AUSSIE IN A SPIN AND MAJESTIC SACHIN

Sham Samaroo

Nov 5, 2004

The Indian spinners sent the much-hyped Aussie batting machine crashing to 93 all out in Mumbai.  It was Australia’s lowest score in twenty years dating back to 1984 when they were dismissed for 76 by the Windies aces of pace at Perth.   Chasing a modest 107 for victory the mighty Australians collapsed to 93 all out to give India a historic win in the fourth and final test. 

Earlier in the day, Tendulkar played an innings of pure class on a wicket that was practically turning square. On a pitch where 40 wickets would fall in two days, Tendulkar batted, effortlessly, as though he was batting on a different wicket, and with all the time in the world to play his strokes.  When he came to the crease, India was staring at defeat as the Aussies closed in for the kill.  Tendulkar knew that on such a wicket, sooner or later, the unplayable delivery was bound to come along, so he chose the best form of defence - attack.  It was vintage Sachin – uncorking shots from the old days.  And no, he did not make a hundred.  In fact, he made only 55, but it was just the kind of innings why the Greats of the game, from Viv Richards to Greg Chappell - from Warne to Akram - consider him the finest batsman of his generation.  Together with VVS Laxman (69), they put on 91 for the 3^rd wicket – the highest partnership of the game. When they departed, the last 6 Indian wickets fell for 18 runs leaving Australia a modest target of 107 for victory.  

Australia lost an early wicket in Langer, but Ponting and Hayden quickly reasserted the advantage with some aggressive shots.  And then came the spinners, and all hell broke lose as the Aussies tumbled to 48 for 6.  Ponting, who on the last tour to India in 2001 managed only 17 runs in 6 innings, again failed to handle the slower stuff, proving, yet again, his vulnerability to spin.  Which raises a very interesting question.  When promising batsmen go to Australia, and fail on the fast wickets of Perth and Melbourne, their abilities and reputations are instantly brought into question.  How is it that when Australian greats – Ponting, Hayden, Gilchrist – fail in India to spin, their abilities and reputation are not challenged?  A blatant double standard, it would seem, no?  And don’t tell me that the wickets in India are doctored for spin, because my response is a simple one: aren’t the pitches at Perth and Melbourne doctored for pace?

This is a remarkable victory for the Indians, and it proves that the battle between these two great teams is far from over.  It was also a joy to see Sachin back to his old self.  Tendulkar’s mere presence electrifies his teammates, and this was very much in evidence in India’s win in this test match.