Ponting, Hussey lead Australia fightback

Senior batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey were steering Australia out of early trouble against India on the third day of the first Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Former skipper Ricky Ponting, who scored 62 in his first innings, was at the crease with the team tottering at 4/27 but joined forces with another besieged veteran, Mike Hussey to share a 115-run partnership to give Australia a chance of victory with two days left.

Australia lead by 230 runs with two second-innings wickets in hand after a day of drama which included 15 wickets falling.

Ponting and Hussey have so far put on 54 runs for the fifth wicket and halted Australia's slide after their four top-order batsmen batted poorly to leave the hosts in a mess.

However India's young paceman Yadav quickly ended Australia's celebrations when he removed David Warner (5), Ed Cowan (8) and Shaun Marsh (3) with only 24 runs on the board.

"We're 230 ahead now which I think is a reasonable total for India to chase but ideally I would like us to make a bit more than that," Ponting said.

Sehwag said India would be looking to keep Australia's lead under 300.

"I think it was a good day for India. The match is evenly balanced. If we win the game we will have to bat really well," he said.

Ponting praised Hussey's positive approach when he came to the crease with Australia in dire trouble.

"You have to show great intent in those situations and you have to be able to counter-attack at different times, and I thought the way that Mike Hussey handled that situation was great," he said.

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