Australian pacers rattle India on final day

NEW DELHI- Australian fast bowlers left India reeling at 99 for four in the second innings to take the upperhand at lunch on the final day of the third test on Sunday.

By (Reuters)

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Published: Sun 2 Nov 2008, 12:54 PM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 11:04 AM

Brett Lee celebrates after dismissing Rahul Dravid, India v Australia, 3rd Test, Delhi, 5th day on November 2. - AFPStrike bowler Brett Lee removed Rahul Dravid for 11 and left-arm Mitchell Johnson claimed opening batsman Gautam Gambhir for 21 to put the hosts under pressure.

India were 99 runs ahead with two sessions left to play on a slow Ferozshah Kotla pitch with Sachin Tendulkar (24) and Vangipurappu Laxman (6) batting.

Australia were 577 all out in reply to India’s first innings 613-7 declared. The hosts lead the four-match series 1-0.

India, on 43 for two overnight, paid for their cautious approach, dashing any hopes they would set Australia a fourth innings target to push for an unlikely win.

The hosts added just 59 runs in the morning in 27 overs.

Lee led a sharp Australian bowling attack to keep the home batsmen under pressure and continue the world number one side’s revival after their stinging defeat in the previous game.

Lee, who removed attacking opener Virender Sehwag for 16 on the fourth evening, forced Dravid to drag a swinging delivery onto his stumps in the morning’s eighth over.

Dravid, who was also out for 11 in the first innings, has scored just two fifties in his last 15 innings.

Left-handed Gambhir, top-scorer with 206 in the first innings, added 40 runs for the fourth wicket with Tendulkar until he was trapped leg before by Johnson. Television replays showed the ball would have missed leg stump.

He hit five fours in his almost three-hour stay.

Johnson then got into a verbal duel with new batsman Laxman, prompting the umpires to speak to skipper Ricky Ponting.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke top-scored with 112 on the fourth day to rally Australia in the test.

The final test starts in Nagpur on Nov. 6.

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