India winning in Perth, what will they think of next? It was a complete and utterly deserved win; India controlled the match from the get-go. The final margin of victory, 72 runs, belies India’s superiority over the four days. Some spirited tail-end wagging by Johnson and (Stuart) Clark brought the margin of victory down – those Australians don’t know when they are beaten.
There were two crucial passages of play on the final day:
Firstly Ishant Sharma bowled an impressive spell at Ricky Ponting. He worried the Aussie captain on numerous occasions, hitting him on the body and gloves. Ponting was fortunate to get an LBW decision go his way but eventually succumbed and Sharma got his man. At 19, Sharma is a real find for India; let us hope he stays fit...
Secondly was Kumble’s decision to bowl Sehwag when Gilchrist and (Michael) Clark were making hay. Sehwag ambled up and bowled Gilly around his legs and followed it up by getting the dangerous Lee caught at silly point.
Australia’s run of sixteen consecutive victories comes to an end at the hands of India, just as it did in 2001. I am looking forward to the series decider in Adelaide – Hayden will be fit, so look out India.
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