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Australia require 95 to beat India

Rahul Dravid (right), Brett Lee
Dravid's resistance was finally broken by Lee.

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MELBOURNE, Australia -- Australia need 95 runs on the final day of the third test against India to level the four-match series.

India, who trailed by 192 runs after the first innings were bowled out for 286 in their second innings on the fourth day after a fiery spell with the new ball by Brad Williams who took 4-53.

The tourists' defensive effort was marshaled by Rahul Dravid who batted for 92 runs in five-and-a-half hours.

Saurav Ganguly also scored 73 and Sachin Tendulkar made 44, but the Indian innings collapsed from 253-4 as six wickets were lost for 33 runs.

"With a bit of magic, you never know," said Dravid.

"A lot of people expected us to come and fold over. We've fought quite hard and we'll do the same tomorrow. We might not win, but there's always hope."

After losing their two openers cheaply on Sunday, India had started the day strongly, losing just two wickets in the first four hours as India reached tea at 182-4.

Williams bouncer

Tendulkar, brought to the crease when Ganguly was hit on the head by a Williams bouncer in the fifth over, was first to fall, edging Williams to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.

Vangipurappu Laxman followed, caught for 18 by Matthew Hayden off spinner Stuart MacGill and Dravid was finally dismissed by Brett Lee, also caught behind.

Ganguly, returning to continue his innings, was out dragging a ball from Nathan Bracken onto his stumps, and Williams then blasted through India's tail, taking the wickets of Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan for one run in two overs.

That left wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel unbeaten on 27.

Australia took charge of the match on the second day after bowling India out in their first innings for 366. Ricky Ponting then scored a career best 257 as Australia made 558 in reply.

India are seeking their first ever series win in Australia while Steve Waugh's side are seeking to avoid their first home series defeat since losing to the West Indies in 1992-93.


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