Second Test: India elect to bat against Australia

Australia's James Pattinson celebrates taking the wicket of India's Gautam Gambhir during the first day of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. (Reuters Photo)

NEW DELHI: Gautam Gambhir's poor run continued as he got out for a duck in the first over of the innings on the first day of the second Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Scorecard

The lanky pacer James Pattinson gave Australia early breakthrough when he claimed Gambhir's wicket. The southpaw was beaten by the extra bounce and movement that took the thick outside edge to skipper Michael Clarke at first slip.

Earlier, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat against Australia.

India have retained the same playing eleven while the hosts have also decided to field the same team that did duty in Melbourne, which means Nathan Lyon will get another opportunity to prove his worth.

Australia's bowling attack of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus will be keen to bowl at the Indian top order in the bright sunshine while the green tinge remains on the wicket.

India would aim to draw level as their fine past record at the SCG, which will incidentally host its 100th Test, should give the Indians the confidence that was dented by the thrashing at Melbourne.

The 122-run loss in the opening Test in Melbourne was demoralising but the Indians have a reputation of being bad starters on tours before bouncing back.

And India would be aiming for another one of those turnarounds at the SCG, hoping that veteran Sachin Tendulkar gets his eagerly-anticipated but elusive 100th international century to lead the way.

Australia doesn't intend to depart from the tested theory of aggressive bowling in seaming, helpful bowling conditions which served England so brilliantly this summer and is likely to yield rich dividends to Michael Clarke's men this time around.

The pitch at the SCG these days is vastly different from its traditional sub-continent like surface. Spinners have taken only 12 of the 57 wickets in domestic competition at the SCG this summer.

Teams:

India: Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav.

Australia: David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (captain), Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon.

Umpires: Marais Erasmus (South Africa) and Ian Gould (England)

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle ( Sri Lanka)

Source: http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r5690663792

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