Published: Jan 25, 2012, 04:27 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 25, 2012, 04:27 PM (IST)
India made a poor start losing two early wickets after double centuries from Ricky Ponting and skipper Michael Clarke put Australia in command on the second day of the fourth and the final cricket Test at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.
Ponting (221) and Clarke (210) with their record 386-run stand for the fourth wicket helped Australia reach a massive 604 for seven declared in the first innings. Their partnership is the fourth-highest by an Australian pair for any wicket in Tests.
India were 61 for two in the second innings at stumps, trailing Australia by 543 runs, with Gautam Gambhir batting on 30 and Sachin Tendulkar on 12. India need another 343 to make Australia bat again.
India made a poor start on a lifeless track losing Virender Sehwag (18) and Rahul Dravid (1) in successive overs. Sehwag hit three boundaries for his run-a-ball 18 before giving a return catch to Peter Siddle, who struck with his first delivery of the match.
The 39-year-old Dravid was bowled again for the sixth time in seven innings in the series. A rising delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus deflected off Dravid's elbow onto his stumps.
Gambhir was in good touch right from the start and stroked the first ball of the innings off Ryan Harris for four through the point. But two quick losses, prompted him and Tendulkar to see off the day without any loss. (IANS)
