PERTH, (Reuters) – Australia, fired by David Warner’s 180 and another fine display from their pace attack, were closing on victory after reducing India to 88 for four in their second innings after two days of the third test yesterday.
India, who already trail 2-0 in the four-match series and are heading for a seventh consecutive overseas test defeat, were still 120 runs shy of forcing the hosts to bat again at the close of play.
Their bowlers, spearheaded by Umesh Yadav’s 5-93, had dragged the tourists back into the match after the day one demolition by taking the last six Australian wickets for 79 runs and leaving the hosts 369 all out with a first inning’s lead of 208.
The bounce of the WACA wicket once again proved too much for their batsmen, however, and Australia’s pace quartet removed Gautam Gambhir (14), Virender Sehwag (10), Sachin Tendulkar (eight) and VVS Laxman (0) in the final session.
India will resume on Sunday with Rahul Dravid, who had made 32 not out, and Virat Kohli, unbeaten on 21, at the crease with three days of the contest stretching out ahead of them.
Mitchell Starc, playing just his third test, fired down a bouncer to snare Gambhir caught behind and break India’s opening partnership before returning to end Tendulkar’s 23rd attempt to secure a century of international centuries.
Tendulkar was not impressed with a tight lbw call but, with India refusing to allow the use of the decision review system for the series, was forced to accept the umpire’s ruling.
“I appealed for it so I thought it was out,” paceman Starc told reporters. “The umpire gave it so he’s not coming back.
“It was a great feeling to get the Little Master out but more importantly, they are four wickets down and hopefully we can finish the job tomorrow.”
