By IANS
Adelaide : Indian bowlers toiled hard as Australia, riding on opener Matthew Hayden’s 30th Test century, made 225 for two in the first innings at tea in reply to India’s 526 in the fourth and the final Test here Saturday.
Skipper Ricky Ponting was batting on 28 and Mike Hussey on 20 after Hayden hit a brilliant 103 on the third day’s play at the Adelaide Oval.
Resuming on their overnight score of 62 for no loss, Australia raced on to make 158 for no loss by lunch with Hayden and Phil Jacques (60) scoring freely. In the morning session, the Australians scored 96 runs in 30 overs.
That the batsmen were looking to occupy the crease was evident from the fact that they did not show any urgency to make runs. The Indian bowlers, barring the lanky Delhi pacer Ishant Sharma, did not impress.
Hayden and Jacques completed their 150-run partnership off 287 balls, with Hayden scoring 82 and Jaques 55. The left-handed players provided Australia a great platform with a 159 run opening stand.
Indian skipper Anil Kumble broke the partnership in the first over after lunch when Jacques attempted a slog sweep but missed the line. The ball hit the middle stump.
A 21-gun salute along the river Torrens, in celebration of Australia Day, caused a brief interruption. Then on Hayden raced on to his half century with two delicate cuts off Harbhajan Singh.
Hayden, who scored on both sides of the wicket, got his century with a single off Harbhajan. He then went down on his knees and raised his arms in celebration of his 30th Test ton, which took him past the legendary Don Bradman’s 29.
But he didn’t last long as a Sharma delivery cut in sharply and played on to his stumps.