Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008, Delhi Test

Aussie Grit Leaves Test in Balance, 3rd Day

New Delhi: The third day's play in the third India-Aussie Test produced unlikely bowling hero local boy - Virender Sehwag. The dasher from Najafgarh injected drama and excitement into the Test with a crafty display of off-spin bowling on Friday which gave India some hope for the next two days as they try to force a series clinching win at the Ferozeshah Kotla Ground.

The mantle of the second spinner fell on him after skipper Anil Kumble, who got a nasty cut on a finger of his left hand while trying a take a catch, left the field midway through the day. Sehwag those to the occasion splendidly and dismissed Matthew Hayden 83 (154b, 13x4, 1x6), Ricky Ponting 87 (165b, 14x4) and Michael Hussey 53 (146b, 7x4), the last tow in the last hour of the day.

Highlights of the day

The famed Aussie batting finally came to the party as all the top four batsmen got half-centuries. Anil Kumble got injuired, but Virender Sehwag's triple strike kept India in the hunt for a win.

This is the first ever instance when the top four Australian batsmen have posted fifty-plus score in the same innings at the Kotla. Simon Katich (64), Matthew Hayden (83), Ricky Ponting (87) and Michael Hussey (53) all got fifties.

Three wickets claimed by Sehwag, his best against Australia beating his 2-24 in Perth in Januray 2008.

87 Runs made by Ricky Ponting. He is the first Aussie captain to register a fifth at Kotla.

However, at 338 for four at stumps in their first innings, Australia have done enough to shake off the blues of Mohali and fee confident about themselves and their prospects in this Test. However, still 275 runs behind after India declared at a massive 613 for seven on Thursday.

Australia opener good start in first time in series and 123 runs in 34 overs. Still, it was Mishra who gave India their first breakthrough when be bowled Simon Katich 64 (116b, 10x4) with a sharply turning leg-break as the batsman charged out and york-ed himself.

On Saturday, India will be looking to strike early while Australia will be trying to stretch their first innings as long as possible. The action promises to be as enthralling as it was on Friday.

Session Reports
1st Session - Runs 101, Wkt 1, Ov 26
2nd Session - Runs  86, Wkt 1, Ov 29
3rd Session - Runs 101, Wkt 2, Ov 35

Brief Score: Australia 338 for 4 (Ponting 87, Hayden 83, Katich 64, Hussey 53, Clarke 21*, Watson 4*, Sehwag 3-66) trail India 613 for 7 dec by 275 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details