We got on a roll and the momentum stayed in our favour for the whole day Ricky Ponting More close of play reaction

Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting made centuries to put Australia in a strong position in the third Test at the MCG.

Hayden hit a six and 17 fours in his 136 and Ponting was 120 not out at the close as the home side reached 317-3, just 49 behind India's total.

Trailing 1-0 in the series, the home side raised their game with both bat and ball.

They raced through the Indian tail in the morning session and Hayden and Ponting then shared a stand of 234.

Resuming on 329-4, India added 21 to their total before skipper Sourav Ganguly was caught by Justin Langer off paceman Brett Lee for 37.

It sparked a collapse which saw their last six wickets go down in the space of eight overs for just 16 runs.

I don't know what India had for breakfast, but their effort today was woeful From Jason Have your say on TMS

Parthiv Patel was caught for a duck when Nathan Bracken found the edge, and Ajit Agarkar ran himself out first ball when he attempted an impossible single after playing it straight to Brad Williams at mid-off.

Williams then removed Anil Kumble for three before spinner Stuart MacGill got in on the act with the wickets of VVS Laxman (19) and Ashish Nehra (nought).

India needed to strike back quickly with the ball and did so when Langer failed to control a square cut off Agarkar and was taken by Sachin Tendulkar at point for 14.

The Indians were delighted to see the back of Hayden

The setback did not inhibit Hayden, however, and the big left-hander took the attack to the Indian bowlers, with new partner Ponting taking time to play himself in.

His half century took just 71 balls and he continued to find the boundary at regular intervals, with left-armer Nehra the only bowler able to exercise a measure of control.

Australia were 149-1 at tea and added another 168 runs in the final session for the loss of two wickets.

Hayden's knock lasted two hours and 20 minutes before he was lbw to Kumble, who claimed a second victim when Adam Gilchrist - promoted three places up the order to number four - was caught by Nehra for 14.

Ponting, who hit 242 in the second Test at Adelaide, was unruffled and progressed to his century off 172 balls.

Damien Martyn kept him company over the closing overs to reach seven not out.

Australia Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Steve Waugh (captain), Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Brad Williams, Nathan Bracken, Stuart MacGill