Ponting said, "I will continue playing Test cricket"

Australia`s former captain Ricky Ponting does not expect to play international one-day cricket again after he was dropped from the team on Monday but would continue to be available for Test matches, he said on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old is the second most prolific batsman of all time in limited overs internationals, scoring 13,704 runs in 375 matches since his debut in 1995.

The Tasmanian was dropped from the Australia team because of poor form on Monday with selectors strongly indicating that his career in one-day internationals was all but over.

Ponting, who had made just 18 runs in five games in the ongoing Tri-series against India and Sri Lanka, said he had spoken to chairman of selectors John Inverarity who told him he was not in the plans for the future direction of the team looking to the 2015 World Cup.

"I have been dropped, which is disappointing but I accept that. My performances over the last five games haven`t warranted me being there," Ponting told a media conference.

"John has been pretty clear on the reasons why and the direction they are heading with the one-day team and I am not part of their plans.

"It`s a bit hard to say I`ve retired given I`ve been dropped but I don`t expect to play one-day international cricket any more and I`m sure the selectors don`t expect to pick me either."


Ponting said he wanted to continue playing Test matches.

"I`ve only got Test cricket left now and I want to make every post a winner," he added.

"I think I`ve proved this summer that I can still play great cricket for Australia and deserve to be out there."

Brisbane: Virender Sehwag likely to miss play against Australia on Sunday

Virender Sehwag is unlikely to play against Australia on Sunday as reports suggested he is yet to recover fully from the back injury, which forced him to sit out of the match against Sri Lanka.

Senior batsman Sehwag is yet to find form in the series. India go in to the match on a high after finding the much needed boost after two victories and a tie against Sri Lanka that followed.

Australia, meanwhile, suddenly looked out of sorts with two losses back-to-back and the poor form of their explosive batsman David Warner is costing them dearly. After a superb performance in the Test series against India, Ricky Ponting has also been struggling in the ODIs. Ponting has only 11 runs from four innings at an average of 2.75 in the present series.

Meanwhile, India’s record in the last two ODIs at the Gabba would motivate the team. They have won their past two one-day internationals against Australia at the Gabba. However, Australia haven`t been beaten in Brisbane since that last loss to India, in March 2008.

Australia crush India in 1st ODI series

Australia beat India by a comprehensive margin of 65 runs after the batsmen lost the plot completely in the rain marred 32-over-a-side game.

Starting without the services of Virender Sehwag, the onus was on Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir to give a fiery start and they fizzled out quickly, an act that was followed by a lot of other batsmen throughout the Indian innings.

The first ODI saw bowlers coming in with superb performances as Clint McKay claimed three scalps for the Australian outfit while Vinay Kumar got three of his own in the first part of the match.

However, it was the willow of debutant Matthew Wade (67*) Michael Hussey (45) and David Hussey (61*) that got the Aussies their first win of tri-series as they bludgeoned the visitors for sixes and boundaries at will.

Not learning from the past mistakes, the Indian batsmen were found uneasy against the clinical effort by the Australian bowlers and surrendered without a fight, failing to look like the ODI World Champions that they are supposed to be.

Losing wickets with clinical precision, the final nail in the coffin for the Indians was as early as the 22nd and 23rd over, where three middle order batsmen surrendered like school kids under pressure.

From there on, no comeback was possible, especially with the Oz camp in no mood to lose the momentum.

Ravichandran Ashwin was run out in the next over and the misery continued with Rahul Sharma being clean bowled as the scorecard read 123/8 (23.5 Ovs).

India were set a target of 217 runs (D/L) by a charged-up Australian outfit at the MCG. The game saw rain reduce the number of overs and the home team simply stepped-up the run-rate and made sixes and fours a regular feature.

The first ODI saw Vinay Kumar take three wickets to bolster his chances on the tour and he was on cue for most part of the game, a respite from his wayward performances earlier.

Australia, riding high on the flurry of runs scored in the last 12 overs, gave a steep total to chase as David Hussey (61*) became the wrecker-in-charge with a whirlwind half century. 19 runs came off the last over to end the Australian innings at 216/5.

Hussey brothers slammed sixes and fours, ran aggressively and put Dhoni’s men under pressure as the death overs approached. They took the total past 150 runs and the last 50 were scored in just 33 balls.

Rounds of Melbourne showers had thwarted the efforts to start play but the primary concern was the passing away of the water-laden cloud cover that was bucketing the ground. After a long pause, the D/L system was adopted and thankfully, there were no rain stops in the second half.

India captain MS Dhoni had won the toss and surprisingly elected to field first against Australia in the first ODI of the tri-series.

India made one change to the squad by resting opener Virender Sehwag. Team India was bolstered by the return of Sachin Tendulkar back into the ODI squad first time after the World Cup final as the visitors locked horns for dominance in the most popular format of the game.

None of the tricks up the sleeves of MS Dhoni worked and with a charged-up Sri Lanka too in the fray, making a comeback into the series would be a tough task for the Men in Blue.

Gavaskar critical of Kohli's century celebration

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday disapproved of Virat Kohli swearing at the Australian players after scoring a century in the final Test at Adelaide, terming it as "school kid" temperament.

Kohli had a wild celebration after reaching his century using some choicest of words against the Australian players, which Gavaskar said was unnecessary.

"Not just Virat, some other Indian players also. Instead of smiling after taking a wicket they were snarling. They were taking out something on somebody. If somebody taunted you on the field show it by scoring runs or taking wickets," Gavaskar said.

"Virat and some other youngsters were swearing at the opponents. That is like having a temperament of school kid cricket. They should not do that.

"When a Tendulkar, Dravid or a Laxman score a century they just raise the bat. By swearing or doing something like that brings down the focus," the former captain added.

Gavaskar, however, praised Kohli for the application he showed in his innings of 116 in India's first innings.

"What Virat has shown with his knock was that runs can be scored if you apply yourself. It shows he is a thinking cricketer. He will score lots of runs in future if he continues like that," Gavaskar told.

Gavaskar also applauded wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha for his gritty knock of 35 but said it was too early to say that he could replace captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Tests.

"His application was very good and (he) took the attack to the Australians. That's important considering that temperament has been a let down among the batsmen and bowlers. He was calm and cool. I think he knew that he wants to make a case for his place in the Test team as a batsman," said Gavaskar.

"When Dhoni comes into the Test team, Saha cannot be selected as a wicket-keeper. Let's not jump the gun and it's too early to say that Saha can replace Dhoni as Test wicket-keeper. Dhoni has done a yeoman service to the country," he added.

Gavaskar also said that India still have a chance to save the Adelaide Test as the pitch was still assisting batsmen.

"There is a very good chance to save the Test. The Indian batsmen can take the lead from Virat and Saha and even Ishant who hung on for a while with Virat. Apply yourself and don't do anything silly.

"Nothing much is happening on the pitch except for odd balls climbing up. I think they will get four-and-a-half or five sessions to bat on and if they bat sensibly they can save the Test," Gavaskar said.

Adelaide Test Live Score:India dismissed for 272

Australia have wrapped up the Indian innings for 272 runs as Peter Siddle and Virat Kohli emerged as the star of their respective sides on day 3 of the Adelaide Test on Today. They have a lead of 332 runs.

Scorecard: India Vs Australia »

Australia have decided not to enforce follow-on.

Highlights from the Indian innings

11:23 a.m. Over 96: Ben Hilfenhaus trapped Kohli in front of the wickets to put an end to a superb innings of 116 runs. With the fall of this wicket, India have been dismissed for 272 runs in their first innings.

11: 17 a.m. Over 94: Out! Hilfenhaus gets Ishant Sharma the next delivery after being hit square for a boundary. India have lost nine wickets.

11: 04 a.m. Over 92: Virat Kohli slammed a maiden Test ton and the first from India in the series to stand tall amid weathering Indian batting.

10: 44 a.m. Over 88: Double strike! Peter Siddle has once again proven to be the tormenter of Indian batting. He first removes R Aswhin and then Zaheer Khan of back to back deliveries reducing India to 230/8.

Tea Report

Virat Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha had forged a 100-run partnership before the latter's departure to provide stability to the Indian innings as India were 225/6 at tea on the third day of the Adelaide Test on Thursday.

India lost the wicket of set batsman Wriddhiman Saha at the stroke of tea just as they were looking steady.

Kohli went past his previous best score of 75 runs, to be unbeaten at 91 while Saha (35) played with belief and confidence to steer Indian innings in a positive direction after morning session blues got the better of the Indian batsmen.

However, in the last over of the second session, he misjudged Ryan Harris’s delivery--shouldered his arms and the result-- his bails were off as India lost their sixth wicket.

Kohli's approach to the innings was evident from the two hits-a boundary and a six towards mid wicket-- off Clarke in the 72nd over in consecutive deliveries.

Highlights from the second session

Over 85: Out! Wriddhiman Saha misjudges and shoulders arm to a delivery pitched just outside off stump that jsut nips in to hit the stumps. Ryan Harris gets his first wicket.
Over 80: New ball taken and also a testing time for the batsmen before the tea break.
Over 77: 100 run partnership between Kohli and Saha. Both have played a positive cricket unlike the top order batsmen and are exhibiting much needed character and resilience.
Over 73: A cover drive from Kohli brings 200 for India
Over 72: Virat Kohli hits a boundary and then follows it up with a six over mid wicket off Clarke’s consecutive deliveries.
Over 69: Wriddhiman Saha dispatches Nathan Lyon over midwicket boundary for a six. Certainly, they need a positive batting like this.
Over 63: 50-run partnership between Saha and Kohli
Over 52: Play resumes as India need 283 to avoid follow-on.

Lunch Report

India were 120/5 after three early blows in the morning left them struggling in pursuit of Australian first inning’s total of 604 runs. They still trail Australia by 482 runs with Kohli (21*) and Saha (5*) on crease.

A tight Australian bowling and a defensive approach from the Indian batsmen was the highlight of the session.

Peter Siddle, who led the charge with the dismissal of Virender Sehwag on day 1, again came charging on Thursday morning to do what he has done all this series. He first removed Tendulkar with an angled delivery that was pitched up and led him to drive forward. The ball was edged towards Ponting in the slips where he completed a low catch to end Tendulkar’s inning at 25 runs.

Next to go was Gautam Gambhir who fell to a brilliant Siddle bouncer. The delivery caught Gambhir by surprise and all he could do was hop and play it towards the gully area where Hussey came forward and took a diving catch to remove the opener at 34 runs.

Nathan Lyon then stifled the Indian batsmen with a tight line and length and was aptly rewarded when he found the edge of VVS Laxman who looked positive before departing after scoring 18 runs.

The mantra was simple. On a pitch full of runs, Australians kept a tight, attacking length and their discipline earned them rich dividends in the 30 overs they bowled before lunch where they gave only 61 runs while picking three wickets.

Highlights from the morning session

7: 12 a.m. Over 47: Out! Laxman is caught behind off Lyon delivery that spins outside off. Laxman’s (18) wicket means that India are five wickets down when they are trailing Australian score by 493 runs.

7: 12 a.m. Over 46: Hussey into the attack, India 111/4

6: 54 a.m. Over 41: 100 up for India. Virat Kohli and VVS Laxman are in the middle. India 100/4

6: 27 a.m. Over 34: Out! It’s Gambhir who is the second wicket to fall and it is Peter Siddle again who is troubling Indians. Siddle produces a brilliant bouncer on a flat track and all Gambhir could do was hop and play it towards gully where Hussey takes a good diving catch to end his innings at 34 runs.

6: 12 a.m. Over 32: Peter Siddle removes Sachin Tendulkar as he is caught at slip by Ponting at the score of 25 runs. India have lost their third wicket. Siddle has again provided Australia with the crucial breakthrough as has been the case so far in the series. India 78/3.

5: 36 a.m. Over 22: First runs of the day, Tendulkar gets a boundary off Hilfenhaus at square leg.

Ind vs Aus: Australia resume first innings after tea on Day 2 in Adelaide

Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris resumed the Australian first innings after tea on the second day of the fourth and final Test against India at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Wednesday.

Australia lost their seventh wicket when R Ashwin had Peter Siddle caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha.

Zaheer Khan had Ricky Ponting (221) caught by Sachin Tendulkar at deep mid-wicket.

It was ironical that Ponting fell to the pull shot that he played so well during this knock and throughout his career. Ponting pulled a short delivery, got the power right but the elevation lacked, as it went straight to Tendulkar at deep mid-wicket at a scorching pace. It was a good catch as the ball went like a bullet.

Ponting hit 21 fours in his great knock.

Gautam Gambhir ran out Michael Hussey with a direct hit after Australia crossed the 500-run mark.

Hussey played a R Ashwin delivery through the off side and set off for a single, but Gambhir at silly point got the ball with his outstretched right hand and hit the stumps before Hussey could turn and get into the crease.

Ricky Ponting reached his sixth double century soon after Umesh Yadav dismissed Michael Clarke after lunch.

This is Ponting's sixth double century and third against India.

India finally tasted success as Clarke was cleaned up by Yadav. Clarke got struck on the crease as he looked to whip it away on the leg side. The ball nipped back in hint and crashed onto Clarke's stumps.

Clarke hit a six and 26 fours in his magnificent knock.

Australia were 469/3 at lunch. Clarke's quickfire double ton came in 255 balls that included 25 fours and one six.

The fourth-wicket stand between Ponting and Clarke is now the best for Tests between these two nations as the duo went past the partnership of 376 runs produced by Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in the 2001 Eden Gardens Test.

The duo of Clarke and Ponting, who have now scored more than 600 runs in this series, stitched a 386-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The marathon 350-run stand between the duo came in 515 balls.

Clarke and Ponting got off the blocks very quickly as both of them crossed 150-run mark after hitting some fine boundaries early on Day 2.

Clarke's 150 came off in 193 balls with the help of 21 fours and one six while Ponting reached 150 in 274 deliveries that included 16 boundaries.

Earlier on Day 1, the old firm of Ponting and Clarke put India's hapless bowlers to the sword with contrasting centuries as Australia took command of the fourth Test.

Ponting (137) and Clarke (140), both of whom tormented India in the second Test in Sydney with centuries, joined hands once again for an unbroken 251-run fourth wicket stand which took the hosts to a comfortable 335/3 after a shaky start on Tuesday.

Australia have already clinched the series with a 3-0 lead and India are desperately hoping to avoid a whitewash. The effort was not all that bad to start with as India struck two blows inside the first 10 overs after the hosts opted to bat first.

Zaheer Khan removed David Warner (8) with a delivery which came in and Ravichandran Ashwin, surprisingly introduced as early as in the fourth over, bowled a delivery which came in with the arm and clipped the off-stump of an out of form Shaun Marsh's (3) hesitant forward prod.

Ashwin snared another victim before the lunch-break, opener Ed Cowan (30) driving little uppishly into short covers and VVS Laxman snapped a brilliant low catch.

Ponting smashed the 41st century of his 162-Test career, his eighth against India which put him at par with Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Vivian Richards as the batsmen who has scored maximum tons against the sub-continental team.

It is also his 23rd century at home which is one more than what Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis have scored in their glittering careers. During his knock, he also crossed the 13,000 run landmark.

For Clarke, this was his 19th century in his 80th Test, his second of the series after a mammoth 329 at the SCG early this month.

Adelaide Test Live: Australia 214/3

Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke made full use of the batting friendly conditions at Adelaide to guide Australian total to 214/3 at tea on day 1 of the fourth Test on Tuesday.

In a stark contrast to the first session when Indian bowlers seemed to keep the run flow in check, Ponting and Clarke found their rhythm on a hot day reaching to their fifties in quick time and ensuring no further hiccup.

Ponting, in particular has looked in deft touch throughout the innings and his trademark shots were on full display at Adelaide as he reached a personal milestone of 13000 Test runs.

Towards the end of the second session, Clarke opened up his arms and creamed R Aswhin’s 19th over for 12 runs via three boundaries- -twice at cover and one towards point to take the Australian total to 203 runs at the loss of three wickets.

As the Australian duo scored 116 runs in the session, Indian bowlers looked frustrated with R Ashwin in particular looking perturbed as run flow became smoother as compared to the morning session.

Umesh Yadav was the most expensive of the lot as his nine overs produced 67 runs.

Second session

Michael Clarke creamed a frustrated R Ashwin’s 19th over for 12 runs via three boundaries-twice at cover and one towards point to take the Australian total to 203 runs at the loss of three wickets.

He had earlier struck back to back boundaries off Ashwin to raise his bat for a fifty. A pull off the back foot towards midwicket boundary got him to 47 and for the next delivery; he stepped out to play towards mid-on for another four.

Before him, a fluent Punter on a placid Adelaide strip completed half-century in quick time to keep the Australian scoreboard ticking.

Ponting took only 69 deliveries to raise his bat for 61st Test fifty.

Earlier, R Ashwin took two early wickets to keep the Australian batsmen in check as India restricted them to 98/3 at lunch.

First session

Ricky Ponting(43*) and captain Michael Clarke(9*) were on the crease as a clever captaincy from Virender Sehwag saw India dominating the first session of Adelaide Test on day 1.

From the first two overs of the day, the self anointed 'odd couple' of Ed Cowan and David Warner picked 16 runs and seemed to justify their captain’s decision to bat first.

However, Virender Sehwag had different plans as he introduced R Ashwin early into the attack and the spinner stifled Australian batsmen for runs as his first two overs went for naught.

For David Warner this was an unusual situation as his natural leaning was towards scoring runs quickly.

India’s most experienced bowler on the tour, Zaheer Khan, made use of the opportunity to trap the left hander plumb in front of the wickets to pick his first scalp of the day leaving Australia 26/1.

Ashwin sent Shaun Marsh packing in quick succession after castling him to add another chapter in the southpaw’s wretched Test series.

Marsh was late in realizing that he was bowled and looked disappointed at having missed an opportunity to gain some form on a batting friendly pitch.

However, Ed Cowan continued the job of a grafter pretty well from the other end and when Ricky Ponting joined him in the middle after Marsh’s dismissal, took Australian total past 50 runs in 17.4 overs.

He, however, was dismissed just before the lunch break courtesy an intelligent bowling from R Ashwin. The right arm spinner kept tossing up to the left hander and eventually lured him into driving forward towards the cover region where VVS Laxman snapped a brilliant catch to end his innings at 30 (63, 3X4)

Ricky Ponting, on the other hand, has looked in a fine nick on a ground where he has an excellent record against India (one double century and a ton).

He glanced, pulled and swept in his innings of 43* runs to stay positive when the opposition bowlers were in constant search to make some early inroads in the Australian innings.

Earlier, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first on a batting friendly Adelaide track.

Kapil: As a cricketer I feel ashamed by India`s performance

Stating that he felt "ashamed" by the Indian cricket team`s dismal performance against Australia in the ongoing Test series, former India captain Kapil Dev said every aspect of the game has gone wrong for the Indians.

The Indian team came up with one of the worst performances in Australia, losing the four-match Test series 0-3, with one more match remaining.

"As a cricketer, I feel ashamed by the Indian team`s performance. They are not playing well and have gone wrong in every aspect of the game," said 1983 World Cup winning skipper.

"However, it is unfair to call them names as this is the same team that was world no. 1 only about six months back and was doing well. These are the same players who have made us proud so many times in the past. But now if they are not doing well, what can be said?" added Kapil in the sidelines of a function `Go for Gold` to support the athletes for the forthcoming London Olympics.

India have not just lost all three of their Tests so far in the series in Australia but have also failed to play for the full quota of five days. But Kapil refused to hold Twenty20 cricket responsible for the debacle.

"The team was playing T20 and one-day cricket even a year or six months back and were still performing well in Tests, so I don`t think it is fair to hold the shorter versions of the game responsible for team`s show in Australia," he insisted.

The 53-year-old all-rounder said that at this stage of the series, there should not be any change in the team.

"In the middle of the series, I don`t think there should be any change in the team. They are a good side. I just hope that they can put their head together and play as a unit."

Emphasising that this is no time for sensationalisation, Kapil said, "We should back our team when the chips are down.

"The team just needs to believe in itself and the captain must also believe in his side and look after himself as well as his team. It should try to script a comeback and we must all support the players in their endeavour."

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar: Say goodbye to some senior players

With India`s Test tour of Australia heading towards a disaster, former captain Sunil Gavaskar called for axing some of the senior players in the side and bring in young blood to take the team forward.

"What India now need to do very, very quickly is to look forward and not backward. If it unfortunately means that we have to say goodbye to some of the players who have served the country for so long and so wonderfully, that we have to do," Gavaskar said when asked where Indian cricket was going after the team was bundled out for 161 in the third Test against Australia in Perth.

"Because, if the team is going to get out for 160-odd it`s better to do with young players so that they can learn from experience and serve the country better in future rather than with those who have been there, seen it and done that but who are not being able to do it now," he said.

Gavaskar, however, made it clear that he was not suggesting axing of all the senior players nor was he calling for Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s removal from captaincy.

"I am not saying that the whole team should be disbanded and not suggesting all the senior players should go. Lots of people are suggesting to drop Dhoni from captaincy, I am not saying that. I am saying that we have to bring in new players who have not been affected by the happenings since England tour," said Gavaskar,

"I think the selectors are capable of taking hard decisions and if hard decisions are to be taken for the Indian team they have to take it," he told reporters.

The former captain also expressed disappointment that the Indian bowlers were outperformed by their relatively inexperienced Australian counterparts.

Ind vs Aus: India slumped to 144/6 at tea after losing Virat Kohli

India slumped to 144/6 at tea after losing Virat Kohli and VVS Laxman in quick succession on the first day of the third Test against Australia at the WACA ground in Perth.

Peter Siddle double strike dented India's hopes of reviving from early collapse as he scalped Kohli and Laxman in his successive overs to reduce India to 138/6 in 52.5 overs. However, the pair added valuable 68 runs stand for the fifth wicket.

At the break, Mahendra Singh Doni was on 4 with Vinay Kumar on 5.

India's batting woes continued as Australia's pace attack made early inroads on a lively green WACA wicket to leave India struggling on 73 for four at lunch.

India's predicament worsened moments when opener Gautam Gambhir was caught behind off swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus for 31.

Playing his first match of the series, Ryan Harris demolished Sachin Tendulkar's dream to score his elusive 100th international ton as the bowler caught the champion batsman plumb in front of the wicket.

India suffered another blow when Australian paceman Peter Siddle struck in his first over to remove Rahul Dravid on the first day of the third Test at the WACA ground in Perth.

Dravid attempted to flick full length delivery off his pads, probably beaten up by the pace and the ball ricochets off his pads to the stumps. Dravid made nine off 35 balls with the help of a boundary.

Dravid added 28 runs for the second wicket with Gautam Gambhir after losing Virender Sehwag early.

India's opening woes continued as the visitors lost Sehwag for a duck in the fourth over of the opening day.

Ben Hilfenhaus struck early when dangerous Sehwag looked to play to the offside that took an outside edge to Ricky Ponting at slip as India dealt an early blow.

Earlier, Australian skipper Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bowl in the third Test of the four-match series.

Both Australia and India go with four quicks in the match. Pacer Vinay Kumar came in place of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for India whereas for the hosts Mitchell Starc replace spinner Nathan Lyon.

Australia hold a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series after convincing wins in Melbourne and Sydney.

India must win both remaining Tests to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Friday's match got under way under clear skies and in warm conditions, but there was some rain forecast for the coming days as a cyclone edges down the WA coast.

Ind vs Aus Live score: Oz peg India back with Dravid's wicket

Rahul Dravid was the second Indian batsman to fall, bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus at a score of 29 runs as the scorecard read 100/2.

Meanwhile, opener Gautam Gambhir revived himself by scoring a well-timed quickfire half-century. Gambhir, who has not been scoring runs, was under tremendous pressure before this innings.

Gambhir’s 50 came off 55 balls with the help of 8 fours.

India’s Sydney woes had deepened when opener Virender Sehwag threw his wickets away early on after India had conceded a huge lead of 468.

Sehwag slashed a short ball from Hilfenhaus straight to extra-cover where David Warner latched on to a fine diving catch. The Delhi opener made only 4.

India went to tea at 53/1 with Gambhir batting confidently on 39 while Rahul Dravid playing supporting role on 3.

Earlier, skipper Michael Clarke scored an unbeaten triple ton while Hussey scored an unconquered century to guide Australia declare their first innings at a huge 659/4 in reply to India's 191 on the Day 3 of the Sydney Test on Thursday.

Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey remained unbeaten on 329 and 150, respectively. They stitched an unbeaten mammoth 4th wicket partnership of 334 to give Australia a huge lead of 468 runs.

Clarke started the Day 3 where he left off yesterday. The Australian captain became the only sixth Australian to score a triple century in Test cricket when he slammed a triple ton against India immediately after the lunch on Day 3 of the 2nd Test at Sydney.

Clarke’s knock, which was also the highest individual score at SCG, was also the best innings by an Australian captain at home, surpassing Don Bradman's 270 at the MCG in 1937.

The marathon innings came off 468 balls and it was consisted of 39 fours and a six.

Mike Hussey also joined the Australian run-feast by scoring a superlative century. It was Hussey who was more aggressive of the two, hitting boundaries off the flighted balls provided by the Indian spinners. Hussey’s 16th Test ton came from 188 balls. He hit 11 silken fours and a six to reach the century.

While everybody was concentrating on Clarke’s triple ton, Hussey was silently moving fast. He reached 150 in no time. And once he reached the milestone, Clarke declared the innings exactly one hour after the lunch break with a lead of 468 runs.

It was the same story in the morning session on Day 3 of the Sydney Test. Resuming on 482/4, Australia dominated the first session again. The two overnight batsmen- captain Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey- had no problem in plundering runs against a hapless Indian bowling.

Ind vs Aus: Australia 481/4 at stumps on Day 2 at SCG

 Captain Michael Clarke's unbeaten 251 and Michael Hussey's unbeaten 55 enabled Australia to take a 291-run lead at stumps on the second day of the second Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on today.

Hussey hit a half-century to take Australia over the 450-run mark.

Clarke hit his maiden double century to take the Australian lead over the 200-run mark.

Clarke is the 34th Australian to hit a double century in Test cricket.

Clarke was at 170 with Hussey for company as Australia took a 158-run lead at the end of the second session.

Ishant Sharma struck with the second new ball when he had Ricky Ponting caught by Sachin Tendulkar at point. Ponting added 288 runs with Clarke for the fourth wicket.

Ponting hit 14 fours in his 134-run knock before falling to Ishant.

The much-needed breakthrough came after captain Michael Clarke reached 150 as he and Ponting took Australia over the 300-run mark.

Ponting scored a century almost after two years as his last ton (209) came against Pakistan in Hobart in January 2010. Ponting cracked his 40th ton in 150 balls with the help of 11 boundaries.

The two experienced Australian batsmen stitched an unbeaten 200 runs stand for the fourth wicket and put on the backfoot in the game.

Michael Clarke slammed his 18th Test century to take Australia into commanding position at lunch on the second day.

At lunch on a steamy day at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia were 236 for three with a vital 45 runs lead.

Clarke's fourth Test century against India came off a glorious cover drive off Ishant Sharma in the last over before lunch. It was Clarke's second Test century of the Australian summer season after scoring 139 against New Zealand in Brisbane last month.

India bowlers toiled hard in the first session as they conceded 120 runs in 27 overs without taking a single wicket.

Ponting continued his good run as he scored yet another fifty which brought up in style with a classy square cut played slightly on the front foot to the boundary. Ponting also became the third player in Test history to get 100th score in excess of 50.

Former skipper 61st Test fifty and 12th against India came in 74 balls that included six boundaries. This was his 6th half-century in a row against India.

Clarke raced to his fifty on the second delivery of the day when he flicked it through mid-wicket to complete his 22nd Test half century and 6th against India. Clarke completed his quick-fire fifty in just 60 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

Australia ended the first day well on top at 116/3 after restricting India for paltry 191, resumed their first innings on Day 2 of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Zaheer Khan started with a bang as he gave two quick blows before the Australian total reached double-digits, followed by one more in the 30s, raised Indian hopes, but the home team recovered well through a fine unbeaten partnership of 79 runs between Ricky Ponting and Clarke to end the first day at 116/3.

MS Dhoni's decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired badly as India's famed batting line-up came a cropper yet again against a disciplined Australian pace attack.

Young James Pattinson ripped the heart out of India's line-up, claiming four of the top-five batsmen while Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus claimed three wickets each.

Dhoni (57*) was the highest scorer of the Indian innings which also was his first half century in Australia. Sachin Tendulkar faltered again in his quest for a 100th international century as he chopped a widish Pattinson delivery onto his stumps for 41.

The Australian media target Sachin; say his ‘deepest shame’ at SCG

The Australian media on Monday started playing mind games with Sachin Tendulkar ahead of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, accusing him of not coming clean on the Harbhajan Singh-Andrew Symonds ‘Monkeygate’ scandal, years after it has been buried and forgotten.

“The stage may be set at the SCG for Sachin Tendulkar`s finest hour but it is also the venue where his deepest shame was born. Some recent Australian players have not forgiven his role in the Andrew Symonds ‘Monkeygate’ scandal,” wrote Herald Sun website.

The leading Australian news site also added, “But despite the unparalleled greatness of his achievements, some Australians lost respect for him when he gave completely different accounts of what took place as a key witness in the Harbhajan Singh-Andrew Symonds racism meltdown.

The site also quoted Adam Gilchrist in his book True Colours, who retired at the end of that 2007-08 season, was furious, describing the appeal as a "joke".

"Tendulkar, who`d said at the first hearing that he hadn`t been able to hear what Harbhajan had said - and he was a fair way away, up the other end, so I`m certain he was telling the truth - now supported Harbhajan`s version that he hadn`t called Symo a `monkey` but instead a Hindi term of abuse that might sound like `monkey` to Australian ears," Gilchrist wrote

"The Indians got him off the hook when they, of all people, should have been treating the matter of racial vilification with the utmost seriousness."

The media attack on Sachin Tendulkar comes in wake of the fact that he is in good form to go into the second Test at Sydney and his phenomenal record at the SCG makes him the favourite to score the unparalleled feat of 100 international centuries.

Ind vs Aus: Australia crush India by 122 runs at MCG

Fine bowling performances by James Pattinson (4/53) and Peter Siddle (3/42) guided Australia to register a crushing 122-run victory over India on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Today.

Spinner Nathan Lyon finally got the wicket as he scalped Umesh Yadav to bowl out India for 169 in 47.5 overs in their second innings.

Aussie seamers were on a roll right from the start as they claimed half of the Indian side inside 70 runs to put Australia on top against the visitors.

Paceman James Pattinson, who was certainly the hero of the day, dismissed Zaheer Khan (13) and skipper MS Dhoni (23) in quick succession as he claimed four wickets giving away just 53 runs in 15 overs.

Pattinson was truly rewarded with the man of the match award for his match-winning performance.

Seamer Peter Siddle claimed R Ashwin, who played a breezy knock of 35-ball 30 that included five fours, soon after the tea interval as India lost their seventh wicket at the score of 117. India were 117 for six at tea.

Chasing 292 for victory, India lost the momentum in the post-lunch session after losing five of their crucial wickets in the second session against Australia on Day 4 of the first Test at MCG.

Peter Siddle joined the party who got the prized wicket of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar as India lost their sixth wicket at the score of 81 on Day 4 of the first Test.

Tendulkar, who was in good touch, went for the drive on a widish delivery but it was well caught by Michael Hussey at gully to give India another jolt. Tendulkar scored a quickfire 32 of 46 balls with the help of four boundaries.

Earlier, paceman James Pattinson double-strike gave India denting blow as he dismissed Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in quick succession followed by Ben Hilfenhaus who claimed his second by trapping Virat Kohli for duck.

India lost Dravid, Laxman and Kohli in a span of 11 runs. Laxman's trademark flick off Pattinson went straight to Ed Cowan at square leg, who made no mistake in grabbing it, as India were tottering at 69/5 from 58/3 at one stage.

Pattinson cleaned up Dravid who managed to score only 10 runs in the second innings. Dravid got out in a similar fashion the way he lost his wicket in the first innings.

The angular full-length delivery from Pattinson went through between bat and pad of Dravid to hit the timber.

Peter Siddle had Gautam Gambhir, soon after lunch, caught by Ricky Ponting at second slip to put India under pressure on the fourth day of the first Test.

India were 24 for one at lunch in their Indian second innings in pursuit of a 292-run victory target.

The Indian run chase got off to a bad start as Michael Hussey took a sharp catch at gully to dismiss Virender Sehwag off Ben Hilfenhaus.

Sehwag (7) went for a wild swing at a wide delivery, middled it but Hussey grasped it out of thin air over his head to dismiss the dangerman for Australia.

Earlier in the day, India bowled out Australia for 240 runs in their second innings which left them with a 292-run victory target after Hussey and James Pattinson resumed the Australian second innings on Day 4.

Ishant Sharma took the last Australian wicket when he had Ben Hilfenhaus caught by VVS Laxman at second slip. Zaheer Khan squared up Michael Hussey with an absolute beauty and had him caught behind by MS Dhoni.

Hussey hit 9 fours in his 89-run knock before edging a good length delivery outside the off-stump that kicked up a hint and seamed away from him.

Boxing Day Test Live: Australia crossed the 250-run, partnership between Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle

Australia crossed the 250-run mark as a handy partnership between Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle averted a complete collapse in the final session of play.

Ed Cowan (68) finally caved-in to the pressure mounted by the Indian bowlers, caught behind by MS Dhoni off Ravichandran Ashwin’s spin.

The scorecard read 214/6 at the fall with the Indian outfit dominating for the first time in the day.

Before the collapse, Zaheer Khan had finally struck hard as he clean bowled Michael Clarke (31) with an awesome delivery that was dragged back onto the stumps. He followed it up with another beauty and dismissed Michael Hussey for a duck on the very next delivery.

The spectators were treated to Test cricket of the highest quality as the world’s top teams competed with full fervour, not giving the other any room to breathe. However, it was the Australians with the home advantage that held a slightly upper hand.

Second Session

Umesh Yadav struck gold on being reintroduced into the attack, claiming the all important scalp of Ricky Ponting (62). The third breakthrough from Yadav got the bounce back into the Indian outfit as the scorecard read 170/3 at tea on Day 1.

The second session of play belonged majorly to Australia as Cowan and Ponting kept on piling runs and did not give away their wicket cheaply.

Ponting had looked dangerous as he slammed a solid fifty to steady the innings, his 59th in Test cricket for Australia in the last fifteen years. He was given apt support from opener Ed Cowan who toiled for his runs but kept the wicket intact against a disciplined attack, slamming a fifty of his own.

The post-lunch session had begun a bit late as rain gods kept on bothering the proceedings in a largely filled MCG.

First Session

Rain stopped play as an early lunch was taken at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the Australian scorecard reading 68/2. The game was delicately poised at the break as the Indian bowlers pegged back towards the later part of the session while the home team averted any collapses.

India had got the first breakthrough as Umesh Yadav claimed David Warner (37) right after a short break that could have resulted in a lapse of concentration on the batsman’s part.

Shaun Marsh was the new man on the crease and he was out for a duck, giving Yadav his second scalp of the Australian summers. Warner gloved a short one into the hands of India skipper MS Dhoni while Marsh was caught by Kohli with the scorecard reading 46/2.

Just before that, covers had come on the turf at the MCG because rain stopped play after 13 overs. The break was however short lived as the drizzle stopped within a few minutes and play resumed.

Openers Ed Cowan and Warner had started the proceedings on a positive note as speedsters Ishant and Zaheer looked for an early breakthrough while there was still some movement in the air.

Zaheer was particularly tight in his line and length as he had a couple of loud appeals and close calls.

An Oz summer had begun with home captain Michael Clarke winning the toss and electing to bowl against India in the Boxing Day Test. There was some good news for the Indian camp as both pacers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma proved their fitness and were drafted for the test Down Under.

Research shows: Tendulkar greater than late Australian legend Bradman

An Economics researcher claims to have found an answer to one of the biggest debates in international cricket by picking Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest Test batsman ever over late Australian legend Sir Donald Bradman.

"Griffith University researcher Dr Nicholas Rohde has used economic theory to compare batsmen from different eras, and says India's Little Master, who will pad up against the Aussies at the MCG on Boxing Day, is history's premier willow wielder," reported 'The Australian'.

The 38-year-old Tendulkar has a world-record 15,183 runs from 184 Tests at an average of 56.02 since making his debut in 1989.

Bradman, on the other hand, played 52 Tests from 1928 to 1948, scoring 6996 runs at an astonishing average of 99.94. He died in 2001 aged 92.

Dr Rohde said a theoretical analysis puts Tendulkar above Bradman.

"The rankings are designed to allow for meaningful comparisons of players with careers of different lengths," Dr Rohde said.

"It's an emotional issue and there will always be debate between followers of Test cricket about the relative career performances of various batsmen," he added.

The rankings by the researcher have been created according to a player's career aggregate runs, minus the total number of runs that an average player of that era would accumulate over the same number of innings.

Allan Border (seven) and Steve Waugh (nine) are the other Australian batsmen in the top 10. Rahul Dravid (fourth) and Sunil Gavaskar (eighth) are the other Indians in the list.

Dr Rohde's said it was possible that Tendulkar and Bradman could swap their places many times before the Indian retires as a dip in form would affect his standing.

Australia`s Cummins suffers further injury blow

Paceman Pat Cummins will miss part of Australia`s four-Test series against India after scans revealed his heel injury was more serious than expected and would take longer to recover.

The 18-year-old suffered the injury during his six-wicket debut in Australia`s second Test win against South Africa last month but had been expected to be available for the opening Test against India in Melbourne on December 26.

Further scans showed a "bone stress component" to his injury, team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said, and its added complexity was likely to see him sidelined until early to mid-January.

"By the end of last week it was apparent to all of us managing him that he was progressing slower than expected for a soft tissue injury of the heel," Kountouris said in a statement released by Cricket Australia on Wednesday.

"As such we arranged for him to see a foot specialist and had further scans that have identified a bone component to his injury that was not evident on the original scans.”

"This means that his recovery will take longer than first expected. He is not likely to resume bowling until early to mid-January 2012."

The expected recovery time will likely see Cummins miss the first and second Test, which begins on January 3 in Sydney. The third test in Perth starts on January 13.