Australia on brink of heavy defeat after second-innings batting collapse against India

[ASFN Admin]

Australia (195 and 133 for 6) lead India (326) by 2 runs Australia were staring at the prospect of a heavy defeat after a second-innings batting collapse on day three of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday. The Australians will head into day four on 133 for six, with a lead of just two runs. After resuming on 277 for five in their first innings, India suffered a collapse themselves and were all out for 326. Trailing by 131 from the first innings, Australia reached tea on 65 for two before losing four for 27 - including crashing from 98 for three to 99 for six and flirting with the prospect of an innings defeat as India set themselves to level the four-match series 1-1. Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane took his overnight 104 to 112 before a run out which started India's collapse, with Ravindra Jadeja falling soon afterwards for 57. Paceman Mitchell Starc and spinner Nathan Lyon took three wickets apiece. Opener Matthew Wade made 40 in a steady start for the Australians before their final-session mayhem, with the wickets shared between five Indian bowlers as the tourists prospered despite the loss of Umesh Yadav, who went off with a calf strain after lunch. Wade said he hoped Australia's tailenders could deliver an overall lead of 150 or even 200. "We'll take anything. Anything over 100 would be good," he said. He added that the pitch was offering some assistance to the spinners and seamers. "Every now and then there is a bit of nip," he said.

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