Cricket: India back in contention
Monday, 19 March 2001 13:55India fought back today to put themselves in contention in the third and decisive Test against Australia in Madras. The Austalians were doing brilliantly at 340 for 3 when they completely fell apart to finish their first innings 391 all out. India then began their quest to reach the target set by the visitors with Sundar Das putting on 123 for the first wicket with Sadagopan Ramesh and 88 for the unbroken second with Venkatsai Laxman to leave them at 211 for 1 by stumps.
"It was the prefect day for us," said India's captain Saurav Ganguly afterwards. "We needed wickets badly this morning, and Singh delivered once more. But I was delighted at the way we have batted. It's taken the pressure off the remaining batsmen, and we must get a big score now," he added.
However, the main talking point of the day was Steve Waugh's dismissal after he palmed the ball with his right hand as it appeared to be going towards the stumps following an attempted sweep off Singh. This was only the sixth occasion in Test cricket history that a batsman was given out handling the ball and the first since 1993.
(PA)
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
