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Cricket World Cup, quarter-final, Ahmedabad
India v Australia as it happened
Yuvraj Singh's superb all-round performance inspired India to a five-wicket victory despite Ricky Ponting's memorable hundred
- Rob Smyth
- guardian.co.uk, Thursday 24 March 2011 08.23 GMT <li class="history">Article history
Wicketkeepers of the world unite. Photograph: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images Preamble This is a quarter-final only in name. In nature, India v Australia is something much grander, especially when it is the hosts against the holders. It's almost too big for a final, never mind a last-eight game, and that adds a significant frisson to today's contest. There is a unique tension when two superpowers meet ahead of schedule. If the quarter-finals is par for the heavyweights in a football World Cup, then in rugby and cricket it's the semi-finals. If you go out before that you are generally doomed to bathe in ignominy for the foreseeable future.
Everyone and everything has an unspoken minimum requirement when it comes to performance. For some, it's a triumph to simply get through the day without making a total fool of themselves, or without brushing their teeth with the Original Source Chocolate and Mint Shower Melt and smearing Colgate under their armpits; for some of us you, defiant mediocrity really is a victory. For others, and certainly for these two teams, the bar is a little higher. A quarter-final exit alone is enough to invite widespread criticism - but this time that will be exacerbated by both teams' modest performances during the group stage. Whoever departs today will have beaten just one of the top eight sides, New Zealand in Australia's case and West Indies in India's. That'[s not good enough.
Both sides have problems, and have been dangerously dependent on their openers and one high-class fast bowler (Brett Lee for Australia, Zaheer Khan for India). Today's match might not be decided by who reaches the greater peaks, but who best avoids the troughs. Chuck in the compelling subplots, particularly Ricky Ponting fighting for his life and Sachin Tendulkar on 99 international centuries, and it's clear that this game is - as Mark Nicholas once said - massive, massive.
It's almost too much to comprehend that one of these sides will be out of the tournament by this evening. But they will and, whoever it is, they probably shouldn't read the papers tomorrow.
* Chocolate shower gel? That's a still-drunk-the-morning-after accident waiting to happen. What next. Deodorant-flavour beer? Ready salted crisps with a hint of Ralgex?
Whoever wins tonight will play Pakistan on Wednesday. If India get through, that will make today's match seem like a jaunty little warm-up fixture.
The last time India went out of their World Cup, in 1996, the fans rioted. Just saying. In other news, here's some rare footage of Graham Gooch sweeping India to death in the semi-finals in 1987 the other occasion on which India were eliminated as hosts.
Australia have won the toss and will bat first. MS Dhoni says he would also have batted, and that's a decent toss to win on a pitch that should lose a bit of life as the day progresses. There's some surprising team news on both sides. India have omitted Yusuf Pathan, with Suresh Raina preferred at No7 and the fit again Virender Sehwag coming back into the side. That really is a shock. Australia have also strengthened their batting, with David Hussey replacing Steve Smith. That's a reflection of the poor performance of the middle order on both sides thus far.
India Sehwag, Tendulkar, Gambhir, Kohli, Yuvraj, Dhoni (c/wk), Raina, Harbhajan, Ashwin, Zaheer, Patel.
Australia Watson, Haddin (wk), Ponting (c), Clarke, M Hussey, White, D Hussey, Johnson, Lee, Krejza, Tait.
Something for a Thursday morning, from Bharath Rajagopalan "As the title says, this is a very scary video."
And I thought Napoleon Dynamite was a comedy, not a documentary.
1st over: Australia 3-0 (Watson 1, Haddin 1) India will open the bowling with the offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin. He was impressive against the West Indies on Sunday, and his second ball is a nice doosra that Watson defends respectfully. There's an interesting atmosphere unusually hushed by Indian standards (still deafening by any other standards), a reflection of the insecurity surrounding both sides. Watson takes a single to leg and then the fourth ball turns so sharply as to be a leg-side wide. There is a sense that the pitch will turn a lot more from this end than the other, so expect all the spinners to bowl from this end unless they are in tandem. The tense start continues when Haddin drags an inside edge over midwicket for a single. You can smell the fear. "Thanks for your link to that yoga video, which has left me scarred for life," says Chris Hotham. "From now on I will be resting in the safe haven of the blog page and will certainly not be clicking any links."
2nd over: Australia 4-0 (Watson 1, Haddin 2) The masterful Zaheer Khan will share the new ball. Haddin fences outside off with a crooked bat and edges low to third man for a single. Watson is then beaten by a cracker, angled across him and lifting from a length. Beautiful bowling, and an outstanding over. This is a fascinating and unusual start, with both sides feeling their way into the game rather than flexing their muscles straight away. It almost has a Test-match feel to it. Australia in particular look very nervous. "Deodorant-flavoured beer isn't a bad idea," says Dan Smith. "Beer-scented deodorant is already quite popular, if this bus is anything to go by."
3rd over: Australia 9-0 (Watson 5, Haddin 3) Zaheer was given an official warning at the end of the previous over, for running on the pitch. Obviously his follow through should be very helpful for India's phalanx of offspinners. One of those, Ashwin, has started nicely here. He has impressive variety and uses the doosra liberally. Watson blocks much of the over and then, when he is given just a bit of width, dumps a slog sweep over midwicket for a one-bounce four off the last ball. That's an excellent stroke. "I have bought the OBO Ashes book, you don't have to keep telling me," says John Starbuck. "I was very pleased to see some of my contributions were retained, but it increases frustration too: when it's in a book one can't go back and change the script into a better English. Of course, you can do this all the time on the OBO itself so I suppose we've been spoilt." How do you think we feel? Obviously I spend most of my spare time reading my own work and patting myself on the back, and you can only imagine the horror when I see various disgusting typos.
4th over: Australia 14-0 (Watson 9, Haddin 4) Zaheer switches to around the wicket, possibly because of that warning. Haddin drives the second ball on the bounce to short extra, where Kohli fields and throws at the stumps in one smooth movement. A brilliant piece of fielding, although I think the non-striker Watson would have been home even if the throw had hit the stumps, which it didn't. Another excellent over from Zaheer is ruined by a poor final delivery, on the pads and flicked vigorously through square leg for four by Shane Watson. He is such an important player for Australia today. "The office has just emptied here in Kuala Lumpur as my Indian colleagues race to the local bars for the first ball," says Matt Ford. "Interesting to see them today in little huddles fretting about Lee's opening spell and whether their middle order will function. Bit like pre-match atmosphere in London waiting for England to play."
5th over: Australia 19-0 (Watson 13, Haddin 5) The general consensus is that a par score is somewhere around 250 or 260, and that perception has probably informed Australia's relatively cautious start. They don't need to do anything silly in pursuit of 300. For the third over in a row, Watson gets a boundary off the last delivery, this time rifling Ashwin straight down the ground. He looks in ominous touch. "At Lord's today," says James Hobbs. "The tension, the nerves... and that's just thinking about my nine-year-old daughter Celia who is playing for the Grasmere Primary Year 5 team in the London finals at Lord's Nursery today and hoping to be hitting a line and length. Updates later."
6th over: Australia 24-0 (Watson 17, Haddin 6) That's another fine boundary from Watson, who times Zaheer between mid on and midwicket with a firm flick of the wrists. What a fabulous opener he has become. "Sir Geoffrey this morning made startling listening even for regular connoisseurs," says Steve Hudson. "Mike Yardy, as you may have heard, has been repatriated, suffering from that most un-Yorkshire of diseases, depression. Your thoughts , Sir Geoffrey? 'I'm not surprised he's depressed. He must have heard what I have been saying about him. His boorlin's roobish. He's a liability.' And did you ever suffer from depression, Sir Geoffrey? 'No, but I was a better player than Yardy.' What is it with Yorkshiremen? Can someone please tell me?" Did he really say that? That's a shocker. Imagine if Geoff Boycott had married Livia Soprano. Imagine the children! Here's a link to that Yardy story. Our best wishes obviously go to him. It's a very brave thing to discuss in this country, even in the 21st century.
7th over: Australia 32-0 (Watson 18, Haddin 13) Haddin chips Ashwin almost serenely over mid on for six, a fabulous stroke. Australia look good at the moment. They were nervous for a couple of the overs but they allowed themselves a bit of a sighter and now they are going pretty well. "Arvind writing in from Bangalore," says Arvind. "India always wins when you publish my email. Could you please help us win? I apologise for Bollywood and our other shady exports."
8th over: Australia 37-0 (Watson 23, Haddin 13) Watson gets his fifth boundary by sweeping Zaheer past short fine leg. There's a calm authority to his game these days, which makes all those fiftysomething dismissals even more inexplicable. "I am working from home today and, in my boredom, took a peek at the new pair of boots my girlfriend bought yesterday," says David Purvis. "I'm no Jimmy Choo, but these are rubbish: they feature straps, zips and buckles. They are the boot equivalent of a DFS sofa. When she inevitably asks for my opinion later today, what do I say?" Well obviously you tell her they are to die for, darling, and she has rarely looked sexier. There's no other choice, is there?
Our publishing tools are going down for emergency tech work. Bah! Sorry about this. We should be back within 10 minutes.
WICKET! Australia 40-1 (Watson b Ashwin 25) Hello. While we were away, India claimed the huge wicket of Shane Watson. He missed a slog-sweep at the impressive Ashwin, and the ball turned enough to hit the outside of off stump.
11th over: Australia 41-1 (Haddin 15, Ponting 0) The new batsman is, of course, Ricky Ponting, who might just be playing his last innings for Australia. Harbhajan Singh, brought into the attack for the ninth over, rips one back to hit Ponting in the special place. He is a nervous starter against spin at the best of times. These are not the best of times. "Watson out, then?" says Peter Tranter. "Is this the OBO equivalent of nipping out just before half time at a football match for a pee, and hearing your team score the only goal of the game?"
12th over: Australia 49-1 (Haddin 22, Ponting 1) Ponting has not made a fifty in this World Cup his last in ODI cricket was nine months ago so this is a desperately tense period for him. He gets off the mark with a push through the covers off Ashwin. It would be just like Ponting to make a defiant, eff-you-all century today, but I don't know if even he can summon the will anymore. He looks tired. I hope he does, though; he is a true great and it would be cruel if his career ended with such an extended run of poor form. The over ends when Haddin chips Ashwin just over mid off for four. That was a bit too close for comfort. "Is Brad Haddin's nickname Middat," says Daniel Harris, "as in Middat Haddin, the attribute of God's judgment?"
13th over: Australia 52-1 (Haddin 22, Ponting 4) Harbhajan has often had the, er, Indian sign on Ponting, most obviously in that astonishing Test series of 2001, and Ponting does not look comfortable here. He flicks a couple to fine leg to bring up the fifty and then crunches a single to deep mid on. "Just wanted to tell you that Ponting got booed as he walked into bat here in my office canteen," says Anurag. "Everyone is fired up here."
14th over: Australia 65-1 (Haddin 34, Ponting 5) Munaf Patel replaces Ashwin, and his first over goes for 13. Haddin makes room to flog the second ball over mid off for an emphatic boundary and then smears the next back right through Patel, who thrust his hands up instinctively but got nowhere near the ball. I suppose it was technically a dropped catch; in reality, however, he's probably grateful it didn't rearrange his deceptively attractive face. This has the whiff of a pre-planned assault, and Haddin adds to that perception by slamming a length ball over mid on for four more from the final delivery. Superb batting, whose gunslinger stare must make him an intimidating man to bowl to. "Re: the 8th over," says Suzanne Hall. "David Purvis should, when asked, tell his girlfriend that the boots are very much on trend, borrowing, as they do, from both Burberry and Dior's new collection which showed rather definitively that boots with embellishments are very much The Thing Right Now. J'adore. He should also maybe not go through her stuff, but at least this way he is prepared."
15th over: Australia 70-1 (Haddin 36, Ponting 7) Harbhajan beats Haddin with a beautiful piece of flight, and he drags an attempted drive off the inside edge for a single. Four singles and a wide from the over. No need to take significant risks against Harbhajan, certainly not at this stage. "As a happily married man (I can't vouch for the wife's happiness mind), it's my experience that no matter how gushing the compliment, if you wait until you've been asked to comment then it is rarely fully appreciated," says Mark O'Neill. "If you get in there first with an unsolicited remark, you can get away with something as bland as 'I like your hair/boots/facial tattoo/colostomy bag' as women just appreciate you paying attention."
16th over: Australia 72-1 (Haddin 37, Ponting 8) Here's Yuvraj Singh. He's had an excellent tournament with bat and ball, but he is the fifth bowler and you suspect Australia will target him at some stage. Ponting survives a token third-umpire referral for a run out after a lovely piece of fielding from Raina at short extra cover. Ponting certainly has his Business Face on. In fact he looks like he doesn't trust a soul in the world. "Disgusting typos in the OBO? Surely not..." sniffs J.R. Ewing Hartley Maltby. "Looking forward to lots of delicate cuts, talk of massive hits, and endless debates over how much of a walker Ponting is..."
17th over: Australia 76-1 (Haddin 38, Ponting 10) Harbhajan is bowling superbly, with total control of length and nice variation of flight. There's only so much you can do against him when is on song like this, and there are just three singles and a wide from that over. "This really is a quasi-final, just with the loser going home in ignominy rather than glorious failure," says Guy Hornsby. "It has to be India though, surely? Their attack needs to restrict Australia to a gettable total, then ensure they don't collapse like a deck of cards in the last ten overs. They can't keep doing it. They're not England. Dhoni's been as guilty as anyone. Sometimes, you don't have split the ball in half off the first ten deliveries. Not when you're 250-2. That's what leads to 280 all out. Anyway, I have India in the office sweep so they have to win. Odds on Punter walking today?" 500-1?
18th over: Australia 86-1 (Haddin 38, Ponting 20) "This is Ponting's 15th innings since his last fifty for Australia, easily the worst run of his wonderful career, but he is oozing determination and has just hit Yuvraj for two boundaries in three balls. The first was a classy chip over mid on, the second a vicious, flat slog sweep through square leg. Australia are playing well and are probably just ahead at the moment.
Drinks break Remember this masterpiece from Ricky Ponting against India in the World Cup final of 2003? Eight sixes, I think, all on the leg side as a result of some monstrous hitting.
19th over: Australia 89-1 (Haddin 40, Ponting 21) Harbhajan is bowling around the wicket to Ponting and over to Haddin. They are clearly happy just to see him off. Just two from the over, and that means Harbhajan has only four remaining. Australia will be very pleased about that. "With due thanks for Suzanne's vogue tips, I'm going to follow Mark O'Neill's advice," says David Purvis. "My opening gambit will be to compliment her face/hair/feet, then immediately ask whether she's kept the receipt for the boots. Flattery + financial acuity = domestic contentment maintained, no?" Mark Corrigan would be proud of you.
20th over: Australia 95-1 (Haddin 45, Ponting 22) Munaf Patel returns, and Haddin deftly steers his second ball to third man for four to bring up a cool, clinical fifty partnership. They could really do with getting Ponting, as much for the symbolism as anything. You can sense that the crowd are starting to think the unthinkable. "Assuming (but definitely not hoping) that this is Punter's last outing, where does he sit in cricket history? says Ian Rubinstein. "How do you feel about an Ian Chappell comparison? Nuggety talented captain at No3, belligerent. Just lacking the 'tache and the talented younger brother (not Trevor!)." A much better batsman than Chappell and an inferior captain, no? You could make a strong case for him being Australia's second-greatest batsman. From 2001 to 2004 he was unbelievably good. I find the negative press he gets pretty surprising. He's done some daft things, but he's hardly alone in that. And few can appreciate the pressure he has been under as Australian captain these last few years.
21st over: Australia 100-1 (Haddin 46, Ponting 26) Ponting rocks back to slap Yuvraj through the covers for three, with Harbhajan making an excellent save on the boundary. If I were an Indian, I'd be engaged in a personal battle with a wobbling lower lip right now. This is very ominous. "Come on Ricky," says Brendan Murphy. "I love this guy. He's the best kind of sportsman - brilliant but utterly flawed; he's now into the 'desperately raging against the dying of the light' phase, playing from cussed and determined memory." His demeanour reminds me a bit of Tony Soprano in the last few episodes: certain that the whole world is against him, even more certain that he will have the final word.
22nd over: Australia 105-1 (Haddin 50, Ponting 27) Haddin dumps Patel disdainfully over midwicket to reach an outstanding half-century, from 57 balls and with five fours and one six. It's his fourth fifty of the tournament. India have a problem with Patel, whose first three overs have disappeared for 24. "Boycott's reaction shames us Yorkshiremen," says Scott W. "This is an illness society too often demands we disguise in public, and the Yardy we see on our television screens isn't the real Yardy. Epiphany growing, I then realised that very few professional sportsmen are really themselves when competing excepting, perhaps, the .001% of greats whose dedication to and identification with their sport of choice makes real life seem like the trivial game. Perhaps this is why legend Boycott is so unable to empathise with journeyman Yardy - not a matter of skill, but something more fundamental." Boycott is from a different world. It's sad and, while I wouldn't defend him, nor would I damn him too much. He simply doesn't understand. Depression is as alien to someone like him as Twitter or men wearing pink. That may seem flippant but it's not meant to be. He just doesn't understand it, and he never will.
WICKET! Australia 110-2 (Haddin c Raina b Yuvraj 53) Another twist in this fascinating match. Haddin leans into a drive at a flighted delivery from Yuvraj and pings it low to short extra cover, where Raina takes a fine two-handed catch diving forward. That's a pretty tame dismissal because Haddin was playing beautifully.
23rd over: Australia 110-2 (Ponting 29, Clarke 0) "Can't believe that this game isn't being shown live on free-to-air TV in Australia; thank god for the OBO!" says Nicole Bryce. "Can I also wish Tim Boyd (the person who got me hooked on the OBOs) a very happy birthday and I hope Ricky scores a century just for him!"
24th over: Australia 114-2 (Ponting 33, Clarke 0) Ponting was able to play second fiddle, with Haddin going so well, but now he will be under pressure to keep the scoreboard moving while Clarke gets his eye in. He does that with a couple of twos off Patel, one on each side of the wicket. "On no account should David Purvis raise any question or doubt," says Mark Hayes. "Still having the receipt would only suggest that you think they should be returned. If you are going to say extras never prudent try to think of what they will look good with and get her to dress up, giving you time to frame your response."
25th over: Australia 116-2 (Ponting 34, Clarke 1) A good over from Yuvraj, just two from it. "Does this confirm what you just said about Geoffrey?" says Luke Dealtry. "He can't even look the camera in the eye. He's thinking about his mates back home who are going to say 'I'm not surprised he's wearing pink. He must have heard what we've been saying about him. His commentatin's roobish. He's a liability.'" Do you remember the old days on the BBC, when Geoffrey would stare down the camera while talking about something or other. That was terrifying.
26th over: Australia 120-2 (Ponting 36, Clarke 4) The Haddin wicket has given Patel a bit of respite, and we are now into the Boring Middle Overs. Four singles from that one. "The list..." says Dileep Premachandran. "Ferenc Puskas, Alfredo di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Jonah Lomu, Zinzan Brooke, Sean Fitzpatrick. Any guesses as to the next name on this illustrious list?" Sachin? Ian Bell?
27th over: Australia 122-2 (Ponting 37, Clarke 5) This is a good spell for India. Just two runs from that Yuvraj over, which makes it 12 from the last four. "My suggestion for David Purvis would be to find out how much the boots cost and then inform his wife that he will be spending said amount on an all-day, watering hole session of cricket and football on Saturday," says Patrick Coulson. "I think she'll see it's only fair and send him off with her blessing."
REVIEW!: Australia 124-2 (Ponting 39, Clarke 5) Patel has a big shout for LBW turned down when Ponting, walking across his stumps, misses a work to leg. I reckon that was deceptively close, and Dhoni has decided to review it. Replays show that it was far too high, however, so Ponting survives. In hindsight, that was a bit of a daft review.
28th over: Australia 129-2 (Ponting 44, Clarke 4) Ponting lifts the first ball after the review handsomely over mid off for four. That's his best shot of the day. If he pulls a century out today it will be one of the great displays of mental strength. "More terrifying than Boycott to camera is Bob Willis glaring at you at six in the morning during subcontinental tours, especially after another England batting collapse/bowling disaster," says Andy Bradshaw. "It's enough to turn you into stone."
29th over: Australia 133-2 (Ponting 45, Clarke 4) Four from Yuvraj's over, all low-risk stuff. Australia will hope to get around 275 from here, which will be a stiff ask for India. "Asking Geoff Boycott to give an opinion on mental illness is like asking Danny Dyer to explain the plot of David Foster Wallace's seminal 1200-page novel Infinite Jest or explain the migration patterns of the European eel from the Sargasso Sea," says James Dale. "It's quite amusing watching men talk about stuff they can't possibly understand in a crass and banal way but simultaneously it's a rather tragic and damning reflection of how bad we are at understanding anything beyond our own small, trivial and petty lives....In other news, I hope Tendulkar and Ponting both get hundreds today, that'd be really nice."
30th over: Australia 138-2 (Ponting 48, Clarke 6) Sachin Tendulkar is coming on to bowl. That's woken the crowd up. He hasn't bowled in an ODI since 2009, and it shows with a second-ball full toss that Ponting fails to put away. The next ball spins sharply, pitching outside leg and missing off. Five from the over. "I was once asked for my opinion on a particularly hideous skirt my wife had just bought (yes it really did make her bum look big)," says Patrick Treacy. "Gasping for air under extreme pressure I suddenly attained man-talking-fashion-to-woman enlightenment. 'It's a lovely skirt - can't believe you managed to find it' I said smoothly, 'But I don't think it makes the best of your figure.' I was hit by a withering glare for a moment in which I thought I was about to die horribly, but then the glare turned to approval. 'Yes!' she said, 'Good call. I really should bring you shopping with me more often.'"
WICKET! Australia 140-3 (Clarke c Zaheer b Yuvraj 8) Yuvraj Singh has struck again, and this is an unbecoming stroke from Michael Clarke. He tried to slog sweep against the spin, but didn't get hold of it and Zaheer Khan took a good running catch at cow corner.
31st over: Australia 141-3 (Ponting 50, M Hussey 0) Ponting drives a single to reach an admirable and granite-willed fifty, his first for Australia since the first Ashes Test all those months ago. He is booed, which is both risible and unwise. He has got the battle fever on today.
32nd over: Australia 146-3 (Ponting 53, M Hussey 2) Zaheer Khan returns, with a view to getting some reverse swing before the mandatory ball change. There's just a hint from the fifth delivery, and there are five singles from the over. "Update: the receipt is in the bag," says David Purvis. "The boots were moderately priced. She has ignored the old adage: "You pay cheap, you pay twice". If I bring this up, She will realise I have been subjecting her shopping to forensic accounting-style examination. Danger lurks."
33rd over: Australia 149-3 (Ponting 55, M Hussey 3) Bhaji is back and beats Hussey with a gorgeous delivery that drifts in and then roars past the outside edge. "James Dale enjoys watching men talk about stuff they can't possibly understand in a crass and banal way, does he?" says Niall Harden. "Welcome to the OBO, eh?" Honk!
WICKET! Australia 150-4 (M Hussey b Zaheer 3) Magnificent old-ball bowling from Zaheer Khan! He beat Hussey with a wider one and then cleaned him up next ball with a brilliant slower off-cutter. Hussey, on the walk, had no idea what was going on, and the ball jagged back through the gate to bowl him neck and crop. How many times have we seen Zaheer do that?
34th over: Australia 152-4 (Ponting 57, White 1) What a lovely game this has been. Just when you think Australia are getting away, India pull them back in. I've no idea who is in the ascendancy now. "David is clearly ignoring another old adage," says Billy Mills. "'In hole, stop digging'. He needs to do whatever it takes to completely expunge the last few hours from his memory. Now."
35th over: Australia 158-4 (Ponting 62, White 2) White paddle-sweeps Harbhajan just wide of Gambhir at backward short leg and then Ponting pings a brilliant sweep through square leg for four, all along the floor. If he gets a hundred today, no praise will be too high. The man's mental strength is astonishing. "Oh come on," says Murray Paterson. "I boo Ponting when I get up in the morning, after I've shaved and before I have my Actimel."
36th over: Australia 164-4 (Ponting 64, White 6) This is a surprise. Virat Kohli is coming on to bowl medium pace. White drives through extra cover, where Ashwin does well to save the boundary, and there are six from the over. "Did you realise," says Mark Searle, "that if Tendulkar played for England he'd be fourth-highest ODI wicket taker (between Flintoff and Botham)? OK he's played 6 million of them, but still." That's hilarious.
37th over: Australia 166-4 (Ponting 65, White 7) Yuvraj replaces Harbhajan (8-0-27-0) and hurries through an over at a cost of two singles. White doesn't look in great nick, which has been the case throughout the tournament. "Don't do what I did," says Nic Denson. "I went shopping with my girlfriend, waited outside the changing room and when she came out I praised her dress. She went back in, changed and came back out. I said that I thought that dress was awful. She replied that it was the one she was wearing when we entered the shop." All together now: bom bom bom...
REVIEW! Australiia 166-4 (Ponting 65, White 7) Cameron White gets in a tangle trying to sweep the new bowler Ashwin, and India appeal confidently for caught behind off the glove. Marais Erasmus says not out, but India decided to risk their last review. It's a waste, because replays show the ball hit White on the forearm.
38th over: Australia 169-4 (Ponting 66, White 9) "Can I just say that this morning's OBO is very disappointing in its depiction of women as shopping-addicted, clothes-a-holics?" says Cath Hanley. "Personally I've just told my husband that he's looking after the kids for the whole weekend in a few weeks' time while I go away to watch some cricket ... and by the way, go Ricky go! I'd love to see a real in-your-face century a la Steve Waugh." The OBO hasn't depicted men in the most flattering light, either.
39th over: Australia 180-4 (Ponting 76, White 9) That's a wonderful stroke from Ricky Ponting, who charges Yuvraj and drives him inside out over extra cover for six. "That's the greatness of the man," says Sourav Ganguly. "Come the big game, he stood up for his team." What a champion he is, and he slices the last ball to third man for four more. That's a big over for Australia, 11 from it. "The saving grace for David Purvis," says Peter Hanes, "is that he hasn't blabbed about his dilemma to a large audience."
40th over: Australia 185-4 (Ponting 80, White 11) Munaf Patel comes back into the attack, and Ponting swivel-pulls him smoothly round the corner to move into the 80s. Ten overs remain, including a Powerplay, so Australia will still be looking for 250. "If Tendulkar had played for England, he probably wouldn't have made his debut until about 1995," says Josh Robinson, "and there's a fair danger that he'd have been another casualty of the England management a few years later, leaving him to return to the county circuit, where he'd probably have scored more first-class centuries than Jack Hobbs."
41st over: Australia 189-4 (Ponting 83, White 12) Tendulkar is coming back, which is a bit of a risk. Will he tempt one of the batsman to do something daft? Not in that over. Ponting drives a full toss over extra cover for two and then has an LBW shout turned down. It pitched outside leg stump, and they have no reviews left anyway. Four from a good over. "If cricket was wrestling, then Ricky Ponting would have been booed out of every arena and then given a standing ovation in his (steel cage) retirement match," says Mike McCarthy. "What a character. Of course, if cricket were wrestling, an LBW would have been controversially not given when the batsman at the other end had blindsided the umpire with a clothesline."
WICKET! Australia 190-5 (Zaheer ct and b White 12) Zaheer Khan's deadly slower ball strikes again. This one was bowled from around the wicket, and when White screwed a leg-cutter back whence it came, Zaheer took the catch in his follow-through. For the second time today, and the umpteenth in his career, he has struck in his first over.
42nd over: Australia 195-5 (Ponting 84, D Hussey 5) Zaheer's first ball to Hussey is an absolute snorter think Wasim to Lamb in the 1992 final, only a touch wider and thus just missing the off stump. Glorious bowling. The next ball is poor, however, on the pads and flicked fine for four. "Your mention of Geoffrey's stares on the old days of the BBC got me wondering: what, exactly, is/was the problem with the latter days of the Beeb's coverage?" asks Andrew Thomas. "Personally speaking I don't recall anything particularly awful about it, but I was relatively young when they lost the rights and so may not have much of a point of comparison. I've heard words like 'complacent' and 'tired' bandied about, particularly in comparison to Sky's coverage, but I've never quite been sure what they meant (in this context. I know what they mean in themselves). Any chance you could ask your readers for examples or thoughts on this?" I remember it as being okay, but just a bit complacent and exclusive. Sky (and Channel 4 back in the day), treat the viewer with so much more respect explaining things in lay terms, and so on.
43nd over: Australia 199-5 (Ponting 86, D Hussey 7) Four singles from Ashwin's over. Australia will have to unsheath the long handle pretty soon. "Just catching up with the OBO," says Gary Naylor. "Who is this Ricky Ponting of whom you write?"
44th over: Australia 209-5 (Ponting 87, D Hussey 16) Australia have taken the batting Powerplay. Zaheer's first ball brings a big LBW against Ponting from a full ball that knocked him off his feet, but Ponting was miles down the track and it pitched outside leg. Then, when Ponting gets off strike, Zaheer bowls some inexplicably rubbish and Hussey gets consecutive boundaries with a cut and a flick off the pads. "Tell the man that trying to compare the BBC's cricket coverage and Sky Sports' is like trying to compare the shop in 'Open All Hours' to Tesco," says Rob McEvoy. But which is which?
45th over: Australia 219-5 (Ponting 94, D Hussey 18) Ponting moves into the 90s by lifting Harbhajan high over mid off for a one-bounce four. It was in the air for ages but he had the shot under control. Then Ponting survives a huge LBW appeal from a quicker yorker next ball, and of course India have no reviews left. This looked really close, with the only doubt as to whether it pitched outside leg. It didn't, and had it been reviewed Ponting would have been given out. Ten from the over. "The irritating thing about the BBC's Test coverage back in the day was those occasions when the match would be in a crucial phase, or somebody was on the verge of a great century, and the voice would say 'Now we go to Newmarket for the 3.30 selling plater for three-legged donkeys'," says Doug Morrison. They missed Gooch's 300, of course.
46th over: Australia 226-5 (Ponting 98, D Hussey 21) Seven from that Zaheer over, all in ones and twos. I'd say Australia are marginally ahead here, but it's so tough to call. Meanwhile, here's a bit more on that Boycott/Yardy business. "Not sure how much of an indicator this is, though I am now ruing my failure to have a bet on Ponting and Australia, but at the presser yesterday the Aussie skipper was super relaxed, joking with the media, open, honest and confident," says Laurence Boyd. "Dhoni on the other hand was guarded and evasive, he said as close to nothing as is possible for a man who answered 20-odd questions. It's darned hot here in Ahmedabad."
47th over: Australia 237-5 (Ponting 100, D Hussey 30) Hussey gives Ashwin the charge and swipes him over long on for six. He is playing a gem of a cameo 29 from 18 balls but this innings is all about Ricky Ponting, who has just reached his century! What a performance. Just stop for a second and think about what Ponting has achieved here. This is a staggering display of mental strength from one of the all-time greats. Never, ever write him off. He knew that he was in the worst form of his career; he knew that this could be his last innings for Australia; he knew that most of world was against him; he knew that his back was not so much against the wall as moulded into it. He took all that on board, considered a slow and awkward pitch, narrowed those dead eyes and willed himself to make runs when it mattered most. And he did. Of course he bloody did. I can't believe how tough he is or how serene he is in the moment of triumph. There are no histrionics or defiant gestures; no pointing to his number or yelping with delight. He calmly waves a fist to the Australian balcony and receives generous applause from around the ground. There's almost a solemnity, in fact, but there must also be immense pride at the fact that he has delivered such an innings.
48th over: Australia 243-5 (Ponting 102, D Hussey 34) A fine over from Zaheer Khan costs only six, one of which brings up a rapid fifty partnership from 38 balls.
"What was wrong with the BBC cricket coverage in the late 80s?" wonders James Calder. "Ray Illingworth droning his way through the scorecard like he was reading the ingredients of a tin of dog food, Tony Lewis wittering on about fluffy white clouds and clear blue skies, the shuddering mediocrity of Jack Bannister. It's hard to feel nostalgic about all that, Richie or no Richie."
WICKET! Australia 245-6 (Ponting c Zaheer b Ashwin 104) Ricky Ponting reverse sweeps Ashwin straight to short fine leg to end a simply awesome innings. There's no other word for it. "Take a bow" says Andy Gray Tom Moody on commentary. He walks off to a standing ovation from the Australian camp, and quite right too.
49th over: Australia 247-6 (D Hussey 35, Johnson 1) Four from the penultimate over of the innings. In other news, my colleague Steve McMillan has just walked past my desk before stopping, nonplussed at the fact it has some fruit on it. Oh dear. What he doesn't know is that they are Monster Munch-flavoured grapes. I win. Again. "Give me a mention u nutta lol Asum Ahmed go on," says Asum Ahmed. "I dare yah lol."
50th over: Australia 260-6 (D Hussey 36, Johnson 6) The last over of the innings, bowled by Harbhajan, goes for 13. The first ball was speared down the leg side for five wides, but Bhaji pulled it back pretty well after that, aided by the fact that Hussey struggled to get on strike. He played a gem of a cameo, 38 from 26 balls, and India need 261 to win after an exceptional performance from Ricky Ponting. Who will win? Nobody knows anything. See you in 20 minutes for what should be a fantastic run chase.
INNINGS BREAK
Some links to pass the time
1. Mike Selvey's lovely, moving tribute to Fred Titmus.
2. Tim Wigmore's XI of those who went out in the first round.
3. The Chuck Fleetwood-Smith's World Cup quarter-final diary, including a tantalising glimpse of Cricinfo heart throb Andrew McGlashan.
4. My friend's new tea company.
5. This interview.
6. This song, David Lynch's entire aesthetic squeezed into three minutes.
REVIEW! India 5-0 (Sehwag 4, Tendulkar 0) What a start to the match. Sehwag, having slammed one thrilling boundary through extra cover, pokes at a beauty from Lee to prompt a huge appeal for caught behind. He is given not out by Marais Erasmus but Australia go for the review straight away. This is such a difficult decision. The first replay suggests a deviation off the edge, but the second does not. I suspect that this is probably out, but that the decision cannot be overruled because the evidence is not conclusive. Yep, Sehwag is given not out. That's the correct decision in the circumstances.
1st over: India 5-0 (target 261; Sehwag 4, Tendulkar 0) "Now I'm as street as the next man (if the next man is a particularly otherworldly CofE vicar), but would an associate of Asum Ahmed (49th over) mind corroborating that in the penning of his missive, he was actually laughing out loud?" says Ant Pease. "I don't want to sound like a killjoy, but these are the kind of factual inaccuracies that are plaguing today's journalism."
2nd over: India 16-0 (target 261; Sehwag 4, Tendulkar 9) Sachin Tendulkar is on 99 international hundreds. Can you imagine the noise if he makes it 100 today? He feathers his first delivery to the fence, a beautiful steer past backward point off Shaun Tait, and that's the start of a messy over that costs 10. Tendulkar top-edges an attempted cut to third man for a one-bounce four, a streaky stroke; there are also two wides and a verbal serve from Tait when Tendulkar evades a short one. It's feisty stuff. "It's not going to be a big enough total is it?" says Andrew James. "We Australians have taken up the standard British gallows humour thanks to the Ashes. Is it cowardly to pray for rain?"
3rd over: India 20-0 (target 261; Sehwag 6, Tendulkar 11) Lee has bowled exquisitely in this tournament, with the control of an old don and the exuberance of someone much younger than 34, and his opening spell to the Little Masters could well be decisive. A good second over brings three singles. "Why is there no Hot Spot being used?" asks Diego del Mercato. "What's the point of the review if you can't use the best technology available? It's completely pointless looking at a slo-mo replay for an edge, unless it's so thick that it should have been seen by the umpire anyway." Apparently it takes too long to fire up to be of any use. A bit like Mac Millings in the morning.
4th over: India 26-0 (target 261; Sehwag 10, Tendulkar 11) That century has taken months off Ponting. He is bouncing round the field, waving fielders here and there, loving the challenge. His good mood might not last long, however, if Shaun Tait continues this nonsense. His second delivery is a front-foot no-ball, and Sehwag ducks under the free hit. Smart bowling, that, because Sehwag hasn't been interested in hooking or pulling throughout the tournament. The next ball is a wide his 20th of the tournament and the next flicked behind square on the leg side for four by Sehwag. This, I'm afraid, is garbage from Tait. Even if he was physically capable of bowling a third over, I don't think he'd be getting one. "I've noticed that the two Ians - Botham and Chappell - have been kept well apart during this World Cup, always doing commentary stints from different venues," says Don Wilson. "But as the focus narrows down to the semi finals and the final, I wonder if that they might end up on the same commentary team. Given their history that could be a fascinating and violent encounter." I suspect if that happens, even the players on the field will stop to watch what's happening in the commentary box.
5th over: India 30-0 (target 261; Sehwag 11, Tendulkar 14) India are playing fairly cautiously against Lee, knowing that there should be plenty of runs on offer at the other end. Four from the over, two singles and a square drive for two from Tendulkar. "I'm made up Rob lad," says Asum Ahmed. "Good on yah pal J, lol is in fact laugh out loud, lmao haha."
6th over: India 34-0 (target 261; Sehwag 14, Tendulkar 14) Tait is replaced by Mitchell Johnson, one loose cannon for another. His first is full, straight and just about to knock over middle stump when Sehwag gets an inside edge at the last. After the obligatory wide, Sehwag works three through midwicket. This is a good start for India. "I was under the impression that Hot Spot wasn't being used as there weren't enough systems in existence," says Jos Roberts. "I was watching a feature on Sky a while ago where the inventors were saying it's actually classified as military technology so they need all sorts of licences to make it, which means there is enough kit to cover 2 or 3 matches - no problem for Test series (even if there are two going on in the world) but not when there are so many matches going on in the World Cup. Hopefully they'll have it for the semis and the final though." You are right. I was confusing Hot Spot with Snic§ko. Because I am a thicko.
7th over: India 40-0 (target 261; Sehwag 15, Tendulkar 19) Shane Watson replaces Brett Lee, who bowled well but could make the early breakthrough that Australia craved. Tendulkar leans into a drive and edges it right through the vacant slip area for four. First slip would probably have taken that, but then had first slip been there Tendulkar might not have played the stroke. "An update from Lord's (re: over 5)," begins James Hobbs. "Celia and Grasmere Primary are off to a solid start in London Year 5 finals at Lord's; two wins out of two, and with a win in their third they will top their group and go through to the semis. Just three games away from immortality... (Where I have heard that before?)"
8th over: India 44-0 (target 261; Sehwag 15, Tendulkar 23) Tendulkar square drives Johnson on the bounce to the man at short point and is then beaten by a slippery delivery that keeps a touch low. The next ball is far too short that's not the length on this pitch and pulled effortlessly for four. India are going well without having played that many big shots. "Bloody Tait," says Evan Maloney. "The guy would struggle to hit a his own nose with a frying pan."
WICKET! India 44-1 (Sehwag c M Hussey b Watson 15) Shane Watson has made the breakthrough! How many times does he do it? He rammed in a heavy short ball and Sehwag, having eschewed the hook and pull all tournament, suddenly decided to go for one with nasty consequences. He top-edged it high in the air, and Mike Hussey backpedalled from square leg to take a comfortable catch. Sehwag's strangely muted innings of 15 from 22 balls comes to an end.
9th over: India 49-1 (target 261; Tendulkar 28, Gambhir 0) Tendulkar plays a gorgeous drive through extra cover for four. He looks pretty ominous for Australia. "Feel I must stand up for the BBC coverage of my youth," says Paul Murfet. "Apart from Richie B in his pomp there was the majestic Jim Laker a man of such patent fairness and honesty that it shone through in every broadcast."
10th over: India 50-1 (target 261; Tendulkar 29, Gambhir 0) Tendulkar looks very certain in defence, although he hasn't unfurled too many strokes as yet. After five dot balls, he gets a single off the last ball of Johnson's over. "I'm concerned about you when the Cricket World Cup is over," says Qasa Alom. "You've been OBOing since about September is it? How are you going to cope with the dramatic lifestyle change? Do you want to OBO my brother's sixth-form cricket matches? Or how about MBM my cousin's wedding?" I could OBO my own thundering breakdown. Like Renton's cold turkey scene in Trainspotting, only less jaunty.
11th over: India 54-1 (target 261; Tendulkar 32, Gambhir 1) A very close shave for Gambhir. He worked Watson towards short midwicket, where Ponting charged in and made a brilliant attempt to catch the ball as he dived forward. He has no idea whether it has carried or not, so the umpires to decide to go upstairs. The replays showed it had bounced a fraction in front of Ponting, so Gambhir continues. Earlier in the over, Tendulkar edges Watson a fraction short of White at slip.
12th over: India 65-1 (target 261; Tendulkar 43, Gambhir 1) That's the shot of the day from Tendulkar, an outrageous rubber-wristed whip through midwicket from outside off stump. He cuts the next ball for four as well, thus becoming the top scorer in the tournament. There are no eulogies left. He's been doing this for 22 years. "I don't think the BBC thought part of their remit was about promoting the game to a wider audience, so took the view that the viewers already had a better than basic understanding of the game," says Sean Moore. "Therefore they did not feel the need to explain every incident in layman's terms, but rather let people judge for themselves. Yes, it was a little complacent at times - it wasn't that long ago that they only had a camera situated behind one set of stumps and we used to watch every other over from behind the batsman but times (and technology) change, and I would trust the BBC to do a brilliant job now given the opportunity." Maybe Alex Jones could present it.
13th over: India 67-1 (target 261; Tendulkar 44, Gambhir 1) This is a good contest between Tendulkar and Watson, who is a crafty and underrated bowler. He has a huge, squashed-cat shriek for LBW turned down, but I reckon Tendulkar was outside the line and they can't risk their final review on that. A few of you have suggested Ponting cheated when he claimed that catch, but it seemed on TV that he immediately suggested he had no idea whether it carried or not. He's well within his rights to politely ask the umpires if they would consider checking. "Gambhir's faced three balls in five overs," sayus Martin Lloyd. "Has Tendulkar decided to do this by himself?" It was only a matter of time before he started playing teams on his own.
14th over: India 70-1 (target 261; Tendulkar 45, Gambhir 3) Brett Lee replaces Mitchell Johnson and beats Gambhir outside off with his first and third deliveries. Tendulkar then drives to a single to reach another preposterous milestone: 18,000 runs in ODIs. Imagine. "Probably going back a little further than most OBO 'ers," begins Paul Prowse, "I have fond memories of Peter West and his pipe despite him looking at you disdainfully as if you had just stopped him mid-sherry at the club and demanded he gave you a summary of the recent action."
15th over: India 76-1 (target 261; Tendulkar 46, Gambhir 8) Gambhir gives Watson the charge and spanks him over extra cover for four. India look comfortable at the moment, although if Tendulkar goes it would change the mood so much. For that reason, he's even more important than usual today. "I think Guardian Sport should do TV coverage," says Luke Dealtry. "You'd have Andy Bu- no, sorry- Barney Ronay to be the good looking, humorous anchorman, with Bull, Bagchi and Premachandran to do the commentating. Then, of course, in the tactics truck, buried deep underground and at least 5 kilometres of corridor from the nearest window, would be dearest Robbie Smyth, going the full Gollum."
16th over: India 80-1 (target 261; Tendulkar 48, Gambhir 9) Tendulkar misses a periscope shot at a smart bouncer from Lee, and the two cherubs smile warmly at each over. Tendulkar gets hold of the stroke later in the over, and it falls this far short of Krejza, diving forward at third man. He was a bit slow to react, and Australia will rue that moment if Tendulkar wins this match for India.
17th over: India 86-1 (target 261; Tendulkar 51, Gambhir 10) Shaun Tait returns and you guessed it starts with a wide. Then Tendulkar works him to leg to reach a lovely half-century, his 94th in ODIs. He looks in supreme form, and if he is there in the 40th over India will surely win this game. There's another wide from Tait later in the over. This is filth. "You call that polite?" says Stephen Armson. "Chopper Read was more polite to his girlfriend's mum. Your weird crusade to protect Punter's honour is leaving increasing amounts of egg on your face I'm afraid. His every action these days simply confirms further what most always thought about his character. That includes today's ton, I guess." Yes, I have egg all over my face. However will I live with myself?
18th over: India 94-1 (target 261; Tendulkar 53, Gambhir 16) This is a vital passage of play, as the erratic but dangerous offspinner Jason Krejza is coming into the attack. He took 12 for 350-odd against India on his Test debut, so I doubt this will be dull. Gambhir shows some intent by coming down the track to square drive the first delivery for a single. Gambhir pulls the fifth ball for four, and Krejza was far too short in that over. In fact, it was a bit of a shocker. "I am loving Tendulkar's innings, but increasingly realise that in the next few years he will retire," says John Culley. "Really hate the feeling, it is spoiling every innings of his I watch."
WICKET! India 94-2 (Tendulkar c Haddin b Tait 53) That's why Shaun Tait is in the side he has got the Little Master! You can hear the din drop. Tendulkar poked a fine delivery through to Haddin and walked off, but the umpire Marais Erasmus told him to hang around while they checked for a back-foot no-ball. Tait's heel was over the return crease but it wasn't grounded, so Tendulkar is on his way. What an amazing turn of events. Tait had bowled a load of rubbish for three overs, but then he got one right in the slot, on a mezzanine length at extreme pace, and Tendulkar tickled it behind.
19th over: India 98-2 (target 261; Gambhir 17, Kohli 2) What a wicket that is. The dismissal of Tendulkar, as Climie Fisher didn't quite say, changes everything. While he is at the crease, the crowd not unreasonably think everything will be okay. But what happens when Sachin goes? What then? Tait rips a storming bouncer past Virat Kohli's nose. Then he bowls another front-foot no-ball, but Gambhir can only screw the resulting free hit for a single. "No, don't mock the BBC coverage," says Rachel Clifton. "I mean, Tony Lewis's eyebrows alone were worth tuning in for." How can you not love a man with huge eyebrows?
20th over: India 102-2 (target 261; Gambhir 19, Kohli 4) Gambhir, pushing around his front pad at Krejza, gets a leading edge that plops safely into the off side. Then Kohli inside edges a big-spinning delivery into his thigh, from where it also drops safely. This is so tense. India need 159 from the last 30 overs. "Ha, Stephen Armson is an idiot," says Alex Netherton. "You don't even eat egg!"
21st over: India 108-2 (target 261; Gambhir 23, Kohli 6) Six from Tait's over, four singles and a two. "For the uninitiated, could you just tell us how many reviews each side get per match?" says Adam Lecznar. "Do you get a fresh set when you switch innings, or is it a set number for both? And if you review correctly, do you get to keep them to use again? As I'm TV-less I only get to follow the cricket on the OBO, and I've not yet found it explained." You get two per innings (a fresh set for the second innings) and, yep, you get to keep them if you review correctly.
22nd over: India 111-2 (target 261; Gambhir 24, Kohli 8) There's a backward short leg in play for Krejza when he is bowling to the right-handed Kohli, which is a good move in view of the bounce. Kohli almost pushes a return catch, but the ball drops short of Krejza. Three from the over, Krejza's best yet. "Can I beg a mention for Clare who's just managed to convince me to support Australia in this match?" says Mr D. "I wouldn't normally but I think she's worth sacrificing years of solid anti-Australianism over. Well, that and the fact we'd have more of a chance of beating them rather than India in the final that we (England) will undoubtedly reach."
23rd over: India 115-2 (target 261; Gambhir 26, Kohli 10) It'll be spin from both ends, with Michael Clarke coming on. He likes bowling against India, at least in Test matches, having taken six for nine in 2004-05 and also three wickets in an over to win a Test in 2007-08. The moment I type that, Ravi Shastri on commentary makes the same observation. So now I have the usual dilemma: do I leave the original entry there and risk people at home thinking I copy everything from the TV commentary (I don't, only 90 per cent of it) or just leave it? Just leave it. Four singles from Clarke's first over. In other news, Paul Walsh has sent some nice pictures (I don't have time to upload them I'm afraid) of the Rangers Club in Kolkata. "View of the Eden Gardens floodlights from here. Lively game of snooker going on in the background but everyone is tuned into the cricket."
24th over: India 118-2 (target 261; Gambhir 28, Kohli 11) Gambhir is beaten by a full delivery from Krejza that turns miles from a middle-stump line. Gambhir pulls an 'eek!' face, and no wonder; that was a beast. Kohli then hoicks a pull on the bounce to deep midwicket. And then despicably, disgracefully, disgustingly the tannoy hits us with a blast of No Limits by 2Unlimited. I genuinely thought I would never have that monstrosity defile the ears for the rest of my natural-born days, but there it is. "We used to play cricket down the alley-way beside our house at university with wooden stick and hardish ball," says Jonathan Sumner. "In one particularly tough post-library session, and egged on by much taunting from behind the stumps from Billy the Goat, I attempted to give the bowler, Porker Walker as he was affectionately known, the old heave-ho back over his head and over the main road. I succeeded only in flatlining the ball straight into the driver's-side door of a Mercedes waiting patiently at the lights. As I ran for cover like the 10-year-old I was, and still am, it became apparent the driver was in fact my tutor. I failed the module."
25th over: India 123-2 (target 261; Gambhir 31, Kohli 13) Clarke's second over is milked for five whole, real singles. "Jason Krejza 'erratic but dangerous'?" sniffs Keith Flett. "You're only saying that because he's got a beard." It's true. A beard makes a man look menacing and thrilling. Well, most men.
26th over: India 129-2 (target 261; Gambhir 36, Kohli 14) Gambhir drives Krejza wide of mid off for two, part of a good over for India that brings six. It should have been ten, but Gambhir didn't take advantage of a full toss from the last delivery and starting cussing at himself in frustration. "My auto-refresh hasn't been working all day so have had to manually refresh the page," says James Prout. "Most inconvenient when your works computer seems as though its powered by a hamster." Yeah, apologies for this. I believe we have some tech people looking into it.
27th over: India 132-2 (target 261; Gambhir 37, Kohli 16) The part-time offspinner David Hussey replaces Michael Clarke, and his first over goes for three. Australia need a wicket. "I'm a OBO virgin for e-mails but want to comment on the old BBC coverage," says Fraser McDermott. "As a youngster I loved it, a highlight was the rain stops play where we were treated to a bunch of old men talking about obscure cricketers and how they used to gain spin from unnatural wrist actions. I feel the OBO coverage has continued this theme but with more modern references such as agreeable corn snacks to the latest on women's footwear. However I can't remember Jack Bannister openly discussing what to say about his woman's new shoes..."
28th over: India 142-2 (target 261; Gambhir 39, Kohli 24) Clarke has switched ends, in place of the disappointing Krejza, and Kohli blasts a cover drive for four. Ten from the over and this is too easy for India. Surely it's time for a short, sharp burst of Johnson or Lee. "I used to love the Beeb's minimalist coverage the perfect background to many a long afternoon of non-revision for my GCSEs," says Martin Jones. "Richie Benaud was a master of verbal economy. It was by no means unusual for 10 or 15 minutes of action to pass in complete silence, then a boundary would be struck, RB would say 'aahhh....'s a good shot', before another 15 minutes of silence. Oh for the glory days before commentators had to talk constantly, and before all this Aussie-inspired attacking cricket nonsense."
WICKET! India 143-3 (Kohli c Clarke b D Hussey 24) Dear oh dear. David Hussey lets slip a waist high full toss and Kohli, who can hit it anywhere he likes, clubs it straight to midwicket. That's a shocking way to get out, and he skulks off with the guilty look of a man who has just been exposed as Wilson Phillips' biggest fan.
29th over: India 147-3 (target 261; Gambhir 39, Yuvraj 4) Yuvraj's first ball is also a full toss from Hussey, and he shows what to do with such deliveries, clouting it wide of midwicket for four. Hussey then has a big appeal for LBW, but that was going down leg. "Hey, don't you dare say that about 2Unlimited," says Luke Dealtry. "Don't you know how exciting that was to a 12 yr old who'd just bought Now That's What I Call Music 24, which it bestrode like a colossus even in such esteemed company as Snow's Informer, Snap's Exterminate and even Shaggy's Oh Carolina. SHAME ON YOU. That was also the first time I heard the wonderful Doves masquerading, as they did back then, as Sub Sub." Luke, you are half right about Now 24 (it has Sweet Harmony by The Beloved, for one) but you appear to have accused a 2Unlimited song of bestriding a CD like a colossus. This may well result in nobody ever listening to anything you say, ever again, ever.
30th over: India 156-3 (target 261; Gambhir 44, Yuvraj 8) Krejza is on for Clarke, but he is having a bit of a shocker. His length is either too short or too full; the third delivery is the latter, and Yuvraj sweeps it really fine for four, almost behind the keeper. He played a gem of a knock to beat Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final of 2000, his first ever innings for India, and he looks in the mood to do something similar today. "By the time your tech people look into it we would have beaten Pakistan," says Tanvi. "And can you all please stop with the reminiscing of BBC there are girls tuned into this commentary who have no interst in grumpy old men who apparently did not do a very good job. And pray, what is OBO?" It means Over By Over.
31st over: India 158-3 (target 261; Gambhir 45, Yuvraj 9) Brett Lee is great at coming back and gritting his teeth when Australia desperately need a wicket around this stage of an innings. There was a wonderful over to Ian Bell in the first CB Series final of 2006-07 that sticks in the memory, and it must be time for another such burst. Only two from that Hussey over, but India still have this chase under control for now: they need 103 from 114 balls. "Rob - please...more info on the game," says Alex Krohn. "Less cutting and pasting of other people's emails." Sure. Where should I send the editorial consultancy fee?
32nd over: India 165-3 (target 261; Gambhir 49, Yuvraj 13) A very lucky escape for Yuvraj Singh, who top-edges a sweep at Krejza but gets away with it when the drops to the ground in the square leg region as three fielders converge. Eight from the over, all in ones and twos, and now the target is down into double figures. "The old BBC coverage," begins Chris Shepherd. "I remember the fascination of Jim Laker showing off his gnarled spinner's fingers that looked like the handle of one of those corkscrews fashioned from an old piece of driftwood. And in my memory, possibly unjustly, Peter West is the man with the hideous flying combover."
33rd over: India 168-3 (target 261; Gambhir 50, Yuvraj 14) Mitchell Johnson is back, not a moment too soon, and Gambhir steers him to third man to reach a classy and unobtrusive fifty from 63 balls. He's a really smart player at No3 in this one-day side. But he was almost run out later in the over. Yuvraj sent Gambhir back, and he was miles out of his ground when Ponting's throw from midwicket just missed the stumps. Yep: a throw from Ricky Ponting did actually miss the stumps. He is normally deadly with those. "The female singer from 2Unlimited once caused an accident on a Scottish motorway by stopping for a comfort break on the hard shoulder," says Richard O'Hagan. "I don't think she should be held up as a role model for 12-year-olds, or indeed anyone not old enough to drive."
WICKET! India 168-4 (Gambhir run out 50) This is astonishing and absurd cricket. Gambhir survived two run-out chances in as many overs, both because of needless sojourns down the track, but he finished the job himself from the very next delivery with another ludicrous charge down the wicket when Yuvraj squirted Hussey just past slip. Yuvraj rightly sent him back and Gambhir was well short when the throw came in for Hussey to break the stumps. That is truly some of the worst running I have ever seen. He could and should have been run out from three deliveries in five.
34th over: India 171-4 (target 261; Yuvraj 16, Dhoni 2) "Actually, it was a tape," says Luke Dealtry. "And I mean that it was a colossus to a 12 year old I haven't even listened to it for a year. You should still listen to me and believe me when I point out that Wilson Phillips was on Now 18, which was easily the best ever Now. Timmy Mallet!" That is a storming Now collection. Sinead O'Connor, Hold On by Wilson Phillips, A Little Time by The Beautiful South, the first-ever song to which I slow danced, and of course Sting at his existential best. I'm welling up just looking at that tracklisting.
35th over: India 173-4 (target 261; Yuvraj 16, Dhoni 2) Johnson beats Yuvraj with a jaffa, pitching on off stump and zipping past the edge. He beats him with the next delivery as well to end an excellent over that cost just do. India need 88 from 90 balls. "I do hope that your account of Alex Krohn's complaint was a précis rather than a straight cut-and-paste job," says Ant Pease. "He's no fan of that kind of thing."
36th over: India 179-4 (need 82 from 84 balls; Yuvraj 17, Dhoni 7) Dhoni crashes a short delivery from Hussey through the covers for four. In trying to stop the boundary, Ponting hurt his injured finger. He's still feeling it gently. "That Now 24 album also appears to feature this classic track The Bluebells: Young at Heart, featuring the talents of our very own Lawrence Donegan," notes my colleague Steve Busfield
37th over: India 187-4 (target 261; Yuvraj 25, Dhoni 7) Johnson has been good today, and he beats Yuvraj outside off stump yet again. Yuvraj's response is quite imperious, however, a delicious on-drive for four. Eight from the over. India are still favourites, but not by much. Yuvraj's wicket is the big one. "During a memorable school music lesson many years ago, we were asked to review a song then in the charts," says Malcolm Parks. "Despising No Limits, I wrote a scathing dismissal of the song. We were then asked to read out our reviews, and every single person apart from me read out their review of how great the song was. My current smugness at being right about it in no way compensates for the utter horror at the time of realising that I was destined to be a social outcast forever."
WICKET! India 187-5 (Dhoni c Clarke b Lee 7) What a catch from Michael Clarke! Brett Lee returned to the attack and struck with his third ball when Dhoni hammered a cut to the right of backward point, where Clarke took an outstanding diving catch. On his wrong side as well. That is such good work from Lee, who almost dismissed Dhoni with each of the first two deliveries and then got him with the third. Yet another twist in this fascinating contest.
38th over: India 187-5 (need 74 from 72 balls; Yuvraj 25, Raina 0) An outstanding over from Lee, a wicket maiden, and now, for the first time, the required rate creeps above a run a ball. Meanwhile, sad news from Lord's. "Youngest daughter's team crash out of Year 5 London finals at Lord's, losing in the semi-finals," says James Hobbs. "They can take a lot of positives from this, I'm sure. No plans to stone the No73 bus on their return home."
39th over: India 193-5 (need 68 from 66 balls; Yuvraj 30, Raina 1) Shaun Tait replaces Mitchell Johnson. Just two from the first ball but then, with the walls apparently closing in, Yuvraj slams a cut stroke up and over for a much needed boundary. "Surely, Rob, given your well-known man-love for the Aussie skipper, you should devote a few more words to how tough, manly and typically Aussie-gritty he is being to continue with a broken finger?" says Clare Davies. "On the commentary, he apparently went sheet-white with pain. But plays on. Even I, a notorious Ricky-hater, admire this kind of courage and playing on the team spirit. Still want India to win."
40th over: India 207-5 (need 54 from 60 balls; Yuvraj 38, Raina 6) Raina pulls Lee vigorously for four to make it two consecutive boundaries, yet another plot twist in this pulsating match. It's the start of an outstanding over for India that yields 14 runs! There are two more boundaries for Yuvraj, an outrageous steer to third man from a yorker and then a storming square drive off the last delivery. "Does OBOing feel like work to you chaps?" asks Martin Crosoer. It does when you are desperately for an, a-hem, drinks break and you know it's at least an hour away.
41st over: India 220-5 (need 41 from 54 balls; Yuvraj 41, Raina 11) How quickly this game has turned. Shaun Tait's seventh over has disappeared for 13, including an overthrow, five wides when a delivery rears out of the footmarks outside off stump, and a couple of twos from Raina. That makes it 27 from the last two overs, and India are again favourites. "By the time you get to Stoke Newington," says Mike Murphy, "you're usually stoned on the 73 bus anyway."
42nd over: India 222-5 (need 39 from 48 balls; Yuvraj 42, Raina 12) This is a heck of a risk from Ricky Ponting, who has called on Jason Krejza. It works, at least up to a point, with just two from the over. "Speaking of schooldays misdemeanours, in an act of desperation I once submitted the words to the Cat Stevens classic 'Where Do the Children Play' as a poem composed by my good self," says Sean Moore. "The English teacher (obviously not a fan), eulogised about it to the whole class and spoke of me as being a visionary of rare talent and insight. I never had the heart, or indeed the courage to come clean, and I feel guilty about it to this day."
43rd over: India 229-5 (need 32 from 42 balls; Yuvraj 47, Raina 14) Shane Watson replaces Shaun Tait and, after three singles, Yuvraj hooks very fine for four. Lee dived desperately in an attempt to save it, and the ball kicked up to hit Lee on the side of the right eye. Oof. It has drawn blood and he has gone off for some urgent treatment, so that he can get back on for the Powerplay overs. Ordinarily you would think that India have this in the bag, but there have been so many twists in the match that I'm saying nothing. "I reckon that you should (and hear me out on this one) OBO the Royal Wedding," says Jonah Gadsby. "It would bring down the tone significantly, you could play a bit of Swans, and surely no wedding is complete without intense amounts of statistics the night before hand (you know, when the bloke and his mates go out and spend a night reading statistics to each other). By the way I apologise if that is the most insulting email you have ever read. Sorry."
44th over: India 232-5 (need 29 from 36 balls; Yuvraj 48, Raina 16) Those two expensive overs a few minutes ago mean that India can, for the time being, push on without taking too many risks. Three singles from Krejza's over. "I remember endless summer holiday afternoons in front of the BBC Test match coverage with affection," says James Taylor. "The wonderful commentary was the only respite form Mike Atherton's tortuous journeys from 99 to 100."
45th over: India 239-5 (need 22 from 30 balls; Yuvraj 52, Raina 19) Lee is back on the field with a big plaster across his right eye. Watson galumphs in to bowl, and Yuvraj completes a superb fifty with a work to leg for two. It's his fourth fifty of the tournament, and he has played with outstanding maturity under such extreme pressure. He has taken India to the brink of a semi-final against Pakistan. "Could I say that I totally sympathise with Alex Krohn's criticisms," says Steve Betteley. "I often email Cricinfo's live scorecard complaining that there's too much cricket info and that they never copy and paste my emails about fish fingers and old NOW! tracklistings."
46th over: India 246-5 (need 15 from 24 balls; Yuvraj 52, Raina 26) India now have to take the bowling Powerplay, which, knowing how this tournament has gone, might be Australia's best chance. Or perhaps not: Raina drives the first ball from Lee majestically over mid on for six. What a stroke! The decision to prefer Raina to Yusuf Pathan looks inspired now. Lee then troubles Yuvraj with a superb yorker that just shaves the outside edge as Yuvraj tries to work to leg. Had it not done so it would have sent the off stump flying. "I would almost pay real cash money for the Royal Wedding OBO (oath-by-oath?)," says Niall Taylor, "but for my plan to sit in the pub all day avoiding every aspect of it."
47th over: India 257-5 (need 4 from 18 balls; Yuvraj 52, Raina 34) India are winning this at a canter. Raina hops across his stumps to work Johnson's first delivery very fine for four, and a number of ones and twos bring the target down to just four from three overs. It's all over. "I'm confused," says Barry Bryan, "because the BBC coverage wasn't meant to be watched. You were just supposed park yourself on the couch with a cuppa and a good book and look up when your grandfather started yelling at the TV."
47.1 overs: India 261-5 (Yuvraj 57, Raina 34). INDIA WIN BY FIVE WICKETS WITH 14 BALLS REMAINING Yuvraj finishes the job with a flowing cover drive for four before sinking to his knees and yelling with delight. India are through to the last four, and Australia's 12-year reign is over. They won the World Cup in 1999, 2003 and 2007, and the last time they were knocked out of the tournament was March 17 1996, when Sri Lanka beat them in the final. They were deservedly beaten here by India, for whom Yuvraj and Raina were outstanding. They came together at 187 for five, with Australia slight favourites, and added a nerveless 74 for the sixth wicket in just 10.1 overs.
Australia are gracious in defeat, as they usually are; they will know that, ultimately, they were not good enough in this tournament, particularly their spinners. India move on to the small matter of a semi-final against Pakistan in Mohali on Wednesday. That is going to be a monstrous game. This wasn't bad, either. Thanks for all your emails; see you tomorrow for South Africa v New Zealand.
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