Sehwag hits out against Australia
MELBOURNE, Australia -- India started brightly in their bid to complete their first ever cricket test series win in Australia, with Virender Sehwag blasting a century as the tourists finished the first day of the third test at 329 for 4.
Sehwag scored 195 from 233 balls, including 25 fours and five sixes, and shared century stands with Rahul Dravid and Akash Chopra.
But Australia hit back in the final session, claiming three wickets for 25 runs, including Sachin Tendulkar for a first ball duck.
India's star batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, who has so far failed to record a high score in the series, was caught by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist on the leg side from Brett Lee.
Sehwag and Chopra put on 141 runs for the first wicket, surviving a fiery opening spell in which Sehwag was twice clipped on the helmet by paceman Lee.
But Chopra was dismissed for 48, caught bat and pad by Simon Katich off spinner Stuart MacGill.
Dravid then added 49 before he was caught out by Australian captain Steve Waugh, caught by Damien Martyn.
Sehwag's innings -- his best in test cricket -- was ended by Katich, caught on the boundary by Nathan Bracken one ball after hitting the part-time spinner for six.
"I was not disappointed," said Sehwag. "The ball was a full toss and that is a loose ball. So I must go for a loose ball. It doesn't matter if I go out."
"I play my natural game. If the ball is there to hit, I'll hit it, that's it," said Sehwag.
"After I got hit on the helmet, I had more confidence. I was more conscious, my concentration was going well and I was very solid defensively."
India lead the four-match series 1-0. Australia are seeking to avoid their first home series defeat since losing to the West Indies in 1992-93.
