What a wonderful test match it was at Sydney and what a finish !
The game seesawed from the day one and finally the pendulam swung favourably towards Aussies in the dying moments of the game. India had the Aussies on mat at 130 for 6 on day one but they came back to post 450+. India replied well reaching 215 for 3 and then collapsed to 340 for 7. At this stage Aussies would have anticipated a lead of 50 to 100 runs. But that was not to be. India came back and forged ahead of Aussies to finish 69 runs ahead. But the determined Aussies set a challenging target of 333 post lunch on the final day. India kept loosing wickets regularly but were still with a chance of saving the match till Clarke took three wickets in an over to finish the game.
The game would be remembered for some great batting on both sides : Symonds, Hayden, Sachin, Laxman. It would also be remembered for bad umpiring throught the match which affected India more than Aussies.
But it would also be remembered for lack of spirit on the final day of the match. Aussies were claiming catches which were clearly grassed. Ricky claiming Dhoni's catch when he clearly grassed it. Clarke claiming Ganguly when he clearly grassed it and Ricky vouching for him!! The normally honest Gilchrist too joined the party by claiming Dravid's catch when he would have clearly seen no nick. He also claimed Dhoni when he or the slip could have easily seen that the ball came off the ground. Looks like it was an order from the top man Ricky himself to his team mates to cheat and win the game.
Ricky Ponting should change his name to Ricky 'Chea'ting for this supreme effort.
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