Australia's slowdown keeps pace with changing times

Tests at Adelaide have a habit of sneaking in a twist, so the epitaph for this match must wait. Meanwhile, Saturday was a day of stalemate. Runs were hard to come by, wickets even harder; but it was old-fashioned Test cricket - slow, grinding and contemplative, and no less absorbing for it.

Australia do not need to win this Test and, with the burden of the winning streak lifted, they can even afford a draw. The lack of urgency from their batsmen might be an unfamiliar sight, but it is also a sign that they are now willing to subjugate themselves to the circumstances.

A number of factors are responsible for the pace of the day today. To start with, India were resourceful and thoughtful. After a listless first hour, they huddled together at the drinks break and found purpose. On the other hand, a few of Australia's batsmen were coming out of a slump and a number of them had been dismissed driving against the swinging ball. It is also possible that, after their stunning loss at Perth, they have found a new respect for their opponents. Nor would it have been lost on them that, at this very venue, they had the paid the price for a series of injudicious strokes against the same opponents four years ago.

The pitch was sluggish, some balls kept low, and India bowled a run-denying line -- a couple of feet outside the off stump -- for substantial periods. In an earlier day, Australians might have made a dash for it, perhaps even succeeded. But they didn't need to take the risk, and ended up scoring under three runs an over, an unthinkable rate on a home pitch. But it was pragmatic. The Gavaskar-Border trophy is already won, but who can blame them for wanting to secure the series?

Matthew Hayden was the most dominant batsman of the day but he didn't dominate in the Matthew Hayden way. There was a charge and miss against Irfan Pathan early on, a lofted one over the head of mid-off and a stand and deliver blast through the off-side late in his innings but otherwise he was measured, even circumspect.

Though Hayden's stroke-making is often savage, there is a monk-like calmness about him as he stands at the crease, eyes wide open and head held still, his attention riveted to the immediate task. Today he even added abstinence to the package. India bowled a touch wide to him to deny him his favourite scoring stroke, the booming drive down the ground, and Hayden was prepared to wait till a ball was close enough to him to force it through the offside.

The power wasn't missing - in fact one sweep off Harbhajan Singh was hit so hard that the fielder at the square-leg boundary had to dive even though the ball was only a couple of metres away from him - but it was a day when the big shots were employed with utmost deliberation.

The Australians had obviously given thought to neutralising the swing and Phil Jaques, who had been caught thrice behind the wicket, came up with his own method, by taking guard on off and middle. This allowed him to leave everything outside his pads and the cut shot, his favourite, didn't come out till the ball was sufficiently short and wide. At Perth, the middle order had been exposed early twice; at Adelaide, Ricky Ponting didn't need to come to bat till the 53rd over.

Ponting's approach was keenly awaited. Not only were Australia chasing a huge total, he was soon facing both his tormentors, Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh. He got off the mark with a nervy, hurried and awkward pull against Anil Kumble that could very well have landed in a fielder's lap but proceeded to play with rare caution. Harbhajan was treated with respect and Sharma was kept out. Irfan Pathan induced a couple of edges but Ponting continued to graft, building his innings in singles and twos. So far, it has been an innings of humility, as has been the Australian performance on a whole in this Test. It shouldn't be taken as a sign of vulnerability; but surely it is an acceptance of changing times.