Bangalore Test: Bhajji claims two crucial wickets to restrict Oz to 288/5

BANGALORE - Despite a good start in the second and final cricket Test match being played at Bangalore’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, crucial strikes by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh helped India to restrict Australia to 288/5 at the end of the first day’s play on Saturday.

Electing to bat first, the Australian opening pair of Shane Watson and Simon Katich made an impressive start reaching 95 for no loss by lunch.

Katich was the first one to depart after lunch being caught by Rahul Dravid off the bowling of Harbhajan.

Watson was the next batsman to go, being caught by wicket keeper and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off the bowling of left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. He scored 57 runs off 88 balls, which included nine fours.

Harbhajan soon got rid of Michael Clarke, who got out on 14 giving a sharp catch to Suresh Raina at short leg.

Part-timer Raina gave Australia a huge jolt blow just before the end of the day’s play sending back their well settled skipper Ricky Ponting for 77.

Indian pacer Zaheer Khan took the wicket of Michael Hussey, who scored 34 of 45 deliveries with the help of four boundaries.

Scorecard: Australia 285 for 5 (Ponting 77, Watson 57). (ANI)