Day three action: Australia, overnight on 556 for six, declared 18 runs later as soon as Greg Matthews was out for 44. The intense heat and humidity in Madras must have kept the crowds away because Chepauk like most Test venues back then used to be packed to capacity. But they came in droves on the third day with the expectation of watching local lad K Srikkanth in action. The flamboyant opener did not disappoint as he lashed a quickfire 53 from just 62 balls.



Krishnamachari Srikkanth

Boundaries cheered
Each of his nine boundaries was lustily cheered and for the first time at Chepauk one witnessed banners and posters with witty comments written on them, inspired perhaps by the telecast of India's ODI matches from Australia that year. Facing a huge total, the Indian batsmen struggled in the face of brilliant bowling by off-spinner Greg Matthews supported by veteran left arm spinner Ray Bright. Mohammad Azharuddin (50) and Ravi Shastri (62) also chipped in with half-centuries.