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Plays of the day
Milestone in pink
Cricinfo staff
December 27, 2007
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Adam Gilchrist equalled Ian Healy's Australian record of 395 dismissals while wearing pink gloves in support of the fight against breast cancer
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Mark of respect
Adam Gilchrist was wearing two significant accessories on day two. A black armband marked the tragic death of family friend William Rowe, who was beaten with his own cricket bat in a tragic end to a beach game with his family in Western Australia on Christmas Day.
In the pink
The second splash of colour Gilchrist provided was with his pink gloves, which are being used to support the fight against breast cancer. With each catch Gilchrist earned $18,000 for the charity and by the end of the day he had raised $72,000 and equalled Ian Healy's Australian record of 395 dismissals.
Lucky man
Rahul Dravid scratched five in 66 balls as opener, but there were too many incidents for it to be a dull display. Before he scored Dravid was reprieved twice, first by Phil Jaques, who missed a difficult chance in the cordon, and then by Mitchell Johnson's no-ball. Johnson had enticed an edge that was captured comfortably by Matthew Hayden at first slip and the Australian huddle had almost broken up when news of Billy Bowden's call came through. Dravid also benefited from a tight lbw decision against Stuart Clark, but could not survive the second one and was finally removed.
Magic milestone
Brett Lee stepped up another rung on the list of Australian Test bowlers with his 250th wicket in his 62nd match. However, the landmark dismissal came with a delay as the umpires discussed whether Anil Kumble's edge had carried to Adam Gilchrist. It had and Lee became the sixth Australian to the milestone. "To be in the 250 club is fantastic and I'm very proud," he said. "When the times are going good you have to look back and think: 'I did spend 18 months away from the side.' You appreciate the hard times and it makes you really appreciate the good times."
Venomous bite
Lee was quick for most of the day but a couple of searing bouncers knocked the Indians off their feet. The delivery that got rid of VVS Laxman was a brute at around 145kph, striking the glove and sending him tumbling. Later in the day, Lee unleashed a super-quick one at Harbhajan Singh. It thudded into his chest and rendered him breathless for a few seconds. It prompted a guffaw from Ricky Ponting but Lee was intent on getting back to his mark at the earliest.
Bowden's first aid
It wasn't just the crooked finger that came out today for Billy Bowden, there was also a slightly crocked leg. The Indian team physio, John Gloster, ran out to inspect Sachin Tendulkar mid-way through the day and was surprised to see Bowden run up for some treatment. Bowden seemed to have a problem with his leg, needing a couple of minutes before he was fine again
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