Cricket Australia will question the Australian captain Ricky Ponting on the tactics used after the tea on the 4th day of the final test match. Austrlia had a very good chance of equaling the series and retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2008.
With 0-1 down, Australia had a good chance of winning the final test thirce with close to winning chance on the 4th day during the Indian 2nd innings.
The first chance was on the 2nd day when Australia started the first innings. India were 311 for 5 at the end of day 1. On day 2, Australia restricted India to 441 which was expected to go beyond 500.
Second chance when Australia batted and could have gained good lead or at least went close to Indian total. They were 189 for 2 at the end of day 2, but the tactics played by Dhoni restricted Aussies to 355. The chance was not taken by Australian batsmen. Though India did bowl little negative, Australia could have played positively as they were 0-1 down in the series. They scored just 166 runs 85.4 overs they played on the third day.
On the fourth day, India were struggling at 166 for 6 at tea with Tendulkar run out and tail enders to follow. If Ponting had used his strike bolwers Lee or Johnson, sure they could restricted to less than 225 and had to chase around 300. But, the slow over rate and warning from umpires turned the match in favor of India. Ponting used part-time bowlers--Hussey, Clarke, and White. Australia had to bowl 25 overs in 75 minutes for which he used them. Otherwise, he would have faced one match suspension. Dhoni and Harbhajan utilized the situation, swept spinners and took singles and twos. They added 108 for the 7th wicket and took the lead beyond 350. Harbhajan scored his 4th fifty against Austrlia and Dhoni also reached his fifty.
The Cricket Australia CEO and other cricket experts critisized Ponting for his poor leadership skills and bad decision. Cricket Australia CEO Sutherland indicated that he will talk to Ponting and seek an explanation on his decisions.
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