FIRST TEST, Bangalore (day four):
Australia 193-5, 430 all out (149.5 overs), India 360 all out (119 overs)

By Pranav Soneji

606: DEBATE Discuss the day's play on 606

"In response to the etymology issue raised just before I went to church (see 1042), 'Katirci' is Turkish for mule so he may be 'Simon who-transports-produce- by-mule', apposite for a batman on a slow day."
Paul in Lancs

1237: So we're set for a rip-roaring final day - will Ricky Ponting declare overnight and tuck into India's openers first thing tomorrow morning, or will Shane Watson and Brad Haddin attempt to bludgeon the lead past 300? I'm thinking the latter, especially at the start of a four-Test series. Mind you, imagine if that Indian top order get going...but on a fifth day pitch? Thanks for your company today, I'll be back in the hot seat tomorrow for what promises to be an enthralling day of Test cricket at its dramatic best.

CLOSE: AUSTRALIA 193-5

1232: Australia 193-5
Zaheer chunters in for the last time on Sunday as Haddin and Watson (sounds like a Sydney law firm) take three runs from the over, extending Australia's lead to 263 thanks to a very industrious 65-run partnership from 104 balls.

1227: Australia 190-5
Haddin is beaten all ends up by a brute of a leggie from Kumble, pitching on off and flying past the edge of the Australian's bat. That's probably the first thing he has turned all day as Haddin edges a single to point to take strike for the next over, which is likely to be the final over of the day.

1225: Australia 189-5
Zaheer Khan has a humungous appeal for lbw against Haddin dismissed by Rudi Koertzen. Replays suggest it was a mighty tight call, although the third umpire is called in as the stumps are broken as Haddin just about scampers back in to his crease at full stretch. Either way, Zaheer looks like a man who has just discovered his prize marrow has been nibbled into oblivion by a band of hungry squirrels. Another run out opportunity goes begging with no fielder over the stumps at the bowler's end with Watson scrambling to make his ground.

1218: Australia 187-5
Haddin calls for two runs off Kumble down to fine leg, where Zaheer Khan hurls in a throw to the bowler's end with Watson struggling to make his ground, only to see his captain fumble the take and attempted shy at the stumps. Not the best day ever for Kumble.

1215: Australia 185-5
With eight overs left in the day, Harbhajan makes way for the left-arm guiles of Zaheer Khan, who should be fresh as a hot paratha after a two-hour rest in the field. Bit miffed as to why he hadn't bowled earlier after effusing praise on his reverse swinging skills. He immediately goes around the wicket and raps Watson flush on the front pad, but the angle suggests the ball would have gone missed leg stump, much to the bowler's incredulity. Hawk-Eye says the ball would have just flicked leg stump. Tough decisions for Rudi Koertzen.

1207: Australia 178-5
Bit up and down from Kumble, he isn't getting any of the bite and fizz that Harbhajan is coaxing from this wearing and cracking pitch. The off-spinner gets a ball to zip from around the wicket, brushing Watson's thigh pad along the way. But the all-rounder brings up the 50-run partnership from just 71 balls with an off-side dab.

1201: Australia 175-5
Lovely late cut from Watson off Kumble, dabbing the ball down to the vacant third man boundary. The sixth-wicket pair have accelerated the scoring with some aggressive strokeplay and well-taken singles, with Watson adding a further three runs after a direct hit from a quick single races down to the deep cover boundary for two overthrows. "Keep going guys!" shouts Dhoni behind the sticks after Watson fashions an easy double on the leg side. The off-spinner goes around the wicket and sees a ball bounce low and squirt through Dhoni's legs for four byes. This game is slipping away from India, top batting from the Aussie pair.

1155: Australia 162-5
A beautifully timed late cut from Haddin off Anil Kumble evades Sourav Ganguly at point to race away for four. The runs continue as Haddin's improvised sweep off Harbhajan sees Zaheer lay a considerable six 10 down to prevent the ball from crossing the rope at fine leg. Harbhajan has a semi-useful shout for lbw turned down by Asad Rauf after striking Haddin flush on the full, but replays indicate the ball was travelling down leg side.

1148: Australia 155-5
Haddin rockets an aerial straight drive straight back at Anil Kumble, but the Indian captain attempts some sort of hybrid evasive action/catch attempt as the ball sails away for a boundary. Spin partner Harbhajan offers no such gifts, although his last ball goes for four leg byes after catching Watson's thigh pad, extending Australia's advantage to 225.

1141: Australia 146-5
Anil Kumble makes his long-awaited appearance after taking time off the field to receive treatment for a shoulder problem. It clearly hasn't effected his bowling though as he sends through an economical over, conceding just the one run. His spin twin Harbhajan is looking menacing, twice testing Brad Haddin with a change in delivery, with the wicketkeeper getting off strike with a risky push off his hip.

1134: Australia 143-5
Watson latches on to a short Harbhajan delivery, but his pull only just evades the outstretched hand of Virender Sehwag, who is caught in no man's land, neither on the boundary or saving the one at mid-wicket. Watson majestically sweeps over square leg to add another boundary, signalling his intention that he will not be dictated to. He grabs his third boundary of the over, but once again evading another fielder, this time VVS Laxman at leg slip as the ball squirts through his hands and legs to the fine leg boundary. Productive over for Watson and Australia, who stretch their lead to 200. Could have been a lot better for India though.

1130: Australia 129-5
Watson nudges another intelligent slower ball from Sharma to Dhoni, but the ball falls just short of the wicketkeeper, who indicates he wasn't sure whether he took the ball on the bounce. The replays suggest he did. Another good over for India - another couple of wickets are we are in for a cracker of a final day.

1118: Australia 127-4
Watson scythes a well-guided cut down to third man for a boundary off Sharma, who looks like he is tiring a tad under the Bangalore sun. Dhoni spills a take diving to his left, allowing the batsmen for an easy single, while some athletic running between the wicket sees Hussey add two more runs to move to 31.

1114: Australia 119-4
More loopy twirlings from Harbhajan, but he loses his discipline going around the wicket to Watson with his last ball of his 20th over, giving the all-rounder lots of time to put away a loose leg-side delivery for a single.

1058: Australia 108-3
Hussey collapses his right leg and sweeps a good length delivery on off stump through square leg for four. That ball wasn't particularly full either. A thoroughly rivetting contest, wahoo!

"I don't think you can look past the tree-chewing Goliath that is Matty Hayden as the best opener in the world (see 0944), he has been immense for a decade and even when he had a bad run and lost his ol' buddy Langer he still had enough in the tank to come back. Plus, he was born a few days after me!"
Graeme, Peterborough via the TMS inbox

1054: Australia 103-3
Hussey nibbles at a slanting Sharma delivery across his off stump, possibly the first time he has made a misjudgement in his innings today. Mr Cricket is more assured with the rest of the over, which turns out to be another maiden.

1042: Australia 94-2
Ishant Sharma makes a welcome return to break up the offies' monopoly. I'm absolutely amazed he doesn't have a Dennis Lillie-style headband to restrain that mane, they're aren't enough headbands in modern-day cricket. Katich gropes an absolute gem outside off stump from Sharma's last ball.

"Simon Katich is bound to be pretty dogged (see 0930) at the crease when his name's an anagram for 'Oh, I stick, man'."
Paul in Lancs

Morning Paul. Any ideas on the origin of "Katich"? Are we sensing some form of Eastern European/Slavic background?

"Responding to Rob Hillman's comment, the certain Smith is perhaps a more rounded cricketer and a very good captain (especially in one so young), but for his ability to destroy the opposing bowlers and turn the match around, Sehwag stands alone."
Ranga via the TMS inbox

1035: Australia 93-2
Hussey goes aerial with a paddle sweep off Sehwag, but the ball lands safely into space as the Aussie pair run through for a single. Since Kumble has taken charge again, there has been a noticable drop in intensity on the field. There are few men around the bat, giving Katich and Hussey ample opportunity to play with a little less fear. A vicious, spitting Harbhajan top-spinner hits the seam and rears up at Katich, who smartly drops his wrists to take the pace off the ball. That's the most excitement we have had since the tea interval.

1029: Australia 91-2
Nice loopy offerings from Sehwag, who bowls at a considerably slower pace than his off-spinning team-mate Harbhajan. Neither batsmen is biting as the bait is dangled outside off stump. Two successive maidens from the two off-spinners.

"After 14 months in Mumbai, I have managed to convince myself that tea and samosa (see 0944) is a great combination."
Alan via the TMS inbox

1023: Australia 91-2
The super zippy Sehwag concedes two off his fifth over, while Harbhajan continues to probe the rough outside the left-handers' off stump, throwing up more flight than a 747 to entice a drive, but Hussey is far too canny to take up the challenge, guiding a single through cover.

1019: Australia 88-2
Sehwag waltzes through his over again, a useful man to have in your side if you're struggling with a slow overrate. The next over from Harbhajan sees Hussey flash at a looping delivery outside off stump past the diving left hand of Rahul Dravid at first slip for four. Bhajji can't quite believe it, although there is a case for a gully in this situation. The last ball of a significantly more menacing Harbhajan over raps Katich on the pad, but Asad Rauf isn't having any of the Indian appeal, a bit like Simon Cowell watching a painful version of Angels for the 478th time from an X-Factor hopeful.

1011: Australia 81-2
A very fine sweep from Katich squirts between Dhoni's legs as the ball races away for Katich's second boundary. He seems to have lost his menacing fizz from earlier, maybe a little too much almond slice at tea?

1007: Australia 76-2
We're back and the best opening batsman in the world (according to Jinadine) Virender Sehwag has the ball in his grasp. Hussey scythes his first delivery down to deep point before Katich nicks a single. Anodyne opening to the tea interval.

"Responding to Jinadine's comment on current openers in Test cricket, I think a certain South African by the name of Smith may have a valid case? Scores runs for fun, catches anything that moves and captains the second best side in the world. Not a bad case for the jury?" Rob Hillman via the TMS inbox

"Sure I'm not the only one, but...if an average innings by Jack Russell is to be described as "dogged", surely an average innings by Katich should be described as "catted"? Sorry, it is Sunday morning... Bill Faber, Italy via the TMS inbox

TEA: AUSTRALIA 72-2, A LEAD OF 144 RUNS

0944: Australia 74-2
After 97 deliveries, Katich finally manages to pierce the infield as Zaheer strays wide of the off stump, allowing the opener to cut the ball down to deep square for a boundary. A lively exchange between bowler and batsman ensues, although nothing seems too untoward. Katich sees off the last ball and it's time for a nice cuppa and a samosa at for tea. Tea and somosa - not a classic combo, I must admit.

0939: Australia 68-2
Sehwag skips through his six balls in record time, allowing India to sneak in one last over before tea as Australia add two more to their total.

0937: Australia 66-2
Zaheer is getting the ball to reverse again, something that seems to happen earlier and earlier in Test matches these days. There aren't too many bowlers who can make the ball swing both in and out at will through wrist position alone. The only other bowler I can think of who possesses that extremely rare ability is England's James Anderson. Zaheer has another half lbw shout as an inswinger hits Hussey on his front pad, but the ball would have missed leg, hence the stunted appeal.

0932: Australia 64-2
Virender Sehwag gets his first twirl of the afternoon. A bit of turn for the Delhi captain, who has plenty of shape and curve on his loopy off breaks from around the wicket to the left-handers. Three runs - all singles - from the over.

0930: Australia 61-2
The only word I can think of to describe Katich's vigil today is "dogged", which is often how I would describe an average Jack Russell innings. He tucks a ball on leg stump to third man (Katich, not Jack Russell) for a single.

0924: Australia 60-2
Katich eventually manages double figures with a sharp single to point off Harbhajan. Meanwhile Anil Kumble, who missed the first hour resting a shoulder problem, will be allowed to bowl again at 1532 local time.

0921: Australia 57-2
Zaheer returns for the industrious Sharma, but Hussey guides two successive deliveries outside off stump down to deep point, picking up a two and a four for his endeavours to move to eight, one run behind Katich, who has faced 74 balls.

0916: Australia 51-2
More maiden action from Harbhajan, whose first ball loops and turns past Simon Katich's bat. The rest of the over sees less tweak, but nothing the left-hander can tuck in to. It's as tight as a stockbroker's grip on his bonus slip.

0913: Australia 51-2
Top over from Sharma, who probes on and around Mike Hussey's off stump. Enthralling stuff to watch, which is more than can be said for some of the stuff earlier on in this Test.

A salient point, however Test teams will always err on the side of caution at the start of a series, especially if they have no recognised all-rounder to bat at six or seven. The five-bowler strategy heaps added - and some might say undue - pressure on Dhoni, who would more than likely bat at six, while an all-rounder like Irfan Pathan, whose bowling has diminished as the years have progressed, would be expected to produce miracles with bat and ball. It's too risky for a first Test and, in my opinion, only worth implementing if you're chasing a win in a deciding Test. Now completely tear my argument apart...

(The answer as to when India last played five bowlers was in Mirpur, against Bangladesh, 17 Tests ago. For the series in Australia, England and Sri Lanka, plus the home one against South Africa, four specialist bowlers were used in every Test - a nugget provided by my lovely assistant Oliver Brett.)

0908: Australia 51-2
Hussey gets off the mark, although not too convincingly as Harbhajan continues to probe around the wicket into the rough outside off stump. Another good over.

0857: Australia 49-1
Harbhajan has his hands on his patka as Ponting insides edges about two millimetres above his middle stump past the gloves of Mahendra Singh Dhoni for four. Harbhajan goes around the wicket to Katich, who sees another well-flighted twirler bite and turn in the rough outside his off stump as Dhoni takes the ball at shoulder height. A very intriguing contest is taking place.

0854: Australia 44-1
Sharma is jagging the ball back at a more than useful pace to Ponting, who is once again jumping around his crease attempting to fend off the seamer. The captain squirts a single to move to 16.

0848: Australia 43-1
Play resumes after a quick glug of a variety of sports beverages with Harbhajan and his twirlers continuing. The Jalandhar-born spinner has a useful shout for leg before turned down by umpire Koertzen, although replays suggest the bowler had a more than decent case. Another good over for the rejuvenated Harbhajan.

0841: Australia 41-1
Ponting punishes a stray Sharma delivery on leg stump, flicking the ball off his toes down towards fine leg, where an ambling Sourav Ganguly stationed at deep square watches the ball roll over the boundary. Sharma's riposte is a good delivery on middle stump which has the Aussie captain jumping about in his crease, while his final ball rises viciously from a good length. A fourth day pitch at its very best, these cracks are starting to play havoc.

0836: Australia 37-1
Ponting dances down the wicket and lofts Harbhajan over mid-on for a smart four off the first ball of the over, before the second delivery turns sharply from middle and off, brushing Ponting's pad and evading the lunging Dhoni to roll away for a second successive boundary.

0832: Australia 28-1
Ishant Sharma relieves the thoroughly impressive Zaheer Khan and immediately the elegant Kolkata Knight Rider gives his Twenty20 IPL team-mate Ricky Ponting a stinger on his fingers with a delivery that spits up from a good length. Nice start from the 20-year-old.

0827: Australia 27-1
Harbhajan is bowling with the confidence and authority so severely missing from the first innings, fizzing the ball with more loop than a rollercoaster ride as Katich injudiciously opts to offer no stroke to a ball perilously close to his off stump. Bhajji looks like a man single-handedly intent on bagging as many wickets as possible.

0823: Australia 26-1
Another good over from Zaheer, who gives Simon Katich absolutely nothing to sink his teeth into. The former Worcestershire seamer goes around the wicket for a new angle, but his exploits are batted back by the obdurate New South Wales captain.

0818: Australia 26-1
Virender Sehwag snaffles what looks like a bat-pad catch at leg slip off new batsman Ricky Ponting, sending the entire cordon of Indian close fielders into raptures. But none of them check with umpire Rudi Koertzen, who shakes his head, immediately dousing India's celebrations. And the South African umpire - once again - is absolutely spot on as replays clearly show the ball hit Ponting's front pad rather than bat or glove. The off spinner beats the Aussie captain with a brute of a doosra, a ball so good even his wicketkeeper and stand-in captain can't cling on to it. A relieved Ponting gets off the mark.

0806: Australia 21-0
Harbhajan gets a ball to spit out of the rough, bouncing awkwardly and brushing the glove of Katich. The next ball sees an inside edge fly to Gautam Gambhir's left, but the short leg fails to grasp the ball as India spurn their first wicket-taking chance of the innings. Gambhir - who doesn't look too dissimilar to Bollywood heart-throb Aamir Khan (not the boxer) - looks thoroughly deflated, he had 0.48 seconds to react to that. Sharp, but he should have done better - and the poor lad knows it.

0802: Australia 19-0
Some encouraging wobble for Zaheer, who curves the ball in towards Hayden, but his line is a little off as the Australians double up towards fine leg. Hayden just about keeps out a delivery which keeps low, which will either encourage India's bowlers or strike an almighty fear down their batsmen at the prospect of batting on this surface on day five.

0758: Australia 17-0
Hayden unleashes a sweep shot for the first time today off Harbhajan, collecting a couple down to square leg where substitute fielder Subramaniam Badrinath, on for Kumble, makes a decent diving stop. Haydos adds a single with a leading edge, which lands safely to mid-off.

0754: Australia 14-0
Katich, an incessant crease shuffler, is twice rapped on his pads by Zaheer, but both occasions the ball would have slipped down leg, although the second shout would have just clipped leg stump according to Hawk-Eye. But on the balance of it, good decisions both times by Asad Rauf. Maiden over.

0750: Australia 14-0
Matthew Hayden tucks into a full toss from Harbhajan like a loose-head prop at an all-you-can-eat buffet, dancing down the pitch and dispatching the ball down the ground for four, the first of the second innings. The spinner sends down a quicker ball which catches Hayden unawares, but the Queenslander gets enough of his front pad outside the line of off stump for Rudi Koertzen to turn down the appeal.

0745: Australia 10-0
Hayden takes Australia's total to double figures off Zaheer, who is mixing up his deliveries nicely. Arrow-straight seam position is followed by scrambled seam, ensuring the openers receive a good old bag of variety.

0741:
We're back at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, with Anil Kumble still festering in the dressing room nursing a shoulder injury.

LUNCH: Australia 9-0

0702: Australia 9-0
Harbhajan Singh comes on to bowl the last over before lunch and the off-spinner has a half shout for a catch to Dhoni turned down by umpire Rudi Koertzen, who once again is on the money as replays clearly showed contact was made with pad, with no wood involved. Katich sees off any imminent danger and will be out in action again in 40 minutes time after lunch.

0659: Australia 9-0
Apparently India bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad has a fines system for no-balls. All bowlers are paired with a batsmen and both are fined about $50 (�27) each every time the bowler oversteps. Zaheer - who will be $50 the poorer following his no-ball from his previous over - keeps his front heal behind the popping crease this over as Australia add a couple of singles from what looks like to be the penultimate over of his session.

0653: Australia 7-0
Katich flicks a Sharma slower ball in the air but crucially just wide of Sachin Tendulkar at square leg for three. Had he closed the face of his bat by a few more degrees, the ball would in all probability have landed on the maestro's hands, although he indicates as if he didn't see the ball coming towards him. Katich wafts outside his off stump to a ball which leaves him outside off stump.

0649: Australia 3-0
Hayden steals a single courtesy of a misfield from Gautam Gambhir, relieving himself of the prospect of finishing on a pair. Katich opens his account with push to mid-wicket, while a no-ball bumps the run tally by a further run. A little extra on Anil Kumble, the leg-spinner has a shoulder problem, which isn't great for India if the injury will prevent him from bowling.

0644: Australia 0-0
Ishant Sharma immediately finds the right line to Simon Katich, probing away at off stump and just outside. Tidy opening over from the long-haired Delhi paceman.

0640: Australia 0-0
Banana ball first up from Zaheer as Matthew Hayden swings wildly outside his off stump, big smile from the bowler while Haydos passively chews his gum. "Seen it all before mate" says the burly Queenslander, who has a very useful appeal for lbw against him turned down by Asad Rauf. Hawk-Eye suggests the ball may have clipped leg stump, but there was enough doubt in the Pakistani official's mind to say no. He finally manages to get his bat on ball off the last delivery of the over. Encouraging start for India.

0635:
Bit of news for you - Anil Kumble has not come out to field, so Mahendra Singh Dhoni will take charge of the team up until lunch at least.

0623: India 360-9
Watson continues as Zaheer cuts him down to third man - yes, a third man in a Test match with the last-wicket pair at the crease - for a single. A thick outside edge from Ishant also travels down to the same region. Nothing to alarm the Indians right now.

0618: India 358-9
Time for some tweak in the form of Michael Clarke, which doesn't say too much about Ricky Ponting's faith in his frontline spinner Cameron White. Zaheer collapses his right knee and paddles a deft sweep for two to fine leg, a smart shot which moves him to 55 to become India's top scorer, as well as their top wicket taker with five. He still has another 20 runs to go to match his Test best, a 75 against Bangladesh in December 2004.

0614: India 355-9
Shane Watson rattles Ishant Sharma's helmet with a snorter of a bouncer, but the ball races down fine for a four, taking Australia's extra count past the half-century mark to 52. Watson and Sharma exchange what looks on the outside to be good-natured banter as the former digs in another bouncer, but the latter sways away from danger. The stoic Sharma stoutly defends the rest of the over without too much concern.

0609: India 351-9
Zaheer brings up India's 350 with another well-taken single off Mitchell Johnson, a run which demonstrates his faith in his number 11's batting ability. Ishant is made to jump as Johnson comes around the wicket, but he manages to collect a single for his endeavours.

0602: India 349-9
Watson continues, although he's not looking as rapid as he used to a few years ago thanks to a succession of back injuries. He digs one in short, but the tall Ishant unfurls a textbook backward defence straight down the pitch. And Sharma gets off the mark with an outside edge that dissects wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and first slip Matthew Hayden for four very useful runs.

0558: India 345-9
Ishant, hair cascading from all sides of his helmet, flicks a single off his pads from the last ball of Mitchell Johnson's over to keep the strike. Wonder if Zaheer will unleash the mows now the last man is at the crease...

0542: India 339-8
Zaheer moves on to 47 as he charges down the pitch to a slower Lee delivery, neatly flicking the ball off his legs for two. Lee goes absolutely bananas as another reverse inswinging delivery raps Zaheer on the crease, but once again Asad Rauf is having none of it. Replays confirm the ball would have comfortably missed leg stump. And to make matters worse for blond Binga, a leg bye races for a boundary off Kumble, beating Brad Haddin's dive behind the stumps. India add a further three runs as Lee oversteps for the first time this morning, while Zaheer nurdles a single down to third man to move to within one run of a gutsy 50. Productive over for India.

0536: India 329-8
Both batsmen exchange easy singles off Mitchell Johnson and both are looking confident at the crease, although Kumble opts for a waft outside off stump, but completely failing to make contact with the ball.

0532: India 327-8
After playing with patience and prudence (that word again), Zaheer attempts a massive mow over mid-on but fails to make contact, prompting Lee to offer a few words of advice. However, the left-arm seamer's sanity returns the very next delivery, producing a magnificent forward defence to end the over.

0527: India 327-8
Kumble drives a full Mitchell Johnson ball to third man for a single, while Zaheer neatly flicks a leg-side delivery down to third man for one. Meanwhile, I have just been presented an all-chocolate selection of biscuits, a large amount of expensive has been invested in that tray. I eschew the foil-wrapped effort for a thick, wheely thing. Anyone else tucking into any chocolate-based products?

0523: India 325-8
Kumble takes a single, but Zaheer cannot do the same as he plays and misses a probing Lee delivery outside off stump.

0518: India 324-8
A brilliant diving stop to his right from wicketkeeper Brad Haddin stops a certain four as Anil Kumble nicks a thick outside edge. The leg-spinner neatly tucks a flick off his legs down to fine leg for a single. Interesting to see the field Ricky Ponting has set this morning, plenty of men in the deep rather than around the bat attacking. Negative? Possibly, but neither of these two are mugs with the bat. "Prudence" is probably what Prime Minister Gordon Brown would call it.

0515: India 323-8
Zaheer tucks into a full length Brett Lee delivery outside off stump, producing a scorching square drive through cover-point for four. He does exactly the same the very next delivery, but this time finds the fielder.

"Can I just say 'thank you' for covering Australia? It's pretty hard to find cricket coverage on this side of the pond, and the BBC's commentary is far and away the best. I'm just glad I don't have to wait for the Ashes to read about some Aussie exploits."
James in Virginia

Awwww Jim, tis a pleasure. You've brought a warm glow to us all on a nippy morning in west London.

0510: India 319-8
A juicy full toss served up from Mitchell Johnson is guided down to third man as Zaheer looks to double up, only to be sent back by his more circumspect captain. Saying that, Kumble then decides to flash like a cavalier, making contact with only tiny air particles rather than the leather-stitched red thing.

0505: India 318-8
Blimey, drama with the first ball as Zaheer gets hit on his front pad with a reverse inswinging yorker from Lee. But umpire Asad Rauf is unmoved, much to Lee's incredulity. Replays show the ball missing leg stump by some distance. Even Stuart Clark was appealing for that - from mid-on. Zaheer compounds "Binga" Lee's frustrations further by scything a thick outside edge through the vacant second/third slip region for four, a boundary which sees him move to 39.

0458:
A huge roar erupts around the stadium as home boy and captain Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan amble out to the wicket, which is cracking up considerably. One or two could rival the Grand Canyon for depth. Brett Lee to start off proceedings.

0454:
With only a few minutes before the start of play, let me take this opportunity to promote some brum-brumming at the Japanese Grand Prix, with my fine colleague Sarah Holt providing live text commentary a seat or two to my left:

0440:
Just 20 minutes until the off at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Today is all about how far ahead Australia can get before possibly declaring. But they've got two more Indian wickets to take yet.

Zaheer Khan, unbeaten on 35, has a Test match 50 to his name, while Anil Kumble has gone one better with a ton - a memorable effort against England at The Oval in 2007. Either one of those scores today and the top order should be buying their drinks until the next millennium.