SYDNEY, 19 October 2003 — Ricky Ponting scored an unbeaten century as Australia began to eat away at Zimbabwe’s lead in the second Test yesterday but the home side lost another bowler to injury when Brett Lee tore a stomach muscle.
Ponting was unbeaten on 137 with his captain Steve Waugh on 43 when rain forced an early end to the second day at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia, who won the first Test by an innings and 175 runs, were cruising along at 245 for three in their first innings when play was abandoned 36 minutes before the scheduled close. That left them just 63 runs behind the Zimbabweans who made a respectable 308 after resuming at 256 for eight. But Australia’s fightback was marred by news that Lee had been ruled out of the remainder of the match as well as the tour of India starting later this month.
The Australian paceman was forced to leave the field following his third over of the day yesterday and was later diagnosed with an torn stomach muscle, joining Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Stuart MacGill on the sick list.
Ponting, who will captain the one-day side in India, said Lee’s withdrawal was another major loss to the Australians.
All-rounder Andy Blignaut chanced his arm to score an unbeaten 38 to help Zimbabwe edge past 300 then picked up two early wickets. The medium-pacer got rid of Justin Langer for two with his first delivery before lunch then claimed the prized scalp of Matthew Hayden for 20 in the middle session.
