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Australia v India, 2nd Test, Sydney, 3rd day
Lee looks forward to 'cracking finish'
Peter English at the SCG
January 4, 2008
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Brett Lee was pleased to finally get his name on the board in the SCG change-rooms thanks to his five-wicket haul
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Australia will face the most important session of the match on Saturday morning when they try to wrest back control after India took a 69-run first innings lead. Brett Lee, who captured 5 for 119 as India reached 532, predicted two "cracking days" to finish an absorbing encounter that was highlighted by centuries to Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.
"The first session of day four will be the most important of the Test and will set up the whole game," Lee said. "If we lose a few wickets that will be in India's favour. If we can score some quick runs, be none-down at lunch, it's definitely going to be in our favour."
Australia will resume at 0 for 13 and are in the strange situation of having to play catch-up as they try to equal the world record of 16 consecutive victories. However, Lee is more concerned about getting into a position to add to their innings win in Melbourne than worrying about joining Steve Waugh's side.
"The incentive is to try to win a Test and go two-up in the series," he said. "If we are lucky enough to win on the last day and get 16 wins that would be great."
The home bowlers, who were forced to toil, were led superbly by Lee on day three as he took care of Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Anil Kumble before finishing the innings with the caught and bowled of Ishant Sharma. "It was great to take five wickets and finally get my name on the board in the SCG change rooms," he said. "It was pretty hard work, it was pretty hot out there. We tried a bit too hard in the middle session when the wickets weren't coming."
Despite being 56 behind, Lee is confident Australia can recover. "We are in a great spot, both teams can win from this situation," Lee said. "Now the mind games and tactics start, that's the reason why we all play. The next two days promise to be two cracking days."
Peter English is the Australasia editor of Cricinfo
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