Bat dominated ball again in Adelaide as Australia survived a slow day for the fall of just three wickets, chipping the Indian lead down to just over 200. Not for the first time in this series, Matthew Hayden was the hero of the day, celebrating the 30th Test century of his career, moving past Sir Donald Bradman and Jacques Kallis into sixth place in the all-time rankings in the process. The 36-year-old blasted a superb 103 while Phil Jaques and Ricky Ponting both helped themselves to half-centuries to lead a determined Australian fightback in the final test.
Resuming on 62 without loss, Australia openers Hayden and Phil Jaques batted through the opening session. The pair shared an opening partnership of 159 before Anil Kumble finally made the first breakthrough in the second over after lunch. With Jaques on 60, the India captain produced an outstanding delivery that kept low and pitched outside off-stump before turning sharply onto the stumps as the left-hander attempted a sweep. It was an important wicket for an Indian attack missing RP Singh with a hamstring injury. The paceman suffered the setback on Friday evening after bowling four overs early in the Australia first innings.
Hayden's big moment arrived with a quick single off Harbhajan Singh. It was his third century of the series, having also hammered tons in Melbourne and Sydney, and showed the continuing value of Australia's old-guard on the day Adam Gilchrist announced his retirement from international cricket. But Hayden added only three more runs to his total before he was finally removed by a brilliant ball from Ishant Sharma which swung back in to trap the opener between bat and pad. Hayden's dismissal left Australia on 186 for two, still 340 runs behind India's first-innings total, but captain Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey batted through the rest of the afternoon session.
Hussey was the only casualty after tea, bowled between bat and pad by Irfan Pathan for 22. Skipper Ponting batted slowly and methodically taking four hours and 150 balls for his unbeaten 79. Michael Clarke followed a similar path, reaching his 37 off 98 balls in almost two hours. The pair will resume tomorrow with Australia safe from the follow-on but still looking to make the Test safe and secure the series, but they may well have one eye on another dramatic Adelaide win.
In the second Test of last year's Ashes England posted a 551-6 first innings total but still contrived to lose in Adelaide, collapsing for just 129 on the final day before Australia chased down 167. Australia, who have built their reputation on a never-say-die attitude, may be eyeing a similar turnaround here, but there is still a lot of work to do. India, meanwhile, will need to take early wickets tomorrow if they are to stand any chance of forcing a result. On pitch that has seen just 13 fall in thee days play, it would a brave man who bets against a draw.
