See you tomorrow for the third day's play at exactly 8.00 a.m. IST.
And that's it. An eventful day comes to an end with both the team taking honours. Fourteen wickets have fallen on day 2. Kohli and Dravid must play big knocks to bail out India from trouble. India still trails Austrlia by 120 runs with three full days to go. Will there be a fightback from the remaining Indian batters or will it be an innings-defeat. Let us wait and see.
15.30 Dravid and Kohli are playing the waiting game and are eager to end the day without losing another wicket. Siddle probes Dravid with his outswinging deliveries and incoming ones. Beautiful over from Siddle comes to an end.
15:27 Testing over from Ryan Harris comes to an end. Pitching around off and moving sharply away, Dravid has no clue. Even the best batters cannot get an edge on that.
15.25 Siddle to continue and Dravid is on strike. Siddle bangs the first ball short and the ball hits Dravid on the hips. Dravid hurries with his defensive shot and plays it safely to the fielder. Siddle is probing Dravid outside the off-stump. Another good over from Siddle and India remains at 86 for 4.
15.20 Hussey continues with Kohli on strike. He takes a single off the first ball of the over. Dravid tries to cut the ball but it went straight to the fielder at gully. Dravid plays a wider ball to the point boundary and takes a single and moves on to 32. At the end of the 29th over it is 86 for 4.
15.15 Siddle continues and Dravid plays a shot through the slip cordon for another four and moves on to 30 and India 78 for 4. Good delivery and equally well played by Dravid. Dravid taps the next ball for a single and moves to 31 and India to 79 for 4. Kohli will face the remaining two ball from Siddle's fifth over. Kohli pulls the ball in front of his eyes and the ball races to the boundary. Kohli is a very good on-side player. Siddle just pitches it short and Kohli quickly on to it and punishes the ball for a four. ONce again Kohli taps the ball on the on-side for a single. At the end of the 28th over it is 84 for 4 with Dravid on 31 and Kohli on 19.
15.10 Clarke brings Mike Hussey into the attack. A surprise change. Dravid plays a shot through the off-side and takes a single to take India to 74 for 4. Beautiful delivery from Hussey. Hussey is bowling according to the plans. It's 74 for 4.
15.05 Clarke bring in Siddle into the attack with Kohli on strike. Both the players' shot selection is really good. Kohli plays a beautiful leg glance and the ball races to the boundary which takes Kohli on to 14 and India to 73 for 4. At the end of the 26th over India still remains precariously at 73 for 4 with Kohli on 14 and Dravid on 26.
15.00 Starc continues and Dravid on strike. Excellent ball from Starc. Dravid plays a beautiful shot on the offside and the ball races to the boundary which takes Dravid to 25 and India to 69 for 4. India still trails by 139 runs and full three days to go. Another excellent delivery which angles across Dravid and misses the bat by inches. The slip cordon, the keeper and bowler all went in tandem with the appeal but the umpire says no. At the end of the 25th over India is still on 69 for 4.
14.55 Kohli plays an excellent shot on the on-side and takes two runs off Hilfenhaus next over. Hilfenhaus tests Kohli on the leg side with inswinging deliveries. At the end of 24 overs it is 65 for 4.
14.50 Clarke brings Starc into the attack. Kohli on strike. Kohli just places the ball in the gap and Warner stops the ball before the boundary line and the Indians have taken two runs and India moves to 58 for 4. Kohli plays the next ball down the ground and the ball races to the boundary. India moves to 62 for 4. India still trails by 146 runs. The big question mark is whether India will make Australia bat again. Kohli taps the ball on the leg side to take a single and moves to 8 and India to 63 for 4. At the end of the 23rd over it is 63 for 4 with Dravid on 21 and Kohli on 8
It is drinks break. Another 14 overs to be bowled today. Will this pair play out the remaining overs, it remains to be seen.
14.45: Hilfenhaus continues and Kohli on strike. Much depends on this pair of Kohli and Dravid. Kohli takes a sharp single to open his account and it's 52 for 4. Dravid glances the ball to the boundary and it's 56 for 4. Dravid moves to 21.
14.40 Will the match over in under three days or Indians can put up a fight? We will have to wait. Starc continues and Dravid on strike. Dravid plays a solid defensive shot. Another beautiful delivery from Starc which hurries Dravid to play the ball with soft hands. Another good over from Mitchell Starc and India remains at 51 for 4.
Virat Kohli comes to the middle. Good over from Hilfenhaus and India remain precariously at 51 for 4.
14.35 Hilfenhaus continues and Laxman. Laxman gone and it is easy wicket for Hilfenhaus. Laxman edges the ball to the slip cordon and is well taken by Marsh and it's 51 for four. the same old story continues in the second innings also.
14.30 Starc continues and Dravid is on strike. Dravid punches the ball through the off-side and take three runs and the score moves to 51 for three. Starc is bowling beautifully in this innings. He has taken two important wickets that of Gambhir and Tendulkar. A very good short ball from Starc and Dravid dugs under it. At the end of the 19th over it is 51 for 3 with Dravid on 17 and Laxman yet to get off the mark.
14.25 Hilfenhaus brought into the attack with Dravid on strike. Dravid slashes hard at the ball and it races to the cover boundary for four and Dravid moves to 12 and India to 46 for 3. Once again a bad ball from Hilfenhaus. Dravid cuts the ball and takes two comfortable runs and it's 48 for 3.
V.V.S. Laxman comes out to the middle. India still trails by 166 runs.
14.20 Starc gets the little master. A fuller length ball struck Tendulkar in front and the ball just came in and the replay shows the ball hits the top of the leg stump and once again the chance goes abegging for Tendulkar.India once again in deep trouble and it's 42 for 3. Starc strike once again in his second over. Actually Tendulkar is not happy with the decision.
14.15 Siddle to continue and Tendulkar is on strike. Tendulkar moves forward and goes through with his shot and takes a single.Tendulkar looks for the second run but is rightly sent back by Dravid. Siddle bowls right on the stumps which gives no leverage for swing of arms from neither Dravid nor Tendulkar. An excellent over from Peter Siddle and India remains at 42 for 2.
14.10 Harris to continue and Tendulkar on strike. On to the pads Tendulkar plays an excellent shot and is well-fielded by Siddle. Tendulkar settles for two. It's 40 for 2. Once again Tendulkar flicks off his pads and takes a single. At the end of of 15th over India moves to 41 for 2 with Dravid on 8 and Tendulkar on 7.
14.05 Siddle continues and Tendulkar is on strike. Tendulkar slashes hard at the ball and it races to the boundary. Tendulkar opens his account with the four and India moves to 37 for 2. Siddle bowls a beautiful delivery, Tendulkar offers no shot and the ball hits the pad and the loud shout for LBW is turned down by umpire Kumar Dharmasena. Tendulkar plays a defensive shot and it misses the stumps and Tendulkar takes a single and it's 38 for 2.
14.00 Both the batsmen have to get off their mark. It is Harris from the other end. One over for Starc. It is quite interesting tactics from Michael Clarke. India still trails by 183 runs. Dravid slashes hard at the ball and it races to the boundary and it's 29 for 2. Dravid opens his account with the four. Beaufitul delivery from Harris, Dravid plays it with soft hands and it once again reaches the boundary. Dravid moes to 8 and it is 33 for 2. Dravid edges the ball to the slip cordon. Harris probes Dravid outside the off stump.
It brings Sachin Tendulkar to the middle. Once again million of Indian fans awaits his 100th international century. Will he score this time..... Is this match heading for a three day finish. Very good delivery to Tendulkar to start with. Siddle induces Tendulkar forward and the ball just went past the bat and through to the keeper. Excellent over from Siddle and India remains at 25 for 2.
13.55 Michael Clarke bring Peter Siddle into the attack. Change at both the ends. Clarke used his bowlers intelligently in the first innings. Sehwag is on strike. Sehwag plays the first ball with soft hands to the gully fielder. And he is gone. Once again the same pitched up delivery from Siddle which brings the downfall of Sehwag. Sehwag plays the ball and the edge is taken gleefully by the keeper Haddin and it is 25 for 2. And the poor form of Sehwag continues...
It is Rahul Dravid now at the crease. Will Dravid play his waiting game? Once again a beautiful delivery from Starc, Dravid plays it safely. Starc bowls Dravid on his strength i.e. on the leg side. Dravid is completely out of form in this series. Will this be the big occasion for him? A good over from Starc. And it is 24 for 1.
13.50 A bowling change from the other end. It is Starc replaces Harris and Sehwag pats the ball on the leg side for a single. A good short ball takes the wicket of Gambhir. Starc stuns Gambhir with the short ball. Gambhir is completely off-balance while playing the shot and he is well taken by Hussey in the gully. the first wicket falls for India. Starc strikes in his first over. India 23 for 1 with Gambhir gone.
13.45: Hilfenhaus continues and Sehwaag on strike. India still trail Australia by 186 runs. Sehwag pats the ball on the leg-side and it went straight to the fielder. A defensive shot from Sehwag fetches him a single and he moves on to 9 and India to 23 for no loss. India remains at 23 for no loss.
13.40 Harris continues and immediately beats Sehwag. Sehwag plays a defensive shot. What a scene to watch. Perfect behind the line of the ball he plays straight to the bowler. Inside edge on to the bat Sehwag takes a single and India moves to 22 for no loss. Harris now comes around the wicket to Gambhir for change of angle. Good take from Haddin. At the end of the 9th over India remains at 22 for no loss.
13.30 Gambhir leaves the first ball from Harris through to the keeper. Gambhir taps the ball through the slip cordon and the ball races to the boundary and he moves to 14 and India to 20 for no loss. Harris bowls a good short one to Gambhir and he dugs under the ball. At the end of 7 overs, India remains at 20 for no loss with Gambhir on 14 and Sehwag on 6.
13.27 Hilfenhaus continues with Sehwag on strike. Sehwag plays the first ball with soft hands to the point fielder. Sehwag plays a defensive shot with a straight bat. India trails Australia by 192 runs. Excellent delivery to end the over and India remains at 16 for no loss.
13.25 Gambhir plays the first ball of Harris' over to the leg gully with soft hands. Harris probes Gambhir outside the off stump. Maiden over from Harris India remains at 16 for no loss.
13.20 Hilfenhaus continues and Sehwag is on strike. Sehwag slashes the ball outside the off-stump and the ball races to the boundary and it is first boundary for Sehwag in this match. India moves to 16 for no loss. Wild swish from Sehwag and the ball misses his bat and goes through to the keeper Haddin. Good bowling from Hilfenhaus. At the end of four overs India remains at 16 for no loss with Gambhir on 10 and Sehwag on 6.
13.16 Harries continues and Sehwag is on strike. Sehwag plays the next ball with soft hands and takes a quick single which takes him to 2 and India to 12 for no loss. Beautifully bowled delivery by Harris. Gambhir plays and misses and lucky not to have edged the ball to the keeper. Next ball hits Gambhir on the thigh and the ball balloons and is taken by the fine-leg fielder and appeal is turned down by umpire Aleem Dar. It is indeed a good over from Harris.
13.13 Hilfenhaus starts the proceedings form the other end and Sehwag takes a quick single of the first ball. Gambhir on strike and leaves the ball to the keeper. Gambhir beautifully plays the shot through the point and the ball races to the boundary. Gambhir scores his second boundary and it's 11 for no loss. It is surprising because Gambhir is on 10 and Sehwag on 1. At the end of the second over it's 11 for no loss.
India starts their second innings and at the end of the first over it is 6 for no loss still trailing by 202 runs.
And see you after tea time.
And it is >tea time . Good session for India as they bundled Australia out for 369. Australia were once 214 for no loss but a spirited performance from the Indian bowlers particularly Zaheer, Umesh and Ishant saw Australia bundled out for 369. The hard work done by the bowlers will have to be carried on by the batsmen. We will wait and watch.
Sehwag continues with Hilfenhaus on strike. He comes down the track and tries to hit the ball outside the park. But Hilfenhaus got an underedge and the ball went straight to Virat Kohli at long-on. Australia were all out for 369.
12.45 Vinay Kumar comes from the other end. Starc is on strike. Vinay kumar bowls a beautiful delivery to Starc just missing the outside edge and through to the keeper Dhoni. Starc whips the ball on the on-side and takes a single to move on to 15 and Australia to 364 for 9. Hilfenhaus smashes the ball on the off-side and the ball races to the boundary. The lead is now 207 and Austrlia 368 for 9. Hilfenhaus takes a single of the last ball and Australia moves to 369 for 9. These are useful runs for Australia as they increases their stranglehold on the Indians.
Sehwag continues and Hilfenhaus on strike. Hilfenhaus pushes the ball to the long-on for a single and the lead now is 201 runs. Another sharp single from the Australians. Third umpire has been called for but Starc is safe and it is 363 for 9.
Can India bundle out Australia before Tea? Only one wicket remains and it is fairly good lead by the Australians. The last man comes out and it is Ben Hilfenhaus. Beautiful bowling by Umesh Yadav. Starc drives the ball straight down the ground for a four and the lead is now 200 runs. Australia 361 for 9.
12.36 Umesh Yadav continues and it will be last over before Tea. Harris is on strike. Good short pitch ball from Umesh, Harris tries to hook the ball but the top-edge takes the ball to Gambhir who completes the formalities with a simple catch. And it is a five-wicket haul from Umesh Yadav. Australia 357 for 9.
12.35 Sehwag continues and Harris takes a single and it's 357 for 8. Good over from Sehwag. Only one run scored and Australia 357 for 8 with both the batsmen are on 9.
12.30 Umesh continues and Starc is on strike. Umesh bowled beautifully today by taking four wickets. Umesh bowls a probing line outside the off-stump for Starc. At the end of 72 overs Australia remains at 356 for 8.
12.25 Dhoni brings Sehwag into the attack. Harris is on strike. Harris pats the ball to the fine-leg and comfortably takes two runs. It is useful runs for Australia which increases their lead by 195. Australia remains at 356 for 8.
Is the same old story continues for India like Melbourne where the tail-enders played a pivotal role for Australia to win the game.
12.20 Vinay Kumar continues from the other end with Starc on strike. Starc pushes the ball on the on-side and the Australians runs four. And it is 350 up for Australia. Ishant doing well to stop the ball. Starc beautifully plays the next ball for four and it is 354 for 8.
Mitchell Starc comes in and straightaway off the mark. Ryan Harris takes a couple of the next ball and it is 346 for 8. Pitched up to Harris and he plays it safely and Australia remains at 346 for 8.
12.15 Umesh Yadav continues the attack with Siddle on strike. Beautiful delivery from Umesh Yadav and beats Siddle and he is bowled. Pitching up Umesh rips through the defence of Siddle and he takes his fourth wicket of the innings. Australia 343 for 8.
Ryan Harris is the new man in. Harris is off the mark straightaway with a couple. Australia 341 for 7. Harris whips the ball on the on-side and takes another couple and moves to 4. A fairly good over from Vinay Kumar and Australia remains 343 for 7.
12.10 Vinay Kumar continues the attack and Hussey on strike. Vinay Kumar strikes with the first ball of the new over. Hussey cuts the ball hard and the ball went straight to Sehwag at the gully. It is the first wicket for Vinay Kumar. Australia 339 for 7 with Hussey's dismissal.
Now Australia moves to 337 for 6. Siddle pushes the ball from Yadav to the leg-side and takes two runs and he moves on to 30. Yadav bowls a fuller length delivery to Siddle. Siddle plays a defensive shot. At the end of 67 overs it is 339 for 6.
Yadav brought into the attack.
Just a few minutes, I will be right back for live coverage.
12.00 Dhoni brings in Vinay Kumar into the attack. Siddle is on strike. Siddle edges the ball through the vacant slip cordon for a four. Australia moves to 330 for 6. Siddle whips the next ball on the on-side and takes three runs and he is looking dangerous now at the crease. India has to rethink its strategies to take his wicket. A loud shout for LBW turned down by umpire Aleem Dar
11.55 It is Zaheer from the other end. Dhoni depends on the more crafty bowler in the Indian side. Hussey pushes the ball to the point and takes a quick single and moves on to 13. Australia leads India by 164 runs. Can India restrict the lead to 200? Zaheer comes round the wicket for change of the angle. Siddle pushes the ball on the leg-side and takes a single and moves to 18. Beautiful delivery from Zaheer. Zaheer angles in the ball to Hussey and hits him on the stomach. At the end of 65 overs it is 326 for 6 with Hussey on 13 and Siddle on 18.
11.50 Ishant continues and Siddle on strike. Beautifully bowled delivery. Siddle nudges the ball forward and gets an inside edge which misses the stumps and races to the boundary. Australia moves to 320 for 6 with Siddle on 13 and Hussey on 12. Siddle whips the ball on the leg-side and it is another four. Siddle looking dangerous. He moves quickly to 17. Australia 324 for 6 at the end of 64 overs.
11.45 Zaheer Khan continues and starts with a short delivery to Siddle. Beautiful shot from Siddle and he takes two runs and Australia moves to 313 for 6. Another beautiful shot from Siddle and this time he takes three runs and Australia moves to 316 for 6.
11.40 Ishant continues and Hussey on strike. Hussey guides the ball to the fine-leg for a boundary. Australia leads India by 150 runs. At the end of the 62nd over Australia is on 311 for 6 with Hussey on 12 and Siddle on 4.
Ujwal Deole says "With four wickets, there is some semblance of respite for Indian cricket fans. Indian economy is down for quite long, the Indian team is the only thing they can hang on to!"
Peter Siddle comes in next with Zaheer and Ishant on fire. Siddle plays a good shot and the ball races to the boundary. Siddle off the mark with the four and it's 307 for 6.
11.35 Zaheer continues and he takes the wicket of Brad Haddinwith the first ball of the over. Once again a beautiful delivery which pitches up and swings and Haddin just edges the ball to the keeper Dhoni. Another wicket from Zaheer and it's 303 for 6. Can India bounce back from this position?
11.30 Ishant continues the attack from the other end with Hussey on strike. Ishant bowls a bouncer to Hussey. And Australia leads India by 140 runs. Ishant probes Hussey outside the off-stump in this over. Hussey drives through the mid-on and takes a couple and it's 303 for 5. Hussey moves to 8. The ball just falls short of Dravid in the third slip. Hussey edges the ball from Ishant to the slip cordon but it bounces in front of Dravid. At the end of 60 overs Australia 303 for 5 with Hussey on 8 and Haddin yet to open his account.
It's Brad Haddin in the crease. First ball he faces was a beauty from Zaheer. At the end of the 59th over it is 301 for 5 with Brad Haddin on 0 and Mike Hussey on 6.
11.24 Zaheer continues and it is Clarke on strike. Clarke plays the first ball straight to the mid-off fielder. Zaheer changes his angle coming round the wickets. And that's it. The change of angle from Zaheer does the magic. Clarke tries to play the defensive shot and the ball knicks the bat and Dhoni gleefully accepts the catch. Zaheer strikes and it is the dangerman Clarke. Australia now is 301 for 5. Indian bowlers are bowling in the right areas and taking wickets.
11.18 Ishant continues and Hussey on strike. Ishant bowls a probing line to Hussey. With the dismissal of David Warner, Indians can now bounce back and restrict the Australians. The last ball of the 58th over, Hussey smashes the ball to the cover boundary for a four and Australia crosses the 300-mark and it's 301 for 4.
11.15 Zaheer continues and it is Hussey on strike. A mis-field from Sehwag enables Hussey to take a single. Dhoni adopts a strong off-side field. A margin of error by the bowler on the leg side will be smashed for boundary. Good ball from Zaheer. The ball angles across Clarke and through to the keeper. It's 297 for four at the end of 57 overs.
Mike Hussey, the local man comes to the crease. Clarke takes a single off the next ball and it's 291 for 4. Clarke moves to 14 with Hussey yet to open his account. An attacking field by Dhoni. A good carry to the keeper. Ishant angling across the left-hander which Hussey leaves alone. Hussey plays a beautiful delivery from Ishant to the leg side and takes a single. The ball hit the bat and pad and balloons in the vacant short-leg area. Once again a outside edge for four. This time Clarke edges the ball to the vacant third slip and the ball races to the boundary. It's 296 for 4.
11.05 Ishant continues and Warner on strike. Warner smashes the ball but it went high up in the air and Umesh Yadav completes the catch. Wonderful innings comes to an end. Good catch by the young man. Australia moves to 290 for four. Ishant finally takes a wicket that too of Warner who smashed him all around the park.
11.00 Zaheer continues and Clarke on strike. Australia leads India by 117 runs. Wonderful bowling from Zaheer and the ball beats Clarke. Clarke takes a quick single and brings Warner on strike. Warner smashes the ball into the ground and it is six once more. It is the fifth sixth of the match. He moves on to 175. and it's 285 for three. Warner doesn't want to let go the momentum. Once again Warner cuts powerfully to the off-side for another boundary. He moves on to 179. Warner takes a quick single and it's 290 for three.
10.55: Ishant continues and Warner on strike. Wide delivery to start with. Warner pushes the ball to the mid-off region and takes a single which takes him to 169. It is a beautiful ball from Ishant which takes the outside edge of Clarke but runs away for four and it's 277 for three. Clarke pats the ball for a single which takes him to 12. Warner just tries to smash the ball but misses it completely and the ball whistles over the stumps to the keeper. It's 278 for three with Warner on 169 and Clarke on 12.
10.53: Zaheer Khan continues and Clarke on strike. Clarke finds the gap on the off-side and it is the first boundary for the Australian captain and he moves to 7. Zaheer bowls a splendid off-cutter to Michael Clarke and hits him on the stomach. It's 272 for three.
10.48 Ishant continues with Warner on strike. Warner slashes the first ball but misses it completely and taken by Dhoni behind the stumps. Warner cuts the ball and work for Tendulkar in the deep and Warner takes two runs and moves on to 160. Once again Warner smashes the ball but this time the ball races to the boundary and moves to 164. It's 264 for three. and the lead goes past 100. Another four from Warner this time through the point boundary and moves to 168 and it's 268 for three at the end of 52 overs.
10.45 Dhoni brings Zaheer into the atatck. Warner pats the ball on the on-side and takes a single and moves on to 158. Michael Clarke is on strike to Zaheer. Zaheer is bowling beautifully this morning and should have taken the wicket of Warner but Kohli puts it down in the first slip. It is 258 for three.
10.35 The umpires and fielders are back in the field. Indians are in a huddle. Will the Indians regroup together and restrict Australia within 350 or so? But they have to take the wicket of Warner early. Ishant bowls the first over after lunch with Warner on strike. Ishant bowls a beauty and beats Warner with an angliing ball outside the off-stump. Warner takes the first run after lunch break and it is 257 for three.
Welcome back to the live updates. (post-lunch session)
So see you after lunch i.e. at 10.30 a.m. Australia leads India by 95 runs.
>It is lunch . The Indians had a mixed session on the field. If Kohli have taken the sitter it would have been a perfect lunch for the Indians. Umesh struck three telling blows before lunch and Australia from 149 for no loss (Day 1) moved to 256 for three. Indians bowled very well today particularly Zaheer khan and Umesh Yadav.
9.55 Umesh continues and it will be last over before lunch. Warner on strike. Warner whips the ball to the fine-leg and takes a single and moves to 155. Australia 254 for three. Well stopped by Sehwag in the gully and Clarke takes a single and Australia to 255 for three. Umesh now comes over the wicket to Warner. Warner takes a single of the fifth ball of 49th over. Australia moves to 256 for three. And it remains at 256 for three.
9.50 Vinay Kumar continues and Warner on strike. Vinay angles the ball in to Warner and an half-hearted appeal from the bowler. Warner whips the ball the fine-leg and takes comfortable two and moves on to 153. Australia 252 for three. Warner cuts the next ball to Tendulkar and a single is taken comfortably and he moves to 154 and it is 253 for three. Clarke to face the last ball of 48th over and plays defensively to mid-off fielder.
9.45 Umesh to continue and Warner (146) on strike. Umesh coming round the wickets to Warner. Warner taps the ball on the leg-side and takes two quick runs. It is excellent running by the Australians. He moves to 148. What an extra-drive from Warner and he takes three runs. These three runs brings the 150 for Warner and what an innings from this man. Clarke is off the mark with the two. At the end of 47 overs it is 250 for three (Warner on 151, Clarke 2)
9.41 Vinay Kumar continues with Warner on strike. A wide delivery. Warner pushes the ball to long-off and takea a single. This brings Clarke on strike. Dhoni sets an attacking field for Clarke. It is time that Yadav and Zaheer bowl in tandem. Beautiful delivery from Vinay which misses the stumps by inches and it is 243 for three.
Michael Clarke comes in. Umesh Yadav who is on song bowls a beautiful delivery to him and Clarke pats the ball the mid-on fielder.
9.35 Umesh continues the attack. Ricky Ponting on strike. Attacking field by Dhoni. Ponting plays a very good shot through the point and gets his first four of the innings which takes him to 7 and Australia to 242 for 2. Beautiful delivery from Umesh. A fuller length ball and Ponting plays carefully. Umesh strikes once again and it is now Ponting. The ball just scrapes through his defence and Ponting is comprehensive bowled. Umesh is on song. Australia 242 for 3. Umesh has taken all the wickets that has fallen in the morning. One wonders why Dhoni has not given the ball to him to share with Zaheer.
9.30 Vinay Kumar continues. Warner plays the first ball of the next over to the mid-wicket and takes a comfortable two runs. Beaufitul delivery from Vinay and Warner pushes the ball to the long-off and takes a single. Now crowd eagerly awaits as Ponting takes strike. He is off the mark straightway with a comfortable three. and Australia moves to 236 for 2. Warner plays the ball on the on-side for another couple and it is 238 for 2. (Warner 145 and Ponting 3)
The former Australian captain Ricky Ponting comes to the crease .
9.27 Umesh to continue and Warner on strike. Warner strikes the first ball of Umesh over to mid-off and takes a comfortable single and moves to 140. Will Warner hit his double century? Lucky four runs for Marsh as the ball misses the stumps by inches and the ball races to the boundary. Umesh gets his second wicket of the morning and Marsh is gone. Laxman in the slips takes a good catch and India takes their second wicket and it is 230 for 2. Marsh poor form in the series continues....
9.25 Vinay Kumar continues and Warner on strike. Warner takes an easy single of the first ball and moves to 139. It is 225 for one for Australia. At the 3end of 42 overs Australia remains at 225 for one and good over from Vinay Kumar.
9.20 Umesh Yadav continues and Marsh on strike. Marsh glides the ball through the on-side for his first boundary. Australia moves to 222 for 1 (double Nelson). Umesh now comes over the wicket for Marsh. Interesting indeed. This is the highest score for Marsh (5) in this series. Another bad delivery and Marsh guides the ball on the on-side and takes a couple of runs to move on to 7. Australia 224 for one.
9.10 Dhoni brings in Vinay Kumar with Warner on strike. Kohli fields the next ball at point. Vinay brings the ball in to Warner and the ball skids through and hits Warner and the physio is on the field to assist him. Warner is ready after getting treatment in his elbow. Warner smashes the next ball for three runs and Australia moves to 217 for 1. It brings Marsh, the local boy, on strike. Marsh is off the mark and Australia moves to 218 for 1. (Warner 138, Marsh 1).
It is Shaun Marsh at no.3. He is not in good form. Will this break brings the Indians back in the game. A good over from Umesh Yadav as he gets a wicket. It is 214 for 1.
9.05 Will the drinks break bring fortunes for India? It is Umesh Yadav and Warner on strike. Warner smashes the short pitched delivery through the point for a boundary. Warner taps the next ball to the point for a single and he moves to 135 and Cowan on 74. Australia 214 for no loss. At last it is a breakthrough for India and Cowan goes. Umesh Yadav brings the ball in and Cowan tries to play it on the offside but gets an inside edge and the ball goes through to hit the stumps. It is 214 for 1.
8.58 Cowan plays the first ball of Sehwag's over for a boundary. Cowan moves to 73. Sehwag appeals and umpire is unmoved. Cowan cuts the next ball to deep point and takes a single. Short pitched ball and Warner plays the ball and takes a single. Australia 209 for no loss and it is drinks. In the 15 overs of the morning session, Australia scores 60 runs. Australians are up by 48 runs.
8.55 Umesh Yadav replaces Zaheer Khan. Warner on strike. He smashes the ball over the covers and takes a comfortable three. Umesh pitches the ball up and Warner goes through with his shot. It is really bad bowling from Umesh. Cowan pulls the next ball to the boundary and Australian on song. Australia reaches 200 runs in just 36.2 overs. It is 202 for no loss. Warner on 129 and Cowan on 68. Cowan takes a single off the next ball and once again Warner on strike. At the end of 37 overs Australia moves to 203 for no loss (Cowan 69 and Warner 129)
8.50 Sehwag continues and Cowan on strike. Cowan punches the ball and takes a couple . The throw is not good enough and the ball bounces awkwardly in front of Dhoni and Cowan survives. A good over from Sehwag only two runs and it is 195 for no loss.
8.45 Zaheer the best bowler in the Indian attack continues. W hat a nightmare for the bowler, Kohli drops a sitter. The ball just angling in and takes the outside edge and Kohli a good fielder drops a sitter. Warner survives. Zaheer bowling beautifully bears the brunt. Indian agony continues..... Warner drives firmly straight to Gambhir at covers. An eventful over from Zaheer and Australia remains at 193 for no loss.
8.43 Dhoni brings Sehwag into the attack. Interesting change. Are Indians really missing Ashwin or Ojha? Cowan plays a shot to fine leg and takes a couple of runs and he moves on to 58 and Australia to 189 for no loss. Widish delivery and Cowan cuts the ball through the point for a boundary. It is indeed a bad ball bowling outside the off stump giving width for the batsman. At the end of 34 overs it is 193 for no loss with Cowan on 62 and Warner on 126.
8.40 With the way Australians are batting, Dhoni has to rethink his strategies. Zaheer continues and Cowan on strike. Outside edge and doesn't carry to Sehwag at gully. Wonderful delivery from Zaheer. Zaheer induces Cowan to play the shot and the ball misses the outside edge. Next ball Cowan glances the ball to the fine leg and takes a single. Australia 187 for no loss. Well bowled by Zaheer and a very good over.
8.35 Ishant continues and Wwarner plays the ball on the off-side and Gambhir stops the ball by diving to his left. Ishant bowls a probing length to Cowan in this over. Cowan whips the ball off his hips and Vinay Kumar fields and a single is taken which moves Australia to 182 for no loss. . Warners just smashes the ball over the mid-wicket for another boundary. Australia moves to 186 for no loss with Warner on 126 and Cowan on 55.
8.30 Zaheer continues. Cowan and Warner are playing contrasting cricket. Cowan plays a waiting game and Warner just smashes the bowler all around the park. Cowan runs the next ball to the third-man and takes a couple to move on to 53 and it is 180 for no loss. Next ball is a beauty from Zaheer which just misses the outside edge of Cowan. Cowan takes a single of the last ball of 31 overs. Australia 181 for no loss (Cowan 54 and Warner 122).
8.25 Ishant to continue and Warner on strike. Ishant now coming around the wickets. Warner smashes the first ball of over to the mid-off boundary for a beautiful six. It is his third six of the innings. Warners plays the next ball to the mid-on and takes a quick single and moves on to 122. For Cowan Ishant comes over the wicket and angles the ball away from the left-hander. Cowan plays a defensive shot and it is a mis-field in the covers and he easily takes a single and moves on 51. Ishant finishes the over with a beautiful delivery to Warner. The ball just misses the bat and through to Dhoni. Australia remains at 178 for no loss.
8.20 Zaheer continues and Cowan on strike. Zaheer bowls a probing length to Cowan. Cowan plays a shot through point and reaches his half-century. It is the second fifty of Cowan's career. Just two runs of the over and it is 170 for no loss.
8.15 It is Warner on strike and Ishant continues. Good delivery to start the over from Ishant. Good delivery, good leave and good carry to the keeper Dhoni. Indians are bowling much better this morning but they have to bowl in the right areas to get wickets. Warner smashes the next ball through the mid-off boundary for a four. An interesting statistics Australia has scored more than 500 runs without losing a wicket since Sydney Test match . At the end of 28 overs it is 168 for no loss with Warner on 115 and Cowan on 48.
8.10 Zaheer continues and Warner goes through with the shot and it beats the point fielder to reach the bounday. Warner scores his first boundary of the morning and moves to 108. Warner pushes the next ball to Umesh Yadav at mid-off. Warner times his shot to the leg side and takes three runs comfortably and Australia leads India by three runs. Cowan plays a defensive shot and still on 48. Zaheer ends the over and it is 164 for no loss.
8.08 Warner on 104 and Cowan on 46. Ishant from the other end just angles the first ball of the over across Cowan and Dhoni collects it. Cowan once again leaves the ball alone outside the off-stump. An outswinger to the left-hander. Indian bowlers has to attack on the first session. Cowan just taps the ball to the square leg and Zaheer fields. Cowan takes couple of runs and moves on to 48. Australia moves to 157 for no loss.
8.05 Zaheer Khan bowls a beautiful delivery which hits the outside edge of Cowan and runs away through the slips for the first four of the morning. Australia moves to 154 for no loss. Cowan just taps Zaheer on the on-side for a single. Zaheer just angles the ball into Warner and he just plays it safely to the point fielder. Australia remains at 155 for no loss.
8.00 Ishant starts the proceedings with Cowan on strike. Australia trails by just 12 runs. Beautiful delivery from Ishant just hitting the bat and first run taken of the morning and Cowan moves to 41. and it is 150 for Australia. Australia remains 150 for no loss.
The plays starts with the players are in the ground.
An interesting tweet from Manikantan Menon is "Are we still alive".
We will wait and see. The game starts exactly at 8.00 a.m. IST.
A PTI report quoted Lara as saying on >Indian captain Dhoni “I think he deserves a chance. He had success in the World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the 50 over games. I think given his achievements so far, he deserves another chance and everyone should come out and support him.”
Will it be a repeat of Melbourne and Sydney or be different. Millions of Indian fans expect a turnaround by this beleaguered side. Can the Indian bowlers led by Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma skittle out Australia early and try to make a match of it. Or will it be the same old story of Australia decimating India as happened in Melbourne and Sydney. >India having lost >6 matches abroad including four in >England will have to make a match out of this.
An interesting statistics. Australia has scored more than 700 runs losing only a wicket right from the Sydney Test till Day one of >Perth Test .
Premjit Lakshminarayan says "Is this a T-20 game ? M.S why wait till 2013 ? What about the golden oldies retirement plans. Rohit Sharma - wait for only few more years please."
Let us have a look of what happened on Day one as a >slideshow .
Australia takes the >first day's honours convincingly having bowled out India for a meagre 161. In reply, David Warner makes a stunning century and Australia at close were 149 for no loss. You want to have a look at Day one proceedings >click here .
Welcome to the live updates of Day two of the third Test match at WACA, Perth.
