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India put an end to Aussies' hopes of record victory

India's Anil Kumble, left, hugs Rahul Dravid, second left, as Sachin Tendulkar, second right, celebrates victory with RP Singh in Perth, Australia, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

India beat Australia by 72 runs yesterday to end the home team's hopes of becoming the first team to win 17 Tests in-a-row in the third cricket Test at the WACA.

Faced with a target of 413 -- a fourth-innings target which had only been successfully chased once in Test history -- Australia began the day on 65-2 and were bowled out for 340, as India took wickets at a steady clip to prevent the home side gaining momentum.

India looked on course for a comfortable win when they reduced Australia to 253-8, but tailenders Mitchell Johnson (50 not out) and Stuart Clark (32) used the long handle in a 73-run ninth wicket stand that briefly threatened an extraordinary comeback. India claimed the last two wickets late on the fourth day.

From the time Ishant Sharma dismissed Ponting in the morning, Australia struggled to challenge the target, with no one able to make the big century the task required.

Ponting squared up to a delivery that bounced and swung away to be caught by Rahul Dravid at first slip.

In what was the best spell of swing bowling in the match, Sharma (1-63) had Ponting playing and missing repeatedly before finally dismissing him.

Mike Hussey (45) and Andrew Symonds (12) were then trapped leg before soon after lunch.

Virender Sehwag was the unlikely star of the afternoon session, using his part-time offspin to dismiss Adam Gilchrist (15) and Brett Lee (0) in successive overs.

Sehwag took 2-24 from his eight overs.

When Micahel Clarke went, stumped off Anil Kumble for 81, Australia's chances were effectively over.

Johnson and Clark indulged in some lusty late-order hitting as the hosts got the runs required down to double figures but Irfan Pathan finally dismissed Clark who edged a delivery to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

RP Singh (2-95) bowled Shaun Tait soon after to end the match.
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