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 Brisbane,
Dec 7: Sourav Ganguly made the mighty Australians dance to
his music with a classy 144 as India gained a
psychological edge by taking the first innings lead in the
first cricket Test at the Gabba here today. The pre-series
Australian ploy of pressurising the Indian captain with
the "chin music" completely backfired as Ganguly
responded with characteristic grit to notch up his maiden
ton against the world champions.
 At
stumps on the penultimate day, India were placed at 362
for six, a lead of 39 runs, with Parthiv Patel on 37 and
Ajit Agarkar on 12 at the crease. Ganguly showed no signs
of nerves as he unleashed a flurry of strokes to expose
the chinks in the Australian bowling armoury after Sachin
Tendulkar perished to a shocking decision by umpire Steve
Bucknor for a duck, which reduced the visitors to a
precarious 62 for three.
The
Indian captain found ample support from the stylish V V S
Laxman (75) as the duo pulled the team out of the pits
with a 146-run fourth wicket partnership on a rain-free
day. With just one day left, the match seems to be heading
for a draw but the Indians not only proved that they were
no push-overs but silenced many of their critics who had
written off before the start of the series. (Agencies) Scorecard
Published:
Sunday, December 07, 2003
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