Australia vs India - Day Three's Key Moment

Our photograph shows Ricky Ponting entering the field of play for the first time since much opprobrium poured upon his Baggy Green, not from Poms, but from his own kind - Aussies - less than happy with his captaincy in the volcanic Second Test. He wears an expression of, if not quite fear, certainly apprehension.

After lunch on the third day of the Third Test, Punter opted for Michael Clarke's golden arm - a gamble worth trying - and was rewarded at the other end with Stuart Clark's snaring of the admirable Irfan Pathan, to leave India 160-6 with a lead of 278. With just four wickets left and the lead under 300, here was the opportunity to go for the kill. But instead of whistling up one of his two speedsters, Tait or Lee, on came Mitchell Johnson for a three over spell. Soon Clarke was back on this time partnered by Symonds. Given an attack that would struggle to threaten Derbyshire's batting, VVS and Dhoni predictably steadied the ship and Australia face over 400 to win.

Punter's inexplicable decision to ignore Lee and Tait in a match-turning situation was the key moment of another splendid day's cricket. Some have claimed that the over-rate bothered him (has it before?)  - if so, why bowl just 22 overs in the first session? You don't win as many Tests as Punter without being a good captain, but only captains 100% focussed on the matter at hand can be really effective.   

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]