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Friday 26 December 2014

Aus v Ind (3rd Test Match, Perth, 2008)

Venue: WACA, Perth

Another humdinger from the great rivalry in 1998 - 2008 era.

The importance of this match had acquired monumental proportions because 
 - it was on the back of the infamous Sydney test
 - the aftermath of the monkeygate incident had soured relations between the teams
 - the Aussies were lambasted throughout the fraternity for their unsportsmanlike behaviour
 - the Indians had been pleaded to continue the tour as scheduled
 - complete love was lost between both teams until then.

What followed was pure cricket and another magnificent game of between the two cricket powers of the time, matching each other ball to ball, minute to minute.

India batted first and scored a respectable 330 on a lively wicket, thanks to a stoggy 93 by #Dravid and sublime 71 by #Sachin. Surprisingly the Aussies capitulated at 212 through some disciplined bowling from the Indians, #RPSingh being the pick of the bowlers with a 4 wicket haul. #Symonds and #Gilchrist lent smeee respectability to the Aussie score that looked well below par at one stage.

With a good lead cushion under their belt, the Indians went for quick runs in the second essay with the tormentor-in-chief VVS Laxman top scoring with 79. India folding at 294 giving them a good target to bowl at, 420.

The Aussies began shakily losing both openers pretty cheaply but #Ponting and #Hussey steadied the ship for them. The fifth morning saw an inspired spell of fast bowling from a lanky 19 year old Ishant Sharma to get rid of Ponting. That spell has already become part of cricketing folklore .. classic David beats Goliath story.

Although #Clarke stroked a good 81, India kept chipping away at the wickets and looked set to win comfortably. But #MitchellJohnson and #StuartClark had different ideas. They batted on and started inching closer to the Indian total. India's captain #Kumble was a worried man and tried several options in vain. 

As luck would have it, #InfranPathan was thrown the ball to and he did the trick in his first over! He had Clark caught behind and RP Singh uprooted #ShaunTait's stumps to hand India a much deserved "Cricket" victory.

After the Sydney fiasco, cricket lovers were treated to much anticipated cricketing glory in this test match. Well done to both teams.

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