Os finalistas da Copa Verde estão por um jogo e serão conhecidos nesta quarta e quinta-feira. O primeiro confronto será entre Paysandu e Manaus, às 21h, na Arena da Amazônia. A partida seguinte será disputada entre Atlético-ES e Luverdense, às 21h:15, no Kléber Andrade.
O Papão venceu o primeiro jogo por 2 a 1, no Estádio da Curuzu. Nele, o atacante Walter conseguiu fazer o primeiro gol com a camisa do clube e colocou fogo no confronto. O time do jogador tem a vantagem do empate, e caso Manaus triunfe, partida irá para às penalidades.
A primeira partida acabou com o time do Espírito em vantagem, após vencer por 1 a 0 o Luverdense, com gol de honra de Eraldo. O Atlético, assim como o Paysandu, tem a vantagem de qualquer empate.
A final será disputada nos dias 25 de abril e 16 de maio. Caso Paysandu e Atlético-ES consigam as vantagens, a classificação dos times disputarão a decisão do título da Copa Verde.
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At stake during the hearings is the playing future of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir as well as the reputation of the ICC as a governing body
Osman Samiuddin in Doha05-Jan-2011
The next week could decided the cricketing futures of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir•Getty Images
The hearings into the spot-fixing scandal involving three players from Pakistan will begin from Thursday in the unlikely setting of Doha, Qatar. At stake during the hearings is the playing future of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir as well as the reputation of the ICC as a governing body able to deal with a problem that strikes at the very heart of the game.Michael Beloff QC, the head of the independent tribunal and chairman of the ICC’s code of conduct commission, addressed the media at the Qatar Financial Centre Civil and Commercial Court, where the hearing will also take place. The briefing was a formal one, merely outlining the procedure the hearing will follow.Beloff outlined the history of the charges against the trio, stemming from a News of the World investigation into the Lord’s Test between Pakistan and England in August last year, as well giving brief profiles of the other members of the tribunal, Justice Albie Sachs from South Africa and Sharad Rao from Kenya.The hearing will be held behind closed doors, with only the tribunal, the ICC’s lawyers Jonathon Taylor and Ian Higgins, the players and their lawyers and witnesses present. The process, Beloff said, will begin with an opening statement from the ICC presenting its case against each of the three players. The players will each then be entitled to respond.”Thereafter, the ICC will present all of the evidence that it has prepared in support of the charges it has brought,” Beloff said. “That will take various forms and will include hearing from witnesses ‘in person’ and over the telephone.”Witnesses from the ICC are set to include representatives from as well as teleconferences with Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan limited overs captain, and Waqar Younis, the team coach.The players will then be expected to present their defence, and will be open to cross-examination by the ICC’s lawyers and the tribunal, before closing statements are made. Though January 11 is the last working date of the hearing, a decision could conceivably be arrived at before that. Alternatively the judgment could also be reserved till after the final date.The players arrived in Doha on Tuesday and as they have done all along, again protested their innocence. Butt, who was captain at the time of the Test and will be represented by London-based barrister Yasin Patel, told AFP, “I have always played the game for the love of it and have never been involved in any wrongdoing.”I am confident that I will soon be playing for my country. I have been practising all through this difficult phase of my life so that whenever I am cleared I am able to play.”Amir, who along with Asif is alleged to have bowled the deliberate, pre-planned no-balls, said, “This is the toughest phase of my life. My elders tell me that such phases come in the life of a professional, so I am bravely facing this situation and will hopefully come out of it to play for Pakistan.”Shahid Karim, Amir’s lawyer, said the incident had affected Amir emotionally. “One of the mitigating factors is age and the other mitigating factor is Amir’s previously unblemished record,” he told AFP.”Emotionally he is drained, he’s been affected badly by it, but he’s coping as best he can and above all he is very confident that he will come out of this clean.”The hearing is taking place in Doha because the third player, Asif, is not allowed to enter the UAE after he was deported from Dubai in 2008 because of a drug-related offence.The three were provisionally suspended by the ICC soon after the scandal emerged and though Butt and Amir contested that decision, their appeals were rejected. If found guilty, they could be banned for anywhere from five years to life.This is the first time such a case is taking place with the ICC effectively the prosecutors. Past offenders, such as Salim Malik and Hansie Cronje, were punished by their own boards.
Mumbai Indians have bought Hyderabad batsman T Suman, while Manish Pandey, the Karnataka batsman, is talking to both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors
Nagraj Gollapudi14-Jan-2011
T Suman represented Deccan Chargers in the second and third seasons•Indian Premier League
Mumbai Indians have signed uncapped Hyderabad batsman T Suman for the fourth season of the IPL. The 27-year-old Suman, who played for Deccan Chargers in the second and third seasons of the tournament, said he had received more than one offer but it was the opportunity to play alongside his hero Sachin Tendullkar that lured him to Mumbai.Uncapped players: Who’s going where
Kolkata – Manvinder Bisla, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Iqbal Abdulla
Pune – Harshad Khadiwale, Shrikant Mundhe, Ganesh Gaikwad, Kamran Khan, Dheeraj Jadhav
Kochi – Raiphi Gomez, Kedar Jadhav
“It has been a childhood dream to play with Sachin Tendulkar, so I happily accepted the Mumbai offer,” Suman said. He said he was unaware of who the other franchises interested in him were.Meanwhile, 21-year-old Karnataka batsman Manish Pandey is reportedly talking to both Royal Challengers Bangalore, his former owners, and Pune Warriors, and has become the object of a tug-of-war between the two franchises.Pandey has said he is considering both offers, but there has been a lot of speculation about the top bracket of uncapped players being put under duress by the franchises, who have allegedly tried to tempt them with lucrative offers.Vijay Mallya, Bangalore’s owner, had voiced concerns immediately after the end of the player auction on January 9 about how the BCCI could stop rival teams from poaching uncapped players. Chirayu Amin, the IPL governing council chairman, too, had admitted that it would be “difficult” to keep a close watch on under-hand dealings but assured the franchises the IPL would remain vigilant about any wrongdoing.Suman and Pandey were both part of a group of Indian players who went to the BCCI office in Mumbai on Thursday to meet IPL officials, who discussed with them the details of the offers they had received from franchises. Suman said he had met IPL chief operating officer Sundar Raman, who made him aware of the various rules of the contract. The meetings have been set up to facilitate the IPL rule that uncapped players must sign contracts through a three-way agreement involving player, franchise and the IPL.Tamil Nadu batting allrounder R Sathish, Himachal Pradesh wicketkeeper Manvinder Bisla and Madhya Pradesh batsman Mohnish Mishra were some of the other players who met the board officials. The meetings continued on Friday with Maharashtra batsman Kedar Jadhav and Mumbai fast bowler Dhawal Kulkarni going to the BCCI office. Jadhav joined Kochi, while it is not clear who Kulkarni has signed with.Suman impressed everyone with his cameos during Hyderabad’s title-winning campaign in the second season of the IPL. He started slowly in the third edition, but bounced back to play a vital role in Hyderabad reaching the semi-finals, the highlight being his unbeaten 78 that helped beat the stiff target of 184 set by Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.Admitting it was a tough decision to leave Hyderabad, Suman thanked his former owners for their support and creating the platform for him to excel, and said they would understand his decision.Pandey had announced himself with a century for Bangalore against Hyderabad in the second season of the IPL and has since impressed in domestic cricket,It is also understood that Bisla and Bengal allrounder Laxmi Shukla have given their nod to offers from Kolkata Knight Riders. Shukla was at Kolkata for the first three seasons, while Bisla has been a part of both Deccan Chargers’ and Kings XI Punjab’s squads.Jadhav, who scored a 29-ball fifty on his IPL debut last year with Delhi Daredevils, was wanted by both Delhi and Kochi, and picked the latter because of his familiarity with Kochi’s head coach Geoff Lawson. “I have known Geoff Lawson since he was my coach at Torna Tigers in the Maharashtra Premier League. So the comfort level we have is good and that was one of the deciding factors,” Jadhav said. He also felt he would get good exposure with Kochi, since it is a new team that is looking for domestic batsmen, and that he could grow with the team.As Jadhav entered the BCCI office to sign the contract papers, Dhawal Kulkarni was walking out, but it is still not clear which of the four franchises who are interested in him he has given the nod to.Kochi have also bought Kerala allrounder Raiphi Gomez, while Pune Warriors have bought the Maharashtra trio of batsman Harshad Khadiwale, seamer Shrikant Mundhe and offspinner Ganesh Gaikwad. Pune also signed former ICL player Dheeraj Jadhav. Dheeraj, a left-hand batsman, now plays for Assam in the Ranji Trophy, but is originally from Pune and played for Maharashtra before joining the ICL.The uncapped players have been placed in fixed price brackets by the IPL – those players who made their debut in the last two years will be paid Rs 10 lakhs ($22,000); those in the field for two to five years would get Rs 20 lakhs ($44,000) and those with more than five years’ experience Rs 30 lakhs ($66,000).
Manchester City have been one of the most successful teams in the Premier League over the past decade or so in terms of the number of trophies they’ve won.
Since the 2010/11 season, the Etihad Stadium outfit have won six League cups, two FA Cups and five Premier League titles.
One figure in their current squad who has been a big part of that success over recent years is Fernandinho.
Since arriving at the Etihad back in the summer of 2013, the soon-to-be 37-year-old has gone on to make 378 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions. In that time, the Brazilian has scored 26 goals and provided 33 assists along the way.
With 28 appearances to his name this season, the midfielder has only started 14 times, as he looks to run down the final two months of his current contract.
Having claimed that this could be his last season with City, the club could have a big challenge on their hands to try and find a suitable replacement for the Brazil veteran.
However, there is one player with whom the Manchester club have been linked recently who could be a dream heir for Fernandinho – West Ham United’s Declan Rice.
Labelled a “freak” in terms of his physicality, the 23-year-old has also been described by former Irons team-mate Jack Wilshere as a player that “can do anything” on a technical level on the pitch.
From a defensive point of view, the England international has racked up a combined total of 585 tackles and interceptions in the Premier League since the 2017/18 season.
By comparison, Fernandinho has 313 tackles and interceptions to his name during the same period of time, highlighting just how tough the West Ham star is to play against.
With that in mind, and only two other midfielders in the Premier League having a higher pass completion percentage than Rice this season, he could well be the perfect long-term replacement for City’s long-serving stalwart.
Even though it could cost Pep Guardiola’s side a hefty fee of £100m for the 23-year-old’s services, shelling out this sort of money could be a wise investment for the club as they prepare for the future without Fernandinho.
In other news: Man City plot bid for “unbelievable” £60m ace who’s “one of the best”, Pep would love him
Doug Bollinger provided some good news for Australia with three wickets on his comeback but it couldn’t stop Tasmania taking two first-innings points
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2010New South Wales 97 (Jaques 28, Faulkner 5-33, Butterworth 4-26) & 0 for 18 trail Tasmania 125 (Butterworth 39, Copeland 6-51) by 10 runs ScorecardPositive sign: Doug Bollinger was back at full pace for New South Wales and collected three wickets•Getty Images
Doug Bollinger provided some good news for Australia with three wickets on his comeback but it couldn’t stop Tasmania taking two first-innings points in a tense tussle at the SCG. New South Wales won the toss and were out for 97 before tea, but Bollinger (3 for 25) and Trent Copeland (6 for 51) ensured they were not out of the game as the Tigers were dismissed for 125.On a day when the country’s best batsmen struggled for runs at every ground, Ricky Ponting managed 7 on the seaming surface, Shane Watson 6, Simon Katich 1 and Brad Haddin 10. It was Katich’s first senior outing since leaving the India tour last month with a broken thumb and he lasted 23 balls, edging Luke Butterworth to third slip. Katich hurt his shoulder while fielding late in the day and left the ground, but the injury is not expected to be serious enough to keep him out of the first Test.Watson was caught behind off his gloves attempting a leave but got a second chance later in the day. He finished unbeaten on 13 while Katich chose not to risk himself after hurting his shoulder, sending in Moises Henriques instead, as the Blues ended up at 0 for 18.When Ponting got his turn he followed a Copeland outswinger and was caught behind, one of 12 wickets to fall between lunch and tea. The conditions limited the spin bowl-off between Nathan Hauritz and Xavier Doherty to four overs from Doherty.The stars for Tasmania were James Faulkner, who recorded a personal-best 5 for 33, and Butterworth, who gained 4 for 26 after taking the new ball. However, any hopes of a big first-innings lead were quickly dented by Bollinger and Copeland.Bollinger, playing his first game since hurting his stomach in India, removed Alex Doolan lbw in his first over and returned after tea to pick up Mark Cosgrove, leaving the visitors at 5 for 41. In between those breakthroughs Copeland gained two victims and Watson found George Bailey’s edge, which was taken by a leaping Haddin.Copeland has an amazing record of 51 wickets in his first eight Shield games and whenever the ball swings he is a major threat. Bollinger also enjoyed the conditions during his 11 overs.Butterworth guided Tasmania into the lead with two wickets remaining and their advantage extended to 28. Butterworth finished with 39, the highest score of an amazing day, and Doherty was unbeaten on 20.
A exibição do Palmeiras nos primeiros 45 minutos do clássico contra o São Paulo, nesta quinta-feira, já virou exemplo do que Roger Machado espera de seus jogadores para a sequência da temporada. Foi praticamente perfeito.
É verdade que o time de Dorival Júnior perdeu todos os clássicos que disputou, mostrando incrível falta de repertório ofensivo e grande desorganização defensiva, mas houve ao menos domínio territorial contra Corinthians e Santos. No primeiro tempo contra o Palmeiras, não chegou perto disso.
– O sarrafo aumentou em função da apresentação do primeiro tempo. Agora é fazer durante todos os jogos. Não há porque não fazer se já mostramos que é possível – disse Roger.
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Foi no primeiro tempo que o Palmeiras construiu a vitória por 2 a 0, com Antônio Carlos abrindo a contagem logo aos nove minutos e Borja ampliando aos 31. Se aproveitasse todas as chances que criou, iria para o intervalo goleando. Enquanto isso, o máximo que o São Paulo conseguiu foram dois chutes sem direção de Cueva, um deles em cobrança de falta.
É praticamente impossível separar a equipe em defesa, meio de campo e ataque nesta partida. O Palmeiras foi uma coisa só, asfixiando o São Paulo desde a saída de bola, com notável entrega dos seus homens de frente na marcação – algo que vinha faltando nos últimos jogos e que rendeu, inclusive, uma bronca do treinador em Keno após a derrota para o São Caetano.
Houve um lance no primeiro tempo em que Borja não conseguiu tomar a bola dos zagueiros do São Paulo e ameaçou desistir da jogada. O colombiano foi imediatamente repreendido por Lucas Lima e logo retornou à perseguição. O Palmeiras jogou com nível de concentração altíssimo.
-Quanto mais perto do gol a gente roubar a bola, quanto mais desorganizado o adversário estiver, melhor a gente consegue atacar. Todo o trabalho de convencimento é justamente em cima disso, para que os atletas tenham consciência de que, atuando defensivamente, eles próprios serão os beneficiados, como foi nesse jogo. Não tenho os números na mão, mas tenho certeza que foi a partida em que mais roubamos bola no campo adversário. Agora a gente já sabe que atuando dessa forma, com isso memorizado e tendo a intensidade que a gente demonstrou, nossa qualidade vai decidir – analisou Roger.
Uma prova de que o funcionamento coletivo do time foi ótimo é o alto número de destaques individuais. Victor Luis fez a sua melhor partida no ano. Borja talvez tenha feito sua melhor partida pelo clube. Lucas Lima jogou um futebol que, se repetido, pode colocá-lo na Copa do Mundo. Dudu, desta vez pelo lado direito, atormentou os defensores de um jeito que não vinha acontecendo.
-Hoje coloquei o Dudu pelo lado direito para que ele pudesse ser mais contundente. A percepção é de que pelo lado esquerdo ele tem a entrada para dentro, funciona como articulador, mas articulador eu já tenho o Lucas. Precisava de contundência e tive isso – explicou Roger.
Embora não tenha sido como o primeiro, o segundo tempo do clássico também foi bom. O Verdão mais administrou o resultado do que agrediu o adversário. Roger observou Gustavo Scarpa pelo lado esquerdo e colocou Moisés como segundo volante, dando indícios de alternativas que pode encontrar. Se jogar assim nos mata-matas do Paulista e na Libertadores, o Palmeiras será candidatíssimo a erguer troféus.
اعترف نادي برشلونة بإعجابه بلاعب منتخب غانا الأول، محمد قدوس، منذ فترة طويلة مع ناديه الحالي أياكس أمستردام والذي يلعب ضمن صفوفه منذ عامين.
يخوض قدوس في الوقت الحالي بطولة كأس العالم 2022 مع غانا، وساهم بقوة في فوز النجوم السوداء في مباراة كوريا الجنوبية الماضية في دور المجموعات.
اقرأ أيضًا.. بوسكيتس يثير التكهنات حول مستقبله مع برشلونة
وتحدث المستشار الفني لنادي برشلونة، جوردي كرويف، عن الأمر في تصريحات لإذاعة “RAC 1″، وقال: “نحن نتابع محمد قدوس، منذ أكثر من عام، لا يمكننا أن نقول الآن أننا نريده، لكنه يجذب اهتمامنا”.
وأضاف: “يسجل الكثير من الأهداف، هناك الكثير من الشائعات حول موقفه مع أياكس أمستردام، لذا نعم، أعرف إمكانياته جيدًا”.
وعن دي يونج: “موهبة فرينكي لا شك فيها، لكن هنا في برشلونة، يلعب بطريقة مختلفة ومركز مختلف عن منتخب هولندا”.
ومستقبل بوسكيتس: “هو من سيقرر مستقبله، سينتهي عقده مع برشلونة في نهاية الموسم، الأمر متروك له، لكنه يعرف أننا أفضل نادٍ لكن الجماهير تطلب المزيد دائمًا من اللاعبين”.
أكد ليونيل ميسي على صعوبة مباراة الأرجنتين أمام المكسيك، مشيرًا إلى أن الهزيمة في الجولة الأولى أمام السعودية كلفتهم الكثير في منافسات مونديال قطر 2022.
وباغتت الأرجنتين المكسيك بفوز مثير وسجل ميسي وصنع هدفًا لزميله إنزو فرنانديز، لتحسم الفوز بهدفين دون مقابل، وتجدد الأمل في الصعود لدور الـ16 بعد هزيمتها بالجولة الأولى (2-1) أمام السعودية. أهداف مباراة الأرجنتين والمكسيك
وفي تصريحات نشرها حساب منتخب الأرجنتين الرسمي عبر “تويتر”، قال ميسي: “كانت مباراة صعبة، لأن المكسيك تلعب بشكل جيد، لعبنا بقوة في الشوط الأول وفي الشوط الثاني هدأنا وعدنا إلى طبيعتنا”.
وأضاف: “المباراة الأولى كلفتنا، هناك العديد من عوامل التهيئة، ومع ذلك، فقد كانتا لعبتين منفصلتين، كنا نعلم أنه كان علينا اليوم أن نفوز، وأن كأس عالم آخر بدأ بالنسبة لنا، وعرفنا كيف نفعل ذلك”.
وأشار القائد الأرجنتيني: “لعبنا المباراة كما ينبغي علينا، كان علينا حمل الفوز على عاتقنا ومن الصعب اللعب في هذه الظروف، لكن من لعب أساسيًا وشارك كبديل قاموا بالرد المناسب”.
وأوضح ميسي: “المكسيك فريق يلعب بشكل جيد، لديه مدرب رائع يتعامل مع الكرة، في الشوط الأول لم نلعب كما لو كان علينا اللعب، بكثافة كبيرة والثاني عندما هدأنا وبدأنا نلعب حتى الهدف عدنا إلى ما نحن عليه ومن الواضح مع النتيجة، النشوة، استعدنا المباراة”.
وشدد: “كان علينا أن نفوز لكي نتكيف مع أنفسنا، كان من الصعب علينا أن نلعب المباراة الأولى، كانت هناك العديد من الظروف، العديد من الأولاد الذين لعبوا أول كأس عالم لهم، كانت مباراتهم الأولى، وهذه ليست أعذارًا”.
وأتم ميسي مشددًا: “لا يمكننا الاستسلام الآن، لدينا جميع المباريات نهائيات لنلعبها، لا يمكننا ارتكاب الأخطاء، كنا نعلم أن رد فعل الناس سيكون على هذا النحو، أعتقد أننا امتثلنا، لقد كنا معًا جنبًا إلى جنب، يد واحدة لفترة طويلة”.
تتصدر بولندا المجموعة الآن بـ4 نقاط، تليها الأرجنتين بـ3 نقاط متساوية مع السعودية، وتتذيل المكسيك بنقطة واحدة.
الجولة الأخيرة الأرجنتين ستلاقي بولندا، والمكسيك ستواجه السعودية، في ختام مباريات دور المجموعات.
Victoria will on Friday begin their quest for the one title that has escaped them in recent seasons, as they kick off their Ryobi Cup campaign in Perth
Brydon Coverdale07-Oct-2010
Victoria are hoping for a big season from Aaron Finch•Associated Press
Victoria will on Friday begin their quest for the one title that has escaped them in recent seasons, as they kick off their Ryobi Cup campaign in Perth. However, they will be without their star opener Chris Rogers, who returned from the county season with a knee-cartilage injury and will be rested for at least the first game.The Bushrangers have won the past two Sheffield Shields and four out of five Big Bash titles, but have made the past four one-day finals only to lose every time. The new split-innings format made its debut at the Gabba on Wednesday, and Victoria’s captain Cameron White is keen to master the concept as early as possible.”It’s the one that’s eluded us over the last couple of years,” White said of the limited-overs competition. “It’s an exciting new format, with some good little changes in there. It’s something to look forward to – a bit more innovation and tactics, a game within itself, almost.”The Victorians have named two potential one-day debutants to take on Western Australia, with their backup wicketkeeper Ryan Carters included as a specialist batsman. The promising allrounder Will Sheridan has also been selected in a group that boasts plenty of experience at the top of the order.But their Sheffield Shield batting line-up could look a little different this season, following the mid-season retirement of Brad Hodge from first-class cricket last summer. The veteran opener Nick Jewell might still be in the mix despite giving up his state contract, and the Bushrangers are hoping that Aaron Finch will step up as a first-class performer.”Finch has played half a dozen games now, so we’re looking to him to take over that pivotal No. 3 role,” David Hussey told ESPNcricinfo. “Hopefully he’s got a big future ahead, not only with Victoria but with Australian cricket as well. It’s a bit of a transition, if Nick doesn’t play and without Brad Hodge. We’ve got experience with a new blend of youth.”For the Ryobi Cup match, the Warriors have named the fast bowler Brett Dorey, who had been under an injury cloud leading in to the season after a long lay-off due to an Achilles tendon problem. Their squad also includes the uncapped batsman Tom Beaton and the spinner Michael Beer, who moved from Victoria during the off-season and could debut against his former state.Victoria squad Brad Hodge, Aaron Finch, David Hussey, Cameron White (capt), Andrew McDonald, Ryan Carters, Matthew Wade (wk), John Hastings, Will Sheridan, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Shane Harwood, Bryce McGain.Western Australia squad Shaun Marsh, Liam Davis, Wes Robinson, Adam Voges (capt), Luke Pomersbach, Tom Beaton, Mitchell Marsh, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ashley Noffke, Aaron Heal, Michael Beer, Brett Dorey, Michael Hogan.
Virender Sehwag delivered a brutal response to stun Australia with a quick half-century as India finished the second day of a two-paced Test on a high
The Bulletin by Peter English02-Oct-2010India 110 for 2 (Sehwag 59) trail Australia 428 (Watson 126, Paine 92, Ponting 71, Zaheer 5-94) by 318 runs Scorecard and ball-by-ball details Virender Sehwag raced to a half-century in India’s reply•Associated Press
Virender Sehwag delivered a brutal response to stun Australia with a quick half-century as India finished the second day of a two-paced Test on a high. Sehwag raced to a 38-ball fifty but was undone by Mitchell Johnson shortly before the close for 59, walking off frustrated by his error.India finished at 110 for 2 at stumps in reply to the visitors’ 428, with Rahul Dravid unbeaten on 21 and the nightwatchman Ishant Sharma on 0. Both the local openers showed the positive intent that was often missing in the field when they put on 81 in 13.2 overs to build on Zaheer Khan’s 10th five-wicket haul. Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir (25) and Dravid quickly changed the value of Australia’s total during a breathless finish to a day that had previously followed a sombre tempo.After Australia had sweated to score at 2.82 an over, the Indians were soon careering along at a run a ball to upset a visiting attack that battled to regain control. Sehwag started biffing through the offside, hitting two boundaries from a Doug Bollinger over, and then crashing three off Ben Hilfenhaus. Nathan Hauritz’s first ball went over mid-off, his next sped along the ground in the same region for the same result, and the over cost 11.Gambhir was lbw to Johnson (2-29) but the most important blow came with a few minutes left in the day when Sehwag’s leading edge went to Michael Clarke at cover. The crowd went silent but the Australians roared, mostly with relief.The visitors were encouraged after they had blunted India’s bowlers and blossomed under Tim Paine’s guidance as he narrowly missed a maiden century in his third Test. Showing impressive determination, he first stabilised his team with Shane Watson and then lifted the pace with Johnson during an energetic 82-run stand.The gains came after Watson’s assured 126 set the platform while Zaheer kept interrupting the tourists to prevent a damaging score. The total is tough to gauge and took more than five sessions to compile, but the Australians were satisfied after some difficulties on both days.Smart Stats
Virender Sehwag has become only the third batsman to score at least a half-century in 11 consecutive Test matches – Viv Richards and Gautam Gambhir are the others. In these 11 Tests Sehwag has scored six hundreds and five fifties, and averages 83.81.
This is Zaheer Khan’s tenth five-for in Tests, but only his third in India. All three of his five-fors have come in the last two years – during this period he has taken 41 wickets in 12 home Tests at 32.19. In his previous 18 home Tests he had taken 42 wickets at 40.09.
The 81-run opening stand between Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir is their 24th fifty-plus stand for the first wicket in 53 innings, and it lifts their average stand to 58.15. They’re only 44 runs short of equalling the record for most partnership runs by an Indian opening pair – Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan have 3010.
The 82-run stand between Tim Paine and Mitchell Johnson is Australia’s second-largest for the seventh wicket in India. Their only century stand came in 2008, when Michael Clarke and Cameron White added 106 in Delhi.
However, it is a target that India’s batsmen could conquer by the end of the third day if they build on Sehwag’s start. At times during Australia’s innings the lack of urgency from both sides, in particular the home team’s lapses in the field, appeared to indicate everyone would be content with a draw. Sehwag changed the thinking.Having crawled 71 in the opening session, Australia relaxed through Paine and Johnson after lunch and started to swing freely against the tiring spin duo of Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha. Johnson skipped to 47, striking three sixes, and provided a necessary boost to take Australia to safer ground.Paine also increased his rate, lifting Ojha over midwicket for consecutive boundaries in his most memorable burst, and showed his comfort at this level. Dropped by MS Dhoni on 0 yesterday, Paine refused to submit to the various tensions and played the sort of settling innings the injured Brad Haddin could not have managed.At times it was easy to wish for some Haddin extravagance, but Paine delivered an old-fashioned display, just as Watson had done so purposefully. In the first hour Watson and Paine scraped 25 as they followed the extra cautious method of the previous afternoon.The stress eased for Paine after drinks in the morning when he glanced his first four from his 61st ball, gaining confidence from the unshackling. He drove and late cut Zaheer for another couple of boundaries and was soon comfortable in the humid conditions and on the turning surface.In the end Paine struck 12 fours from 196 deliveries, showing his ability off both feet, and his sharp reading of the slow men. He was dropped by Dhoni again on 86 but VVS Laxman quickly made up for the mistake with a sharp catch low down at second slip to give Zaheer his fifth breakthrough.The innings ended when Bollinger holed out to provide Ojha with his first wicket in his 52nd over of an economical but unrewarding marathon. Zaheer stepped up for the under-manned India with 5 for 94 while Harbhajan collected 3 for 114 off 49 overs.After resuming at 224 for 5, the Australians crept forward in the morning with a couple of aims. They didn’t want to expose the lower order too soon, especially with India’s spinners operating, and they intended to keep the local attack in the field for as long as possible. They were successful on both counts and frustrated the hosts, who expected a quick end to the innings following their late surge on day one.Watson’s concentration finally broke when he pushed at a flighted offspinner from Harbhajan and popped it to Gambhir at short leg, ending his 338-ball resistance. The wicket threatened to change the game but it was not until almost an hour after tea that Australia were finally dismissed. For most of the day Zaheer worked with the old ball – the new one remained unused until the 147th over – and he succeeded even though he could not gain the severe swing that hurt the tourists on the opening afternoon.Harbhajan was also a threat and Ojha was tidy, but both were overused – they had to be – due to the knee injury to Sharma. Ishant returned with four unconvincing overs and India will be desperate for him to have more impact in the second innings.