Australia vs India – 4th Test – Match Update – Peter Siddle double strike breaks India

Australia vs India – 4^th Test – Match Update – Peter Siddle double strike breaks India

A double strike for Peter Siddle ensured Australia remained well on top against India on the 3^rd morning of the 4^th Test as the tourists added just 61 runs in the first session at Adelaide Oval, January 26, 2012.

Nathan Lyon, the spinner also got the ball to turn as he claimed the important wicket of VVS Laxman as the Men In Blue faltered at 111 for 5 in reply to their opponents mammoth first innings score for 604.

Much was expected from the Indian batters, especially on a pitch which suited their style of play. However, their torrid time Down Under showed no signs of improvement as Siddle got rid of the overnight pairing of Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir.

Both managed to weather out the crucial first half-an hour of play but the Aussies kept on building pressure, going for just 17 runs in the initial 10 overs.

Siddle was brought into the attack and he found immediate response, taking out the Little Master, who pushed at a full length delivery with an open face of the bat, with the ball coolly scooped up by Ricky Ponting at second slip as Tendulkar departed on 25.

Laxman’s crisis in the series were well documented but the early signs again looked promising for the veteran, driving a handsome cover drive to kick start his innings.

However, it was Gambhir’s turn to face the wrath of Siddle, who showed remarkable energy levels to get bounce from an incredibly flat deck, getting the batsman in all sorts of trouble. The left-hander failed to control the ball, which hit his bat high to lob into the gully region where Michael Hussey full length dive helped him to pounce on an excellent catch.

It was scintillating stuff from the hosts, looking to enforce a follow on. Lyon, the spinner, also kept on probing with intent and got just reward by picking up Laxman, whose ordinary tour continued - caught behind the stumps after trying to run the ball fine.

The score read 111 for 5 as the impossible task rested on young shoulders of Virat Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha, with the pair adding 11 more to enter the lunch at 122 for 5 – still trailing by a mammoth 482 runs.