Clarke and Ponting make Indians toil
Source: Agencies |
January 5, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MICHAEL Clarke hit a brilliant unbeaten 251 and Ricky Ponting his first hundred in two years as Australia took control of the second test against India in Sydney yesterday, finishing the second day on an imposing 482 for four.
Clarke batted through the day for his first test double century and the highest score by an Australian at the Sydney Cricket Ground, while Michael Hussey pitching in with 55 not out to give Australia a lead of 291 over India's first innings 191.
Ponting had departed just before tea for 134 to end the fourth-wicket partnership with Clarke at 288, a record for Australia in tests against India. The pair came together with the score on 37-3.
Needing victory to level the four-match series after a 122-run defeat in the opener in Melbourne last week, India's bowlers had been hoping for some early wickets but instead labored all day in the heat.
"It's fantastic to have a score like I do but if you don't win the test match it means nothing," Clarke said. "I think the team is in a wonderful position at the moment (but) we're a long way from being 2-0 up."
Resuming on 116-3, Clarke brought up his 50 on the second ball of the morning and continued to play with composure as he moved towards his third century in his last six tests.
The 30-year-old reached his 18th test century, and the first of the series from either side, in the last over of the morning by slapping a Zaheer Khan delivery through the covers.
Ponting, who last scored a test century against Pakistan in Hobart in January 2010, endured a nervous wait on 97 through the lunch break. The 37-year-old reached his 40th test century with a rushed single off the bowling of Ishant Sharma. As Zaheer's throw at the stumps missed, Ponting was able to pick himself up, brush off the dust and take a standing ovation from the crowd.
Clarke batted through the day for his first test double century and the highest score by an Australian at the Sydney Cricket Ground, while Michael Hussey pitching in with 55 not out to give Australia a lead of 291 over India's first innings 191.
Ponting had departed just before tea for 134 to end the fourth-wicket partnership with Clarke at 288, a record for Australia in tests against India. The pair came together with the score on 37-3.
Needing victory to level the four-match series after a 122-run defeat in the opener in Melbourne last week, India's bowlers had been hoping for some early wickets but instead labored all day in the heat.
"It's fantastic to have a score like I do but if you don't win the test match it means nothing," Clarke said. "I think the team is in a wonderful position at the moment (but) we're a long way from being 2-0 up."
Resuming on 116-3, Clarke brought up his 50 on the second ball of the morning and continued to play with composure as he moved towards his third century in his last six tests.
The 30-year-old reached his 18th test century, and the first of the series from either side, in the last over of the morning by slapping a Zaheer Khan delivery through the covers.
Ponting, who last scored a test century against Pakistan in Hobart in January 2010, endured a nervous wait on 97 through the lunch break. The 37-year-old reached his 40th test century with a rushed single off the bowling of Ishant Sharma. As Zaheer's throw at the stumps missed, Ponting was able to pick himself up, brush off the dust and take a standing ovation from the crowd.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
