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Cricket

India win in Perth to thwart Australia Test record

19/01/2008

India have beaten Australia by 72 runs in Perth to thwart the home side's attempt to win a record 17th consecutive Test match.

After being set 413 to win Australia resumed on 65-2 on the fourth morning of the match, having lost openers Chris Rogers and Phil Jaques late on day three.

Although the Aussies made a bright start in their run chase, with Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey to the fore, India's spinners eventually capitalised on a wearing fourth day pitch.

Ishant Sharma grabbed the only wicket of the morning session when Ponting (45) edged him to Rahul Dravid at first slip but the middle-order offered less resistance after the break.

Hussey had seen off 113 balls when he was trapped lbw by RP Singh for 46 and Andrew Symonds could only add 12 to the score before Indian captain Anil Kumble had him out lbw.

Part-time spinner Virender Sehwag was pressed into action as India chose to use spin from both ends. The plan worked and Sehwag soon got the prized wicket of Adam Gilchrist for 15.

When he had Brett Lee caught by VVS Laxman for a duck Australia were struggling on 229-7.

Michael Clarke had offered some defiance during the afternoon session but when he was stumped by MS Dhoni off Kumble for 81 Australia's faint hopes appeared to have vanished.

However a ninth-wicket partnership of 73 between Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark got the hosts to within 87 runs of their target.

The match was beginning to resemble scenes at Edgbaston during the 2005 Ashes series, when Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz put on 59 for the last wicket to get Australia to within three runs of victory, before Irfan Pathan ended Australia's determined effort by dismissing Clark for 32.

Singh then bowled Shaun Tait for 4 leaving Johnson unbeaten on 50 and Australia 72 runs short.

It was the first time Australia had lost since England beat them at Trent Bridge in 2005. The win means India can still draw the Test series with one match to play as they now trail 2-1.