MOHALI, India, (Reuters) – Australian opener Shane Watson hit an unbeaten century but Indian pacer Zaheer Khan struck in the final session to halt the visitors’ progress on a see-saw opening day of the first test yesterday.
Watson thrived on the sloppy Indian fielders’ largesse to remain unbeaten on 101, having starred in a 141-run second wicket stand with skipper Ricky Ponting (71) — the cornerstone of Australia’s opening day score of 224 for five.
Zaheer, who drew first blood in the morning, trapping Simon Katich (6), returned in the post-tea session to remove Mike Hussey (17) and Marcus North (0) in successive overs, reversing some of Australia’s dominance earlier in the day.
Tim Paine (1) was with Watson at stumps.
“I knew the first few hours would be crucial,” Watson said after the match.
“For me, it was easier to score off the new ball than the reverse-swinging or the turning one. Hopefully I can continue … tomorrow.”
“The Indian bowlers bowled beautifully with the softer ball and the spinners did not give much to hit.”
On a placid track at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium offering no real bounce, Watson and Ponting compiled a big second-wicket partnership to dominate the morning session.
Both scored freely even after lunch until Suresh Raina ran out Ponting with a direct throw from mid-wicket.
The dismissal was followed by an apparent verbal clash between Zaheer and the departing Ponting who turned back to exchange words before heading to the pavilion.
The Australian captain, who hit 10 boundaries in his fluent innings, was soon joined in the pavilion by Michael Clarke, who was caught by Rahul Dravid for 14 off the bowling of spinner Harbhajan Singh shortly before tea.
Watson, however, reached his second test century courtesy of some solid hitting and India’s poor fielding.
Virender Sehwag dropped a scoreless Watson in the first over off Zaheer and the aggressive opener got another reprieve on 37 when he edged a Pragyan Ojha delivery that popped out of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s gloves behind the stumps.