Warner, Cowan And Bowlers Keep Australia Ahead

Warner, Cowan And Bowlers Keep Australia Ahead

Ed Cowan raises his bat to celebrate his half-century on day two in Perth

©REUTERS / Action Images

India 161 (Kohli 44, Hilfenhaus 4-43) & 88-4
Australia 369 (Warner 180, Yadav 5-93)
Third Test, Perth, day two
Scorecard | Day One

India face a battle to save the third Test in Perth against Australia after they closed day two at the WACA 120 runs adrift and were precariously placed at 88 for four in their second innings.

They had produced an improved performance with the ball to dismiss Australia for 369 in reply to their first innings of 161 but by the end of the day it was the home side that was still in the ascendency.

After the opening partnership of 214 between David Warner (180) and Ed Cowan (74) was broken, Umesh Yadav returned five for 93 as India took all ten wickets for 155.

He dismissed Cowan, Shaun Marsh (11), Ricky Ponting (7), Peter Siddle (30) and Ryan Harris (9) while Zaheer Khan took two wickets and Ranganath Vinay Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Virender Sehwag one apiece as the rest of the Australian batsmen were unable to follow the example of their openers.

Warner continued in the same vein as on day one when he smacked a 69-ball century, making 180 in 159 deliveries with 20 fours and five sixes before he eventually fell to a catch at long on.

Cowan made 74 in 120 balls with ten fours before India's fightback left Australia 208 runs to the good.

However, their good work was undone as Australia's quick bowlers tore into the top order to leave them reeling at 51 for four before Rahul Dravid (32 not out) and Virat Kohli (21 not out) combined to limit the damage.

Gautam Gambhir was caught by Michael Hussey off Mitchell Starc for 14, Virender Sehwag was caught behind off Siddle for ten, Sachin Tendulkar trapped in front by Starc for eight and VVS Laxman was caught by Marsh off Ben HIlfenhaus without scoring.

Australia lead the series 2-0 following convincing victories in Melbourne and Sydney.

© Cricket World 2012