Record-breaking Clarke leads way as Australia scent milestone Test win

India reached 114-2 in their second innings at stumps on the third day, one dominated by Clarke’s unbeaten 329.

After achieving the highest score in the SCG’s 100-Test history, Clarke declared at 659-4 midway through the second session.

Mike Hussey offered his captain terrific support, scoring an unbeaten 150 to supplement Ricky Ponting’s 134.

The tourists, after scoring just 191 in their first innings, trail by 354 runs with Gautam Gambhir (68 no) and a watchful Sachin Tendulkar (8 no) set to resume.

But they could consider themselves fortunate to still be there.

Tendulkar narrowly avoided being bowled off an inside edge on seven and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin should have accepted a thick edge from Gambhir on 66 from James Pattinson’s bowling.

The Indians’ planned fightback began calamitously when opener Virender Sehwag slashed at a short and wide delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus (2-37).

David Warner took a spectacular leaping catch at point to remove the dangerous left-hander for four.

That brought Rahul Dravid to the crease and he got off the mark with a classy flick to the boundary in front of mid wicket.

But on 29, Hilfenhaus produced a sublime off-cutter to pass through the narrowest of gates and clip Dravid’s middle and off-stump.

It left India 100 -2 as Tendulkar made his way to the middle of the SCG for the last time to the cheers of 31,644 fans.

Earlier, Clarke smashed a host of new records with a brilliant innings, while Hussey shone at the other end.

The pair added 334 runs to leave the deflated tourists staring down the barrel of a second consecutive defeat on Australian soil.

In all, the hosts added 622 runs for the loss of one wicket after Clarke and Ponting were united at 37-3 late on day one.

After breaking through for his maiden double century on the second day, run-hungry Clarke picked up where he left off when play resumed.

His epic knock lasted 617 minutes, 468 balls and included 39 fours and a six.

The captain’s declaration left him five runs short of the highest Test score by an Australian captain, held by Mark Taylor on 334 – also Don Bradman’s highest Test score.

Matt Hayden’s 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003-04 remains the highest tally by an Australian while Brian Lara leads all-comers with 400.

In passing the top score seen at the SCG, the 30-year-old overtook Englishman Tip Foster (287) and West Indian Brian Lara (277).

Foster, who also represented England in football, scored his 287 on debut in the 1903-04 Ashes series, while Lara’s 277 came in the 1992-93 series.

Hussey became the third century-maker of the innings, bringing up his 100 with a sharp single shortly before lunch.

The left-hander produced one of his finest Test innings, belting 16 fours and a six off 253 deliveries.

India batsman Virat Kohli has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee after making an obscene gesture during Australia’s mammoth first innings.

Kohli pleaded guilty to a level-two charge of “using language or gesture(s) that is seriously obscene, seriously offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any third person during an international match”.

A press photographer caught the India No 6 raising his middle finger towards a section of the crowd – a gesture seemingly prompted by criticism from the spectators as Australia piled on over 300 runs on day two.

South Africa closed in on a series-clinching win over Sri Lanka after taking 12 wickets on a one-sided third day of the decisive third Test in Cape Town.

Sri Lanka collapsed from 149-2 overnight to 239 all out and, following on, were 138-4 at the close, still 203 runs behind.

Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn took three first-innings wickets apiece as South Africa seized control of the match early on.

The second innings of dangermen Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were all ended before stumps to leave their side facing a huge task to save the match and the series.

Philander had Dilshan caught behind by Mark Boucher for five and Jacques Kallis removed fellow opener Lahiru Thirimanne for 30, Hashim Amla taking the catch off bat and pad at short leg.

Kallis also took two catches to dismiss Sangakkara (34) and Jayawardene (12), with Imran Tahir and Morne Morkel the bowlers.

Sri Lanka’s hopes rest with Angelo Mathews (28 no) and Thilan Samaraweera (19no).

In the morning, Steyn had instantly put the hosts on the front foot as Sri Lanka lost five first-innings wickets for 70 in the opening session.

Steyn had Sangakkara (35) caught by Amla at gully before Sri Lanka could add a run to their overnight 149. Samaraweera edged a delivery from Philander to Kallis at second slip for 11 and Jayawardene (30) did the same to hand Steyn his second victim.

Steyn struck again to have Mathews (1) caught behind by Boucher before Tahir bowled Tissara Perera for five.

Philander dismissed Rangana Herath for one and Dhammika Prasad for nine before Morkel ended Lokuge Chandimal’s resistance for 35.