Sehwag

NEW DELHI (AP):

Part-time offspinner Virender Sehwag took three crucial wickets yesterday, as India maintained its dominance over Australia, which registered 338-4 at stumps on the third day of the third Test.

Sehwag, who was bowling instead of the injured Anil Kumble, broke through late in the day to remove Michael Hussey after ending the strong resistance of Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden.

Australia's batsmen fought to stay in touch with India but were left with plenty to do over the remaining two days to save the game and stay alive in the four-match series.

Half-centuries

"The match is in the balance but can go either way," Sehwag said. "The way the pitch is playing and if Anil is back, we will try to get them out and enforce the follow-on."

Hussey collected 53 before being bowled by Sehwag after Ponting, Hayden and Simon Katich made useful half-centuries to prevent a disaster in reply to the host's imposing 613-7.

At stumps, Australia were still 74 runs short of avoiding the possibility of a follow-on - with vice-captain Michael Clarke (21) partnered by Shane Watson (4).

"We're very confident, we've got a good batting line-up to come," Hayden said.

"There are some challenging conditions to face, especially with spin, but it is one we are going to enjoy."

Morning session

Sehwag filled in admirably for Kumble and captured 3-66 from 22 overs while Amit Mishra, who knocked out Katich's middle stump, tested the batsmen during his 1-95 from 30.

Hayden and Katich set up the tourists' reply with a 123-run opening stand in the morning session to give them hope of challenging India's total.

Katich added 64 and Hayden broke free from a form slump to post an important 83 from 154 balls before Ponting and Hussey chipped in during productive partnerships.

Ponting gained his 41st Test half-century and fought hard for 87 - shelving a lot of his usual attacking shots against the tight bowling - but he slipped when trying to drive a fuller ball from Sehwag. The dismissal ended Ponting's 82-run partnership with Hussey and left Australia at 284-3.

Swarm of bees

Play was held up two balls into the second session when a swarm of bees caused the players and umpires to lie on the ground for a couple of minutes until the threat passed.

India had another setback before play when match referee Chris Broad told opener Gautam Gambhir he would be suspended for the fourth Test in Nagpur because of his physical confrontation with Australian bowler Shane Watson on the first day.

Sehwag was surprised by Gambhir's penalty.The ICC said later yesterday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had officially appealed the guilty ruling.