Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke both posted double centuries as Australia remains in control of the Fourth Vodophone Test against India following another dominant performance on day two of the match being played in Adelaide.
At stumps India is 2 for 61 still a mammoth 543 runs in the rears of Australia’s first innings total of 7 for 604 declared in their test on Wednesday.
Ponting (221) and Clarke (210) provided the majority of the runs for the hosts as the pair shared the fourth highest partnership (386) by an Australian and the highest seen at Adelaide Oval.
The pair took the score from 3 for 84 to 4 for 470 as they both punished the tiring Indian attack and set up what looks like victory for the hosts which would give them a 4-0 whitewash in the series.
Resuming on 3 for 335 the hosts once again took it up to the visitors and passed the 400 mark as they survived until lunch but soon after the Australian captain was gone as Clarke was brilliantly cleaned bowled by quick Umesh Yadav.
Clarke who had beaten Ponting to his double ton, his second of the series wasn’t at the crease to see the 37-year-old former captain bring up his second double century at the ground.
Another veteran in Michael Hussey (25) but the man known as Mr Cricket was only at the crease for a shot while before being brilliantly run out and soon after Ponting’s magnificent innings came to an end.
The hosts who hadn’t lost a wicket in over a day’s play had suddenly lost four wickets for 63 run after the dismissal of Peter Siddle (2) but that was all for the tourists bowling attack as the much maligned Brad Haddin (42 not out) and Ryan Harris (35 not out) carried the home side past the 600 mark.
Needing at least 605 runs to make Australia bat again the tourists started off well before losing opener Virender Sehwag (18) to a brilliant caught and ball by Siddle.
India went from 1 for 26 to 2 for 31 after 39-year-old first drop Rahul Dravid (1) continued his horrendous series as he was cleaned bowled, for a remarkable sixth time this series by quick Ben Hilfenhaus.
With the hosts bowling attack looking for another wicket veterans Sachin Tendulkar (12 not out) and Gatum Gambhir (30 not out) survived until stumps as India will look to erode into Australia’s mammoth first innings total when day three resumes on Thursday – Australia Day.
Australia 7 for 604 declared
Ricky Ponting 221 (404)
Michael Clarke 210 (275)
Ravichandran Ashwin 3 for 194 (53 overs)
Zaheer Khan 2 for 96 (31 overs)
India 2 for 61
Gatum Gambhir 30 not out
Sachin Tendulkar 12 not out
Peter Siddle 1 for 13 (three overs)
Ben Hilfenhaus 1 for 21 (six overs)
Tagged with: Adelaide Oval, Australian Captain, Crease, Dominant Performance, Double Centuries, Double Century, Dravid, Four Wickets, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Rears, Ricky Ponting, Ryan Harris, Sehwag, Siddle, Stumps, Umesh, Whitewash, Wicket, Yadav