Krejza

NAGPUR, India (AP):

Opener Simon Katich revived Australia's desperate hopes of forcing a result against India with an unbeaten 92 yesterday, after offspinner Jason Krejza kept the visitors in the fourth Test with eight first-innings wickets.

Krejza took 8-215 from 43.5 overs - becoming just the sixth bowler to capture eight wickets in an innings of his debut Test - to restrict India to 441 in the middle session of the second day before Katich guided Australia to 189 for two at stumps in reply.

Created chances

Krejza had grabbed the prized wickets of Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and V.V.S Laxman on the opening day and was the only Australian bowler who created regular chances.

"It's incredible," Krejza said. "It's still pretty unbelievable against the best players of spin in the world."

He was the 14th Australian to capture at least five wickets in an innings in his first Test, but it came at a price as he set a new record for runs conceded in an innings on debut, succeeding West Indian Omari Banks' 3-204 in 2003 against Australia.

Katich produced his best innings of the series with a third half-century of the contest to lift Australia once opening partner Matt Hayden was run-out for 16 and skipper Ricky Ponting (24) was bowled attempting a cut off Harbhajan Singh.

It was Harbhajan's 300th wicket in Tests, making him only the third India bowler behind Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble to reach the mark.

Katich cut and drove strongly while racing to his half-century from 55 deliveries and by stumps had hit eight fours from 120 balls. He received useful assistance from Michael Hussey, who was 45, during a 115-run partnership for the third wicket.

Indian rookie Murali Vijay said the team was not disappointed with just two wickets before stumps, following the damage created by Krejza.

"Nothing was going wrong, on this wicket you've got to be patient," he said. "The wicket is a bit on the slower side. If Bhajji (Harbhajan) can bowl them out tomorrow it will be good for us."

Krejza engineered a quick end to the home side's innings, sparking a collapse of 5-19 as India were dismissed 58 minutes after lunch on day two.