Another defeat and another slide to mediocrity

Indian batsman Murali Vijay plays a drive on the final day of the second Test against Australia yesterday. Indian won the match by seven wickets, and the series 2-0. Photo: AFP

IT MIGHT be hard to swallow, but the cold fact is that Australia has dropped to the bottom half of the Test rankings table for the first time and sits alongside Pakistan, the West Indies, New Zealand and Bangladesh.

In a little over two years, Ricky Ponting's side has fallen from first to fifth, and England will enter the Ashes ranked ahead of Australia, a completely unfamiliar position for both teams.

Australia's 2-0 series defeat to world No. 1 India yesterday at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium consigned it to fifth in the rankings, behind England (fourth), South Africa (second) and Sri Lanka (third).

 

Australia vs India Second Test

India raced to the required total of 207 for victory on the final day with the loss of only three wickets, thanks largely to Sachin Tendulkar (51 not out) and debutant Cheteshwar Pujara, who had not been born the last time Australia lost three Tests in succession (in 1988 to the West Indies).

Having lost to Pakistan in England before this series, Australia needed to win at least one of the Tests in India to retain fourth place on the rankings. But it was outclassed in difficult conditions by a mighty team.

It must now pick itself up for a rejuvenated English side, which will be buoyed by Australia's poor recent performances.

The writing was on the wall yesterday when Murali Vijay struck a four from the first ball of the run chase.

Virender Sehwag was then dropped in the second over by Michael Hussey at gully, off Mitchell Johnson. But he was dismissed the following over by a superb rising delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus. Sehwag couldn't help but play it to a diving Tim Paine.

India then made the surprise move of sending out Pujara ahead of Rahul Dravid, and the youngster made the most of his opportunity with a brilliant 72, showing that his talent matches the hype.

Shane Watson struck four overs after lunch, trapping Vijay in front for 37, but that only heralded the arrival of Tendulkar, whose 214 in the first innings orchestrated the win.

Tendulkar fittingly hit the winning runs off Nathan Hauritz, sweeping him for two runs and raising his arms in glory.

Australia's pacemen struggled with the lines on the final day and never consistently troubled their opponents.

Earlier, India had removed Australia's tail swiftly. They were only able to add 21 runs to the overnight score and were all out for 223.

■ Australia's three-match one-day series against India has been reduced to a joke after the hosts have decided to rest seven top-line stars.

Australia had already announced that its top three drawcards - Ponting, Watson and Johnson - would return home after the second Test.

The first of the one-dayers will be held on Sunday.