Australia's cricket team made a shaky start Friday as it attempts to complete the second-biggest run chase in test history.
India was bowled out for 294 in its second innings in Perth, and is poised to inflict a rare home defeat on the Australians in the third test. The visitors set Australia a winning target of 413 over the final two days.
India's V.V.S. Laxman hit a defiant 79 over almost four hours to take the initiative from Australia after the visitors had slumped to 125-5 in the morning session.
Australian Brett Lee claimed 3-54 for the innings, including the key wickets of anchorman Rahul Dravid (3) and Sachin Tendulkar (13), who got a standing ovation by the crowd in what is likely to be his last test in Perth.
Australia slid to 65-2 by stumps on day three. Left-arm swing bowler Irfan Pathan took two for 22, dismissing openers Chris Rogers for 15 and Phil Jacques for 16. Skipper Ricky Ponting at 24 not out and Michael Hussey at five not out will resume Saturday, with Australia facing an enormous task to win a world record 17th successive test.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
