India was single-handedly bundled out for 442 by debutant bowler Jason Krejza today on the second day’s play of the final test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. At stumps, Australia was comfortable at 189 for 2 as Simon Katich eyes his century tomorrow.

India resumed play at 311-5. Australia was fresh from Tendulkar’s and Laxman’s overnight dismissal and looked intent on continuing the damage. However, Ganguly and Dhoni played resolutely and added 119 for the 6th wicket. Ganguly played with his signature poise as he played an innings of 85 runs in his last test. Dhoni was going great guns at 56 when Krejza dismissed him a little after the lunch break. The Great Indian Fall had just begun.

Within next 19 runs, Australia was ready to start their innings. India was 422-6 when Dhoni went. Krejza clinched Ganguly as his fifth victim, although he had already crossed the dubious double ton of conceded runs. Zaheer Khan, Amit Mishra and Ishant Sharma didn’t interrupt Krejza’s party and went scoring a total of one run. Krejza had scalped five in a gap of 26 deliveries.

Krejza had a rollercoaster spell as he bagged 8 wickets for 215 runs in his first test. He finds his name on the eighth spot in the best bowling figures in the history of the game but simultaneously holds the dubious distinction of meting out the highest number of runs in a debut performance. After struggling to find place in the team on this tour, he is now the second highest wicket-taker for Australia ahead of Brett Lee. Although he was butchered mercilessly in terms of runs, claiming the wickets of Rahul Dravid, Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni is no mean achievement by any standards.

The Australian innings started in the usual fashion as Hayden was run out for a cheap 16 runs. Harbhajan Singh got his 300th test wicket as he dismissed Ricky Ponting for the ninth time in his career. He became the third off-spinner to cross the 300-mark after Muttiah Muralitharan and Lance Gibbs.

Katich is almighty at 92 with firm support from Hussey (45*). India is in for a tough time tomorrow.

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

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