Perth, Jan 14: Australia look set to take an unassailable 3-0 series lead after India stumbled to 88 for the loss of four wickets in their second innings on Day 2 of the Perth Test. This after the hosts had taken a 208-run first-innings lead.

The day began with David Warner and Ed Cowan resuming at 149 for the loss of no wickets. Cowan helped himself to his second half-century of the series after which he and Warner raised the 200-run mark for Australia in just 36.3 overs.

Umesh Yadav then struck thrice for India, removing Cowan (74), Shaun Marsh (11) and Ricky Ponting (7) in the second hour of the morning session. David Warner, however, earned his first-150 plus score as Australia went to lunch at 256 for the loss of three wickets.

Ishant Sharma removed Warner (180) in the post-lunch session after which Zaheer Khan’s double-strike (Michael Clarke – 18, Brad Haddin – 0) reduced Australia to 303 for the loss of six wickets. Mike Hussey (14) added 36 for the seventh wicket with Peter Siddle before offering a straightforward catch to Virender Sehwag at gully off R Vinay Kumar’s bowling. Yadav then returned to remove Siddle (30) and Ryan Harris (9) to complete his first five-wicket haul in an innings in Test cricket. Australia were eventually bowled out for 369 when Ben Hilfenhaus (6) was out caught at long-on off Virender Sehwag’s bowling.

The visitors began their second innings following the tea break. Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag did well to deny the Australians any wickets in the first 10 overs. However, Mitchell Starc bowled a snorter to Gambhir (14) in the 11th over that the Indian opener fended awkwardly, only for the ball to pop into the hands of Mike Hussey at gully.

Sehwag (10) fell in the next over as he nicked a Peter Siddle delivery to Brad Haddin. 25 for two soon turned to 51 for four as Sachin Tendulkar (8) was trapped lbw to a Mitchell Starc delivery that cut in after pitching while VVS Laxman (0) edged a ball from Ben Hilfenhaus to Shaun Marsh at third slip.

Rahul Dravid (32*) and Virat Kohli (21*) put on an unbeaten 37-run stand to deny the hosts any further wickets. India finished the day at 88 for four, still trailing Australia by 120 runs with six wickets in hand.

Brief scores:

At end of Day 2: India 1st innings 161 all out in 60.2 overs (Virat Kohli 44, Ben Hilfenhaus 4/43) and India 2nd innings 88/4 in 32.0 overs (Rahul Dravid 32*, Virat Kohli 21*, Mitchell Starc 2/14); Australia 1st innings 369 all out in 76.2 overs (David Warner 180, Ed Cowan 74, Umesh Yadav 5/93)

At end of Day 1: India 1st innings 161 all out in 60.2 overs (Virat Kohli 44, Ben Hilfenhaus 4/43, Peter Siddle 3/42); Australia 1st innings 149 for no loss in 23.0 overs (David Warner 104*, Ed Cowan 40*)