ADELAIDE, Jan 26: On a day overshadowed by the sudden retirement of Adam Gilchrist, tensions between Australia and India surfaced again on the third day of the fourth and final Test on Saturday.

In reply to India’s 526, the hosts were 322 for three at stumps.

Australia trail by 204 runs and scored just 260 for the day, with Indian batsman Virender Sehwag claiming the home side were running scared and had adopted a safety first attitude.

Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who made his 30th Test century, fired back by saying the Indians deliberately bowled negatively to restrict scoring.

But Hayden said the tactic suited Australia perfectly, as they lead the series 2-1 and are content to settle for a draw.

“I think it is purely a response to the way India decided to bowl,” Hayden said of the slow scoring. “They (the Indians) have very wide tactics and that was indicated by the fact they didn’t want to take the new ball, they just wanted to stop us scoring, which is perfect for us really because all we wanted to do was bat for time in the game,” he added.

“The way they bowled today was perfect for us not to lose the game, Australia are 2-1 up in the series and we definitely want that to stay.”

On the other hand, Sehwag opined that Australia refused to play attacking shots because they were afraid of defeat.

“I think it’s been a great day for India, the bowlers did a great job on a flat track,” he claimed. “I think they’re not going to win so they are scared and playing very defensive.”—AFP