Quicks Push Australia Ahead

Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie each claimed two wickets to ensure that Australia are well placed to earn a series-winning 2-0 lead against India at Nagpur.

Left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan opted to take the second new ball midway through the first over of the day as he continued to build on his excellent day 1 work. The opening breakthrough of the day soon proved imminent as Zaheer trapped Gillespie infront - plumb to the naked eye, although replays suggested a faint inside edge.

Michael Kasprowicz's limp fend gave Ajit Agarkar his first wicket of the series before copping some unlikely punishment from Glenn McGrath, pulling through square leg and a cover drive in a valuable supporting role for Michael Clarke.

Clarke, resuming Day 2 on 73, bludgeoned towards a second Test century before a swipe outside off stump saw him edge to Parthiv Patel, with the keeper somehow managing to hold on to the regulation chance, leaving Zaheer with 4 well deserved wickets.

The Indian innings began in strong fashion as Virender Sehwag launched early fire on Jason Gillespie, collecting 16 from the second over of the innings. His brisk 22 proved short-lived, however, as McGrath claimed his first wicket of the match to leave India at 1/31.

Aakash Chopra offered mere token resistance as Gillespie returned to dismiss the embattled opener and injured hero Sachin Tendulkar with a peach of a delivery for just 8 - his first competitive innings in three months.

Rahul Dravid continued to stonewall the Indian cause as VVS Laxman's run of outs continued - chopping a Warne long hop to Clarke at point for 13. Mohammad Kaif, recalled during the previous Test, looked solid early on as the pair chiseled away for the best part of 17 overs.

Dravid, however, fell after his 140-ball 21 to a good slips catch from Shane Warne. McGrath, always the miser, boasted an economy rate that barely reached 1 per over throughout the day.

Patel continued to impress with the bat, finishing unbeaten on 16. Yet again, however, the undeterred Kaif marshaled the cause with an unbeaten 47 - despite a spell of bouncers from Gillespie that bordered on tedious.

For all the action of Day 1, the second days play offered little to a spectator. The Indians chose to shut up shop - as highlighted by Chopra - and by the third session, it seemed both sides were merely playing for stumps.

Progress Scores: Stumps Day 2

Australia 398
D Martyn 114, M Clarke 91, D Lehmann 70, J Langer 44;
Zaheer Khan 4/95, Murali Kartik 3/57.

India 5/146
M Kaif 47*;
G McGrath 2/18, J Gillespie 2/47.

Posted by Andre