Kumble: A gentleman cricketer

He is a gentleman of a cricketer, a magnificent contributor to Indian cricket, and truly a great bowler, writes Allan Border.

It was a fantastic day's cricket. Australia started well by winning the toss and getting first use of a wicket that will only deteriorate as the game progresses.

However, even on that typically Indian batting wicket, the Australian batsmen were not allowed to score at their customary rollicking pace. The Indian bowlers toiled hard in adverse conditions and did a fine job for their side. They made the Aussie batsmen fight for every run, and forced them to rethink their strategy.

From trying to hit the bowlers out of the attack, the Australians started trying to wear the bowlers down by occupying the crease, and that is an outstanding achievement on this wicket.

Pathan, Harbhajan and Zaheer had their moments, but to me, Kumble was the pick of the bowlers. He is a gentleman of a cricketer, a magnificent contributor to Indian cricket, and truly a great bowler. It was great to see him take his 400th Test wicket, and I can imagine the celebrations that would have taken place in his hometown and the rest of India, Wednesday night.

Kumble apart, the stand-out performers of the day were the youngsters Simon Katich and the debutant Michael Clarke. Katich was quite exceptional in his handling of the spinners, and Clarke was simply magnificent in his first Test innings.

He showed no nerves, and got down to playing every ball on merit from the moment he took guard. He came in to bat in a difficult situation, with his seniors Martyn and Lehmann having departed in quick succession, but batted quite brilliantly.

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