SECOND TEST, Mohali (day four, close):
India 469 & 314-3 dec v Australia 268 & 141-5

By Mark Mitchener

606: DEBATE Discuss the day's play on 606

1234: Right, thanks for your company and all your e-mails - if you want to continue the debate, 606 is available for you to do so. We're going to wrap things up here now, but I'll be back first thing tomorrow morning to bring you all the action from day five (play starts 0500 BST). Until then, enjoy the rest of the day.

"Might I just point out that as much as I enjoy any form of Aussie bashing, we will be India's next opponents in under two months. We may get the same treatment, so let us not jump the gun yet"
Matthew in the TMS inbox

CLOSE OF PLAY (DAY FOUR)

1230 - Aus 141-5 (46 overs)
Clarke doesn't look too disappointed to be at the non-striker's end for this final over of the day. Mishra loops it in to Haddin, who's on the defensive with four close fielders grouped around him. Haddin defends the last ball and stalks off. Australia still need another 375 to win.

"The world economy's probability of recovering tomorrow is higher than Australia's probability of saving this Test match. I don't understand why they are even trying. Give up and move on already!"
Vineet Doshi, Mumbai, India, in the TMS inbox

1228 - Aus 141-5 (45 overs)
Harbhajan rattles through his over against Haddin, who guides him away for a couple and then pinches the strike with a single off the last ball of this, the penultimate over of the day.

"Another baseball and cricket fan here and also another huge fan of the Houston Astros. Gutted that the Astros fell short this year, after being out of it for so long it suddenly looked like we might scrape into play-offs until Hurricane Ike came along. Bring on the World Series - I'm rooting for the Rays - who's your pick?"
Andrew Keech (from Bristol) in the TMS inbox
[I'd just be happy to see a closely-fought series rather than a 4-0 sweep like the Rockies suffered last year and we suffered in 2005. And each side in this World Series has an ex-Astro in the bullpen - Lidge for Phillies, Wheeler for Rays - MM]

1225 - Aus 138-5 (44 overs)
Sehwag is still looking to add to his haul of 24 Test wickets as his 30th birthday, which started with him missing out on a century by 10 runs, draws towards a close. He gives the ball a lot of revs, but concedes just one single to Haddin. Two overs to go.

1221 - Aus 137-5 (43 overs)
Clarke pushes Harbhajan for a single, as does Haddin, and the batsmen and fielders look about as tired as I feel.

"As an Aussie living in England, I can only acknowledge the fact that we have been totally outplayed by India in this match. As for the English rubbing their hands with glee as they look toward the next Ashes series, we haven't turned into a bad team overnight. Playing India in India is a tough ask for any team and one bad performance doesn't make a bad team. Australia will not be trembling at the thought of playing England that's for sure!"
Oz in the TMS inbox

1218 - Aus 135-5 (42 overs)
Sehwag back on as India try to get thgough the last few overs. He sends down a pretty inconsequential maiden to Haddin. Four overs left, if they can get them in.

1215 - Aus 135-5 (41 overs)
Harbhajan dances in to Haddin, but a ripper of a delivery beats bat, pad and wicketkeeper and goes through for four byes. Harby still has to wait for his 300th.

"Yes, you are just a bitter Pom, John Collins [1112]. But there's nothing wrong with that. Iffy catches (?) and a squirming Australian cricket team are a thing of rare beauty, so enjoy it while it lasts before you go back to being a bitter Pom when they come here for the Ashes next"
Michael in (not from) London, in (not from) the TMS inbox

1211 - Aus 130-5 (40 overs)
After a single from Haddin, Dhoni brings himself up to the stumps as Clarke faces Zaheer - then after Clarke knocks a single of his own, Dhoni retreats to his usual position for Haddin. But a breakthrough is looking increasingly unlikely tonight.

1208 - Aus 128-5 (39 overs)
Dhoni continues to rotate his bowlers as Harbhajan replaces Mishra. Clarke has already been out twice late in the day's play in this series, but he reaches 40 with a four through mid-wicket.

1204 - Aus 123-5 (38 overs)
Zaheer has a friendly chat with umpire Rauf. He tries an alternative angle of attack, coming round the wicket to the right-handed Clarke, who squeezes one off his legs for a two. Although the official close of play is 1200 BST (1630 local time), another eight overs need to be bowled today - although we can't play beyond 1230 BST (1700 local) in any event.

"I was also at the MCG that day [see 1112 entry] and for the record it was colder there than it was in London. Just thought I'd put another myth to bed that it never gets cold or rains in Oz. It was 32 degrees C two days later though"
John Manison in the TMS inbox
[But also two days later, England had lost the match! MM]

1158 - Aus 118-5 (37 overs)
Haddin steps down the track to Mishra and blasts another four back past the bowler. He then moves to 27 by clubbing the leg-spinner through mid-wicket. A child in the crowd is still loyally waving an Indian flag, but you get the feeling they've gone off the boil a little since that flurry of wickets.

"I'm an Indian surgeon holidaying in Basel, Switzerland right now & getting a 'feel' of the match thanks to you guys. It's a pity I cant 'see' Punter right now - would give half a scalpel to do that just now"
Anurakshat in the TMS inbox

1154 - Aus 110-5 (36 overs)
Zaheer becomes the latest no-baller, which brings up the fifty stand for Clarke and Haddin. Clarke then steers a two to long leg. Some other news from the Aussie camp - Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland has ruled out the prospect of Andrew Symonds coming out to replace the injured Phil Jaques, who has flown home. And some sad news from elsewhere in the world of cricket - former international umpire (and ex-Fraud Squad detective) Nigel Plews has died at the age of 74.

"Hey guys, I'm an Indian fan, but let's keep it simple and realistic - India have played out of their skin and thoroughly deserve to go 1-0 up. The Aussies have had a poor Test but with players like Haydos, Binga, Pup and Punter, they are still a strong force and expect them to come back strong in Delhi. Dhoni should stay at the helm - fearless and creative. ROLL ON INDIA"
Chags in the TMS inbox

1148 - Aus 106-5 (35 overs)
Mishra has changed ends back to his original end - Clarke tries to get after him and steers a four past mid-off. But he's then beaten by the drift, Dhoni whips the bails off and Clarke's foot is luckily (for him) just anchored behind the popping crease.

1145 - Aus 102-5 (34 overs)
The dominance of spin is ended as Zaheer Khan is recalled to the attack, but sends down a maiden to Haddin.

1141 - Aus 102-5 (33 overs)
Sehwag has a half-hearted lbw shout against Clarke as he shuffles across his stumps to one which was probably going down leg.

"Here I am, sitting in front of my computer at work, lamenting the fact that it is yet another grim Monday morning, when suddenly, I flick to the cricket score, and the Aussies are five down chasing 500 odd. The thought of Punter sitting at the post-match press conference, starting every sentence with 'Look' and trying to dodge the fact that without Messrs Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist, Australia are looking distinctly average fills me sufficient glee to lift my work-induced gloom. See you next summer boys"
Peter Mansell-Jones in the TMS inbox

1137 - Aus 102-5 (32 overs)
Another no-ball from Mishra - not particularly impressive from a slow bowler in any form of cricket. Haddin finally goes aerial, lifting the leggie over mid-on for a first-bounce four. The next ball is straight-driven along the ground - but it's four more, and the hundred up Australia. Just another 400-odd needed to win. 14 overs remaining to be bowled today.

1133 - Aus 93-5 (31 overs)
Will Haddin hit out against Sehwag? He certainly looks tempted - and Clarke also lives dangerously when he pads away a ball outside off stump without offering a shot.

1130 - Aus 92-5 (30 overs)
Mishra has changed ends and replaces Harbhajan - he strays with a no-ball which Clarke blasts through the off side to bring his score to 27. Meanwhile, a press release from MCC announces that the MCC World Cricket Committee will meet in New Delhi later this week - while Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Shaun Pollock, who are all members of the committee, will be given honorary MCC life membership.
INTERNET LINK: MCC - guardians of the Laws of Cricket

"This Aussie performance makes the plight of my beloved Tottenham a lot easier to take! How sad it has come to this... Thank You India!"
Edward Ellis in Perth in the TMS inbox

1126 - Aus 87-5 (29 overs)
India turn to their third spinner - opening batsman Virender Sehwag, who bowls some quite useful right-arm off-spin and is the birthday boy - he's 30 today. But he overpitches his first ball and Clarke propels it throught the covers for four.

1123 - Aus 82-5 (28 overs)
After India share a drink of water and a laugh and a joke, Clarke steers Harbhajan for a single to long-on. Harby polishes the ball furiously, and has conceded just 13 runs in 11 overs (one of those being a no-ball!).

"Cricket and baseball fan here in Moscow. We play cricket here (Moscow Mongrels) on� a baseball field. Was very disappointed in my Tigers this year, although this Test result is becoming equally disappointing"
Kurt M. Sagovac in the TMS inbox

1116 - Aus 81-5 (27 overs)
Mishra rips one past Clarke's outside edge, then the Aussie batsman turns a single off his legs. Haddin eventually hits the first authentic boundary for a while by piercing the gap between extra cover and mid-off.

1112 - Aus 76-5 (26 overs)
Clarke sweeps Harbhajan and they run a single to Sharma at long leg. Haddin then tries to lift one over his shoulder and is nearly caught by Dravid diving to his left at slip.

"Do any other sporting team inspire such schadenfreude as the Australian cricket team? I don't know if it's the memory of sitting slumped in my seat at the MCG (freezing cold believe it or not) on Boxing Day or the look that appears on Ponting's face as he tries to claim yet another iffy catch, but I really do enjoy watching his team squirm. Does that make me a bad person, or just another bitter Pom?"
John Collins, Wolverhampton, in the TMS inbox
[I was also at the MCG on Boxing Day 2006, and can confirm how cold it was! MM]

1108 - Aus 75-5 (25 overs)
India are rattling through the overs here with the two spinners on, but are indebted to Tendulkar for a good diving stop when Clarke tries to hit Mishra through third man. Mishra then gets some wicked turn against Haddin, stifles an appeal as it pitched outside leg, and there are smiles all round.

"Mark, would it - considering all these quips regarding Batpeople - be appropriate to assert that the Indians are Robin the Aussies?"
Fred Lane, Stockholm, Sweden, in the TMS inbox

1105 - Aus 74-5 (24 overs)
Another singleton takes Clarke to 14. Haddin tries to hit Harbhajan down the ground, but fails to make contact when he goes for the big one.

"If I am to isolate one single factor in the transformation of the Aussie cricket team from a great one to an ordinary one, two words come to my mind - 'Greg Chappell'. India experienced similar during 2006/07"
Sasanka Sekhar Chanda, Bangalore, India, in the TMS inbox

1102 - Aus 73-5 (23 overs)
Clarke is slightly more attacking against Mishra, with a fierce straight drive earning him a single.

1059 - Aus 72-5 (22 overs)
Haddin continues his defensive prodding against Harbhajan. Just a no-ball from the over, this time.

1056 - Aus 71-5 (21 overs)
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra replaces Sharma for his first appearance of the innings. An otherwise tidy over's only blemish is a single to Haddin off the last ball.

"Mark, the 'Paul Grunill' you mention isn't the 'Paul Grunill' who used to open the batting for Geddington CC is it?"
Pete Smith in the TMS inbox
[He says he is - and enquires if you're Pete "the wild opening bowler" Smith - MM]

1051 - Aus 70-5 (20 overs)
Clarke resumes his defiance against Harbhajan, who eventually tosses one up and Clarke flat-sweeps him past short leg for four.

1049 - Aus 66-5 (19 overs)
Clarke steers Sharma away for three, but keeps it tight against Haddin who is still yet to get off the mark. Haddin rather fortunately gets a thick edge past slip for four off the last ball.

"Hmm. Ricky 'spirit of cricket' Ponting looks remarkably ordinary when he can't say 'it's not going too well here, Warney. Why don't you have a bowl?' any more. Can't wait to hear the priceless excuses from the Aussies after this debacle"
JP in Retford, Notts, in the TMS inbox

1044 - Aus 59-5 (18 overs)
Harbhajan now has four close fielders for the right-handed Clarke - a slip, leg slip, silly point and short leg. The latter two, like wickie Dhoni behind the timbers, are helmeted. Clarke looks relieved to get off strike with a single. For those of you interested in the score from Chittagong, New Zealanda are 129-1 chasing 317 to beat Bangladesh. "Big Jesse" Ryder, finally making his Test debut after he missed both Test series against England because of that drunken "toilet window/arm" incident, is in at number three for the Kiwis.
Live scorecard: Bangladesh v New Zealand

1040 - Aus 58-5 (17 overs)
New batsman Brad Haddin gets plunked on the helmet by his first ball - a fierce Sharma delivery that hits his ear-guard. Wicket maiden for Sharma.

1034 - Aus 58-4 (16 overs)
A rapid over from Harbhajan, but the run of maidens is broken when Watson turns a single off his legs to double his score.

1032 - Aus 57-4 (15 overs)
Sharma fires in a lifter which raps Clarke on the gloves, but he survives the over. That's four maidens on the trot - call yourself Australians?!

1026 - Aus 57-4 (14 overs)
Harbhajan is similarly probing against Watson, but the Aussies still have the hatches battened down. Three maidens on the trot.

1023 - Aus 57-4 (13 overs)
Sharma keeps a tight line against Clarke, who isn't biting. Another maiden.

"Re: 0933 - is 'bat-tape' in the same league as Batmobile, Batcave, etc? If so, the Caped Crusader knows nothing of cricket, but Alfred [his butler] should have"
David, Turin, Italy, thoroughly enjoying Ponting's discomfort, in the TMS inbox
[I'm sure he could keep bat-tape in his utility belt. We had similar conversations during last year's World Cup - like, should female batsmen/batspersons be called batgirls? MM]

1018 - Aus 57-4 (12 overs)
Harbhajan has 299 Test wickets and is itching to snaffle his 300th - either Watson or Clarke will do for him. (And a sudden thought - when have four of the top six of any Test side been ex-Hampshire players?) Watson kicks away one that pitches outside leg stump, and defends his stumps for the rest of the over.

"I have found the tactics of Australia in the later stages of this game most bizarre. Firstly, yesterday evening, instead of trying to stem the flow of runs by taking wickets when India first came in they set uber-defensive fields and posted everyone bar Haddin on the boundary. And now, chasing a near impossible 516 on a turning wicket and needing to bat four and a half sessions, Hayden and Katich came out with more guns blazing than an angry pirate ship. Odd"
Richard Shield in the TMS inbox

1014 - Aus 57-4 (11 overs)
The effervescent Sharma now has catchers in at short mid-off and short mid-on for new batsman Shane Watson - Aussies really are on the rack here. Watson's off the mark with a single, and a rare loose delivery from Sharma is helped down the leg side for four by Clarke.

1007 - Aus 52-3 (10 overs)
New batsman Michael Clarke defends the final ball of Harbhajan's over.

1002 - Aus 50-2 (9 overs)
Zaheer takes a rest as Sharma returns to the attack. There's a short mid-wicket in for Ponting, and that's our first maiden of day four.

0957: We're nearly under way again - Ponting has been joined by Mike Hussey.

TEA INTERVAL

0930 - Aus 49-0 (7 overs)
Dhoni posts a long-off for Hayden, but the flow of boundaries continues as Hayden powerfully cover-drives Zaheer for four. The Aussies' attacking tactics are certainly paying off at the moment, as Hayden finds the unguarded third man boundary. Rudi's a bit concerned about Zaheer's follow-through, and kicks some imaginary dust away from the left-armer's footmarks. Tea in 10 minutes.

0924 - Aus 38-0 (6 overs)
Katich finds the gap again with a fluent off-driven four. And Punter (padded up in the Aussie dressing-room, with a sponsor's cap in place of the Baggy Green) suddenly has a smile on his face for the first time today. There's a big appeal for a catch behind as Katich tries to glance one off his hip, but Mr Rauf is (quite rightly) unmoved. A firm square cut off the final delivery brings Katich another four - he already has 20 and has outscored his partner, who has 18.

"The top six need to all fire here, this will determine how good the Aussies still are or if they're going to slide back down the pack"
Dean McGlynn in the TMS inbox

0919 - Aus 30-0 (5 overs)
Zaheer has also inserted a short mid-off for Hayden - and without much visible swing, he's only got one slip in for Hayden (but two for Katich). Katich guides one off his legs through mid-wicket for four. Hayden cracks one straight back at the stumps at the bowler's end, and it ricochets past mid-on fast enough for them to run a couple. An even better straight-drive brings another four as Sehwag at short mid-off makes very little effort to get down to stop the ball.

0913 - Aus 18-0 (4 overs)
Sharma has a fielder in the short (a few paces back from silly) mid-off position for Hayden, much as Matthew Hoggard did in the 2005 Ashes. He's close enough that he could probably pick non-striker Katich's pocket as he backs up. Hayden is trying to use his feet a lot, but some poor fielding from sub fielder RP Singh (on for Ganguly, who injured his elbow earlier while batting) at mid-off allows a single.

0908 - Aus 17-0 (3 overs)
Katich drives Zaheer past backward point and with no gully or third man, it's an easy four.

0904 - Aus 13-0 (2 overs)
The wild-haired Ishant Sharma, marvellously, is bowling from the end which is umpired by fellow Hair Bear Bunch member Asad Rauf. Hayden guides his first ball away for a couple, then a punched straight-drive goes straight back past the bowler for four. Incredibly, he has nine off the first four balls he has faced! He continues his pugnacious approach with a quick single to cover, while Katich clips one off his legs for one.

0900 - Aus 5-0 (1 over)
An extraordinary start as Hayden goes aerial with the first ball of the innings, trying to hoist Zaheer over mid-off - it falls safely and they run two. His second ball is steered off his legs - Haydos is batting like they're chasing 100 to win off 10 overs on the fifth evening! Katich off-drives his fellow southpaw Zaheer for a couple to end the over.

0855: The Indian fielders are quickly out, after a Michael Vaughan-style "huddle". Zaheer Khan to take the new ball against left-handers Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich.

0849: Here's a stat - Australia would need to make the highest successful fourth-innings chase in the entire history of first-class cricket if they are to win this.

INDIA SECOND INNINGS

0846 - Ind 314-3 (65 overs)
White's been hit out of the attack for the second time today, so it's Michael Clarke's turn to bowl some orthodox slow left-arm spin. He's coming over the wicket, bowling in the style of Ashley Giles. "Punter" Ponting has a bit of a chat with Mr Rauf. When Clarke finally gets under way, it's an easy single-off-every-ball from Dhoni and Tendulkar. And India have declared - the lead is 515, so Australia need 516 to win.

0840 - Ind 308-3 (64 overs)
Coach Kirsten has a word with 12th man RP Singh, who dashes out between overs with a drink and a message for Dhoni. Tendulkar joins in the fun, guiding Lee for four through mid-wicket.

"I'm not at all clear why Keralavarma Vijay Thampuran [0821] is suggesting that Albert Einstein would have given an informed view on which bowlers Ponting should use. Better to seek advice from Satyendra Nath Bose, Einstein's collaborator on very clever stuff about electromagnetic radiation, who as a Bengali probably knew a good deal more about bowling changes than his more famous mate"
Paul in Lancs in the TMS inbox

0835 - Ind 304-3 (63 overs)
Sachin Tendulkar is the new batsman, having had a quick chat with coach Gary Kirsten before he walks out. Is a declaration imminent? He's off the mark immediately with a two to fine leg. White then bowls a legside wide which only just pitches on the cut strip, and sails away for four. Another one is almost as wide on the off side, and would have been a wide in one-day cricket. Dhoni is not a man to shy away from buffet bowling like this from White, and comes down the pitch to hoist the Victorian for six over his head!

0825 - Ind 287-2 (61 overs)
Lee examines his hand in the field, having split the webbing earlier in the Test. Dhoni finds White quite easy to hit, blasting a loose delivery down to long-off. Then, Ganguly and Haddin both miss one down the leg side which is signalled as byes by Mr Rauf - but we also have the rare collector's item of a googly to Ganguly. Try Googling that...

0821 - Ind 282-2 (60 overs)
Haddin stands up to Ganguly, trying to keep him in the crease to Lee's bowling, but India seem happy to keep the Aussies sweltering in the field in the hottest part of the day. The rapid run rate from earlier has diminished somewhat, just three singles from the over.

"Hi MM, you need not be Albert Einstein to figure why Katich, Clarke and White (sparingly used) have not bowled and Hussey is bowling. Ponting is saving them for the next Test which is in Delhi - the only place where Anil Kumble turns his leg-breaks and googlies. So Katich, Clarke and White are going to be his trump cards"
Keralavarma Vijay Thampuran in the TMS inbox

0817 - Ind 279-2 (59 overs)
Hussey's finally off, leggie White returns but some sloppy fielding off his first delivery allows an overthrow. Dhoni tries a very unorthodox scoop-shot, as though he's trying to toss a pancake with his bat face up, but fails to connect properly. Returning to orthodox cricket shots, he works White away for a single to reach 53 - Ganguly has 25. Are India batting for time or runs? They lead by 480.

0813 - Ind 277-2 (58 overs)
Ganguly steers Lee for a two through the covers, then Australia appeal for a catch behind when Ganguly plays and misses and it sails through the gate and just past the stumps - Haddin appeals in vain, and Lee has a bit of a stare-off with umpire Rudi.

"As another Pom (but now an Aussie citizen - legally, if not in spirit), tell Owen O'Shea [see 0744 entry] from the DEC, up in Perth, to get back to work, the DEC are short staffed as it is, without idle Poms sat hitting F5 all day. Meanwhile, I may pop off for a surf and come back to watch the Aussies squirm after the imminent declaration"
Giles in Dunsborough, WA, in the TMS inbox

0806 - Ind 268-2 (56 overs)
Dhoni hooks Lee for four through mid-wicket to reach 45, but the persistent Lee tries to test him with a couple of bouncers at varying pace. But slight concern for India as after Ganguly flogs Lee over backward point for four off the last ball of the over, he sinks to his knees with pain and gets a quick visit from the India physio.

"In my 26 years living in Australia I have NEVER heard anyone say 'get a big black woolly dog up ya' and wouldn't have a clue what it means (to be fair we rarely say G'day unless there's a foreigner within earshot)'
Blakey in the TMS inbox

0800 - Ind 257-2 (55 overs)
If anyone knows why Mike Hussey's still bowling when the likes of Katich haven't bowled in the match yet, do e-mail us. More inoffensive singles from the untroubled Indian batsmen.

0757 - Ind 254-2 (54 overs)
More easy runs for Dhoni, while Ganguly has to duck a bouncer from Lee. But it looks like the Aussies are losing heart somewhat.

"If cricket is so big in India, and Tendulkar is worshipped like a rock star, why has nobody turned out to see either his record-breaking innings or India thrashing the toothless Aussies? Is this is the effect of Twenty20?"
Owen Hazell, Kent, UK, in the TMS inbox
[No matter how the ICC and BCCI may wish us to pretend it doesn't exist, the "rebel" Indian Cricket League is on the telly at the moment, which might be a factor - MM]

0754 - Ind 249-2 (53 overs)
A Ganguly off-drive has the crowd purring with excitement, while he also steers Hussey for a couple to long leg. With the lead having reached 450, I think we can start to think more seriously about when Dhoni might declare.

0751 - Ind 243-2 (52 overs)
Australia continue to toil as Dhoni flashes and misses outside off stump, but he adds a couple of twos to his score - he already has 33, while Ganguly is on nine.

0744 - Ind 239-2 (51 overs)
It's still Mike Hussey's gentle medium pace at the other end, although he appears to have dropped the "hide the ball behind his back" tactic, and has reapplied a large covering of white sun cream over his nose and mouth during the interval. More easy singles ensue, and Sachin Tendulkar has a broad grin on his face in the India dressing-room, as well he might.

"I am a Pom living is Australia and am addicted to the BBC's coverage of live cricket going on around the globe. I work in Perth for the Dept. Environment and Conservation and have to grab snatches of updated play as 'I'm supposed to be working'. Just wanted to say a big big thanks for keeping us updated with the greatest game in the world and I really hope India can maintain the pressure on the Aussies - I support England to the death but am just as keen on seeing Punter squirm! It makes an otherwise relatively dull Monday arvie the much more rewarding"
Owen O'Shea in the TMS inbox

0743 - Ind 236-2 (50 overs)
Lee bowls round the wicket to the left-handed Ganguly, but he and Dhoni dab a single each before Ganguly fiercely straight-drives back past Lee and it shoots to the boundary for four.

0739: Right, we're back - and Brett Lee is going to bowl, as if the last two hours somehow hadn't happened...

"G'day Mark, I've got nothing against Scotsmen teaching English [see Gary's e-mail at 0610] or commenting on cricket (I have Scots heritage myself) but I hope our friend is teaching relevant language for the Australian context. 'Come in spinner' is derived from two-up, not cricket, and 'get a big black woolly dog up ya' is more often 'get a dog up ya', and still fairly uncommon. We, the fielding team, are 'rooted', and our chance of a good result has 'shot through like a Bondi Tram'."
Rob in the TMS inbox

LUNCH INTERVAL

0700 - Ind 230-2 (49 overs)
This is likely to be the last over before lunch as Dhoni and Ganguly plunder a few singles from Hussey. The lead is extended to 431 - and that's lunch. A productive morning for India, with 130 runs scored (at more than a run-a-minute), including lots of quick singles, with the loss of just two wickets. We're going to take a break for some much-needed iron rations - back with you soon.

"Brett Lee is struggling due to the stitches for split webbing (bowling hand) that he received on day two"
Kishan, London, in the TMS inbox
[In which case, if the injury is preventing him from bowling. why is he on the field at all, when if he's hit on the hand again it could make it worse! MM]

0657 - Ind 225-2 (48 overs)
More tinkering with the batting order as Sourav Ganguly enters the fray (to retain the left-hand/right-hand combo) and is straight off the mark with a single.

"Are they becoming the underdog? Should I be inclined to don my VB 'Boony Army' t-shirt that an Ozzy family member gave me as a welcoming gift?"
Angharad, Brixtonite in Cairns, in the TMS inbox

0651 - Ind 218-1 (47 overs)
After Dhoni changes his bat, Gambhir prods Hussey for another single to reach 98, while the livewire Dhoni guides another to long leg, and another single takes Gambhir to 99.

0648 - Ind 215-1 (46 overs)
A better over for Australia as Siddle restricts India to just a single, which takes Gambhir to 97.

0645 - Ind 214-1 (45 overs)
More pies served up by Hussey as India look to fill their boots before lunch - and having no-balled last over, Hussey is then given a formal warning by Asad Rauf for running on the pitch! Gambhir gets lucky again with another edge past Haddin to third man for a single.

"Dear Mark, thank you for the lovely text commentary on BBC Sport. It is nice to know that many Englishmen follow this series and enjoy the Aussies toiling in the hot sun. Umpire Rauf is adding a bit of Sodium Chloride by missing a nick from Sehwag's bat"
Siva in the TMS inbox

0640 - Ind 210-1 (44 overs)
Dhoni's enjoying himself here, picking up two more when he lofts Siddle down towards third man.

"Am in my office in Bangalore wondering why am I not in front of the television watching India thump Aussies, as far as the lead goes I think India should declare at about 450 runs in its bag.. and give its bowlers just more than four sessions to get Aussies out"
Siddharth, Bangalore, in the TMS inbox

0637 - Ind 207-1 (43 overs)
A strange change of bowling - Mike Hussey on for some gentle medium pace. This man has no Test wickets, and only two ODI wickets in 93 games. And only 20 first-class wickets in 207 games... you get the picture. He has an interesting run-up, bizarrely holding the ball behind his back like a man trying to hide a bunch of flowers behind his back when he meets a girl for a date. But that can't stop him bowling a no-ball which takes India to 200. Although the aim is undoubtedly to take the pace off the ball, Dhoni's eyes light up and he steers another four through the covers and Hussey's first over costs eight runs.

0631 - Ind 198-1 (42 overs)
Gambhir reaches the nervous nineties with a single off Siddle, then Dhoni blasts one to the cover boundary where Mike Hussey is quickly in to field but they manage a well-run two. An even better shot sails away for four through point - Dhoni's hands move quicker than those of a master croupier shuffling a deck of cards with aplomb.

"Don't get your hopes up too high, AH [0526]. I recall a few years back, I think 2001, Australia being pumped remorselessly in India before then winning the Ashes in England 3-1 and then home and away to the Proteas. Horses for courses - Australia has no spinner now, have always struggled against spin, and so will always struggle in such unfavourable conditions against quality opposition"
Brad in the TMS inbox

0628 - Ind 189-1 (41 overs)
Gambhir is struck a nasty blow on the back of the thigh as he pushes a quick single to backward point, and Michael Clarke's throw to the bowler's end hits Gambhir's leg. Ouch. Johnson has to stifle an appeal when Dhoni swings and misses and is struck on the pad by one which pitched outside leg stump.

"The pessimist in me says that I wouldn't count the Aussies out of this one yet. The Indians have taken a gamble by not enforcing the follow-on methinks. But the locals in my office are surprisingly quiet about the cricket, which is a good thing because there is nothing worse than 'Aussie banter' when their team is on top"
Toby Cooper, Melbourne, in the TMS inbox

0623 - Ind 186-1 (40 overs)
India stand-in captain Mahendra Dhoni serves notice of his intentions by striding out at number three, and steers his first ball through mid-wicket for two. India look set to keep pushing for quick runs in the run-up to lunch.

0617 - Ind 182-0 (39 overs)
Ponting is still chewing gum at a Sam Allardyce-esque rate of knots, but he's keeping faith with Johnson as the singles keep flowing. Meanwhile, Bangladesh have been bowled out for 242 in Chittagong - New Zealand need 317 to win.
Live scorecard: Bangladesh v New Zealand

"This is music to the ears of every non-Australian cricket fan in the world... the Australian bowling attack looking extremely ordinary for the first time in decades. Based on this display of mediocre bowling I would make England clear favourites for the Ashes next year. I haven't seen Ponting looking so grumpy since Edgbaston 2005 - all his worst fears have come true... I feel a few text messages will be winging their way to one S Warne pleading for his return"
Canary on a surfboard, Sydney, in the TMS inbox

0613 - Ind 180-0 (38 overs)
It's not getting any better for Australia - Siddle looks to have a huge lbw shout against Sehwag... only to see Rudi signal a no-ball! Mind you, unless Lee is carrying an injury (in which case, why is he out there fielding?), the lack of action from the big blond is still mystifying.

0610 - Ind 176-0 (37 overs)
More quick singles for the Indians as nothing is going to hand for the tourists at the moment. And unbelievably, when Sehwag tries to cut Johnson and gets a big nick to keeper Haddin (with the sound of a loud 'nick'), it looks clearly out but shaggy-haired umpire Asad Rauf shakes his head! Ponting looks almost as pleased as he was when he was run out by Gary Pratt.

"Hi Mark - I'm a Scotsman teaching English to a class of Punjabi Indians in Melbourne. Today we're doing revision of words and phrases which the students may find useful in Australia. Given the state of play and the fact that the Aussies are finally getting their noses rubbed in it, we've done -'sucked in', 'come in spinner' and 'get a big black woolly dog up ya'. Any suggestions for some more?"
Gary in the TMS inbox
[What about that old Bill Lawry classic, 'Gottim, yes!' - MM]

0600 - Ind 171-0 (36 overs)
Gambhir and Sehwag are not afraid to take on the fielders there, and Sehwag has a lucky escape when Ponting's low throw just misses the stumps at the bowler's end. When the first slip is moved to a fourth/fifth slip position, Gambhir opens the face and guides Siddle through the yawning gap between slip and keeper for four. Time for a drinks break.

0556 - Ind 164-0 (35 overs)
Aussie paceman Brett Lee, conspicuous by his absence from the attack this morning, guzzles a brightly-coloured drink in the deep. He's taken just three wickets in the series so far, and looks on as Gambhir and Sehwag continue to push the ones and twos against Johnson. But is that a strange decision by Ponting to keep a man with nearly 300 Test wickets out of the attack, when Siddle, Watson and White only have a handful between them?

0552 - Ind 158-0 (34 overs)
Watson takes a rest as debutant Siddle is given the unenviable task of containing Sehwag, who is scoring well on both sides of the wicket and guides the youngster's first ball to long leg for a couple. Gambhir takes a wild swing and rides his luck as his edge flies towards third man on the first bounce.

0546 - Ind 155-0 (33 overs)
More quick running between the wickets as Sehwag steers Johnson to the cover boundary where Shane Watson makes a tumbling stop and they run two. All too easy for the home side at the moment, and the crowd are starting to get a little rowdier.

"Morning Mitch! Personally, I'm really looking forward to seeing this new Australian team placed under real pressure, and the way they are bowling right now, it could well be a day and a half of it!"
Rick T, Dubai, in the TMS inbox

0543 - Ind 151-0 (32 overs)
Sehwag swings Watson past point for a single, and runs are looking easy for the India pair as they reach their third 150 partnership in Tests. Gambhir is now trying to push virtually every ball for a single, in the manner of Neil Fairbrother in his late-80s heyday.

0538 - Ind 147-0 (31 overs)
Gambhir is pushing it around a little more carefully than he did first thing this morning, but then uses his feet well to guide a loose delivery from Johnson powerfully past the short mid-wicket fielder for four through cow corner. The lead is now 348.

"Morning Mark, I have been reading keenly about India's need to declare at the right moment - give the bowlers at least four and a bit sessions, thus the need to score quick. I would still advise a bit of caution, after all didn't Australia score 380 odd runs recently? And both New Zealand and Sri Lanka scored over 400 runs in the last 12 months? What are your thoughts?"
Kishan, London, in the TMS inbox
[It's a difficult one - that's why cricket captains are paid a lot more than BBC text commentators! But having got to this stage of the game, India do need to make absolutely sure they can't lose - so I'd say nearer 450 than 400. We shall see! MM]

0534 - Ind 139-0 (30 overs)
A well-timed Gambhir cover drive brings just a single as Test debutant Peter Siddle (playing in this match in place of the injured Stuart Clark) makes a good sprawling stop at deep cover. At the other end, Sehwag is looking pretty single-minded as he guides Watson around the park for more singles.

"Good to hear Shane Watson on the radio here in Melbourne this morning telling all and sundry that Australia are no way out of this game yet. In fact they can still win it apparently. There's nothing quite like the fresh-faced optimism of an 'Aussie battler' staring down the barrel of a deficit of 10 wickets and 300 runs on a spin-friendly pitch with a day and a half to bat against one of the best spin bowling attacks in the world. 'On ya, Shano' as they say in these parts"
Jon, Melbourne, in the TMS inbox

0530 - Ind 134-0 (29 overs)
It looks like White's been hit out of the attack as left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson takes over. His introduction at least stems the flow of runs a little, with just three singles off the over. Remember, add 201 to India's second-innings score to find their overall lead - now 335.

"Is this the Test match that signals the beginning of the end of Australia's dominance of world cricket? A big hello to anyone else who's following this Test on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border"
AH, Englishman supporting India, in the TMS inbox

0514 - Ind 111-0 (26 overs)
Gambhir looks like a man in a hurry - he's coming down the pitch, playing and missing and taking quick singles as if his life depended on it. Watson, meanwhile, is having problems with his run-up and Sehwag dismissively carves him past square leg for four, to take his score to 60. Does anyone know, is 111 as unlucky in India as it is in England?

0509 - Ind 105-0 (25 overs)
No sign of the fast men yet as leg-spinner Cameron White is thrown the ball for the second over. It's only his second Test, but from what we've seen so far, don't expect him to be creeping up on Warnie's 700-plus Test wickets any time soon. The Indian pair are happy to milk him for some easy singles, although Gambhir escapes when he nicks one which hits keeper Brad Haddin on the pad and slip Matthew Hayden on the wrist - but neither can hold on to the chance. A quick look at the Indian dressing-room shows number three Rahul Dravid without any pads on - does stand-in captain Mahendra Dhoni fancy a quick dart if a wicket falls?

0505 - Ind 102-0 (24 overs)
Shane Watson takes the first over of the day with some right-arm medium pace, in front of what my match report "wing-man" Jamie Lillywhite and I think is a rather disappointing crowd. More of a third-day-of-a-County-Championship-game crowd than a fourth day of a Test with Australia on the rack. The first ball of the day sees Gambhir pick up a single off an overthrow, while his partner Sehwag rotates the strike with a leg bye.

0455: Don't forget, we'd love you to get involved in the action - text us on 81111 (with "Cricket" as the first word), or e-mail us at tms@bbc.co.uk (with "For Mark Mitchener" in the subject line), while you can join the debate on 606 when it opens for business at 0900 BST. First out of the pack is Vali from Uganda...

"Yesterday, Pranav Soneji wrote 'Brett Lee poured petrol over Zaheer Khan's tomato soup' on the text commentary. Petrol! No true Indian would be seen with any of the 57 varieties. He might have got away with 'a fistful of chillies to his mulligatawny' - or better still daal. What do they actually serve at lunch? Kangaroo curry? Do they eat together?"
Vali Jamal, Kampala, Uganda (where the Heinz can comes in handy at lunch break) in the TMS inbox
[Hi, Vali - some early runs from India could see the Aussies have to force down some humble pie in a day or so - MM]

0445: Morning, everyone - it may be stupid o'clock on a Monday morning here in Blighty, but we're all ready for day four of the second Test from Mohali, where the previously mighty Aussies are really up against it in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The match situation is that hosts India are 100-0 in their second innings - and having declined to enforce the follow-on, they're now 301 runs ahead. Gautam Gambhir (46 not out) and Virender Sehwag (53 not out) look in good nick, and will want to push on this morning to bat Australia out of the game.