da esoccer bet： Before the game he owned 172 runs in eight Tests in the country; he walked off 49 short of doubling the total
da stake casino： Ali Cook09-Oct-2008
Until now India has been kryptonite for a batting superman with 10,000 runs and more centuries than anyone but Sachin Tendulkar © Getty Images
Birds of prey swirled over and around Ricky Ponting when he walked out toface the fourth ball of the morning. While the kites soared anddive-bombed, their shadows hit the ground and bounced like the butterfliesin Ponting’s stomach, adding to the grand entrance of a man trying toavoid another failed hunt in India.Up in the stands the home supporters wanted a Ponting carcass and thefeeling seemed the same in the sky. By the time he had posted hishalf-century with a wonderful cover drive most of the birds, with sharpbeaks and scratchy talons, had gone looking for an easier target. Finallythe real Ponting had arrived in India.From the moment he started the innings with a series of confident leaveshe was no longer the heavy-footed impostor that had suffered in 1996,1998, 2001 and, briefly, in 2004. Until now India has been kryptonite fora batting superman with 10,000 runs and more centuries than anyone butSachin Tendulkar. Instead of being welcomed like a hero he was beingscanned for his weakness.Matthew Hayden’s first-over departure actually helped his captain,ensuring he would avoid an early rendezvous with his tormentor HarbhajanSingh. It was too early to call for the Harbhajan hex and Ponting was ableto settle into his innings like he normally does – against fast bowling.Strong, secure and certain, he eased through Ishant Sharma’s testing earlyspell, gaining more confidence with strong drives through cover and acommanding pull shot. Now he understood the conditions and knew his formwas strong.When Harbhajan was called Ponting was ready, pushing back to deflect thefirst ball to fine leg for four. The initial delivery has always been thehardest for Ponting to conquer and as it bobbled along the outfield therewas relief for Australia. In less than a minute Harbhajan was just anotherspinner. Seven years of hypnosis had finished.Softer hands, sharper feet and a mind more focused on a simpler game-planwere responsible for the longer stay. As he neared his century more of thekites flapped back for another look. Ponting, still a great in anykingdom, is always worth watching.After tea he off-drove Kumble for four to move to 99 before delicatelypushing him behind point for a well-run three. Throughout the inningsPonting had swung his bat freely and, usually, effortlessly. This time heheaved the blade through the air then lifted both arms and pumped them.The weight of a foreign nation was no longer there.When Harbhajan was called Ponting was ready, pushing back to deflect the first ball to fine leg for four. The initial delivery has always been the hardest for Ponting to conquer and as it bobbled along the outfield therewas relief for Australia. In less than a minute Harbhajan was just anotherspinner The day wore on and Ponting grew weary. It was warm and humid and extradrinks came his way, but he had a lot of catching up to do. Before thegame he owned 172 runs in eight Tests in the country; he walked off 49short of doubling the total.Of course the match situation was also vital. He is carrying a young teamand protected them from an exacting first day. It was crucial that Pontingand Simon Katich, half of the players in this squad with previous Testexperience in India, were the pillars of the innings. By steering his sideto 254 for 4, Ponting has eased the immediate expectations on Australia’snovice middle of Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and debutant Cameron White.Usually he swears the milestones mean nothing, but even he could notpretend this wasn’t significant. Century No. 36 will always stand outbecause it filled the only hole in a wonderful batting career. As thekites continued their salutes it was India who were in a flap.