By IANS
Melbourne : India’s strategy of wearing the Australian attack down on the fourth day of the first Test left them struggling at 56 for two at lunch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Saturday.
Set a precipitous 499 runs for victory, Rahul Dravid, in the company of V.V.S Laxman looked set to see the first session. But Dravid was trapped in front of the wicket in the last over before lunch by the innocuous Andrew Symonds. Dravid stonewalled for two and half hours and faced 114 balls for 16.
Sachin Tendulkar played out the over opening the account with a brace and Laxman at the other end was on a careful 21 off 55 balls with three fours at the break.
Australia declared at 351 for seven late on the third day and India, who were dismissed for 196 runs in reply to Australia’s first innings of 343, will need to make history to win the match.
The highest successful run-chase at the MCG was England’s 332 against Australia in the 1928-29 Ashes series. Only three aides have ever successfully chased in excess of 400 runs in the fourth innings of a Test.
For all their defiance, the Indians may find it difficult to last out five more sessions to win or draw the match. If they have to pull off a victory they will have to mount a world record score.
Pace bowler Brett Lee provided the initial breakthrough when he helped Adam Gilchrist become Australia’s most successful wicketkeeper by gobbling up Wasim Jaffer’s catch as the Indian opener swished at an away going ball. The catch was Gilchrist’s 396th and that left Ian Healy one behind.