Ponting said, "I will continue playing Test cricket"

Australia`s former captain Ricky Ponting does not expect to play international one-day cricket again after he was dropped from the team on Monday but would continue to be available for Test matches, he said on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old is the second most prolific batsman of all time in limited overs internationals, scoring 13,704 runs in 375 matches since his debut in 1995.

The Tasmanian was dropped from the Australia team because of poor form on Monday with selectors strongly indicating that his career in one-day internationals was all but over.

Ponting, who had made just 18 runs in five games in the ongoing Tri-series against India and Sri Lanka, said he had spoken to chairman of selectors John Inverarity who told him he was not in the plans for the future direction of the team looking to the 2015 World Cup.

"I have been dropped, which is disappointing but I accept that. My performances over the last five games haven`t warranted me being there," Ponting told a media conference.

"John has been pretty clear on the reasons why and the direction they are heading with the one-day team and I am not part of their plans.

"It`s a bit hard to say I`ve retired given I`ve been dropped but I don`t expect to play one-day international cricket any more and I`m sure the selectors don`t expect to pick me either."


Ponting said he wanted to continue playing Test matches.

"I`ve only got Test cricket left now and I want to make every post a winner," he added.

"I think I`ve proved this summer that I can still play great cricket for Australia and deserve to be out there."

Australian Captain Ricky Ponting dropped from Australia's ODI squad

Ricky Ponting, the former Australia captain, has been dropped from the ODI squad for the remainder of the triangular series following the worst batting slump of his limited-overs career.

Scores of 2, 1, 6, 2 and 7 have drawn the curtain on Ponting's time as an ODI batsman, despite the fact that he served as stand-in captain for the injured Michael Clarke in the last two of those matches. John Inverarity, the national selector, said Ponting would be missed, but the time had come to move on in the 50-over format.

"The team will not seem the same without him, but moving on from the omission of players who have been outstanding over a long period of time is the nature of elite sport," Inverarity said. "Ricky's record speaks for itself. He is one of the truly great performers in the history of Australian ODI cricket, with his reputation enhanced further by him captaining Australia to two World Cup victories.

"Ricky's contribution goes far beyond his batting statistics and his brilliant fielding. The example he sets in every respect and his extraordinarily positive influence in the dressing-room is acknowledged by all. He is held in the highest possible regard by his team-mates and there is no higher accolade than this. Ricky being prepared to take over the captaincy in Michael Clarke's recent absence for the sake of the team is yet another example of his selfless attitude and team-first focus."

Ponting has been replaced in the squad by the allrounder and vice-captain Shane Watson, who proved his fitness after a stubborn calf injury by playing for New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia in Perth. Inverarity announced one other change to the squad, recalling Ryan Harris in place of Mitchell Starc. He also confirmed that Matthew Wade had now usurped Brad Haddin as the No. 1 wicketkeeper in limited-overs matches, and that the panel intened to take both glovemen to the West Indies.

"Ryan Harris has been re-included in the squad with Mitchell Starc making way for his return. Mitchell will benefit greatly from the Tests and the ODIs he has played," Inverarity said. "His development as a player of the future is most encouraging. Shane Watson also comes back into the squad. He is an all-rounder of proven class and the NSP is keen to have him re-join the squad.

"The NSP made the decision that Matthew Wade is now the preferred ODI wicket-keeper for the Australian ODI team. The intention at this stage is to have both Matthew and Brad Haddin in the West Indies together for the duration of the tour."

Brisbane: Virender Sehwag likely to miss play against Australia on Sunday

Virender Sehwag is unlikely to play against Australia on Sunday as reports suggested he is yet to recover fully from the back injury, which forced him to sit out of the match against Sri Lanka.

Senior batsman Sehwag is yet to find form in the series. India go in to the match on a high after finding the much needed boost after two victories and a tie against Sri Lanka that followed.

Australia, meanwhile, suddenly looked out of sorts with two losses back-to-back and the poor form of their explosive batsman David Warner is costing them dearly. After a superb performance in the Test series against India, Ricky Ponting has also been struggling in the ODIs. Ponting has only 11 runs from four innings at an average of 2.75 in the present series.

Meanwhile, India’s record in the last two ODIs at the Gabba would motivate the team. They have won their past two one-day internationals against Australia at the Gabba. However, Australia haven`t been beaten in Brisbane since that last loss to India, in March 2008.

Sydney ODI: Australia vs Sri Lanka; Live Score

Australia failed to bat out the alloted 41 overs as they fell short at a paltry 158 with 1 ball to spare. The hosts set Sri Lanka a score of 152 runs as victory target according to the D/L method in the sixth ODI of the on going CB series at the SCG on today.

The Australian camp will be relieved with the total, thanks to David Hussey, who fought hard to lift the Aussies from a dangerous position with a half century- his 9th in ODIs.

Over 40.5: Starc pushed a Malinga yorker to mid wicket and took off for a quick single. Starc was nowhere near the crease when Kula scored a direct hit at the bowler's end.

Australia were facing a batting collapse in a rain-affected ODI against Sri Lanka at the SCG on Friday.

Brett Lee was the latest casualty, which left the hosts trembling against a side which is yet to taste victory in the series.

Over 31.2: An amazing piece of fielding from rain-affected saw Brett Lee out. Lee thumped a full pitched delivery from Malinga outside off to mid off without any timing and he took off for a quick single. Thissara charged towards the ball and scored a direct hit at the bowler's end. Brett Lee run out (Thissara Perera) 0(9)

Play resumed between Sri Lanka and Australia after rain relented and the match has been reduced to 41 overs per side. Four bowlers will get to bowl eight overs and one will get nine overs after the match was interrupted by rain at the end of the 26th over when Australia were 88 for six.

Rain had halted play between Australia and Sri Lanka after 26 overs. Australia were 88/6, with David Hussey (15) and Clint McKay (0) at the crease, at the rain interruption.

Australian trouble deepened with the loss of Daniel Christian's wicket as they were 6 down before reaching 100 runs.

Over 23.3: A good length ball on the middle and leg stump from Perera. Thisara pinned Christian in front.

Maharoof struck again to leave Australia in a spot of bother as they lost their fifth wicket before reaching 100. They lost Forrest who scored just 16 runs.

After 22 overs Australia were 80/5. Earlier in the 18th over, the hosts lost Michael Hussey (13) who edged behind off Mathews.

Over 20.3: Forrest was out caught by Mathews!! Maharoof bowled slightly short just outside off, got some extra bounce as Forrest pushed at it, the thick outside edge nestled in the safe hands of Mathews at widish first slip. Forrest c Mathews b Maharoof 16(26)

Sri Lankans gave little time for the Australian batsmen to settle down after two early blows. Good fielding from Thissara Perera meant the hosts lost their third wicket inside first 15 overs. Australia were 48/3 after fifteen overs. Michael Hussey (5) and Peter Forrest (6) were at the crease.

Australia 37/3 at the end of 12 overs.

Maharoof handed Aussies the second blow by removing stand-in skipper Ricky Ponting.

Over10.4: Caught & Bowled!! Full and slow from Maharoof. Ponting was early into his shot and sent it straight back to the bowler.

Fast bowler Lasith Malinga gave Sri Lanka early breakthrough by sending explosive batsman David Warner back to pavilion.

Over 4.6 Malinga fired a slower one on middle and leg. Warner pushed at it but was quite early into his shot. The ball lobbed up into the air and went to Maharoof at mid-on. Warner c Maharoof b Malinga 13(21)

Australia stand-in captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka in the 6th ODI of the CB series on today.

Australia brought back Michael Hussey for the injured Michael Clarke. The bowling department got a boost with the return of pacer Brett Lee in place of Ryan Harris.

Sri Lanka, who are yet to find a win in the series, made a couple of changes in their squad. Upul Tharanga`s disastrous form has caught up with him. Lahiru Thirimanne resurfaced in the eleven. Farveez Maharoof replaced Sachithra Senanayake.

India vs Sri Lanka ODI Highlights

Matthew Wade was the first Australian batsman to go as Nuwan Kulasekara drew first blood and soon after, dangerman Ricky Ponting was claimed by Lasith Malinga.

The twin strike sent a cause of worry for the Australian dressing room with the scorecard reading 26/2 (4.3 Ovs).

Live Scorecard: Australia V Sri Lanka»

Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene had won the toss and elected to bowl against Australia in the third match of the ODI tri-series.

Australia have not made any change to the side that beat India in their previous match.

For Sri Lanka, Sachithra Senanayake has replaced Thisara Perera.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Sachithra Senanayake, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Thirimanne

Australia: Michael Clarke (c), David Warner, Matthew Wade, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Dan Christian, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty.

Ind vs Aus: India 92/2 at tea on Day 4, trail by 407 runs

Chasing a massive 500-run target, India lost Virender Sehwag (62) and Gautam Gambhir (3) in the post-lunch session on Day 4 of the fourth and final Test in Adelaide on today.

Rahul Dravid (19) and Sachin Tendulkar (7) took India to 92/2 at tea as India need 408 runs more to win the match in next four sessions.

Spinner Nathan Lyon took the prize-wicket of dangerous Sehwag to give the hosts a crucial breakthough.

Sehwag led the run chase for India with his typical 62 runs off just 53 balls as he raced to fifty in 36 deliveries. He hit twelve boundaries in his rapid knock before throwing his wicket to a mistimed shot resulting to an easy catch for Ricky Ponting at cover.

Sehwag added 66 runs for the second wicket with veteran Rahul Dravid as they tried to resurrect the Indian run chase after losing Gautam Gambhir (3) early.

India started poorly as they lost opener Gambhir inside five overs. Pacer Ryan Harris struck early in 4.3 overs to dismiss Gambhir cheaply and reduce India to 14/1.

Earlier, Australia declared their second innings soon after the play resume in the post-lunch session and set 500 runs target for India with less than five sessions left in the match.

Ricky Ponting (60) and Brad Haddin (11) took Australia's overall lead to 499 runs when skipper Michael Clarke declare their innings close. Australia scored 167/5 in 46 overs in their second innings of the match after they declared their first essay at 604/7 on Day 2.

Australia lost Clarke (37) and Michael Hussey (15) in quick succession in the morning session of the fourth day of the fourth Test on Friday.

The hosts were 154/5 at lunch in their second innings with an overall lead of 486 runs with Ponting and Haddin at the crease.

Ishant Sharma trapped Hussey to give India second breakthrough. Umpire Dharmasena took his time before giving Hussey, who wasn't happy with the decision, marching orders. Australia lost their fifth wicket at the score of 147.

Ricky Ponting, who added 71 runs for the fourth wicket with Michael Clarke, hit another fine half-century to take Australia's overall lead past 475-run mark. Ponting's 50 came off in 73 balls and included four boundaries.

Seamer Umesh Yadav got rid of Clarke, who scored 43-ball 37 with the help of four boundaries. Australia lost their fourth wicket at the score of 111.

Yadav's full-length delivery got a faint outside edge from Clarke's bat en-route to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha's hands.

Ponting hit two successive boundaries off Ishant Sharma to bring up 500 runs for the series and also take Australia's overall lead past 400-run mark against India. .

Clarke and Ponting resumed Australia's second innings on Day 4 after India conceded a huge first innings lead of 332 runs after the end of third day's play at the Adelaide Oval.

Australia resumed Day 4 at 50/3 in the second innings enjoying an overall lead of 382 runs.

There was some artificial excitement towards the end of third day's play when the home team lost their top-three for just 50 runs, but with an overall lead of 382 and seven wickets standing, Australia were merely stirred, not shaken.

Barring a miracle, it is hard to see this Indian line-up denying Australia a clean sweep of the four-Test series that was lost 10 days ago in Perth.

Virat Kohli provided the only bright moment by cracking his maiden century but India were still faced with a herculean task of preventing a 'whitewash' against Australia in the fourth and final Test.

Kohli stood bravely amidst the ruins with a gritty 116 but most of the other top batsmen surrendered meekly as India folded up for 272 in the first innings, and even though they were 332 runs in arrears of Australia's first innings tally - and therefore liable to follow-on - skipper Michael Clarke decided not to enforce the same.

Credit should also be given to young Wriddhiman Saha (35) who helped Kohli add 114 runs for the sixth wicket which helped the Delhi lad push for his three-figure mark. Kohli's delightful knock contained 11 boundaries and a six over deep mid-wicket off Michael Clarke's bowling.

The second new-ball again did the trick for Australia as India who were 225/5 at one stage lost five wickets for 47 runs in little over 10 overs.

Aussie paceman Peter Siddle charged in on the unresponsive flat Adelaide pitch to take five for 49, denting a few more Indian batting reputations and prolonging Sachin Tendulkar's wait for a 100th international century.

Ind vs Aus: Australia resume first innings after tea on Day 2 in Adelaide

Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris resumed the Australian first innings after tea on the second day of the fourth and final Test against India at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Wednesday.

Australia lost their seventh wicket when R Ashwin had Peter Siddle caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha.

Zaheer Khan had Ricky Ponting (221) caught by Sachin Tendulkar at deep mid-wicket.

It was ironical that Ponting fell to the pull shot that he played so well during this knock and throughout his career. Ponting pulled a short delivery, got the power right but the elevation lacked, as it went straight to Tendulkar at deep mid-wicket at a scorching pace. It was a good catch as the ball went like a bullet.

Ponting hit 21 fours in his great knock.

Gautam Gambhir ran out Michael Hussey with a direct hit after Australia crossed the 500-run mark.

Hussey played a R Ashwin delivery through the off side and set off for a single, but Gambhir at silly point got the ball with his outstretched right hand and hit the stumps before Hussey could turn and get into the crease.

Ricky Ponting reached his sixth double century soon after Umesh Yadav dismissed Michael Clarke after lunch.

This is Ponting's sixth double century and third against India.

India finally tasted success as Clarke was cleaned up by Yadav. Clarke got struck on the crease as he looked to whip it away on the leg side. The ball nipped back in hint and crashed onto Clarke's stumps.

Clarke hit a six and 26 fours in his magnificent knock.

Australia were 469/3 at lunch. Clarke's quickfire double ton came in 255 balls that included 25 fours and one six.

The fourth-wicket stand between Ponting and Clarke is now the best for Tests between these two nations as the duo went past the partnership of 376 runs produced by Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in the 2001 Eden Gardens Test.

The duo of Clarke and Ponting, who have now scored more than 600 runs in this series, stitched a 386-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The marathon 350-run stand between the duo came in 515 balls.

Clarke and Ponting got off the blocks very quickly as both of them crossed 150-run mark after hitting some fine boundaries early on Day 2.

Clarke's 150 came off in 193 balls with the help of 21 fours and one six while Ponting reached 150 in 274 deliveries that included 16 boundaries.

Earlier on Day 1, the old firm of Ponting and Clarke put India's hapless bowlers to the sword with contrasting centuries as Australia took command of the fourth Test.

Ponting (137) and Clarke (140), both of whom tormented India in the second Test in Sydney with centuries, joined hands once again for an unbroken 251-run fourth wicket stand which took the hosts to a comfortable 335/3 after a shaky start on Tuesday.

Australia have already clinched the series with a 3-0 lead and India are desperately hoping to avoid a whitewash. The effort was not all that bad to start with as India struck two blows inside the first 10 overs after the hosts opted to bat first.

Zaheer Khan removed David Warner (8) with a delivery which came in and Ravichandran Ashwin, surprisingly introduced as early as in the fourth over, bowled a delivery which came in with the arm and clipped the off-stump of an out of form Shaun Marsh's (3) hesitant forward prod.

Ashwin snared another victim before the lunch-break, opener Ed Cowan (30) driving little uppishly into short covers and VVS Laxman snapped a brilliant low catch.

Ponting smashed the 41st century of his 162-Test career, his eighth against India which put him at par with Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Vivian Richards as the batsmen who has scored maximum tons against the sub-continental team.

It is also his 23rd century at home which is one more than what Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis have scored in their glittering careers. During his knock, he also crossed the 13,000 run landmark.

For Clarke, this was his 19th century in his 80th Test, his second of the series after a mammoth 329 at the SCG early this month.

Adelaide Test Live: Australia 214/3

Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke made full use of the batting friendly conditions at Adelaide to guide Australian total to 214/3 at tea on day 1 of the fourth Test on Tuesday.

In a stark contrast to the first session when Indian bowlers seemed to keep the run flow in check, Ponting and Clarke found their rhythm on a hot day reaching to their fifties in quick time and ensuring no further hiccup.

Ponting, in particular has looked in deft touch throughout the innings and his trademark shots were on full display at Adelaide as he reached a personal milestone of 13000 Test runs.

Towards the end of the second session, Clarke opened up his arms and creamed R Aswhin’s 19th over for 12 runs via three boundaries- -twice at cover and one towards point to take the Australian total to 203 runs at the loss of three wickets.

As the Australian duo scored 116 runs in the session, Indian bowlers looked frustrated with R Ashwin in particular looking perturbed as run flow became smoother as compared to the morning session.

Umesh Yadav was the most expensive of the lot as his nine overs produced 67 runs.

Second session

Michael Clarke creamed a frustrated R Ashwin’s 19th over for 12 runs via three boundaries-twice at cover and one towards point to take the Australian total to 203 runs at the loss of three wickets.

He had earlier struck back to back boundaries off Ashwin to raise his bat for a fifty. A pull off the back foot towards midwicket boundary got him to 47 and for the next delivery; he stepped out to play towards mid-on for another four.

Before him, a fluent Punter on a placid Adelaide strip completed half-century in quick time to keep the Australian scoreboard ticking.

Ponting took only 69 deliveries to raise his bat for 61st Test fifty.

Earlier, R Ashwin took two early wickets to keep the Australian batsmen in check as India restricted them to 98/3 at lunch.

First session

Ricky Ponting(43*) and captain Michael Clarke(9*) were on the crease as a clever captaincy from Virender Sehwag saw India dominating the first session of Adelaide Test on day 1.

From the first two overs of the day, the self anointed 'odd couple' of Ed Cowan and David Warner picked 16 runs and seemed to justify their captain’s decision to bat first.

However, Virender Sehwag had different plans as he introduced R Ashwin early into the attack and the spinner stifled Australian batsmen for runs as his first two overs went for naught.

For David Warner this was an unusual situation as his natural leaning was towards scoring runs quickly.

India’s most experienced bowler on the tour, Zaheer Khan, made use of the opportunity to trap the left hander plumb in front of the wickets to pick his first scalp of the day leaving Australia 26/1.

Ashwin sent Shaun Marsh packing in quick succession after castling him to add another chapter in the southpaw’s wretched Test series.

Marsh was late in realizing that he was bowled and looked disappointed at having missed an opportunity to gain some form on a batting friendly pitch.

However, Ed Cowan continued the job of a grafter pretty well from the other end and when Ricky Ponting joined him in the middle after Marsh’s dismissal, took Australian total past 50 runs in 17.4 overs.

He, however, was dismissed just before the lunch break courtesy an intelligent bowling from R Ashwin. The right arm spinner kept tossing up to the left hander and eventually lured him into driving forward towards the cover region where VVS Laxman snapped a brilliant catch to end his innings at 30 (63, 3X4)

Ricky Ponting, on the other hand, has looked in a fine nick on a ground where he has an excellent record against India (one double century and a ton).

He glanced, pulled and swept in his innings of 43* runs to stay positive when the opposition bowlers were in constant search to make some early inroads in the Australian innings.

Earlier, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first on a batting friendly Adelaide track.

Ind vs Aus: Australia 481/4 at stumps on Day 2 at SCG

 Captain Michael Clarke's unbeaten 251 and Michael Hussey's unbeaten 55 enabled Australia to take a 291-run lead at stumps on the second day of the second Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on today.

Hussey hit a half-century to take Australia over the 450-run mark.

Clarke hit his maiden double century to take the Australian lead over the 200-run mark.

Clarke is the 34th Australian to hit a double century in Test cricket.

Clarke was at 170 with Hussey for company as Australia took a 158-run lead at the end of the second session.

Ishant Sharma struck with the second new ball when he had Ricky Ponting caught by Sachin Tendulkar at point. Ponting added 288 runs with Clarke for the fourth wicket.

Ponting hit 14 fours in his 134-run knock before falling to Ishant.

The much-needed breakthrough came after captain Michael Clarke reached 150 as he and Ponting took Australia over the 300-run mark.

Ponting scored a century almost after two years as his last ton (209) came against Pakistan in Hobart in January 2010. Ponting cracked his 40th ton in 150 balls with the help of 11 boundaries.

The two experienced Australian batsmen stitched an unbeaten 200 runs stand for the fourth wicket and put on the backfoot in the game.

Michael Clarke slammed his 18th Test century to take Australia into commanding position at lunch on the second day.

At lunch on a steamy day at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia were 236 for three with a vital 45 runs lead.

Clarke's fourth Test century against India came off a glorious cover drive off Ishant Sharma in the last over before lunch. It was Clarke's second Test century of the Australian summer season after scoring 139 against New Zealand in Brisbane last month.

India bowlers toiled hard in the first session as they conceded 120 runs in 27 overs without taking a single wicket.

Ponting continued his good run as he scored yet another fifty which brought up in style with a classy square cut played slightly on the front foot to the boundary. Ponting also became the third player in Test history to get 100th score in excess of 50.

Former skipper 61st Test fifty and 12th against India came in 74 balls that included six boundaries. This was his 6th half-century in a row against India.

Clarke raced to his fifty on the second delivery of the day when he flicked it through mid-wicket to complete his 22nd Test half century and 6th against India. Clarke completed his quick-fire fifty in just 60 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

Australia ended the first day well on top at 116/3 after restricting India for paltry 191, resumed their first innings on Day 2 of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Zaheer Khan started with a bang as he gave two quick blows before the Australian total reached double-digits, followed by one more in the 30s, raised Indian hopes, but the home team recovered well through a fine unbeaten partnership of 79 runs between Ricky Ponting and Clarke to end the first day at 116/3.

MS Dhoni's decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired badly as India's famed batting line-up came a cropper yet again against a disciplined Australian pace attack.

Young James Pattinson ripped the heart out of India's line-up, claiming four of the top-five batsmen while Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus claimed three wickets each.

Dhoni (57*) was the highest scorer of the Indian innings which also was his first half century in Australia. Sachin Tendulkar faltered again in his quest for a 100th international century as he chopped a widish Pattinson delivery onto his stumps for 41.

Boxing Day Test Live: Australia crossed the 250-run, partnership between Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle

Australia crossed the 250-run mark as a handy partnership between Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle averted a complete collapse in the final session of play.

Ed Cowan (68) finally caved-in to the pressure mounted by the Indian bowlers, caught behind by MS Dhoni off Ravichandran Ashwin’s spin.

The scorecard read 214/6 at the fall with the Indian outfit dominating for the first time in the day.

Before the collapse, Zaheer Khan had finally struck hard as he clean bowled Michael Clarke (31) with an awesome delivery that was dragged back onto the stumps. He followed it up with another beauty and dismissed Michael Hussey for a duck on the very next delivery.

The spectators were treated to Test cricket of the highest quality as the world’s top teams competed with full fervour, not giving the other any room to breathe. However, it was the Australians with the home advantage that held a slightly upper hand.

Second Session

Umesh Yadav struck gold on being reintroduced into the attack, claiming the all important scalp of Ricky Ponting (62). The third breakthrough from Yadav got the bounce back into the Indian outfit as the scorecard read 170/3 at tea on Day 1.

The second session of play belonged majorly to Australia as Cowan and Ponting kept on piling runs and did not give away their wicket cheaply.

Ponting had looked dangerous as he slammed a solid fifty to steady the innings, his 59th in Test cricket for Australia in the last fifteen years. He was given apt support from opener Ed Cowan who toiled for his runs but kept the wicket intact against a disciplined attack, slamming a fifty of his own.

The post-lunch session had begun a bit late as rain gods kept on bothering the proceedings in a largely filled MCG.

First Session

Rain stopped play as an early lunch was taken at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the Australian scorecard reading 68/2. The game was delicately poised at the break as the Indian bowlers pegged back towards the later part of the session while the home team averted any collapses.

India had got the first breakthrough as Umesh Yadav claimed David Warner (37) right after a short break that could have resulted in a lapse of concentration on the batsman’s part.

Shaun Marsh was the new man on the crease and he was out for a duck, giving Yadav his second scalp of the Australian summers. Warner gloved a short one into the hands of India skipper MS Dhoni while Marsh was caught by Kohli with the scorecard reading 46/2.

Just before that, covers had come on the turf at the MCG because rain stopped play after 13 overs. The break was however short lived as the drizzle stopped within a few minutes and play resumed.

Openers Ed Cowan and Warner had started the proceedings on a positive note as speedsters Ishant and Zaheer looked for an early breakthrough while there was still some movement in the air.

Zaheer was particularly tight in his line and length as he had a couple of loud appeals and close calls.

An Oz summer had begun with home captain Michael Clarke winning the toss and electing to bowl against India in the Boxing Day Test. There was some good news for the Indian camp as both pacers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma proved their fitness and were drafted for the test Down Under.