Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting did their best to mask another top-order batting collapse as Australia limped to stumps leading by 227 runs in a topsy-turvy first Test against India.
A whopping 15 wickets fell on day three at the MCG as the tourists lost 7 for 68 to be bowled out for 282 before the home side suffered a landslide of its own, crawling to 8 for 176 in its second innings with Hussey unbeaten on 79.
Australia's batting woes overshadowed an impressive maiden five-wicket haul from Ben Hilfenhaus (5 for 75), who celebrated his Test recall with a rampant display of swing bowling to obliterate India's middle order.
He was a subdued though after Australia's batting line-up failed to capitalise.
"I feel like today we started really well and got the ball rolling but it's obviously disappointing to be down as many as we are tonight," Hilfenhaus told Grandstand.
"They proved today the way they bowled that there's still enough there (in the wicket), so I think if we get to (a lead of) 300 or over 250 I think we're still a chance."
Hilfenhaus led the way for Australia this morning from the moment he rocked the off stump of Rahul Dravid (68) from the second ball of the day.
He has bowled with increased pace and intensity in this match and cleaned up Virat Kohli (11), skipper MS Dhoni (6), and nightwatchman Ishant Sharma (11) to go with Gautam Gambhir (3) yesterday.
"It's obviously a pretty good place to get your first one (five-wicket haul) but I guess the match isn't over yet," Hilfenhaus said.
"I guess we bowled well as a group today, we didn't really give much away and were able to create enough pressure to make chances.
"I never thought it (my Test career) was over.
"I did spend most of the preseason working on a few technical things to get me back bowling the way I was a few years ago, so I think that's starting to pay off and hopefully it can continue to improve."
As has been an increasing trend in recent times, Australia's top-order batsmen failed to capitalise on the toil of their bowlers.
David Warner (5), Shaun Marsh (3) and Michael Clarke (1) all chopped deliveries onto their stumps while debutant Ed Cowan (8) shouldered arms as third-Test rookie Umesh Radav (4 for 49 off 15 overs) unleashed havoc in front of 40,556.
Old-ball specialist Zaheer Khan chimed in with 2 for 32, removing a set Ponting for 60 to end a 115-run stand with Hussey, their seventh century partnership.
The pair came together with Australia languishing at 4 for 27 and turned back the clock with their careers on the line.
Both have stated they have no intention of retiring and they dug in deep for their country today, surviving some nail-biting early moments to help Australia recover from a disastrous position.
Hussey is eyeing his first century since the Sri Lankan tour after woeful series against South Africa and New Zealand.
Ponting's ton drought stretches almost two years now but with two half-centuries in a match for the 14th time in his career, his spot for the second Test in Sydney is assured.
The same cannot be said for Brad Haddin, who once again failed to put a high-enough prize on his wicket and surrendered to Khan for 6.
Tags: sport, cricket, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted December 28, 2011 18:10:10
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