Cricket: Intriguing Day

Bravo, Jacques Rudolph well done. The innings he played the type, which typically played to win or save a test, watch. If you can’t win the test, draw it. I think not many are capable to play such a patient knock and see it thorough to the end. It requires a lot of patience and other things that are goes with it. Perseverance is tantamount to determination.
Napoleon once said, “Victory comes to those who persevere the most”
Jacques Rudolph should score many more century and many of those scores would be more than 102 not out. However, the batting display was awesome. It was free from flamboyance of attacking stroke play. It was defence all day. One should keep in mind he faced the most awesome bowling display in the world. The attack consisted of Warne, McGrath and Lee but he patiently build an innings and ensure Australia do not have a chance of winning. He batted entire day and did not play any rash shots. I think he plays well on the off side and his off drives are a delight to watch.
Justin Kemp a batsman in mould of Kevin Petiersen did well to curtail his stroke play and ensure that there is a decent partnership of sorts with Rudolph. He also made a painstaking half century. McGrath and Warne kept bowling all day and Jacques Rudolph held his ground against some vociferous appealing.
Ricky Ponting and Kevin Petiersen at the Oval also played similar knocks in the Ashes Series. The situation was tough. It was the last day. But they stuck onto the wicket and ensured that matches were drawn. The score were similar too both in the range of 150 plus. The one that Petiersen played was edge of the seat thing. He hooked Lee all over the place while Lee was hurling the ball at speed well in excess of 145 kilometres per hour. Ponting meanwhile managed to keep Flintoff, Harmison and company out of the attack.
The question is can the Lankan batsmen do it? Well I don’t think so. They have to battle out for nearly two day until and unless rain plays a spoilsport, which is not on the cards. It is a tough task to bat out Kumble and Harbhajan for two days. I think India cannot lose this test match from here. This match seems to wrapping up in less than four sessions.