Melbourne, Dec 28: Australia have taken a 230-run lead against India with two wickets still left in their second innings on Day 3 of the first Test being played between the two sides at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was a day of fluctuating fortunes as India were first bowled out for 282, but then fought back to reduce the Australians to 179 for eight in the hosts’ second innings.

The visitors had a horrid first session as Ben Hilfenhaus removed Rahul Dravid (68) off the second ball of the day and then went on to take the wickets of Virat Kohli (11), MS Dhoni (6) and Ishant Sharma (11) to complete a five-wicket haul in the innings. R Ashwin showed some resistance with a feisty 35-ball 31 but Siddle eventually got rid of him after he had snagged VVS Laxman’s (2) wicket. And with James Pattinson bowling Zaheer Khan (4), the Indians were guilty of throwing away the advantage they had earned by ending Day 2 at 214 for three.

Umesh Yadav once again proved his mettle by taking three quick wickets to bring India right back into the game. The Indian pacer removed David Warner (5), Ed Cowan (8) and Shaun Marsh (3) in the space of 15 deliveries to reduce the hosts to 24 for three within the 12th over. Cowan’s dismissal was the pick of Yadav’s first three wickets; the opener offered no shot to a delivery he thought would move away after pitching, but which swung back in to strike him plumb in front of his stumps.

Ishant Sharma then got Michael Clarke (1) to inside edge a delivery onto his stumps to reduce the Aussies to 27 for four in 12.5 overs.

Michael Hussey joined Ricky Ponting in the middle at this crucial stage and the two veteran batsmen got together to put the hosts’ second innings back on track. The pair struck an aggressive partnership (115 runs off 27.3 overs); India captain MS Dhoni was perhaps guilty of spreading out the field too early in response to the partnership. Ponting reached his half-century off 84 deliveries while Hussey scored his off 73.

Zaheer Khan finally managed to break the partnership in the last session of the day when he had Ponting (60) caught by Virender Sehwag at gully. Australia then went into another tailspin with Brad Haddin (6), Peter Siddle (4) and Nathan Lyon (0) being dismissed in quick succession.

The Aussies finally finished the day at 179 for eight with Michael Hussey (79*) still in the middle with James Pattinson (3*). The Indians might have had it better if Rahul Dravid, standing at first slip, had held on to a relatively easy catch offered by Hussey off Ashwin’s bowling shortly before play ended on Day 3.

Brief scores:

At end of Day 3: Australia 1st innings 333 all out in 110 overs (Ed Cowan 68, Zaheer Khan 4/77) and Australia 2nd innings 230/8 in 60.0 overs (Michael Hussey 79*, Ricky Ponting 60, Umesh Yadav 4/49); India 1st innings 282 all out in 94.1 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 73, Ben Hilfenhaus 5/75)

At end of Day 2: Australia 1st innings 333 all out in 110 overs (Ed Cowan 68, Zaheer Khan 4/77); India 1st innings 214/3 in 65.0 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 73, Rahul Dravid 68*, Virender Sehwag 67, James Pattinson 1/35)

At end of Day 1: Australia 1st innings 277/6 in 89.0 overs (Ed Cowan 68, Ricky Ponting 62, Umesh Yadav 3/96, Zaheer Khan 2/49)