Sydney, Jan 5: Australia captain Michael Clarke remained unbeaten on 329 as the hosts took a 466-run against India in the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. After a 288-run partnership with Ricky Ponting on Day 2, he hammered home the advantage with a 334-run stand with Michael Hussey to take his side to a commanding position. Clarke declared the innings midway through the second session of the day, with the personal landmark of 400 runs tantalisingly close, to give his side the best chance of a win.

Excerpts from a chat after stumps on Day 3:

On Australia’s first innings and his record performance

I thought we batted really well as a team. Ricky’s innings yesterday was outstanding and the way Michael [Hussey] came out and played, it’s credit to him [...]

On whether this innings was better than the big one he played in South Africa

It is hard [to say]. Winning is all [that matters], that’s what I have said for a while now. I have seen throughout my career making hundreds, what I usually look at it is winning Test matches and that was my goal today. Keep batting and set up a total for the team and that’s the reason I declared when I declared because I think we need the longest amount of time possible to take ten wickets in this second innings.

On keeping captaincy ahead of any personal gain

That’s what you do. It’s part of the game. The most important thing in this game is to win so that’s what I have tried to do.