Australia held a massive 382-run lead after dismissing India cheaply on Thursday and opting to bat again rather than enforce the follow-on on the third day of the fourth Test in Adelaide. Rising star V Kohli hit his maiden Test century and India’s first of the series with a defiant 116 as the tourists, facing a 4-0 series wipeout, mustered just 272 in reply to Australia’s imposing 604 for seven declared.
Australia skipper Michael Clarke chose not to send the Indians back in, giving his bowlers a breather from the sweltering conditions with a second innings declaration likely early Friday to give them time to chase another win. At stumps, Australia were 50 for three with first innings heroes Clarke (9) and Ricky Ponting (1) at the crease. Once again Australia lost their top three batsmen cheaply with David Warner, caught and bowled by Ravi Ashwin for 28, the out-of-sorts Shaun Marsh dismissed for a four-ball duck and Ed Cowan leg before wicket to Ashwin for 10. “The Adelaide wicket is one that you don’t want to be batting on last, we didn’t have to think too much about that (not following-on),” Australia’s Peter Siddle, who starred with five wickets, said.
“It was a matter of batting for a bit of time, taking a bit of time out of the game, but still scoring some runs to try and bat them out of the game. “There’s still plenty of time left, two days of cricket, we’re in a good position.” Earlier Kholi showed India’s decorated senior batsman how it should be done by scoring a hard-nosed maiden century in his eighth Test. Sachin Tendulkar again came up short in his bid for an elusive 100th international hundred with 25. Kohli, 23, clouted Clarke for a six and hit eight fours in his 213-ball knock after the tourists had slumped to 111 for five.
