Australia v India - Test Match Update

Day 3 of the third cricket test between Australia and India has just concluded at the WACA with India seemingly having the upper hand. After dismissing the Australians cheaply late on Day 2 for 212 the Indians set about building a big lead throughout Day 3. This didn't really eventuate as the Indians lost a steady flow of wickets throughout the first session. Just as the Australians looked like bowling India out with only a lead of 300 to 350, gun batsman VVS Laxman found some valuable allies in MS Dhoni and RP Singh helping India stretch their 2nd innings total to 294 and setting Australia an unlikely target of 413. Stuart Clark led the Australian bowling attack taking figures of 4 for 61, whilst Brett Lee did not harm for his backers for most wickets in the series taking another three. If Australia are to win this match they would need to make the second highest winning 4th innings total in the history of Test Match cricket. They have already lost both openers, Chris Rogers and Phil Jaques for 15 and 16 respectively. Australia went to stumps at 2 for 65 with Ricky Ponting on 24 and Mike Hussey on 5. You would think one of these two would need to make a big hundred for Australia to be a chance at reaching their target.

The betting on the match has swung around dramatically since the end of Day 1. After Day 1 Australia was priced around the $1.65 mark, they dipped below the $1.50 mark after bowling the Indians out early on Day 2. There price has slowly drifted since and are priced at $3.35 after today's play. The Indians closed Day 1 at $6.40 and got out to around the $9.00 mark once they were dismissed in their first innings. They have continued to firm since as they took a steady flow of Australian first innings wickets and piled on runs to build a mighty lead. As was pointed out after Day 1 the draw looked under the odds at the $4.00 that was on offer. With no prospect of rain the draw now looks an impossibility with two days to play and is priced accordingly at $110. Even at that price you couldn't back it with bad money.

As far as tomorrows play goes the Australians would look to consolidate in the first session and not lose any wickets. They will then look to capitalise on the Indian bowlers in the after lunch sessions as they begin to get tired in the warm conditions. The Indians will know that the early dismissal of either Ponting or Hussey could really break Australia's spirit and if this happens its hard to see the Australian's getting anywhere near the 413 that is needed.

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