An impressive opening spell by Irfan Pathan rocked Australia's bid for a world record 17th successive win in the third Test against India at the WACA yesterday.
The home side are chasing 413 to win after the Indian tail wagged to lift their side's second innings total to 294 on the third day here.
Pathan, an onlooker for the first two Tests, removed openers Chris Rogers (15) and Phil Jaques (16) in his opening spell with impressive late swing.
PHOTO: AFP
Rogers, who has had a tough debut, making just four in the first innings, was caught behind, while Jaques lived dangerously before guiding an outswinger straight to Wasim Jaffer at gully.
At stumps Australia were 65 for two, still needing a further 348 to win, with Ricky Ponting on 24 and Mike Hussey on five.
Only once before in Test history has a team scored more to win in the fourth innings of a Test, when the West Indies made 418 for seven against Australia in Antigua in 2003.
The previous best at the WACA was Australia's 342 for eight against India back in 1977, in the first Test between the two countries at the venue.
Australia have not been beaten since losing to England at Trent Bridge in August, 2005 and have not lost a home Test since December 2003, against India in Adelaide.
Australian coach Tim Nielsen said his side were paying the price for underperforming in their first innings in making just 212. However, he said they were capable of creating history.
"The good thing is the wicket's still in pretty good shape, the outfield's fast and we've seen that if batsmen get in they find it easier to score," he said. "If we play well enough we'll give ourselves the chance to chase down a really big total and get the record we're looking for."
But Indian batsman VVS Laxman said chasing more than 400 was a huge psychological burden for the Australians and tipped skipper Anil Kumble to play a big role in India's push for victory.
"They're under a lot of pressure tomorrow getting 350 runs in the fourth innings," he said. "The way our bowlers bowled in the last hour was very encouraging."
India snapped Australia's previous record 16-Test winning streak when they notched a memorable victory after following-on 274 runs behind in Kolkata in 2001.
Laxman was the hero on that occasion with a double century and his fighting 79 in India's second innings here enabled the tourists to recover from 160 for six and set the Australians such a challenging target.
He received good late support from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, with 38, and number 10 RP Singh, who made an invaluable 30.
Pathan, who came in as night-watchman toward close of play on Thursday, also made an important contribution with a battling 46.
Laxman has been a thorn in Australia's side throughout his career.
He averages nearly 60 in Australia in Test cricket and his overall average against the world's top team is 51.76 compared with a career average of 44.40.
He was not at his fluid best yesterday and was dropped on 59 off the bowling of Brett Lee, but stuck to his task and only fell when he chanced his arm with number 11 Ishant Sharma at the other end.
India had started the day in control and leading by 170 runs with nine wickets in hand, but lost four quick wickets as Australia hit back.
Nagging seamer Stuart Clark (4-61) started the Australian fightback by bowling Virender Sehwag for 43 to leave Australia 79 for two.
Lee (3-54) snared the prized scalps of Rahul Dravid (3) and Sachin Tendulkar (13).
When Mitchell Johnson had Sourav Ganguly caught at first slip for a duck, India had slumped to 125 for five, and had lost four wickets for just 46 runs but, led by Laxman, they steadied the ship to reach their total of 294.
Australia lead the four-match series 2-0 and have already retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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