Steve Waugh was at the crease in his final Test innings trying to save Australia from a heavy defeat to India in the fourth cricket Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Australian skipper came out to bat to an emotional reception from his home crowd as his team attempted to see off an Indian push for a victory that would clinch their first ever series in Australia.
India have been in control of the Sydney Test since scoring a record 705 for seven declared in the first innings and dismissing Australia for 474 and a 231-run innings lead.
Australia were set 434 runs for an historic victory but after a lively opening partnership between Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden, the home side have been tied down by tight Indian bowling with a draw now looking their best result.
Nearing tea, the Indians grabbed the vital wicket of Ricky Ponting, caught and bowled by young paceman Irfan Pathan for 47 off 104 balls.
At tea, Australia were 204 for four with Waugh unbeaten on 19 off 43 balls and first innings centurion Simon Katich on three.
Australia began positively but lost both threatening openers Hayden (30) and Langer (47) before lunch to put the brakes on a lively run-rate.
The Australian openers typically set after the Indian attack but on the first ball after drinks Hayden misread an Anil Kumble wrong’un and edged to Rahul Dravid at slip with the total at 75.
Hayden finished the series with an aggregate of 451 at 64,42 after scoring 136 in Melbourne and 99 in Brisbane.
Langer raised 5,000 Test career runs and survived two confident leg before wicket appeals from Agit Agarkar before falling 20 minutes before lunch.
Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik coaxed Langer to hit over the top only to be comfortably caught at deep mid-off by Virender Sehwag, leaving Australia at 92 for two.
Damien Martyn batted for 94 minutes before falling for 40 when he top-edged a sweep shot off Kumble and was taken by fielding substitute Yuvraj Singh at short fine leg.
That signalled the arrival to the wicket of Waugh to a hero’s welcome and upon the dismissal of Ponting much of the responsibility fell to him to keep the Indian bowlers at bay. – Sapa-AFP