BANGALORE, India - Australia's inexperienced middle order will be under pressure today to build on the platform provided by captain Ricky Ponting on the opening day of the Test against India in Bangalore.
Overnight batsman Mike Hussey (46no) will be joined at the wicket by Shane Watson forthe first session at 4-254 after Michael Clarke fell lbw to the final ball of the day from Indian quick Zaheer Khan (2-39).
Injury-prone Watson is taking part in his fourth Test match, and first since November 2005.
Beneath him in the order are wicketkeeper batsman Brad Haddin, playing only his fourth Test, and debutant allrounder Cameron White.
All three will need to contribute for Australia to build the big score it is sure to need on a pitch becoming lower and slower with each delivery.
Indian paceman Ishant Sharma (1-49) said the home side fancied their chances of rolling through the rest of the Australian innings for less than 300.
"Restricting the Aussies to less than 300 runs would be a good achievement and if we can get a couple of early wicket in the morning we can contain them. The first one and half hours will be crucial for both the teams," Sharma told reporters after play.
" I am really satisfied with my performance because we were up against great batsmen like Ponting and (Simon) Katich, who can be dangerous batsmen once they settle in."
Ponting's determined 123 was his 36th Test hundred, his first in India and his 16th as captain, the most by any skipper since Test cricket began in 1877.
