Australia need at least one big knock to climb `mountain’

Saurav Ganguly didn’t take long to join in therun-feast and one glorious six over mid-off emphasised his great strength through the off-side. While the scoring records were mounting another native of Calcutta provided a short diversion from the game as the ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya was interviewed for television. It was refreshing to hear a cricket administrator with some vision for the game and more importantly, mention accountability and a performance review for officials.

It has always annoyed me that players are judged on their performance, while administrators appear to have a position for life. I hope Dalmiya succeeds in his endeavours.

In addition to a native (Dalmiya), we also had the Prince of Calcutta (Ganguly) starring and yet the man who received the greatest ovation was Azharuddin, the hero of Eden Gardens. He can do no wrong at the ground and the fans lifted the roof when he clobbered a six to bring up his fifth Test century in only seven innings at the ground. Early on, Azharuddin had been made to struggle against some goodbowling from Michael Kasprowicz and Shane Warne. Kasprowicz, in particular, was a little unlucky as he swung the ball and made it move off the seam and had one good shout for lbw turned down.

Once the Indian captain moved into his stride, he was all fluency and artistry as the boundaries flowed. Azharuddin relentlessly piled on the runs and the agony and he only decided to end the fielding pain for the Australians with the lead at exactly 400. It was a good declaration psychologically as the Australians were weary and dispirited and racked with injury. In addition, the laws decree that Steve Waugh, one of the few in-form players in the top order, can’t bat before number seven because he wasn’t fit to field.

Australia’s problems were further accentuated when Michael Slater, who hasn’t found a way to cope with Javagal Srinath in this series, yet again dragged a delivery onto his stumps. Once again, Slater appeared to be caught in two minds, uncertain whether to attack or to defend and in the end, doingneither and paying the penalty.

It has been a horrendous couple of days for the Australians with sickness, injury and mis-fielding adding to their woes. Apart from Kasprowicz’s good spell, Robertson bowled well to take Ganguly’s wicket and then trouble Nayan Mongia. Shane Warne also bowled a lot of good deliveries and deserved at least some reward, but in the end, not taking a wicket with the new ball was his biggest handicap.

Mark Taylor’s determination and Greg Blewett’s positive approach against the spinners late in the evening will give the Australians some cause for hope. However, they will need something a little more substantial, like a double-century from one of the top order players if they are going to climb this particular mountain.