Australia finished the first day of the first Border-Gavaskar Cup test match at 254-4. Australian Captain Ricky Ponting’s century was the highlight of the day which can be heralded as breakthrough of a kind, considering his average in 8 test matches he has played in India was 12 before this innings.

For once Australia did not enter this series as the favorites. Although they are certainly eyeing to win their ninth test series in succession, they were being touted as the underdogs, some calling it their “weakest ever” touring team. They beat India by a whisker when the two teams clashed in a test series earlier this year and they appear just as competitive this time as well.

Zaheer Khan was the man of moods today. He elevated every Indian fan’s mood today when he clinched Hayden as the first wicket in the very first over of the match, then depressed us while he was being impaled by the Australian batsmen and then again cheered us up as he showed door to Clarke in the concluding over today. The tall claims about a bowling line-up at par, if not stronger than the Aussies fell flat on the floor as Ponting and Simon Katich amassed 166 runs for the second wicket. That after Australia lost Hayden at the score of zero.

Ponting in his 200th test innings today ironed several wrinkles off his shirt. Known for being gullible to Harbhajan “Turbanator” Singh, he tackled him with a graceful composure. Ponting holds the doubtful distinction of falling prey to Bhajji eight times in his career and after handling the off-spinner with élan today, ironically, his wicket went to Bhajji only. He was the star of the day with his knock of 123, which not only gave Australia headway in the game but also removed the choker tag off his shoulder.

The spinners were virtually ineffective against the visitors today, Harbhajan and Kumble being roughed up pretty badly. But so was the case with all the Indian bowlers. Hussey will start at 46 tomorrow and a half-century early in the day will boost the Oz morale. Indian bowlers better tighten up their laces otherwise the batsmen will come under a lot of pressure.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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