Crafty Australians continue to impress

By Peter Roebuck
October 9, 2004

Teammates congratulate Glenn McGrath after the fast bowler dismissed Harbhajan Singh in Bangalore yesterday.
Photo: Getty Images

Mahatma Gandhi himself could not have organised stiffer resistance than the Australians met on the third morning of the Bangalore Test. India's seventh-wicket pair put their heads down in the manner of students taking an exam and it took a dubious decision against Irfan Pathan to separate them.

Not that the Indians could complain, because Parthiv Patel was reprieved during the course of his gutsy innings.

After the cream of their batting had been swept away like froth from a schooner, the hosts regrouped so effectively that the follow-on soon faded as a topic of conversation. Of course the pitch is as dead as John Cleese's parrot, but that has become commonplace because curators are instructed to ensure matches last five days.

The touring Australians were forced to work hard for their wickets. In some respects this was fitting because the rivalry between these teams is based on mutual respect. Ever since Sourav Ganguly took over the captaincy, India has played as much with its heart as its head. Surrender was not to be expected from this bunch.

As Michael Clarke had been the voice of the rising generation on the first two days, so Pathan and Patel rallied their side on the third. Pathan spent much of his youth sweeping the mosque where his father says the prayers. His family had to scrape together every paisa to buy cricket boots.

Patel cycled 40 minutes to practice every morning and another 40 minutes to school, a performance repeated every evening. Fellows of that ilk do not go down without a fight.

About the only surprise of the third day was Australia's reluctance to try a part-time spinner, just for a few overs. Sometimes a change is needed, just for the hell of it. Settled batsmen can lose their way against lesser bowling. Instead the Australians worked away, sticking to their plan, backing their established bowlers.

Despite their third-day travails, Australia has played well and can still win the match. If it takes the spoils, it will be no more than it deserves.

A different Australia has been seen on this tour. In 2001 the team seemed excited, almost overwhelmed, by the prospect of conquering "the Final Frontier", a title better suited to a movie featuring Mr James Stewart.

Of course it was a worthy ambition, but the Australians did not perform with the required humility. Not for the first time the game exacted its revenge. Never order cigars and Scotch until the deed has been done.

Contrastingly, Adam Gilchrist's side has gone about its work quietly and methodically. The headlines have been taken by a free-spirited young man from Sydney's Liverpool but experienced colleagues also pulled their weight.

Gilchrist led the way with astute captaincy and adroit batting. His innings counted among the finest he had produced because it was a product of will as opposed to extraordinary ability. Clearly the left-hander had confronted his failure here in 2001 and corrected the weaknesses revealed in his review.

No praise can be too high for the way the acting captain nursed his youthful partner through the 90s, nor for the brilliance with which he then set about the bowling. Throughout, Gilchrist resembled a man renewed. It was not merely the excitement of the start of another season.

Already Australia had played between the showers in Holland and on windy afternoons in England. Clarke's contribution went beyond scoring runs and rushing around with a smile on his map. He has helped Australia to feel young again.

But it was not merely a matter of rediscovered vitality. Australia has also pursued sound tactics.

Patently the think tank had learnt from its mistakes. As much could be told from the first ball of the innings, as a field was set that encouraged Glenn McGrath to bowl a fuller length than usual while also restricting the flow of boundaries that sustains aggressive batsmen. Abandoning their bravado, the Australians played a crafty game.

A man was dispatched to deepish cover so that Virender Sehwag's swashbuckles produced mere singles. V.V.S Laxman was contained by straight bowling to a strong leg side field. McGrath nibbled away with the perseverance of a rat at a rope. His length was fuller and his line straighter than on his previous visit. Thus he was able to worry the batsmen even on a bland surface.

Michael Kasprowicz also bowled admirably and without much luck. Like McGrath he adjusted his game to meet the conditions. Unable to swing the ball he concentrated on cutting his fingers across it and varying his pace. Jason Gillespie is not as resourceful but he can bowl fast and straight and his reward came with the second new ball.

As usual, Shane Warne toiled away willingly. Like Anil Kumble he is a wholehearted performer, which, considering the state of the wicket, was just as well.

His delivery to dismiss Laxman indicated that his powers, although waning, remain formidable. Mostly he bowled flatter and faster than in 2001, further proof that the lessons of past visits have been absorbed.

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