Columbo Test - Day 3

[Mike]

Conceivably, Glenn McGrath and Shaun Pollock are the only near contenders. I'll put my money on McGrath reaching Walsh's mark before Pollock. You're right though, it is a huge summit to scale for fast bowlers.

[Rachael]

OK.. that's stumps.. and the final session has surely gone to Sri Lanka.

Hayden and Ponting both got starts and failed... and Gillespie fell as follows as night watchman to end the days play:

23.2 Muralitharan to Gillespie, OUT: pitched up, on the stumps, Gillespie tries to drive, takes the inside edge, good catch taken at leg slip by Jayawardene

Australia 80/3, Partnership of 1
JN Gillespie c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 1 (5b 0x4 0x6)
JL Langer 29* (69b 3x4) M Muralitharan 4.2-0-21-1

Australia lead by 74 runs with 7 wickets remaining...

[Mike]

It goes without saying that AUS need to bat till Tea, at least, to give the bowlers something to bowl at. Good ploy to use Gillespie as nightwatchman, even though he got out. Now he'll be well rested for a big first spell in SLs 2nd innings.

[Farmer Giles]

Afternoon Rachael. I think the SLs have the edge at the moment, but I still feel this might be a draw. The only doubt is the pitch. If the Aussies can post about 230 lead or so, then I think the SLs will go into their defensive mode.

[Miles Cooper]

The bold Farmer eh? How are you squire?

[Richard Jenkins]

Well Australia wrap it up 3-0.But SL tour Australia in the "summer" so, perhaps some changes/chances for revenge? Will Muri tour, or has the match referee reported him out of the game? He won't be able to bowl the "doosra" again for a while unless he can prove it's legal. I thought that this "chucking "issue was all cut and dried, but it looks like every bowler is being scrutinised, and epecially so if you have a history of being called for throwing.

[Miles Cooper]

Richard,

I believe he will be cleared - I'm not saying that that would be the right decision, but it's what I believe will happen.

As to Murali touring Oz - that's very much in the balance. He was clearly very concerned about the possibility (like it was ever in doubt?!) that the Aussie crowds would be shouting 'chucker' at him - he said as much. This latest row over the 'doosra' can only lessen the chances of him touring, which would be a great shame. Many Aussies say that he can only really make an impact on home 'prepared' pitches - going down under and turning it on would have answered many of his critics.