Second Test, Sydney: Dravid to open again, Sehwag left out
Unfazed by Rahul Dravid's flopshow in the first Test, the Indian team management today decided to persist with him as opener and leave out specialist Virender Sehwag for the second Test against Australia starting Sydney tomorrow.
Dravid, who batted at a snail's pace to total 21 runs in 180 balls in the first Test, is all set to open the innings at the SCG as well after Sehwag was once again overlooked despite skipper Anil Kumble saying that there was a "50-50" chance of the aggressive right-hander playing. Dravid's promotion to the opener's slot from the number three position has been criticised by former cricketers who feel the move cost India the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
Meanwhile, in what is sure to come as a blow to the visitors, Zaheer Khan has injured his ankle, bringing Irfan Pathan into the equation. Pathan is likely to make the playing XI if Zaheer fails to recover.
On the other hand, high on their empthatic 337-run win in Melbourne, the Australians have retained their playing XI. This means slinger Shaun Tait will once again warm the benches, while chinaman bowler Brad Hogg keeps his place in the side.
Australia has taken four wickets in the final session to reduce India to 6-297 at stumps in an intriguing opening day of the third Test at the WACA Ground.
India was cruising at 2-198 with Rahul Dravid (93) and Sachin Tendulkar (71) in complete control of the crease, but the loss of 4-86 helped turn the match back in Australia's favour.
However, India could have been in deeper trouble had Michael Clarke held onto a regulation catch at first slip when Dravid was on 11.
With the mercury tipping 36C on a scorching Perth day, Australia's four-pronged pace attack knew they would be in for a tough slog.
And with India cruising at 2-198, Australia looked to be in a fair amount of trouble.
But a gutsy performance from paceman Brett Lee (3-64 from 19 overs) and a cameo from Mitchell Johnson (2-62) ensured Australia ended day one of the third Test on top, with India reduced to 6-297 by stumps.
Andrew Symonds' dismissal of Rahul Dravid (93) and Lee's wicket of VVS Laxman (27) in the final 40 minutes of play turned the day in Australia's favour.
"We just had to hang in there, if we had them four down for 300 it might have been a different story and you'd probably give India the tick in the box," Lee said.
"Those two late wickets, six down, I think Australia is in a pretty good spot now. It was pretty hot out there. When you see seagulls walking around with their mouths open, you know it's a pretty warm day."
"I think a few of our guys were doing it as well, it was tough out there but you just have to hang in there. I knew that I only had a couple of overs to go and the second new ball is crucial, we always try to pick up (a) wicket or two and that was the case today."
“The wicket was a pretty good wicket. It probably didn't have the bounce and pace that we all thought it would. But it was a great wicket to bowl on and I think it will be a bit quicker tomorrow. It looks like a pretty decent batting wicket as well once you get in and get set. We have to make sure tomorrow morning we get a few early wickets."
Lee has matured remarkably as a bowler in the past couple of years, taking the mantle of No.1 paceman in the wake of Glenn McGrath's retirement at the end of last summer.
"What I have done over the last couple of years… I know when to go up and down a gear," Lee said.
"There are times when you're running in bowling about 95 per cent of your maximum and try to get the ball the right line and length, there are times when you have to go full tilt and that was today. When you need a wicket you have to go up to that next gear."
Australia v India Series
Second Test, Sydney: Dravid to open again, Sehwag left out
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