India battle in Bangalore

Sixth-wicket stand gives Australia the edge heading into final day

Last updated: 13th October 2008

India battle in Bangalore

Harbhajan: Leads an appeal for a decision on day four

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First Test Match
Bangalore - Day Four
Australia 430 (M E K Hussey 146, R T Ponting 123, S M Katich 66, Z Khan 5-91, I Sharma 4-77) & 193-5 v India 360 (Z Khan 57 no, Harbhajan Singh 54, R Dravid 51, M G Johnson 4-70)

The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series looks set for a thrilling final day after Australia edged along to 193-5, giving them a lead of 263 over India.

Zaheer Khan made just his second Test half-century as the hosts added 47 runs for the final two wickets before being bowled out for 360.

The tourists laboured along at the start of their second innings, losing wickets at regular intervals on a crumbling pitch to check their progress.

Key partnership

They were indebted to an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 65 between Shane Watson, who finished on 32 not out, and Brad Haddin, the wicketkeeper unbeaten on 28 at the close of play.

The partnership pushed the balance of power back in favour of the Australians, who will now return on the final morning in pole position.

They had struggled throughout the day to take command, though, starting with their bowlers being unable to quickly wrap up the Indian tail.

Zaheer followed up his five-wicket haul with a dogged performance with the bat, striking seven fours in his 57 not out. His only other half-century in Test cricket came against Bangladesh back in 2004.

He was given able support by his skipper, Anil Kumble, who frustrated the bowlers for over an hour before being trapped leg before by all-rounder Watson.

Ishant Sharma faced 31 balls but was the last wicket to fall in the innings, part-time spinner Michael Clarke bowling the number 11 for six.

Australia's hopes of getting off to a good start suffered an early blow when Matthew Hayden was dismissed in dubious circumstances for the second time in the match.

Pedestrian run-rate

After being harshly given out caught behind in the very first over of the match, the opener once again fell to left-armer Zaheer, this time adjudged lbw on 13 despite getting a good stride down the wicket.

From then on the run-rate dropped to a pedestrian pace, Simon Katich scratching around for 34 off 140 balls until finally Harbhajan Singh ended his tortuous progress.

Even captain Ricky Ponting was becalmed, making just 17 before falling to seamer Sharma, who also removed Michael Clarke thanks to a well-disguised slower ball that was chipped straight to short cover.

When Michael Hussey misjudged a 'doosra' from Harbhajan to be bowled for 31, Australia were 128-5 and in danger of being bowled out cheaply.

Watson and Haddin made sure that didn't happen, leaving the game beautifully poised heading to its conclusion.