Venue Changed Again! Ahemadabad Out, Mohali In!

The venue and the match schedule has been changed again for the England tour to continue. The England team went back to their home after cancelling the last two ODIs after the terror attack in Mumbai.

The 2nd Test was scheduled to be played in Mumbai, but it was changed to Chennai. Now, the schedule has been drawn again eliminating the practice match against the Indian Board President's XI.

The first test will be played in Chenni and the second test will be played in Mohali. Ahemadabad has been removed as the venue for the first test and Mumbai has been replaced by Mohali.

The revised schedule:

Dec 5-7, 2008: Indian Board President's XI v. England XI - Vadodara - CANCELLED
Dec 11-15, 2008: 1st Test: India v. England - Chennai
Dec 19-23, 2008: 2nd Test: India v. England - Mohali

India v. Australia: 2nd Test: Score Board

Test: 2nd Test
Venue: Punjab Cricket Associatin Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Dates: October 17-21, 2008
Teams: India and Australia
Hosts: India
Captains: MS Dhoni and Ricky Ponting
Toss: India
Match Result: India won by 320 runs
Series Result: India lead 0-0
Man of the Match: Zaheer Khan (India)

Scoreboard:

India 1st Innings 469 allout in 129 overs (Gamhhir 67, Sehwag 35, Dravid 39, Tendulkar 88, Laxman 12, Ganguly 102, Ishanth Sharma 9, Dhoni 92, Harbhajan Singh 1, Zaheer Khan 2, Mishra 0 not out, Extras--22 (b 4, lb 2, w 5, nb 3), Lee 24-5-86-1, Siddle 28-5-114-3, Johnson 27-4-85-3, Watson 24-3-71-0, Clarke 7-0-28-0, White 19-0-71-2)

Fall of Wickets : 1-70 (Sehwag, 14.2 ov), 2-146 (Dravid, 40.5 ov), 3-146 (Gambhir, 41.1 ov), 4-163 (Laxman, 45.1 ov), 5-305 (Tendulkar, 81.5 ov), 6-326 (Sharma, 89.6 ov), 7-435 (Ganguly, 119.1 ov), 8-442 (Harbhajan Singh, 123.1 ov), 9-469 (Khan, 127.6 ov), 10-469 (Dhoni, 128.6 ov)

Australia 1st Innings 268 all out in 101.4 overs (Hayden 0, Katich 33, Ponting 5, Hussey 54, Michael Clarke 23, Watson 78, Haddin 9, White 5, Lee 35, Johnson 9 not out, Siddle 0, Extras--17 (lb 13, nb 4), Zaheer Khan 25-7-56-1, Ishanth Sharma 21-4-68-2, Harbhajan Singh 29-9-60-2, Amit Mishra 26.4-8-71-5)

Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Hayden, 0.3 ov), 2-17 (Ponting, 7.5 ov), 3-62 (Katich, 21.6 ov), 4-102 (Clarke, 40.5 ov), 5-130 (Hussey, 47.5 ov), 6-146 (Haddin, 55.3 ov), 7-167 (White, 62.2 ov), 8-240 (Lee, 90.1 ov), 9-262 (Watson, 99.2 ov), 10-268 (Siddle, 101.4 ov)

India 2nd Innings (lead by 201 runs) 314 for 3 declared in 65 overs (Gambhir 104, Sehwag 90, Dhoni 68 not out, Ganguly 27, Tendulkar 10 not out, Extras--15 (b 3, lb 4, w 5, nb 3), Lee 14-0-61-1, Siddle 15-1-62-1, Johnson 14-0-72-0, White 8-0-48-0, Watson 5-0-20-0, Hussey 8-0-38-0, MJ Clarke 1-0-6-0)

Fall of wickets: 1-182 (Sehwag, 39.1 ov), 2-224 (Gambhir, 47.5 ov), 3-290 (Ganguly, 61.6 ov)

Australia 2nd Innings (516 to win) 195 all out in 64.4 overs (Hayden 29, Katich 20, Ponting 2, Hussey 1, MJ Clarke 69, Watson 2, Haddin 37, White 1, Lee 0, Johnson 26, Siddle 0 not out, Extras-8 (b 4, lb 4), Zaheer 15-3-71-3, I Sharma 13-4-42-2, Harbhajan 20-3-36-3, A Mishra 11.4-2-35-2, Sehwag 5-2-7-0)

Fall of Wickets: 1-49 (Hayden, 7.2 ov), 2-50 (Katich, 7.6 ov), 3-52 (Hussey, 9.5 ov), 4-52 (Ponting, 10.2 ov), 5-58 (Watson, 16.3 ov), 6-142 (Haddin, 46.6 ov), 7-144 (White, 48.2 ov), 8-144 (Lee, 48.3 ov), 9-194 (Johnson, 62.6 ov), 10-195 (Clarke, 64.4 ov)

India v. Australia: 1st Test Score Board

Test: 1st Test
Venue: Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Dates: October 9-13, 2008
Teams: India and Australia
Hosts: India
Captains: Anil Kumble and Ricky Ponting
Toss: Australia
Match Result: Match Drawn
Series Result: 0-0
Man of the Match: Zaheer Khan (India)

Score at the end of Day 5:

Australia 1st Innings 430 all out in 149.5 overs (ML Hayden 0, SM Katich 66, RT Ponting 123, MEK Hussye 146, MJ Clarke 11, SR Watson 2, BJ Haddin 33, CL White 6, B Lee 27, MG Johnson 1, SR Clark 0 not out, Extras--15 (lb 11, w 1, nb 3), Z Khan 29.-4-91-5, I Sharma 30-7-77-4, Harbhajan Singh 41-8-103-1, A Kumble 43-6-129-0, V Sehwag 6-0-19-0)

Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Hayden, 0.3 ov), 2-166 (Katich, 54.4 ov), 3-226 (Ponting, 78.4 ov), 4-254 (Clarke, 89.2 ov), 5-259 (Watson, 92.3 ov), 6-350 (Haddin, 122.6 ov), 7-362 (White, 126.5 ov), 8-421 (Lee, 147.5 ov), 9-429 (Johnson, 149.1 ov), 10-430 (Hussey, 149.5 ov)

India 1st Innings 360 all out in 119 overs (G Gambhir 21, V Sehwag 45, R Dravid 51, SR Tendulkar 13, VVS Laxman 0, SC Ganguly 47, MS Dhoni 9, Harbhajan Singh 54, Zaheer Khan 57 not out, A Kumble 5, I Sharma 6, Extras--52 (b 23, lb 23, nb 6), B Lee 26-6-64-1, S Clark 17-3-58-0, M Johnson 27-4-70-4, S Watson 19-4-45-3, White 13-2-39-0, M Clarke 17-3-38-2)

Fall of Wickets: 1-70 (Gambhir, 19.2 ov), 2-76 (Sehwag, 22.6 ov), 3-94 (Tendulkar, 28.4 ov), 4-106 (Laxman, 32.6 ov), 5-155 (Dravid, 49.5 ov), 6-195 (Dhoni, 65.4 ov), 7-232 (Ganguly, 77.3 ov), 8-312 (Harbhajan Singh, 99.3 ov), 9-343 (Kumble, 111.6 ov), 10-360 (Sharma, 118.6)

Australia 2nd Innings (70 runs lead) 193 for 5 in 68 overs (Hayden 13, Katich 34, Ponting 17, Mike Hussey 31, Micheal Clarke 6, Watson 41, Haddin 35 not out, White 18 not out, Extras--33 (b 13, lb 10, w 6, nb 4), Z Khan 17-4-46-1, I Sharma 14-3-40-3, Harbhajan Singh 27-5-76-2, V Sehwag 7-1-12-0, A Kumble 8-0-31-0)

Fall of Wickets: 1-21 (Hayden, 12.2 ov), 2-49 (Ponting, 22.2 ov), 3-99 (Katich, 44.3 ov), 4-115 (Clarke, 47.5 ov), 5-128 (Hussey, 50.5 ov), 6-203 (Watson, 69.2)

India 2nd Innings (target 299 runs in 83 overs) 177 for 4 in 73 overs (Gambhir 29, Sehwag 6, Dravid 5, Tendulkar 49, Laxman 42 not out, Ganguly 26 not out, Extras--20 (b 16, lb 3, nb 1), Lee 11-3-26-1, S Clark 11-6-12-1, Watson 5-2-8-0, Johnson 8-3-23-1, M Clarke 20-7-40-0, White 18-4-49-1)

1st Test, Day 4: India v. Australia: Advantage Aussies!

Zaheer and Harbhajan denied Aussies a big lead which was expected by everyone. The lead was thought to be over 180, was reduced to 70 runs by Harbhajan and Zaheer as they both crossed their 50 run mark. Harbhajan was dismissed for 54 towards end of day 3, but Zaheer was in the crease to start day 4.

Zaheer crossed his 50 in style by coming down the track and hitting Watson over his head for a straight four. Zaheer and Kumble reduced the gap to less than 100. They added 31 for the 9th wicket, off whcih Kumble scored 5. Zaheer Khan hit two boundaries in the morning and released the pressure.

Kumble was the first one to go, leg before to Watson. He played 33 balls for his 5. Ishanth played well and Zaheer had the confidence in Ishanth. They added 17 before Ishanth was bowled by M Clarke. Zaheer Khan was not out on 57 off 121 balls with 5 fours. He was the highest scorer for India, followed by Harbhajan. The last three wickets played 41.3 overs, that is, 249 balls. Isn't this amazing?

Australia started the 2nd innings with a lead of 70 runs and had 68 overs in hand. Sure that Ponting would be in double mind--whether to attack or to play defense and based on loss of wickets, either attack or defend. Any captain would expect a good start to put a good total on the board.

Hayden went first, unlucky decision! LBW to Zaheer. He fell to Zaheer in both the innings. Ponting, played well, but couldn't continue his first innings form. He was caught at mid wicket off Ishanth Sharma. Australia where 49 for 2 in 22.2 overs.

Katich and Hussey added 50 for the third wicket and they consumed 133 deliveries to reach this mark. The top spinner from Harbhajan hit the top of the Katich bat and and poped an easy catch at silly mid off where Laxman grabbed it easily. His 34 came off 140 balls with 3 hits to boundary.

The vice captain Micheal Clarke did not last long. He was caught at covers of Ishanth Sharma for 6 and Aussies were 115 for 4.

The century scorer Mike Hussye did not read Harbhajan's incoming delivery. He thought it would leave him, but it came in and knocked the stumps. He was bowled for 31 off 72 deliveries with 3 fours.

Watson should have gone in the over by Bhajji if Sehwag was placed few steps close the boundary. He was standing half way and the shot ball was pulled just over his head.

Earlier, Gambhir reacted late to at short-leg to give a life to Katich.

A run-out chance for sending Ponting to pavilion was closely missed by substitute Badrinath. He tried for direct hit, but the ball wnet few inches away from the bowlers end stumps.

Shane Watson and Brad Haddin 65 runs for the 6th wicket and took the lead beyond 250. They survived close run-outs which were missed by Indians. No one stood near the stumps when they were taking chances on the 2nd run. In one instance, Kumble or Ishanth could have collected the throw from Ganguly, but they were standing in their own position.

Watson is on 32 and Haddin is on 28 and the score is 193 for 5. What will be Ponting's plan for day 5? When will he declare? Or will India pick all the wickets in less than 300 runs? How much overs will India have to negotiate or to score the target? The target will be around 325--this my expectation!!!

Test: 1st Test
Venue: Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Dates: October 9-13, 2008
Teams: India and Australia
Hosts: India
Captains: Anil Kumble and Ricky Ponting
Toss: Australia

Score at the end of Day 4:

Australia 1st Innings 430 all out in 149.5 overs (ML Hayden 0, SM Katich 66, RT Ponting 123, MEK Hussye 146, MJ Clarke 11, SR Watson 2, BJ Haddin 33, CL White 6, B Lee 27, MG Johnson 1, SR Clark 0 not out, Extras--15 (lb 11, w 1, nb 3), Z Khan 29.-4-91-5, I Sharma 30-7-77-4, Harbhajan Singh 41-8-103-1, A Kumble 43-6-129-0, V Sehwag 6-0-19-0)

Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Hayden, 0.3 ov), 2-166 (Katich, 54.4 ov), 3-226 (Ponting, 78.4 ov), 4-254 (Clarke, 89.2 ov), 5-259 (Watson, 92.3 ov), 6-350 (Haddin, 122.6 ov), 7-362 (White, 126.5 ov), 8-421 (Lee, 147.5 ov), 9-429 (Johnson, 149.1 ov), 10-430 (Hussey, 149.5 ov)

India 1st Innings 360 all out in 119 overs (G Gambhir 21, V Sehwag 45, R Dravid 51, SR Tendulkar 13, VVS Laxman 0, SC Ganguly 47, MS Dhoni 9, Harbhajan Singh 54, Zaheer Khan 57 not out, A Kumble 5, I Sharma 6, Extras--52 (b 23, lb 23, nb 6), B Lee 26-6-64-1, S Clark 17-3-58-0, M Johnson 27-4-70-4, S Watson 19-4-45-3, White 13-2-39-0, M Clarke 17-3-38-2)

Fall of Wickets: 1-70 (Gambhir, 19.2 ov), 2-76 (Sehwag, 22.6 ov), 3-94 (Tendulkar, 28.4 ov), 4-106 (Laxman, 32.6 ov), 5-155 (Dravid, 49.5 ov), 6-195 (Dhoni, 65.4 ov), 7-232 (Ganguly, 77.3 ov), 8-312 (Harbhajan Singh, 99.3 ov), 9-343 (Kumble, 111.6 ov), 10-360 (Sharma, 118.6)

Australia 2nd Innings (70 runs lead) 193 for 5 in 68 overs (Hayden 13, Katich 34, Ponting 17, Mike Hussey 31, Micheal Clarke 6, Watson 32 batting, Haddin 28 batting, Extras--32 (b 13, lb 10, w 6, nb 3), Z Khan 15-4-30-1, I Sharma 12-3-27-2, Harbhajan Singh 27-5-76-2, V Sehwag 7-1-12-0, A Kumble 7-0-25-0)

Fall of Wickets: 1-21 (Hayden, 12.2 ov), 2-49 (Ponting, 22.2 ov), 3-99 (Katich, 44.3 ov), 4-115 (Clarke, 47.5 ov), 5-128 (Hussey, 50.5 ov)

Click here to read Day 1 Report

Click here to read Day 2 Report

Click here to read Day 3 Report