekar cut to the fence.  That brought up the fifty for
India, 1/50 exactly as the over ended.

McDermott's next over to Shastri was another maiden - but with
three slips again now.  Warne bowled his first maiden to
Manjrekar, then for McDermott's next over, Border went back to
two slips, but this time with Border himself at silly mid off
(silly cover? - wider than mid off).  Another LBW appeal, again
turned down, probably missing leg stump.  Shastri attempted a
drive, but directly at Border, so no run.  Shastri tried his
first real attacking shot, but missed the outside edge - just,
from an attempted straight drive.  Another McDermott maiden.

Manjrekar took a single from Warne - first run in a while, then
Shastri came down the pitch to the last ball of Warne's over,
and hit him in the air, over Hughes, for four to mid on.  The
last ball of McDermott's next maiden - this time to Manjrekar,
and with a more traditional field brought another LBW appeal,
again, not given.  With Warne to Shastri, Border has himself at
silly point, then after a single, with Manjrekar on strike
Border departed from the close in position.

The 50 partnership came from a no ball from McDermott, wrecking
his string of maidens (and his first of the innings) - after
that he strayed slightly to leg side, and Shastri turned him to
fine leg.  Another single to Manjrekar ended one of McDermott's
more expensive pvers.  It was also his last of the spell,
Hughes replaced him after Warne's next over.  Another over from
Warne, then one more from Hughes, and the hour was over.
Drinks are being delayed, because of the extra 15 mins to be
played I guess, but I'll send this now.

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings: 74/1, Shastri 40*, Manjrekar 30*

 Test 3, Day 2, 6th hour

Attendance today 13904.

Warne and Hughes continuing - Hughes got one to bounce a bit
edged towards the slips, but dropped well short.  However, it
may have been from Shastri's arm, rather than glove or bat.
Drinks were taken after Hughes over, with India 1/80.

Reid has a torn intercostal muscle, lower rib cage, right hand
side, and won't bowl again in the innings - so the commentators
just said.

Warne gon one in the over after drinks to turn from about leg
stump, past the bat.  Shastri was leaning forward - Healy had
the bails off, but Shastri's rear foot was still in his ground.
Another maiden.

Nothing much from the next couple of overs - 1/83 after 43
overs.  In the 44th, Warne's 13th, he decided to come around
the wicket for the last ball to Shastri, with plenty of close
in fielders - Shastri charged, and hit a single down to deep
mid on.  1/85

In Hughes next over, Shastri had taken a single, Hughes got one
to lift a bit from the last ball, Manjrekar got an edge to it,
and it flew directly, chest high, to Waugh at second slip.
India 2/86.

Manjrekar     c Waugh      b Hughes      34

A good piece of fielding by Hughes prevented Vengsarker from
getting off the mark at the end of Warne's next over, after
Shastri had taken another single, to take his score to 49.  He
made his 50 with another single, from Hughes next over (his
first fifty in tests in Aust), 2 4's, 151 balls, 180 minutes.
His previous best in Aust had been 49, this is also his third
highest against Aust, the other two coming in India - just one
century.

Warne now back over the wicket to Shastri - Shastri is starting
to be a little more agressive, at least from some balls, but he
still couldn't penetrate the field, and another maiden
resulted.  McDermott came back to replace hughes, and bowl to
Vengsarkar, who opened his scoring with a boundary from a thick
edge through slips.  Next ball, and a useful LBW appeal, but
maybe just going over the stumps, in any case, not out.  A
bouncer followed.

After Warne's next (maiden) over, the umpires consulted on the
subject of the light, which is getting a bit dim again.  Play
continues, with McDermott bowling to Vengsarkar.  A maiden.
The umpires talked again after that over, but play still
continues @ 2/92.  Warne is back around the wicket to Shastri -
attempting to hit one of Kapil's footmarks, which are much
closer to the line between the stumps than any of the others.
Shastri mostly played with his pad, and Warne sent down another
maiden, his last 5 overs have cost just 3 runs.

Vengsarkar took two from the start of McDermott's next over,
then another two a couple of balls later - with the sun out a
bit more now, so its more likely that play will continue at
least close to 18:15 - its just gone past 18:00 (TV coverage
ended in eastern states, so the rest of this if from the same
commentary you'd get on Radio Aust).  Vengsarker was then
beaten by a faster one from McDermott.  Another two ended the
over with 6 runs to Vengsarkar - after the over the umpires
consulted once more.

Shastri took one from Warne's next over, to finally move off
50, then Vengsarkar took 2 from the next ball, that he turned
into a full toss, to take India past the 100 to 101.

With the umpires conferring again, Border took McDermott off,
and brought himself on for his first over of the test.  Another
maiden to Shastri.  Warne bowled the final over of the day,
which brought a single to each batsman, leaving India at 2/103
at stumps, 210 behind, with 8 wickets in hand.

This has probably been India's best day of the series so far, 6
Aust wickets, and only losing two, though its also been a very
slow day.  Warne is getting some turn already, its going to be
very interesting to see how he bowls on the final day.

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings: 103/2, Shastri 52*, Vengsarkar 13*

------------------------  DAY 3 ------------------------
 Before play

Its been raining in Sydney .. it stopped just before 11:00 and
the covers were then removed for the first time of the day.
The pitch is currently being rolled, etc, and the outfield
having as much surface water as possible removed.

The umpires are currently planning to start play at 11:25
(about 15 minutes from now), if no further play is lost, play
would continue until 18:25 tonight.

However, its expected that there will be more interruptions for
rain showers during the day - the forecast is for more showers
during day.  Play can be extended up to 19:00 (and then, can go
beyond that if the 90 overs aren't bowled, provided no more
than an hour is actually lost).  In Sydney, especially n a poor
day, its probably unlikely that they'd actually play till 19:00
or beyond, but anything is posible.

The current news on Reid is that he won't bowl again in the
match - and so I'd guess won't be picked in any of the next
group of one day matches.

 ---

Those plans didn't last line, the rain came again, and covers
were replaced before 11:25, and are still on the pitch, and the
complete square.  At just after 11:30, the rain is still
noticeably heavy - not very heavy by any means, but more than
just the drizzle we had on the third day in Melbourne.

I will post again when play actually starts, assuming it does...

 Day 3 Lunch :
 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings: 103/2, Shastri 52*, Vengsarkar 13*

You'll have noticed that these are quite similar to the stumps
scores from yesterday - that's no co-incidence, theres been no
play today.  Lunch has been taken half an hour early (12:30),
and tea pushed back half an hour, allowing for a possible 3
hour session.  That might seem odd, but play won't start at
13:10, there's simply too much rain around, but there's a
chance it may start a bit later - pushing tea back gives a
better chance of equalising the lengths of the sessions, given
that play can be extended to 19:00 now, if the weather permits.

 Test 3,  Day 3, first little session

After much time was lost to rain - alternating heavy and light,
play finally commenced at 14:20.  Lunch had been taken at
12:30, and tea deferred to 16:10.  Play can continue until
19:00 if the weather permits it.

Jason Callian, captain of the Australian under 19 team, is
fielding as substitute for Reid - Michael Whitney has been
released to go and play some other game (maybe it was Sydney
club cricket, I'm afraid I didn't pay quite enough attention).

McDermott commenced bowling to Shastri, and the first ball was
a great one, very close to having Shastri LBW, the appeal was
denied, the ball was probably just going down leg side, though
it did look to have straightened a bit.  Another, not so close,
appeal followed later in the over, which ended a maiden.

Hughes took up the attack from the other end, bowling quite
quickly in the conditions, which were cool, and still overcast.
Vengsarkar opened the scoring when he pushed the ball back past
the bowler on the off side, they took three.

McDermott continued at the other end, another two to
Vengsarkar, who is looking much more comfortable after his
innings in Melbourne than he did at the start of that knock.

Play was halted again at about 14:33, when the umpires offered
the light to the Indian batsmen who wasted no time in accepting
the offer and leaving the field.  India 2/108.  McDermott still
has one ball remaining in his over.

The light (apparently - there's no way to tell from the TV) is
quite dull, the commentators, who are at the ground of course,
but not at ground level, think that its still playable, and
can't understand why the Indian batsmen decided to leave the
field, especially given that they're two down in the series,
and really do need to win this match.

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings: 108/2, Shastri 52*, Vengsarkar 18*

Test 3, Day 3, till Tea

During the interruption for bad light, the clouds closed in
again, and very light rain started falling - the first
(hessian) cover was placed over the wicket as a precaution -
the players remain off the ground, but the umpires are still
there, checking their light metres from time to time.

The umpires decided play was possible again at about 14:58, a
loss of about 25 minutes (to be added to all the other time
lost already).  McDermott bowled the remaining ball of his over
to Vengsarkar, then Hughes resumed to Shastri.  This started as
a pretty wayward over, Hughes spraying them down both sides -
just loosening up really.  But the fifth ball was better,
rising sharply at Shastri, who just pushed it around on the on
side, safely enough as there was no fielder there, and took
one, Shastri's first run for the day.  Hughes bowled a pretty
meaningless bouncer at Vengsarkar to complete the over.

At this point the rain started falling again - initially, after
talking, the umpires decided to remain on the field, but then
before McDermott could bowl, the rain intensity increased, and
the umpires sent the players from the field, and brought the
covers back.  Play recommenced after another 20+ minute break -
Shastri took two from McDermott's over, then Vengsarkar another
two from Hughes over - the ball getting wet as it rolls over
the outfield.  Vengsarkar's two took India to 113, exactly 200
behind, and only one moe to get to avoid the possibility of
following on.  Hughes got one to rise and hit Vengsarkar on the
upper arm, or elbow, causing Vengsarkar some pain, and the
Indian trainer to come onto the field.  Vengsarkar relaly had
just allowed the ball to strike him, not evading the ball, nor
attempting to play it.

>From McDermott's next over, Shastri played one square on the
leg side for anotehr two, after which McDermott gave him a very
short, fast one, that cleared Shastri's head without any real
difficulty, and almost cleared Healy's outstretched arms as
well - he was required to jump to just capture it.  2/115 after
this over.  Three complete overs ina row, the best session of
the day so far .. though its looking lighter now, and its
possible play will continue for some time.

Vengsarkar played the first ball of Hughes next over to mid on
for yet another two.  A few balls later, Hughes got one just
above waist high that Vengsarkar took on the body again.
Hughes tried another shortish one, this was called a no ball,
and Vengsarker played it through the off side without
difficulty for three - it was a bit wide.  Shastri played the
final ball of Hughes over through slips for another two.

Two twos, from straight drives by Vengsarkar, and a no ball,
added 5 in McDermott's next over.  Shastri took a single from
Hughes next over to take him to 60.  The sun is actually
shining now.

McDermott had one in his next over move away offthe seam, and
just pass the edge of Shastri's bat - he was pushing forward at
it.  A similar ball followed, but this was a little wider, and
Shastri just left it alone.  The third in the sequence, was
just the same, but this time it took the edge of Shastri's bat
- however, he had it angled, and the ball dropped to the ground
just in fromt of the diving Healy, and well in front of Taylor
at first slip.

Warne came on for a few overs before tea, replacing Hughes.
Vengsarkar took a single, then Shastri played out the over, to
a relatively defensive field to allow Warne to settle on a
line.  The TV coverage went away to a horse race, so this bit
is from Radio only...  The radio people are claiming Healy
dropped Shastri in McDermott's previous over, but they can't
have seen the replays - so if you're listening to radio
commentary, ignore that.  Vengsarkar was apparently beaten by a
McDermott ball, just before the TV coverage came back to see
the end of McDermott's second consecutive maiden.

Warne continued to Shastri, now with Waugh at short cover,
Shastri played one directly to Hughes at extra cover, then
another just down close.  The third he played hard again, this
time beating Hughes, and going to the boundary for Shastri's
third four of the innings.  The final ball of the over Shastri
pushed behind point, and took another two.

The first ball of McDermott's next over, which should be the
last before tea, took Vengsarkar on the pad, and went through
on the leg side to Healy.  McDermott made a half hearted
appeal, thinking it may have touched the bat on the way
through, but wasn't supported.  Vengsarkar took a single behind
point, his first score for a while.  This was also the 50
partnership, from 136 balls (maybe 156?) in 103 minutes.
Shastri played out the last few balls of the over, and tea was
taken.

Play will recommence at 16:30 (weather permitting, but that
looks likely now) and continue until 19:00.

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings: 136/2, Shastri 66*, Vengsarkar 31*

Test 3, Day 3, final session

Hughes replaced Warne as play recommenced after the tea break,
and after a couple of balls, went around the wicket to
Vengsarkar. No runs were taken.  Warne was just switching ends,
he has now replaced McDermott, first ball brought an LBW
appeal, but allowing for the spin of the ball it would have
missed off stump.  Shastri almost gave Warne his first wicket,
which would have been a low caught and bowled, but while he was
able to get his hands down to it, he wasn't able to hold it.
An earlier ball had passed the edge of Shastri's bat.

Hughes continued around the wicket to Vengsarka, who eventually
took a single topcommence the scoring for the session.  Hughes
continued around the wicket to Shastri.  TV has gone to the
races again...

It was perhaps fortunate that Warne dropped that catch, or we
would have had more umpiring controversy, TV replays showed
that it was an uncalled no-ball (back foot) ...

Shastri took two behind point form the second ball of Warne's
next over, then danced down the pitch and lofter over mid off
for four.  next ball, repeat the shot, except this time for
six.  Another two behind point completed a very expensive over.
The six brought up India's 150.

Both batsmen took singles from Hughes next over, then Hughes
finished with a good bouncer that moved across Vengsarkar,
giving him some problems (Hughes is still around the wicket).

Shastri took another four from a very short ball from Warne,
that Jones slide at deep point couldn't save.  That was the
only run from the over.

I think the substitute fielder may be Jason Gallian - and he
was once Aust under 19 captain (not now), apparently he's now
trying to qualify for Lancashire (from where his father comes).

Another over from each of Hughes and Warne - Vengsarkar beaten
once by Warne, then Waugh replaced Hughes - this is the 80th
over and the new ball isn't far away.  One big appeal for LBW
against Shastri from the final ball (probably missing leg), but
otherwise an uneventful maiden over.

Vengsarkar took a quick single from the first ball of Warne's
next over, the throw shattered the stumps at the bowlers end,
but with Vengsarkar safely home.  The rebound allowed an
overthrow.  The radio commentators have finally gotten someone
who's seen the replay of the Healy attempted catch, and realise
that it wasn't dropped.

Waugh and Warne each bowled maidens, then Shastri took a slow
run, and hit, two down to fine leg from Waugh.  Waugh tried a
bouncer that Shastri ducked under - it took Shastri on the back
and bounced slowly through to Healy.  Another shortish one rose
at Shastri, but he played it well enough down into the gully
area.  Shastri moved to 90 from the final ball of Warne's next
over, the 85th - the new ball is now due.  Waugh continues
however.

7367 people turned up at the SCG today - a poor number, but not
unexpected given the weather.  Just over 35000 for the first 3
days.  With the game now looking very much headed for a
meaningless draw, it wouldn't be surprising if not too many
turn up on the remaining two days either.

Waugh produced a leg cutter in his next over, which took the
edge of Shastri's bat, but fell in front of the slips fielders.
A shorter one followed a couple of balls later, Shastri just
lifted his arms into the air - the ball took his arm - one of
the fielders called "catch it" but it hadn't hit the bat, or
glove, and in any case fell safely.

McDermott came back into the attack in the 89th over, and took
the new ball immediately.  Vengsarkar stroked one through cover
for three.  McDermott's next ball was wide - but didn't bounce
at all, going through to Healy on about the third bounce.
Shastri took three from the next ball, a similar shot to
Vengsarkar's.  Shastri now 95, Vengsarkar 43, and India 2/177.

Waugh continued with the new ball - a wide ball down leg side
eluded healy, and the batsmen ran a bye.  Not a very good over
really.  The clouds are starting to reappear now, and the
chances of play continuing till 19:00 look not very good.
During McDermott's next over the umpires kept glancing at each
other - we may be off again quite soon now.  McDermott's over
ended without any score, the umpires went directly to have a
talk, however play continues, with Waugh bowling.

Vengsarkar was beatedn by an outswinger from Waugh - the
umpires consulted again, and this time offered the light to the
batsmen - this time they thought a bit about it, perhaps
waiting in guidance from the dressing room.  Eventually they
decided to leave the field at 17:40, half way through Waugh's
over.

 Day 3 STUMPS
 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings: 178 for 2, Shastri 95*, Vengsarkar 43*

The first session was completely washed out, play commenced at
14:20 approx, with tea scheduelled for 16:10, and stumps 19:00,
provided the weather remains fine.  Play was halted again after
2.5 overs - about 13 minutes, due to bad light.  Play
recommenced at 14:59, a loss of another 25 minutes.  Another 7
balls of play, and play was suspended again due to rain, at
approx 15:04.  Play recommenced at about 15:27.  Tea was taken
from 16:12 (16:10 nominally) until 16:30.  Play was suspended
again, due to bad light, and possible approaching rain, at
17:40.

---------------------- DAY 4 ------------------------------
 Before play

Its still overcast in Sydney, but the forecast is that there
will be few, if any, interruptions to play, which will begin on
time.

 Test 3, Day 4, 1st hour commentary missing

Vengsarkar      C Waugh B McDermott              54     3/197
Azharuddin      C Boon B McDermott                4     4/201

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings: 240 for 4, Shastri 130*, Tendulkar 10*

 Test 3, Day 4, 2nd hour

Warne continued after drinks, Shastri tried to hit another
through cover, but this one didn't appear to spin, and Shastri
didn't get it as he would have liked - fortunately for him it
fell well short of Hughes, coming in from deep mid off, and
Shastri just took one.  Two twos to Shastri in Warne's next
over, the first a bit lucky, off the inside edge, and down to
fine leg, the second a nice late cut.

Whitney is back as 12th man today, fielding as substitute for
Reid.  Singles to each batsmen in Warne's next over brought up
the 250.  Hughes replaced McDermott after this, McDermott
having bowled for the first 80 minutes today.

Shastri hit Warne in the air again, this time on the on side,
clearing Whitney who jumped in the air with arms outstretched,
but couldn't get to it, and four to Shastri.  A few balls
later, a similar but better hit shot, wide of Whitney, for six,
and his 150 - his second highest test score (187 vs Eng at the
Oval, 1990 is his best).  His 150 included 10 fours and 2
sixes, from 370 balls in 439 mins.

Hughes bowled what I think is the first maiden of the day, to
Tendulkar, then Border replaced Warne, for just his second over
of the match.  This was another maiden - but really only
because Shastri failed to get a full toss Border bowled second
ball away from the field.

The first run from Border's bowling came in his next over, when
Shastri hit over the top, but safely, and down to deep mid off
where McDermott was fielding, and a single was taken.  Another
single came from his next over, then Waugh replaced Hughes,
Shastri wasted no time driving the first ball, a half volley,
and taking three, then later in the over, Tendulkar on drove,
almost to the Boundary - Hughes just dragged it back -
tendulkar ran four however, the running is much better in this
match.

Shastri on drove from the first ball of Border's next over,
over mid on and to the boundary for four.  He tried to repeat
the shot a couple of balls later, but didn't get it as well,
and attempted to hit more over mid wicket.  This time he drove
it hard, directly into Boon's hands at mid wicket, low, but
catchable.  Unfortunately for Aust & Border, Boon didn't hold
it, and Shastri had another life.  He played the rest of the
over rather more cautiously.

Waugh bowled a maiden to Tendulkar, and then Shastri took a
single from Border's next over, which Tendulkar played out the
rest of, taking two neat the end from a shot turned to fine
leg.  India end the session at 4/285, just 28 behind Australia
now.  They've shown that they do want to attempt to score, and
must still believe there's an outside chance of a win in this
match.  There's basically no way they can lose now, so
attempting to get the win makes lots of sense.

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings : 285 for 4, Shastri 163*, Tendulkar 22*

 Test 3, Day 4, 3rd hour

It appears I managed to somehow not post the first hour
commentary, though I thought I had .. Oh well, it no longer
exists, I don't keep copies, so I'm afraid that one has gone
forever.

However, the highlights were Shastri's hundred, scored very
early, the 100 partnership between Shastri and Vengsarkar, and
then Vengsarkar's 50, all of which came close together.

Then Vengsarkar played a slightly loose shot, away from his
body, and edged McDermott directly to Waugh at 2nd slip.
Azharuddin took four from his first ball, cut, then turned the
next to the leg side, directly from the bat to Boon at short
leg, who thrust out his left hand, but only managed to knock
the ball up in the air across his body and forward slightly, he
dove to his right (not a long way) and grabbed it low,
completing a magnificent catch.

Shastri played more agressively in that hour, Tendulkar was
rather more cautious.

Back to the present, McDermott replaced Waugh after lunch,
Border continued at the other end.  Nothing notable in the
first few overs, just a few runs, but no immediate sign of any
attempt to score very rapidly.  Tendulkar managed a four to
deep long on, that Warne couldn't pull back in McDermott's
second over of the session.

Shastri attempted to loft Border through the on side, but
didn't get onto it properly - a bit too close to the pitch, so
it went along the ground, but still wide of Whitney at mid on,
and to the boundary for four.  From McDermott's next over,
Tendulkar took two to bring up the 300 for India.

The first ball of Border's next over stayed very low, and
Shastri had to hurry to get his bat down onto it, then Shastri
drove back in the air down the pitch, Border lunged up, and to
his right, and just managed to touch the ball, but couldn't
hold it - another life for Shastri, a difficult chance for
sure, and four runs to go with it, and bring up the 100
partnership.  Another couple took him past Patil as the highest
scorer for India in Australia.  Patil had scored 174 in
Adelaide (sometime in the past).

Maidens from both McDermott (to Tendulkar) and border (to
Shastri, obviously) followed.  Tendulkar tookk a single from
McDermott's next over, then Shastri two - the final ball of the
over bought appeals for both LBW and caught in the gully.

Tendulkar pulled the first ball of Border's next over four four
to mid wicket, levelling the scores, then took a leg bye to
take India into the lead.

A few quiet overs later, Border decided to come over the wicket
to Shastri, and bowled the last couple of balls of his over
that way, probably hoping he's get some assistance from the
foot marks.  Tendulkar played a nice push onto leg side,
forward of square, for an easily run three off the first ball
of McDermott's next over.  A nice drive through extra cover
later in the over brought him within one shot of his 50, then
singles from the last ball of the over, and the first ball of
Border's next took him to 49.

Hughes managed to fall all over a drive to mid off from
Shastri, allowing the ball through to the boundary.  Shastri
repeated the shot next ball, but not quite as well hit - this
time Hughes stopped it safely, allowing just one.  Tendulkar
took two from the next ball to bring up his 50 then another one
to keep the strike.

Warne replaced McDermott, Tendulkar drove through cover, but
Waugh threw himself to his left to save runs, may have been
four otherwise.  Next ball went past the edge of Tendulkar's
bat, and though he was leaning well forward he had his back
foot safely anchored.  He took a single then, allowing Shastri
on strike.  His first ball in this spell from Warne also turned
noticeably, though he got te toe of the bat to it.  Taylor
fielded at slip, and Healy removed the bails, but Shastri was
back in his crease.  he then drove for four, bringing up his
highest test score (beating his previous 187) and then pulled a
bad ball for another four.

Waugh replaced Border, and gave Tendulkar a bouncer that he
pulled into mid wicket for two, to bring up the 350 for India.
Warne bowled the last over of the hour to Tendulkar, who pulled
a short one from outside off stump, and spinniung further away,
through mid wicket for four, then did much the same to another
that was further up and on the stumps.  A single was the last
scoring shot of this period.

Warne is getting considerable spin at times, but for those of
you thinking Shastri may do the same tomorrow, its worth
nothing that Border, who is a simialr bowler, didn't get
anything very noticeable at all.  The fast bowlers aren't
really looking dangerous.

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings :  359 for 4, Shastri 194*, Tendulkar 63*

Test 3, Day 4, 4th hour

Waugh continued after drinks, Tendulkar took two then one from
this over.  Warne also continued, beating Tendulkar with one
that spun past the bat from the first ball, Tendulkar just
defended to the next.  A couple of balls later, he pulled
nicely to mid wicket, where Hughes mis-fielded, but didn't
allow any extra runs, just two.  A full toss ended the over,
but Tendulkar played it straight to Boon at mid on.

Hughes replaced Waugh, bowling to Tendulkar, who didn't have
much trouble getting bat on ball, but wasn't able to penetrate
the field until the last ball of the over, shich he drove
beautifully, straight, just slightly on the on side, for four.

Shastri drove Wrne, beating Waugh in the covers, but not Jones
who was positioned further back, the coring was restricted to a
single.  Jones saved another three from Tendulkar later in the
over, allowing just a single again.  Shastri turned a full toss
to square leg, and beat Hughes throw for two more, then cut
past Marsh at backward point for another two to bring up his
200, the 14th for India in test cricket, and the 9th at the
SCG.  The two hundred in 558 mind from 4xx balls, 16 fours, 2
sizes.

Tendulkar took 3 from Warne, with some agressive running by
Shastri achieving the third run - then Shastri took another
four over mid on.  Warne thought he has Shastri caught behind
later in the over, one that Shastri swung at, attempted
pull/sweep.  He must have missed it, as the umpire said not out
- the fielders behind the stumps didn't agree with the umpire
at all.

Warne finally managed his first wicket, when Shastri attempted
one lofted shot too many, this one spun a bit, and Shastri
didn't quite middle it, the ball went higher and wider than he
wanted - Jones ran in to take a fairly easy outfield catch.
Shastri 206, India 5/397, a 5th wicket partnership of 196.
Prabhakar replaced Shastri.  The batsmen had crossed while the
catch was being taken, so Tendulkar had strike - he took
another single taking him to 90, then Warne had one turn past
Prabhakar's bat.

Shastri         C Jones B Warne                 206     5/397

It was a great innings by Shastri - solid when India needed
holding together to avoid a collapse as had happened in the
first two tests, then attacking when quick runs were needed.

Hughes continued with a good over to Tendulkar, who wasn't able
to score from it.  Prabhakar watched the first couple of balls
of Warne's next over, then cut for two to open his scoring, and
bring up the 400 (910 balls).  Prabhakar ended Warne's over by
getting an inside edge to one, past the leg stump, and away for
a lucky single

Hughes bowled another maiden, then Warne the last over before
tea.  Tendulkar pulled one to mid on (long on) for four, a
strange, but good, shot, along the ground all the way.
Tendulkar played out the rest of the over, and went to tea not
out on 94, with India 5/405.  120 runs in the session, but
they're going to have to do even better than that in the next
session to have any real hope.

Apparently there are dark clouds building up in the south,
which is roughly where the weather comes from, so its possible
that the next session might be interrupted by bad light or
rain.

 Day 4, TEA
 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings: 405 for 5, Tendulkar 94*, Prabhakar 3*

Test 3, day 4, 5th hour

McDermott came back after tea, Prabhakar immediately turned him
to backward square for two, though he was not in by much on the
second run when the throw from Hughes broke the stumps.
Another two followed, this one somewhat easier run as Border
ran back to field at extra cover.  He repeated that shot a
couple of overs later.  McDermott doesn't look to be moving
very freely - running in quite slowly, and may be limping.  He
looks to have some kind of problem with his right leg.

Tendulkar played a good late cut to one spinning away, and
bouncing, to the boundary ahead of the chasing Jones, to take
him to 98.  A couple of balls later, Warns made one spin
sharply away and past the bat.  Another cut went directly to
Jones at forward point, and no addition to the score.

Prabhakar is apparently batting ahead of Kapil Dev, as the
latter is ill.

McDermott continues, Prabhakar bounced one through the slips
for a single, giving Tendulkar the strike.  He wasted no time -
turned the first ball to fine leg for two, beating Hughes throw
without difficulty to become the youngest player ever to score
a hundred in Australia.  (18 years, 256 days - Neil Harvey had
been the youngest, 19 years 121 days).  Tendulkar then slightly
mis times a pull to mid wicket, but still managed 3.

Tendulkar drove the first ball of McDermott's next over, over
mid off, who jumped, but was nowhere near it.  It continues
into the boundary for another four.  He just went under an
attempted bouncer next ball (didn't really get up much), then
another got up even less, Tendulkar attempted to pull, but
missed.  Next ball, a nice late cut to third man for four -
just one slip and a gully now, the rest of the field basiclaly
defending.  Another bouncer from McDermott completed the over,
this one probably did get above shoulder high - Tendulkar
simply ducked under it.

Hughes replaced Warne from the Randwick end - Prabhakar swung
at the first but missed - India are obviously on a run chase
now.  Another widish ball for the third deliver, Prabhakar
played at it again, got a regulation edge, directly to Taylor
at first slip (only slip), waist high, and an easy slips catch.
Kapil Dev came in to bat now, and pushed the first ball into
the gully, Marsh dived, and picked up the catch just above the
ground.  There was a little confusion on whether the ball had
carried, the umpires consulted and gave it out, which was the
right decision.  Pandit came out to face the hat trick ball,
with an attacking field now.  He played it well enough, just
down to the off side, then played out the last ball to end a
double wicket maiden by Hughes.

Prabhakar       C Taylor B Hughes                14     6/434
Kapil Dev       C Marsh B Hughes                  0     7/434

Tendulkar continued to attempt to score from McDermott, driving
the first ball of the next over to deep mid off for a well run
three.  After a couple of balls, Pandit attempted to do the
same, swinging at a wide one, but no contact, and no result.

Conditions are a little darker now, though its hard to imagine
India leaving the field if the umpires did offer them the
chance - which they haven't yet.

During Hughes next over, light rain started to fall, the
umpires consulted, asked the Batsmen, Tendulkar wanted to stay,
and the umpires allowed them to.  However, after just one more
ball the rain increased, and the umpires sent the players from
the field, and brought the covers on.  The rain intensity
increased, and now, actually still 10 minutes before the end of
the hour, the covers are over the entire qquare, and bowlers
run ups.  There's no chance of further play in this hour, nor
will there be a drinks break, so I'm going to send this now...

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings : 437 for 5, Tendulkar 115*, Pandit 0*

Rain interrupted play at (about) 16:45.

Test 3, Day 4, 6th hour:

More than 50 minutes were lost during this final session, when
the rain finally stopped and the umpires brought the players
back onto the field.  The umpires immediately offered the
light, which is quite dim, to the batsmen - they decided to
stay on, which is not surprising.

The umpires had planned to restart play at 16;30, however it
rained again, andthe covers remaoned on longer than had been
expected.

Hughes bowled the remaining ball from his over, Tendulkar
slashed it over point, and Jones ran around the boundary to
pick up, and allow just two runs.

McDermott bowled to Pandit from the other end, first ball was
wide, and Pandit coldn't get any bat on it.  Next ball Pandit
ran through the slips, Tendulkar ran hard to come back for
three.  This opened Pandit's scoring.  Tendulkar tried to hit
hard and high, he got it rather higher than he wanted, and very
straight, Border and Whitney both went for it, Border
eventually leavingit for Whitney, who, running away from the
pitch, dived forward with arms outstretched in an attempt to
repeat his catch from Melbourne, but this time it was just
beyond Whitney, and he didn't get a hand on it.

McDermott followed with a bouncer to Tendulkar, which he ducked
under.

The umpires consulted on the light again, and offered it to the
batsmen, who weren't interested in going off, but Border was,
and that was enough.  Light rain also started to fall, and the
covers returned, with the light very dark now.  I'd be a little
surprised if there's any further play.  In fact, I'd be very
surprised, consider this to be stumps unless there's a later
posting (which won't be easy to make, as both the radio and TV
have decided to give it away for the day...)

 Day 4 STUMPS
 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings: Tendulkar 120*, Pandit 3*

-------------------- DAY 5 --------------------------
 Before play

It looks fine today, Azharuddin has had the heavy roller on the
pitch, which still looks to be in reasonable condition.
Expectation is that the only sane thing he can do is declare
almost immediately, and then hope to get Aust out sometime
during the day - if nececessary, come back and bat again to
score any necessary runs.  Its almost impossible to imagine how
India can lose from here, and though a draw is most likely, a
win by India is still possible.

Test 3, Day 5, 1st hour

India came out to bat, McDermott bowled the one ball left from
his over from last night, then Hughes came on at the other end.
With Hughes bowling to Tendulkar Border set a very defensive
field, which is only reasonable, restricting scoring is about
all Australia can do, limit the amount of time they have to
bat.

Tendulkar took a couple of balls to settle in, then took a
single to third man.  Pandit followed that with a quick single
to mid wicket, after which Tendulkar played one slowly to
backward square, and ran two as the fieldsman had to come up
from fine leg.  Another single to mid wicket brought up India's
450 and ended the first full over of the day.

McDermott continued, bowling to Pandit, also with a defensive
field, Pandit took one to deep mid wicket.  Tendulkar took
three a couple of balls later, then Pandit took another single
to end the over, also with 5 runs from it.

>From Hughes next over, Pandit took a single, then Tendulkar
saw that Whitney's throw was wide of the stumps, and Healy had
to go and recover it, and they converted the one into a two.
Hughes sent a bouncer at Pandit, which he just ducked under,
then another short one, that Pandit just managed to get the bat
on, and play down in front of him.  Tendulkar decided this was
an opportunity for another single, and called Pandit through,
but Hughes had no real problem getting down to the ball,
turning, and throwing down the bowlers end stumps well before
Pandit could get there.  India 8/458.

Pandit          Run Out                           9     8/459

Banerjee came out, and faced McDermott after Tendulkar was
unable to score from the final ball of Hughes' over.  He opened
his scoring with a quick single to mid wicket - would have been
run out had Jones throw hit the stumps, however it missed.
Tendulkar took two from a no ball, then another two next ball,
and then ducked under the obligatory bouncer.  Next ball was
well up, Tendulkar drove it on the on side to deep mid on for
the first boundary of the day.

Banerjee took another single from the first ball of Hughes next
over, then Tandulkar stepped back to give himself room, and
took a big swing at Hughes next - it was Hughes' slow leg
cutter though, which tendulkar missed completely.  The ball
bounced over the stumps though, harmlessly through to Healy on
the second bounce.  Next ball, tendulkar stepped away again,
but Hughes aimed down leg side, and all Tendulkar could do was
just drop it onto the pitch.  He managed a single to third man
next ball, then called from a quick single when Banerjee played
it just onto the off side, and took another four, cut, into one
of the few gaps on the boundary to end the over.

Banerjee wasn't able to score from McDermott's first ball, then
attempted to drive the second to mid off - or rather did drive,
but straight into Border's hands for a regulation low catch.
9/474.  Srinath came in and took a single from his second ball,
then with the field spread (7 near the boundary, just one on
each side to save singles) Tendulkar let a short one go through
to the keeper, then took an easy single to end the over.

Banerjee        C Border B McDermott              3     9/474

>From Hughes next over, Tendulkar took two - the second was
very close, Srinath was "run out", but not given, just like
Border's in the last test, this was way to close for the umpire
to possibly give, a good decision.  Next ball Hughes sent down
another slow one, this time Tendulkar picked it, and attempted
to glide it down to third man, but missed.  Again, the ball
bounced over the stumps (no wonder there have been no LBW's)
and through to Healy.  Tendulkar was out of his ground, so
healy threw down the stumps to attempt a stumping.  Naturally
Tendulkar had his bat well in again by then.

Next ball, and Tendulkar played it directly to Widtney at long
off, and attempted anothr two.  Whitney threw it in to Hughes
who removed the bails, this time with Srinath out by metres,
and the innings ended at 483, with Tendulkar not out on 148.
That's a lead of 170.

Srinath         Run Out                           1     10/483

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.
 India, 1st innings: 483, Tendulkar 148*, Extras 10

                 O    M  W   R  Nb W
McDermott       51   12  4 147   3 0
Reid             4    0  0  10   1 0
Hughes          41.4  8  3 104   3 0
Waugh           14    5  0  28   1 0
Warne           45    7  1 150   0 0
Border          15    3  0  39   0 0

Test 3, Day 5, till lunch

The Aust innings commenced at 11:45, after India had batted for
the first 35 minutes of the day.  Kapil opened the bowling with
a fairly good over to Taylor, from which Taylor took just two
runs.  Its Kapil's birthday today (33 years).

Prabhakar opened from the other end, Marsh opened his scoring
with three, then Prabhakar decided to go around the wicket to
Taylor.

Kapil continued, Marsh took a single from the first balll,
rotating the strike.  Taylor did the same with another single
later in the over.  Taylor didn't offer a shot at one from
Prabhakar's next over, the LBW appeal was rejected, the ball
was certainly going over the stumps.  Taylor took two from the
next ball, then padded another away, no appeal from this one.

Marsh got a faint touch to one down leg side from Kapil's next
over, Pandit took it, though not exactly cleanly, and Australia
are now 1/9, with Boon on his way to the crease.  Boon took a
leg bye, then Taylor two to end India's first successful over.
Boon opened his scoring with a single from Prabhakar's next
over.

Marsh           C Pandit B Kapil Dev              4     1/9

There's plenty of sun around today, no clouds, and no swing
that's visible at least.  Kapil bowled the first maiden of the
innings to Boon, one half hearted (suppressed really) LBW
appeal, but nothing else there to write about.  Srinath
replaced Prabhakar after a spell of just three overs.  He has
just two slips, gully, and bat pad for Taylor, who took an
early single.  Similar field to Boon, but also a fielder close
in on the off side.

Kapil began his fifth over with a good one to Taylor, beating
the bat.  Next ball, not so good, wide of off stump, and Taylor
just let it go.  The over ended without any addition to the
score.

In Srinath's fourth over, the first no ball of the innings was
bowled, after Boon had taken two to backward square, then Boon
cut hard at Srinath, but instead of collecting the first
boundary of the innings, he returned to the pavilion,
Azharuddin having picked up a good catch in the gully.

Boon            C Azharuddin B Srinath            7     2/31

Srinath's first ball to Waugh was quite good, Waugh played it
just onto the off side, where Tendulkar picked it up, and threw
down the stumps, knocking the middle stump out of the ground -
Waugh had his foot back however.  One ball later, Srinath
complained about the state of the ball, the umpires considered
it, measuring the ball with their rings, then returned it to
the bowler.  Boon's wicket was Srinath's first since the first
test in Brisbane.

Prabhakar replaced Kapil after a 7 over spell, in the next
over.  This ended a maiden, Prabhakar's first of the innings,
with Taylor flashing at one passing the outside edge of the
bat, almost a wicket there.  Waugh took a single to get off the
mark in Srinath's next over.

Srinath and Prabhakar continued until lunch, with nothing else
really eventful to describe.  Aust 2/38, still 132 behind,
India have two sessions to claim the remaining 8 wickets, a
possibility, but a draw is still the most likely result.

 Day 5, Lunch
 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.  India, first innings, 483.
 Australia's second innings : 38 for 2, Taylor 20*, Waugh 5*

Test 3, Day 5, 3rd hour

Srinath took up the attack after lunch, Taylor took a single
from the second ball of the over.  Prabhakar continued from the
other end, and after one that kept a little low, bowled the
first wide of the innings, passing the batsman outside the off
side return crease.

Waugh tried to take his bat away form the first ball of
Srinath's next over, but managed to get an edge to it - it fell
short of Vengsarkar at first slip however.  Taylor brought up
Australia's 50 in the sixth over of the session, with a two
backward of square leg, and then followed that by another
three.

After an over by Srinath Prabhakar continued to Waugh, with two
feilders close on the leg side, one just forward of square,
about 10 metres away, and another at a short mid wicket,
closer.  He got one to keep a little low, aimed at leg stump,
from the final ball of the over, Waugh missed, and the umpire
judged that the ball would have just hit the top of the stumps,
for Prabhakar to pick up his first wicket of the innings.

Waugh           LBW Prabhakar                    18     3/55

First ball of Prabhakar's next over, Jones first ball of the
innings, Prabhakar bowled a slow bouncer, which Jones ducked
under, easily, it was also called a no ball.  Jones took two
from the first legal delivery he received, next ball.  Later in
the over he drove through mid off to collect the first boundary
of Australia's innings.

Kapil finally came on to replace Srinath after more than 45
minutes of the session, bowling to Taylor.  Shastri replaced
Prabhakar next over, also bowling to Taylor, who had taken a
single from Kapil's over.  Both batsmen took singles from this
over, which didn't show much noticeable spin, except one that
Shastri dropped well to the leg side to Jones, into the bowlers
foot marks.

Kapil bowled the final over of the hour, Jones took 3, then
Taylor took two, and a single, then another 3 for Jones.  Aust
3/79, still 91 behind, roughly 3 hours left to play.

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.  India, first innings, 483.
 Australia's second innings : 79 for 3, Taylor 30*, Jones 15*

Test 3, Day 5, 4th hour

Shastri continued after drinks, bowling to Jones, who smashed
the ball through the covers, where Kapil just got a hand to it
to save the boundary.  Tendulkar cleaned up, and Jones took
two.  Jones then took a quick single, Tendulkar at mid on threw
down the stumps at the batsman's end (Jones was well in at the
bowler's), but Taylor had just made his ground.  A single to
Taylor completed the over.

Shastri's next over found Jones play under one that bounced a
little more, Pandit appealed for the catch behind, supported by
the close fielders, and bowler, and after thinking about it,
umpire Randell gave Jones out.  Must have been a very fine
touch if there was one.  Border came in at number 6, and took a
single from the final ball of the over.

Jones           C Pandit B Shastri               18     4/85

Border attempted to drive Kapil through the off side, but
missed with the inside edge, ball through to Pandit - he
managed to to mid on from the next ball though, taking him to
9, and Aust to 94.

Shastri bowling abound the wicket to Taylor (and everyone) got
one to pitch in the rough and turn and jump, Taylor just
allowed it through.  Shastri may do better over the wicket.
Taylor took a single, Border looks much more at home against
Shastri than Taylor does.

Taylor took Kapil, and Border Shastri for the next couple of
overs, until Kapil switched to around the wicket to Taylor, who
then took a single to fine leg to bring up Australia's 100.
Border also took a single, then Kapil reverted to over the
wicket for the last ball of the over to Taylor.

Border attempted to sweep Shastri, after advancing down the
wicket, but missed, the ball went from his pad to his arm, then
harmlessly onto the off side.  Next ball he cut for three.

Prabhakar replaced Kapil to bowl to Border next over.  This
became Prabhakar's 5th maiden, ending with a good slower ball,
one Prabhakar doesn't bowl often.

Shastri to bowl to Taylor again, for the first time in ages,
and now he's decided to go over the wicket.  Taylor turned the
first into a full toss, but couldn't get it away.  Shastri's
next few balls were better, Taylor just defending, then he
bowled a poor one, wide, Taylor cut, but Kapil came forward a
little at point, then dived forward, and took a great catch,
just above the ground, to remove Taylor.  Healy came in with
Shastri still over the wicket, and played out the rest of the
over.  That was a wicket maiden to Shastri, his first maiden.

Taylor          C Kapil Dev B Shastri            35     5/106

Healy got off the mark with a single in Shastri's next over,
after Border had played out another maiden from Prabhakar.
Border took a single from the last ball of the over to retain
the strike.  These are the conditions where Border has played
some of his best innings, he's going to need to do it again
today to save this match.

Prabhakar bowled another maiden to Border, ending with another
of his slower balls, which Border swiped at and missed.
Shastri continues over the wicket to Healy, in what will be the
last over before tea.  Second ball, healy swung him around to
backward square for a single.  Manjrekar appealed for a catch
from the thigh pad, supported only by Pandit, then another
appeal for LBW from the final ball before tea, no chance there,
and Australia go to tea at 5/105, still 65 behind India, not
that that matters a lot, with 5 wickets in hand.

Border is going to have to bat through at least most of the
final session to save the match for Australia.  He'll want
Healy with him most of the time, Hughes and McDermott can bat,
but you really don't want to rely on them lasting a lengthy
period, and it may be asking a bit much to ask Warne to do it
again.  I expect Reid will bat, if needed, but I'm sure
Australia would prefer him not to have to.

 Day 5, TEA
 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.  India, first innings, 483.
 Australia's second innings : 109 for 5, Border 18*, Healy 2*

Test 3, Day 5, 5th hour

Prabhakar continued after tea, bowling to Healy.  A reasonable
over till the last ball, which was an easy full toss, from
which Healy took three.  Shastri continued bowling to Healy,
over the wicket, a maiden without remarkable incident.

A few overs later, Shastri to Healy again, healy attempted to
sweep Shastri onto the on side, against the spin, got a top
edge, and the ball went high, giving Prabhakar an easy catch,
strolling in from mid wicket to get under it.

Healy           C Prabhakar B Shastri             7     6/114

Hughes replaced Healy, with an even more attacking field,
fielders in almost every space around the bat, there were
planty close before.  Hughes played out the over, which ended
as nother wicket maiden.  Next over from Shastri Hughes drove
for two to get off the mark, then was nearly out next ball when
he may have gotten an edge to one that fell just short of
Azharuddin at slip.

With Shastri bowling to Hughes with slip, gully, short point,
and bat pad, Hughes struck him hard and high, down to long off,
for three.  Prabhakar continues bowling at the other end.  Next
over from Shastri, Hughes hit over the top again, this time to
the mid on boundary.

Kapil Dev came on to replace Prabhakar, first ball to Hughes a
full toss, that Hughes just stroked to the off side, directly
to the fieldsman.  He took two through pint later in the over,
then was beaten by the next ball from Kapil - the ball just
passing the outside edge as Hughes tried to defend.  Aust
6/137, still 33 runs to get to make India bat again.

Border took two to deep extra cover, and decided against an
easy third from Shastri's next over, then took a short single
from the next ball, Hughes just beating the throw which was
slightly wayward.  Kapil bowled a mainde to Border, then
Shastri one to Hughes, during which he came back around the
wicket to the right hander.  Kapil bowled another maiden to
Border, including one good yorker that Border had to dig out.
Hughes played another maiden from Shastri, who must be getting
tired, he's been bowling for the past 2 hours of play, with
just the tea break intervening.

Border took two from the first ball of Kapil's new over, the
first runs for ages.  Kapil followed with a no ball - bowling
around the wicket to Border.  He then took a quick single from
the last ball, and was well home when the throw went past the
stumps.

Borer came down the pitch to Shastri, got the poutside edge
down to third man, and took two.  Drinks were taken at 6/146,
still 24 runs behind, with 4 wickets in hand.

15 overs are required to be bowled in the last hour ... India
are well ahead of the bowling rate so far, having bowled 70
overs at this point, when they were required to bowl only 63 -
but using th spinner for so much, and with so many maidens, the
over rate is easy to keep good.

 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.  India, first innings, 483.
 Australia's second innings : 146 for 6, Border 32*, Hughes 16*

Test 3, Day 5, 6th hour (final session) :

Prabhakar replaced Kapil after the drinks break.  This was
another maiden, bowled to Hughes, it included one bouncer, but
not a dangerous one.

Shastri continued, Border pulled him to deep mid wicket, where
the ball just trickled into the boundary before Tendulkar could
overhaul it.  This brought up Australia's 150.  He took another
single from the final ball of the over, then two from the first
ball of Prabhakar's next over.

Total attendance 54203, 6340 today, 12854 yesterday.

Shastri bowled a maiden to Hughes, then Kapil came on to
replace Prabhakar, bowling off spin, rather than fast, with
Pandit standing up.  Border played it away to deep cover for
three.  Hughes missed one, possibly assuming it might spin,
played the next defensively, then turned a poor delivery down
to fine leg for two.

Prabhakar replaced Shastri - also bowling spin, his first ball
was atrocious, wide, and Border had no trouble cutting for
another three.  He appealed for LBW from one that turned a
little, but it struck Hughes way outside the off stump.  Hughes
then took a single, only 8 left to get to make India bat again.
Border ignored the next delivery.

Shastri was just swapping ende, he replaced Kapil after his one
over of spin, Shastri is still bowling over the wicket to
Hughes.  After a few balls he switched to around the wicket -
no result, and another maiden.  Prabhakar continued bowling off
spin to Border, but bowling outside the line of off stump to
Border - probably hitting the bowlers footmarks, but turning
away from wide, and Border is just watching them go past.  When
he got one on line, it didn't turn, and gave Border no
difficulty.  Still, another maiden.

Tendulkar replaced SHastri after one over from that end,
bowling spin, seemingly of all kinds (right handed).  Hughes
played one down the ground for two, bring up the 50
partnership, then Tendulkar had one turn away slightly, it took
the edge of Hughes bat, and Tendulkar threw out his left hand
from slip, and picked up a good catch.  Three wickets left, as
McDermott came out to face Tendulkar.  After bowling some off,
and some leg spin, Tendulkar completed the over with a bouncer
(Pandit still at the stumps, took it over his head).

Hughes          C Prabhakar B tendulkar          21     7/164

Shastri changed ends again, back to the Paddington end,
replacing Prabhakar, this must be the end he prefers.  Border
took two through point.  Then from the second last ball of the
over, he took a single, McDermott played out the last ball.
After Tendulkar's successful over, he was replaced by
Prabhakar, who is back bowling fast (or as fast as he ever
does).

Border pulled a short one from Prabhakar through mid wicket for
four, bringing up an excellent 50, and taking Aust to 7/171,
making sure India will have to bat again, should Australia be
dismissed.  Its past 17:30 now, so the captains could call off
the game at any time, once they decide a result is impossible,
unless India get the last 3 wickets soon, they certainly won't
bother to bat.

Shastri continued to McDermott who played forward with the pad,
the ball bounced to Vengsarkar at at short forward point, an
appeal for a catch was made (by everyone) and allowed, and
McDermott was out for 0.  This one couldn't have been LBW.
Warne came out, ignored several LBW appeals from balls which
pitched outside leg, and played out the rest of the over -
Shastri switched to around the wicket for the last ball, where
he has a better chance of an LBW.

McDermott       C Vengsarkar B Shastri            0     8/171

Border took a single from Prabhakar's over, then later, Warne
got off the mark with a single, and at that point the game was
called off - there were just 10 minutes to go before 18:00, and
just two overs required to be bowled, so even if Australia wer
edismissed immediately, there would be no time for another
innings by India, so a draw was the only possible result.

The innings finished at 8/173, match drawn ... we finally got
to see a fifth days play, and a good one it was - good
attacking bowling most of the time, certainly with attacking
fields, and a great innings by Border, like so many he's played
when the game has been in this position.

 Day 5, Stumps, FINAL score
 Australia, sent in, first innings 313.  India, first innings, 483.
 Australia's second innings : 173 for 8, Border 53*, Warne 1*, Extras 9
                 O  M  W  R     Nb W
Kapil Dev       19  5  1 41      1 0
Prabhakar       27 10  1 53      1 1
Srinath         12  0  1 28      2 0
Shastri         25  6  4 47      0 0
Tendulkar        1  0  1  2      0 0

Match drawn.  Shastri was named man of the match (of course).

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