Michael Clarke batted himself into the history books with an unbeaten triple century and helped Australia move within eight wickets of a devastating victory over India at the SCG.
The tourists ended the day at 2 for 114, still 354 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat and a 2-0 series deficit, with opener Gautam Gambhir (66 not out) and Sachin Tendulkar (8 not out) clawing their way to stumps.
India's task for the next two days seems insurmountable, despite batsmen-friendly conditions, and it could have been much worse had Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin not dropped a sitter from a Gambhir edge in the second last over of play.
That was the only low point in a day of tumbling records at the SCG, as Clarke (329 not out) and Michael Hussey (150 not out) shared in a record partnership that extended Australia's lead to 468 runs.
Captain Clarke had surpassed a long list of Test records and had many more within touching distance before somewhat surprisingly declaring an end to the Australian innings at 4 for 659 halfway through the middle session.
"There might have been some more runs out there, but we have to win the Test match," said Clarke, who became the sixth Australian batsman to pass 300.
"I've learnt in my career that making hundreds are useless if you don't win the Test. That was my focus, that was my reason for declaring.
"We had a 450-run lead, that was my goal when we walked back out at lunch time and we got there."
Including Ricky Ponting's 134 on day two, it was the first time Australia has boasted three or more century-makers in one innings since the first Ashes Test at Cardiff in 2009.
Clarke's 288-run stand with Ponting and his union of 334 with Hussey, Australia's biggest against India, was also the first time two 250-plus partnerships have been scored in one innings.
"We were very disciplined with our batting. I thought our intent from the start was spot on," Clarke said.
"Punter played really well yesterday and Hussey was outstanding. He hit the ball sweet all day.
"We speak a lot about partnerships as a batting unit and it was nice to finally do it in this Test match."
Hussey effortlessly cruised to his 16th Test ton, erasing any doubt over his position in the side with knocks of 142, 118, 93, 89 and now 150 not out in his past 13 knocks.
"There were plenty of milestones out there, and you've gotta really enjoy the good days in this game because it's a great leveller... there are so many bad days," he said.
"So if you do have a good day come along, you have to enjoy it and soak up the atmosphere."
India's deficit was its third highest in Test history when batting first, with the top three all coming since December 2010 and all overseas.
The visitors' challenge to bat out a draw was hit early when Virender Sehwag flayed at a wide Ben Hilfenhaus (2 for 37) ball and was spectacularly held by David Warner at point.
Hilfenhaus then returned to knock over Rahul Dravid, his sixth bowled dismissal in his past eight innings, for 25 and India was 2 for 100.
Gambhir had scored freely until that point as the flat pitch helped the left-hander find some much-needed touch, but the Indians added just 14 runs in the remaining 15 overs to stumps.
Tendulkar, surviving to set-up yet another tilt at his 100th international ton, scratched out 8 from 42 balls and almost became Hilfenhaus's third victim when an inside edge flew past his stumps for four.
But Hilfenhaus's misfortune was soon replaced by the fury of James Pattinson when the young quick saw his perfectly procured edge from Gambhir fly through the outstretched arms of Haddin.
Tags: cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, india First posted January 05, 2012 19:06:23