By James Keith, IANS,
Bangalore : Establishing a reasonable 70-run first innings lead, Australia had made nine for no loss in their second innings at lunch on the fourth day of the first cricket Test at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium here Sunday.
Replying to Australia’s 430, India were bowled out for 360.
In effect, Australia have an overall lead of 79 runs and will be seeking to score in the excess of 250 before having a go at the Indian batsmen in the fourth innings of the match.
Resuming at their overnight 313 for eight, India waged a dogged battle this morning, consuming as many as 85 minutes before Australia wrapped up the innings.
The Indian tail, which showed more character than the top order, batted out 18 crucial overs before left-arm tweaker Michael Clarke brought the curtains down on the innings 35 minutes before lunch. Clarke yorked Ishant Sharma (6, 34 minutes) who played supporting role to the gallant Zaheer Khan (57 not out, 119 minutes, 121 balls, 7×4).
Zaheer, resuming at his overnight 35, went to on score his second Test half century, emerging as the highest scorer of the Indian innings. Harbhajan Singh had made 54.
Left arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson (4 for 70) and all-rounder Shane Watson, who produced the breakthrough in the morning when he had skipper Anil Kumble right in front of the wicket with a ball which broke back into the batsmen, shared the bowling honours for Australia. Watson returned with figures of 3 for 45.
Australia conceded their highest extras (52) in an innings against India, bettering the 45 they had given away in 1986-87 at Mumbai.