India took control of the Perth Test. This would sound a bit different to the eyes and ears. But
that''''s what it is. And its India who has done it. But the highlight of the day was India Captain Anil Kumble claiming his 600th Test wicket at the WACA. Only Murali and Shane Warne are ahead of him. By achieving this great feat, he becomes the first Indian to do so. Overall he is only the third bowler. India resumed from their overnight
score of 297/6. Only Pathan managed to score the most. He and Dhoni were on 8 each at the start of the play. Dhoni was the first to go after adding 11 to his overnight score. Pathan had to fight on his own.
But after Dhoni''''s dismissal at 328, he too fell at 330. And eventually, the Indian
innings folded at the same score without any more contribution from any of the remaining other batsmen. The Australian innings began with Phil Jaques and Chris Rogers. Rogers is playing his debut match in the absense of Matthew Hayden. India needed just the start they wanted. And it was provided by Irfan Pathan. He sent back both the openers in the space of 3 balls. That''''s 2 wickets in 3 balls. Rogers was the first to go for 4 when the score was 12. And a run later it was Jaques. Rogers got a good inswinger and was LBW, while Jaques perished at the second slip through Laxman. The high averaging Hussey faced 8 balls without success and was caught behind for a duck from the bowling of R.P. Singh. Ponting and Clarke tried to bring the scoring back on track, but till the score reached 61, both had been sent back my Ishant Sharma, for scores of 20 and 23 respectively.
Ponting tried to back off at the last moment, as he was in two minds. Whether to play the ball or leave it. But till he made up his mind, the ball had taken an outside edge. And flew to the third slip, where Rahul Dravid dived to his right to take a splendid 2 handed catch. 61/5 & Australia seemed to have lost the way completely. But once again Symonds came to their rescure. Being in his aggressive best, he made quick fire 66 off only 70 balls with 7 hits to the fence and one over it. He teamed up with Gilchrist to see Australia through a difficult phase. Seeing the dangerous partnership blooming beautifully, Kumble had to bring himself on. And soon he reached the milestone of 600 wickets.
It was an importnt wicket of Symonds - though at the post-day press conferance Kumble jokingly said that he would have liked to be Gilly as his 600th victim - who was threatning to take the game away from India. The shorter ball bowled to his took a thick edge and bounced on Dhoni. Dravid was alert enough and comfortable to take a sitter to help statemate to 600. But Symonds even this time was reluctant to go. All - including Symonds - knew he was out but still he stood his ground waiting for the umpire to point him to go to the dressing room. Gilchrist hammered R. P. Singh for 3 boundries on the trot, but the 4th ball was too good even for Gilly to negotiate. And Dhoni did the rest.
After the departure of both Symonds and Gilchrist, it was only a matter of time before the Aussies innings folded. Though Lee & Tait threatened for a time, 212 all out was the Aussie score giving India a good healthy lead of 118. India began with Jaffer and Sehwag. In 11 overs, India lost Jaffer for 11 to Clarke. India were 52/1 with Sehwag at his best. India now has an overall lead of 170.