FOURTH TEST, Nagpur (day one, close):
India 311-5 v Australia

By Mark Mitchener

606: DEBATE Discuss the day's play on 606

1133: Well, that felt like a long day, even though we didn't even get 90 overs in. With more than 40 overs of spin bowled, that's poor form - and if you want to carry on the discussions, I can point you in the direction of 606.
Join the debate on 606

Anyway, I hope you don't feel I've laboured the point - and I hope you'll join me tomorrow morning for day two (play starts at 0400 GMT again). Thanks for all your e-mails and texts (particularly those for the "Vijay XI"), and I look forward to your company again on the morrow.

CLOSE OF PLAY (DAY ONE)

1130 - Ind 311-5 (87 overs)
Ganguly guides another single off his legs, Dhoni is playing for the close of play, will this be the last over? Billy B checks his watch, then removes the bails. And that, as they say, is that - Ganguly unbeaten on 27, Dhoni on four.

1125 - Ind 310-5 (86 overs)
Dhoni steers Lee through the covers for two, then rotates the strike with a single. There's a man out on the hook shot for Ganguly, but he plays a single carefully along the ground through mid-wicket to keep the strike.

"DK Lillee [see earlier] never played a Test in India so taking a wicket there would have been a remarkable achievement indeed"
Richard in the TMS inbox

1121 - Ind 306-5 (85 overs)
Dhoni gets up well to defend a lifter from Johnson, then bravely shoulders arms to one that pitches outside leg stump and lets it hit him on the back, knowing he has no fear of being out lbw. He's eventually off the mark with a single.

"Punter is only doing it cos he has shares in the chaps who make F5 keys... refresh, refresh all day long and no change cos the sluggards are bowling so slowly... BTW, when Cheriton Fitzpaine CC set the (then) World Record of 27 and a half hours continuous play we averaged over 18 overs per hour. Poor show Punter..."
Charles Sheldrick in the TMS inbox

1117 - Ind 305-5 (84 overs)
Lee comes around the wicket to Ganguly, while the field is augmented with a leg gully. But Ganguly steers him away and they run two.

"Regardless of how many centuries Sachin goes on to make, I think Ponting will retire with more... Anyone else think so too? Sachin still the better batsman (this could explode into a Gerrard v Lampard debate)"
Kunal Bajpai, working in Canary Wharf with a slight hangover, in the TMS inbox

1113 - Ind 303-5 (83 overs)
New batsman Mahendra Dhoni defends his first ball.

Meanwhile, at least someone has been sticking up for the Aussie curmudgeon and his slow over-rate:

1105 - SECOND NEW BALL TAKEN - Ind 303-4 (82 overs)
Umpire Aleem Dar holds the shiny new cherry aloft as Brett Lee returns for his third spell of the day - although he's only bowled nine overs before this. Tendulkar dabs a single, then some exquisite timing from the Prince brings up India's 300 with an on-driven four.

"All indications are that Nagpur will follow Delhi's pattern but one twist in the tale; this pitch beauty is going to turn much more, and much earlier!"
Amitabh Apte, London, in the TMS inbox

1100 - Ind 298-4 (81 overs)
...no, they're going to keep Krejza on for another over with the old ball. But it doesn't stop them having a two-minute discussion on field placings first. How can I make my feelings clear? Get on with it, Ponting! Ganguly and Tendulkar keep the scoreboard ticking over with a single apiece.

1056 - Ind 296-4 (80 overs)
Last over before the second new ball is available - "very good, Simon", Haddin calls out to Katich. Ganguly reaches 18 with a single. Will they take the second new ball?

1053 - Ind 295-4 (79 overs)
Krejza bowls round the wicket to Ganguly, who uses his feet well to hoist him for a first-bounce four to cow corner.

"Could you just say a quick hello to my best mate Macca in BS1? I have been on since 0340, not missed a line of your exemplary commentary and throw in four missed conference calls, dinner was in the oven and now in the dog, and 'what the hell do you do in there all day' comments from the missus would surely be enough to convince you?"
Matt, Brisbane, in the TMS inbox[Hello - MM]

1050 - Ind 290-4 (78 overs)
Ganguly drives Katich to the cover sweeper for an easy single. If you're not familiar with "chinaman" bowling, it's left-arm wrist-spin - so the stock delivery to a right-handed batsman is pretty much the same as an off-break. Famous exponents of the art include the recently-retired South African, Paul Adams, who had the so-called "left-arm-frog-in-a-blender" bowling action. Katich is quickly through the over, with the second new ball due soon, and just two more are added.

1047 - Ind 287-4 (77 overs)
If you're not aware, the official close of play is 1100 GMT, but the frankly woeful Australian over-rate means we'll have to keep going until 1130, even with the spinner(s) on. Ganguly steps down the track to blast Krejza for a first-bounce four, then he drives in the air, inches away from the hands of silly point and looks down at his bat as though he believes the willow wand to be at fault.

1043 - Ind 282-4 (76 overs)
Simon Katich on to bowl some left-arm chinaman. With the sun now quite low, keeper Brad Haddin urges his fielder to "throw low" as Tendulkar and Ganguly continue to push the singles around with ease, now that the three-figure barrier has been broken by the "Little Master". Normal service has been resumed, you might say.

1035 - Ind 273-4 (74 overs)
Johnson sends down a maiden to fellow southpaw Ganguly. Prepare for another over of Tendulkar Three-figure Tension(TM)!

"Now Laxman the run machine is out let's see if Australia can have a crack at bowling some fast short stuff at last-Test merchant Ganguly. If India finish five down it will be honours even. Bring on Brett Lee please Ricky"
Andy, Eastbourne, East Sussex, in the TMS inbox

1031 - Ind 273-4 (73 overs)
Ganguly finally gets the single to bring Tendulkar on strike with two balls of the over left. Mid-on and mid-off are up. He tries to work the fifth ball off his legs but hits it straight to short leg, along the ground. He tries the same shot off the last bal, with the same result. He's still on 99, and was that a half-smile from Punter for the first time today?

"Mark - to add to Ali's commendations (0955), may I also say that the combination of your online service, the words 'Dropped catch' in bold, a grumpy Ricky Ponting, and India grinding the Aussies down on a hot day in Nagpur are making my boss, my colleague Jane and indeed myself very happy on this otherwise dull day. Doesn't the world seem a better place all of a sudden this week! I may even go shopping at lunchtime!"
Gina in Gloucestershire in the TMS inbox

1027 - Ind 272-4 (72 overs)
Johnson to Tendulkar, it's wide outside off-stump and Tendulkar prods it into the covers. Dot ball. He drives the next ball straight to mid-off - no run. He leaves the third ball. The fourth ball is wide, and would have been a wide in limited-overs cricket. Tendulkar shoulders arms to the fifth ball. The last ball is straight, and defended. A maiden - but oh, the tension!

"In answer to the question re: Dennis Lillee [0942]. He took six wickets in the subcontinent. Three v Pakistan and three v Sri Lanka"
Nigel, London, in the TMS inbox

1023 - DROPPED CATCH - Ind 272-4 (71 overs)
Tendulkar's tendency to get out in the 90s (particularly on 99) must be preying on the minds of the Nagpur crowd as another Ganguly single brings the "Little Master" back on strike. But Tendulkar has another rush of blood to the head and wallops it into the air, this time Brett Lee's the man at long-off, he runs back and gets both hands to it... but it bounces off his chest and the chance is put down! Amazing scenes! They run two while the ball is in the air, anyway. A single to mid-wicket takes him to 99. Surely he can't get out on 99 AGAIN?

1019 - Ind 268-4 (70 overs)
Johnson still bowling around the wicket to Tendulkar, who dabs a single to third man to reach 92. Ganguly has a red bandana on under his dark blue helmet, and he's off the mark with a single to mid-wicket. "Thanks, Dada", a banner in the crowd reads, in appreciation of their hero Ganguly. Johnson is back over the wicket to Tendulkar, but strays down the leg side and Tendulkar helps it down to fine leg - he now has 96.

"Could Ponting have brought on Johnson out of spite? 'Don't fancy taking the catch? Fine! Bowl him out then'"
Amit "Vijay" Sharma, Shijiazhuang, China, in the TMS inbox

1014 - Ind 262-4 (69 overs)
Enter the "Prince of Kolkata" - Sourav Ganguly takes the stage for his final Test match. The left-hander enters the game with a Test average of 42.17, and survives the last two deliveries from Krejza (bowling around the wicket). If you haven't read it, take a look at a Q&A one of our BBC colleagues in India did with him before this Test.
Q&A: Ganguly ready for final bow

1007 - Ind 260-3 (68 overs)
Johnson continues to bowl around the wicket, but Tendulkar works one off his legs well and Laxman pushes a two through the vacant gully region. Tendulkar sneaks into the nervous nineties with a brace of his own.

"These Test matches make me jealous as a Canadian. We desperately need some competition or we will forever be a second-tier cricket nation"
Mike, Ottawa, Canada, in the TMS inbox
[When you look at how big cricket is in other Commonwealth countries like Aus, NZ, India, South Africa, Windies etc, you wonder if Canada missed the boat somewhat! MM]

1003 - Ind 254-3 (67 overs)
Laxman brings up India's 250 by belting a poor long-hop through mid-wicket for four with the contempt it deserved. A single takes him to 59, before Tendulkar pinches the strike.

"In response to Arjun [0936] - we should also look at the other side of the coin and go completely immature. Perhaps Test cricket should become a contact sport to get the crowds back? As (Aussie comedians) Roy & HG once said, if you could guarantee at least one player stretchered off per session, you would pack out the MCG for five days straight"
Nick, London, in the TMS inbox

0959 - Ind 248-3 (66 overs)
Just the one slip in now for Johnson as Laxman guides him away for another single - the left-armer even tries bowling around the wicket for the last delivery.

And in other news, the latest sportsman to fall foul of the tax man is Paul Gascoigne, who's being taken to court today by HM Revenue & Customs and could be declared bankrupt.
REPORT: Gascoigne braced for tax hearing

0955 - Ind 247-3 (65 overs)
Laxman steers the unfortunate Krejza for a single to fine leg - he has 53, Tendulkar has 87 (an unlucky score for Aussies). Krejza starts to drift a little wide with his line, but just one single is added to the score.

"I am standing at our stall at an exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE; potential clients are coming in and I couldn't even be bothered because I am hooked to BBC Sport on my Blackberry! God bless RIM and BBC or Mark rather"
Ali in Abu Dhabi in the TMS inbox[You're too kind - MM]

0951 - Ind 246-3 (64 overs)
Whether coincidence or punishment for that dropped catch, Johnson is brought back into the attack in place of White. He manages a maiden to spare any further blushes.

0942 - Ind 240-3 (62 overs)
More careful accumulation off White's leg-spin - there's a huge appeal from White (and a half-hearted one from keeper and slip) for a catch behind against Tendulkar, but more through optimism and fatigue than genuine expectation.

"I heard a fact that Dennis Lillee never took a single wicket in the subcontinent, is that true?"
Ama Bhuller from the AA in Basingstoke, in the TMS inbox
[Sounds like a question you should ask Bill Frindall - MM]
Ask Bearders: Send your cricket questions to Bill Frindall

0939 - Ind 237-3 (61 overs)
Haddin cheerily tries to gee up Krejza from behind the stumps as Laxman scores the 100th run against the debutant off-spinner's bowling today. Billy Bowden then sportingly spares Krejza's analysis from further punishment as Tendulkar tries to flick one off his legs and Billy B signals leg-byes.

"Good that I don't have any meetings today so that I can sit in front of the monitor and neglect other keys and just press F5. If I could only see Sachin bat! Come on India!"
Amogh Dhodapkar in the TMS inbox

0936 - Ind 234-3 (60 overs)
White flicks the ball from hand to hand, but can't find a way past Laxman's resolute defence. Neither of these batsmen has given a chance - only that run-out opportunity by Krejza came close to dislodging either of them. Just a single from the over.

"I think the IPL has done wonders to Indo-Aus cricketing relations (or at least I used to think so). Being from Chennai, I had the privilege of watching the SuperKings play. I saw Hayden and Hussey represent our city against the Kolkata Knight Riders. I can't imagine two Australian batsmen getting a warmer welcome/ovation anywhere in the world (not even back home). It's sad to see Indian batsmen getting banned from Test matches for bad, unsporting (and violent) behaviour. Tough cricket is one thing, but one should not let this aggression move to violence. It's time for cricketers and spectators alike to grow up and be mature!"
Arjun, Chennai, in the TMS inbox

0933 - Ind 233-3 (59 overs)
Krejza has taken 2-93 off his first 16 overs, but may soon be heading towards three figures as after a single apiece, Tendulkar aggressively punches him into the gap between mid-on and mid-wicket for four. Ponting responds by pushing mid-on back a little. The debutant now has figures of 17-1-99-2.

0929 - Ind 225-3 (58 overs)
Watson's off as White has switched ends and we have spin at both ends, which might help the over-rate a little - at least, you would hope so. But it's still easy pickings for Sachin and VVS.

0926 - Ind 224-3 (57 overs)
Punter switches his spinners as Krejza returns in place of the economical but innocuous White. We're back to six men on the off side as Tendulkar reaches over to guide a single to leg. Laxman eyes up the unguarded mid-wicket boundary like a child in a sweet shop and hoists his fourth four through the gap - he has now passed 300 runs since the Aussies last dismissed him.

0922 - Ind 219-3 (56 overs)
A let-off for India Tendulkar pushes one into the covers, there's no run on but Krejza's throw is wild, rushed and wide of the stumps when a measured underarm pass could have run either batsman out.

0916 - Ind 218-3 (55 overs)
After Laxman steers a single to leg, the century partnership is reached as Tendulkar clips White away for a hard-run two. It's the sixth time these two have put on more than 100 together.

0913 - Ind 214-3 (54 overs)
A candidate for "shot of the day" from Tendulkar, a beautiful back-foot cover drive for four off Watson which has my "wing-man" Oliver Brett purring with admiration - expect to see it mentioned in his match report at the close of play. Watson then yells a loud lbw appeal as Tendulkar ducks into one that doesn't rise as much as he expected, but Mr Dar is unmoved as it appeared to hit the bat handle.

"Great to hear what's going on in India. I was at the WACA last night watching WA vs Queensland, where the game was rained off for a large part of the afternoon (yes I am in Australia and I did say rain) until they eventually played 25 overs apiece. Symonds, playing for Queensland, wasn't in the best of form getting smacked for 14 off his first over. He then dropped a catch and bowled some wides. I bet they're really missing him in India�"
CJ (from Bristol), Perth, Australia, in the TMS inbox

0908 - Ind 210-3 (53 overs)
Just four inoffensive singles from the Indians as White continues for his sixth over.

0904 - Ind 206-3 (52 overs)
Tendulkar gets India going with a single off the first ball after tea. He has 63, while another single takes Laxman to 35. Tendulkar guides Watson to the unoccupied third man region for a two

0850: Right, I'm going to close nominations for the Vijay XI before it becomes as big as a rugby squad. We've got 11 genuine cricketers plus a few back-ups, after these last two entries (well done everyone here):

"Vijay Tendulkar, a famous playwright amongst other things, deserves to be in the Vijay XI or Vijay XIV as it is now. He may not have been a cricketer but having a Tendulkar in the team helps" Nanditha
"On the 'Vijay' debate, I think Vijay is Sanskrit for victory, so Victor Marks is a shoe-in. Jayawardene's got 'victory' in his name too, as has Jayasuriya. Perhaps the challenge moves on to making two team - 'Vijay XI' vs 'Etymologically the same as Vijay XI'"Paul in Lancs

So, the Vijay XI (in some sort of rough batting order - we've got loads of batsmen but not many seamers) is:

Vijay Merchant
Murali Vijay
Vijay Manjrekar
Sanjay Vijay Manjrekar
Vijay Hazare (capt)
Vijay Mehra (India)
Vijay Mehra (UAE)
VJ Marks
Vijay Dahiya (wk)
Vijay Bharadwaj
Vijay Rajindernath

Reserves/backup staff: Vijay Amritraj, Vijay Singh, I M Vijayan, Amitabh "Vijay" Bachchan, Dr Vijay Mallya.

TEA INTERVAL

0842 - Ind 202-3 (51 overs)
India quietly sneak towards tea as Laxman and Tendulkar take a single each off White. That's the interval - they've slowed right down compared to the morning session, but overall, India still look in command of the game.

And talking of "sessions"... in some news sent to us by Cricket South Africa, Herschelle Gibbs has been sent home from South Africa's ODI series against Bangladesh for breaking a team curfew. Naughty, naughty.

0837 - Ind 200-3 (50 overs)
Were we a bit spoiled early by that flurry of boundaries from Sehwag and Vijay earlier, I wonder? A Laxman single brings up the 200, which is celebrated by some groovy graphics on the electronic scoreboard.

"More Vijays (I cheated, I looked at Wikipedia): Vijay Bharadwaj (3 Tests for India, currently out of favour), Vijay Rajindernath (played in 1 Test for India against Pakistan in 1952)"
Alok Tiwari in the TMS inbox

0832 - Ind 199-3 (49 overs)
A Tendulkar single brings Laxman on strike, and he finally finds the gap with a single to the cover sweeper. Tendulkar then opens the face of the bat well to guide a two to third man.

0829 - Ind 195-3 (48 overs)
Laxman tries to blast Watson back past the stumps, Watson sticks out a hand to divert the ball and Tendulkar has to dive for his crease as it just misses the stumps. India still a little becalmed - one run in four overs.

0825 - Ind 195-3 (47 overs)
White has a towel sticking out of the back of his trousers, which billows out behind him as he trots in to Laxman, who steers a single through the covers after India had been stuck on 194 for a while.

"How about Amitabh Bachchan (Vijay being his screen name in many Bollywood hits)? Not a sporting hero but with the sheer number of years he has been acting, it's a sport unto itself!"
Manav Gupta in the TMS inbox

0822 - Ind 194-3 (46 overs)
Watson gets one to lift against Tendulkar, but it's gone a little quiet in the heat in Nagpur after two back-to-back maidens.

0818 - Ind 194-3 (45 overs)
White is aiming for Johnson's footmarks outside Laxman's off stump, but lacks control and he gets one to turn too much. Laxman sees off the maiden - he has 30 and this pair have added 78.

"Vijay Dahiya - former Indian wicketkeeper. Vijay Mehra 1 - Indian cricketer in the 1950s and 60s. Vijay Mehra 2 - Cricketer for UAE. We have 13 now for the Vijay XI"
Arjun Siva, Chennai, in the TMS inbox

0815 - Ind 194-3 (44 overs)
Lee takes a breather as Watson returns but Tendulkar off-drives him for two, while Laxman steers him to square leg and they run another couple. Fairly tame stuff from the right-arm medium-pacer.

And for those of you complaining about the lack of Vijay Amritraj in the "Vijay XI", he's been in right from the beginning - I mentioned him at 0350!

0810 - Ind 188-3 (43 overs)
Krejza takes a rest as second spinner Cameron White is thrown the ball for the first time today. Can he improve on five wickets at an average of 60 from his first three Tests? Laxman looks in little trouble against the Victorian's leg-spin, but he's content to just take two runs from the over.

0805 - Ind 186-3 (42 overs)
Tendulkar has to almost crouch down on his haunches to dig out a Lee yorker, forcing it off his toes. Just a two from the over, Lee has 0-35 from his nine overs today.

"Mark, could you fill us in with your observation on the slow over rate. Sounds really bizarre than the Aussies are not going for the win. Does it look deliberate?"
Lionel Chua in the TMS inbox
[I don't think they're bowling deliberately slowly - just that they're not making much of an effort to hurry it along. With a spinner on, you should bowl more than 12 overs in an hour in my view - MM]

0757 - Ind 179-3 (40 overs)
Lee strays with a wide one, Laxman's off-drive beats the diving Watson and goes for four.

"Is Johnson Australia's most boring bowler since... whenever? Wide of the off-stump, straighten up man!"
Mike, Melbourne, in the TMS inbox

0754 - Ind 175-3 (39 overs)
Krejza goes round the wicket for the first time as the Indian pair continue to plunder singles. There's a buzz around the stadium with Tendulkar on 49, but he's remaining careful after watching Sehwag miss out on a century earlier today.

"It's a bit tough following the action here, I can't seem to find any station that will broadcast cricket. Perhaps if I were further down south... A good innings from Tendulkar is what India need at this point, But we need to play smart. Laxman proved to be a strong partner in the previous Test with Ganguly. These two here can see India through"
Amit 'Vijay' Sharma (not really my middle name, but why not for today?), Shijiazhuang, China, in the TMS inbox

0749 - Ind 173-3 (38 overs)
More crowd-pleasing strokes from Tendulkar, as he guides a two to leg and then a handsome forward push brings four through mid-on. He and Laxman are a good pair to watch if you're a cricket connoisseur, and Lee rubs his scalp with frustration as Laxman digs out another yorker.

0740 - Ind 166-3 (37 overs)
Tendulkar and Laxman continue to milk Krejza for some easy singles as the fifty partnership is brought up as VVS guides his second four through his favoured mid-wicket area. Time for another drinks break.

"The turn is ominous, Bhajji [Harbhajan Singh] is smiling, and Krejza looks a very Afridi-like 25"
Arnie from Delhi in the TMS inbox

0736 - Ind 159-3 (36 overs)
Lee digs it in short against Laxman, who pulls him through mid-wicket and they trot through for two. Laxman's not the quickest between the wickets - the VVS obviously doesn't stand for "Very very speedy". But he does manage to dig out an attempted yorker from Lee with the aid of bat and pad.

"Did someone already mention Vijay Manjrekar (father of Sanjay Vijay Manjrekar)? He played some 55 Test matches for India. Come to think of it, in a pinch Sanjay Manjrekar could also be included in the Vijay XI since his middle name is Vijay (which, as it turns out, is consequence of his father's first name being Vijay)"
Alok Tiwari, Champaign, Illinois, USA, in the TMS inbox
[That's 10 if you include them both - MM]

0732 - Ind 157-3 (35 overs)
Laxman's bat gets some running repairs, while Lee is taking on plenty of fluids in the outfield and spits most of them out. Meanwhile, Tendulkar opens his shoulders to Krejza and goes down on one knee to hoist him from outside off stump to the mid-wicket boundary for four. Another lofted effort goes high over mid-on for a first-bounce four. It almost hits the car Vijay nearly hit in the 15th over - I remember there being a promotion at Hove in the mid-80s when there were large egg cups around the boundary (with a prize for any batsmen who hit them with a six) but it took absolutely ages for anyone (Imran Khan, I think) to eventually hit one!

0726 - Ind 149-3 (34 overs)
Brett Lee back for his second spell of the day, with just one slip in, but a man in a catching position at point. Laxman is still defending well, and Lee has a maiden.

"Please stop referring to the Australian captain as 'Punter'. You make it sound like you're his best mate"
Matt Baker from Leigh On Sea, Essex, in the TMS inbox
[Is that the former Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker? MM]

0721 - Ind 149-3 (33 overs)
Krejzka is getting some prodigious turn with one or two deliveries - Harbhajan must be licking his lips watching this from the pavilion. Tendulkar takes a two from his last ball.

0716 - Ind 147-3 (32 overs)
Johnson is slanting them in quite wide of Laxman's off stump, with a man at first slip and another at a wideish third-and-a-half slip. Laxman isn't playing at anything he doesn't have to - maiden over.

"What's with the pathetic over-rate? Surely Ponting wouldn't be trying to slow the game already? I thought only non-Aussies played defensive cricket!"
Lee Smith in the TMS inbox

0712 - Ind 147-3 (31 overs)
Krejza strays with his line and length again, allowing Tendulkar to rock back and blast him through the covers for four. A two through mid-wicket takes him to 29 - these two have added 31.

"I am impressed with the little emo-cons which you put against the commentary, when there's 50 or a wicket. The duck was all right, would be keen to see how you display a 'Golden Duck' or a 'Platinum Duck', for that matter. You should have a 'David Shep Hop' when score is on Nelson, 111 maybe? Please!"
Karan, from Sydney in the TMS inbox
[I wouldn't hold your breath, Karan - I had to pester our designers for ages to make me a "black cloud" icon to indicate bad light stopping play! MM]

"I think we really are seeing the true character of Ricky Ponting now... as I heard an Aussie pundit say on TV last week 'the Aussies like to give as good as they get, but when they receive better than they can give they back down pretty quick' - that's exactly what we're seeing on this tour and full marks to the Indians for going toe to toe with the Aussies. Ponting has no answer to the Indian aggression - he looks like a spoilt child who has had his ice lolly taken away from him. Mummy and Daddy (Warne and McGrath) aren't around to help out, so he just stomps around looking petulant. This is your time to step up Ricky - do you have it in you?"
Canary on a surfboard, Sydney, in the TMS inbox

0702 - Ind 136-3 (29 overs)
India get going for the first time since lunch as Laxman whips a couple of loose deliveries from Krejza to leg for a three and a four respectively.

0659 - Ind 128-3 (28 overs)
For the first time today, Australia look like they're turning the screw a little... until I give them a "commentator's curse" by typing that, as keeper Brad Haddin lets one through his gloves for four byes.

0654 - Ind 124-3 (27 overs)
We haven't seen much of Mike Hussey today, but he makes a good stop at mid-wicket to deny Laxman as Krejza wheels away to send down his first Test maiden.

"Don't know what would be worse - the Indian ego if they win the series or the Aussie arrogance if they save it. Why has Wasim Jaffer been overlooked for this series? He looked one classy opener"
Masud in the TMS inbox

0652 - Ind 124-3 (26 overs)
Johnson to continue against Tendulkar, with seven men on the off side. Tendulkar is the model of watchfulness, and sees off the second maiden of the day.

"Mark, can you give some more info on Vijay please, is he a left-handed or right-handed batsman?"
Sudharsan, Singapore, in the TMS inbox
[Certainly - sorry I didn't mention earlier, he's right-handed. It looks like he bowls very, very occasional right-arm off-spin but only has one first-class wicket. He has 1,505 runs at an average of 47.03 in first-class cricket with a top score of 230 not out - MM]
INTERNET LINK: Vijay's career statistics on Cricinfo

0647 - Ind 124-3 (25 overs)
Krejza continues the attack against Laxman, who guides him away for a single. The off-spinner is taking aim at Johnson's footmarks outside the right-hander's off stump, but Tendulkar adds a single of his own. Krejza has 2-50 from seven overs.

"I thought Gambhir's elbow was outrageous - surely he should be banned from the next two Tests and oh� err about seven one-dayers in between"
Mike (from England) in Perth in the TMS inbox

"What about the famous 'Vijay' duo of Vijay Merchant and Vijay Hazare? They shall be opener and two-down in the Vijay XI!"
Anush 'Vijay' Raghavan in the TMS inbox
[That's seven so far for the Vijay XI - MM]

0631: While we're having some much-needed breakfast, some news from county cricket: Jon Lewis has stepped down as Gloucestershire captain.

LUNCH INTERVAL

0604 - Ind 122-3 (24 overs)
Johnson takes the last over before lunch - not a particularly great over-rate by the Aussies (24 in two hours), considering a spinner and a medium-pacer have bowled half of those overs between them. Laxman fends off the first three balls, eventually guiding a single to mid-wicket. After a little confusion between umps Dar and Bowden, that's lunch.

"Re: Matt in Brisbane (0434). No wonder England get tagged with whinging - even though the Aussies are better at it than anyone - if you bang on like that. Try embracing the country you live in and not pining for the one you don't. You can still enjoy seeing the Aussies getting beaten"
Ian, Brisbane (formerly of, all over the place, including England originally) in the TMS inbox

0559 - Ind 121-3 (23 overs)
Suddenly, there's an entirely different complexion on the match as Punter is able to surround the bat of new batsman VVS Laxman, who's playing his 100th Test. But Krejza serves him up an easy half-volley first ball, which he despatches through the covers for three. Tendulkar adds a couple more.

"[Re: 0504] Surely the goal England conceded against San Marino inside nine seconds is quickest! Loving the commentary here in Indonesia"
Patrick Hillman (and others) in the TMS inbox

0552 - Ind 115-2 (22 overs)
Punter rotates his bowlers again as Watson's off and Johnson returns. He's bowling quite a tight line, and Sehwag can only manage a single off the first part of the over but Tendulkar nicks the strike with a jab to mid-wicket.

"Scott [0449], a lot of us have been waiting on Australia to do the 'wounded tiger' rebound. But maybe this is not the team for it. Hey, maybe Zaheer was right - this team just does not have the bowling to get 20 wickets. Of-course I just jinxed India and to unjinx them I must sit in exactly this same position and hit F5 only with the ring finger of my left hand. That always works"
Himanshu Trivedi in the TMS inbox

0548 - Ind 113-2 (21 overs)
More cavalier batting as after a single from Sehwag, Tendulkar blasts a four back past the bowler before hoisting Krejza to the mid-wicket fence for another four! Do they know it's a Test match, and the ODIs don't start until England arrive?!

0542 - Ind 104-2 (20 overs)
India reach three figures with a single from Sehwag, who has scored 64 of the first 100 runs today. A leg gully is brought in for Tendulkar, who's off the mark by clipping a four off his legs.

0537 - Ind 99-2 (19 overs)
Expectations rise around India as the Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar, arrives at the crease. Punter posts a leg slip, but Tendulkar effortlessly defends his first two deliveries.

0531 - Ind 98-1 (18 overs)
New batsman Rahul Dravid sees off his first ball.

"Watching Australia bowl in this series has given me greater understanding of what the Bangladeshi cricket followers must go through every time their team plays..."
John, Malaysia, in the TMS inbox

0525 - Ind 96-0 (17 overs)
Krejza's not bowling badly, I would like to stress, but Sehwag is doing his best to hit him to all areas of this new ground - sweeping him for four, then blasting him through the covers for another boundary. A single rotates the strike again and means Krejza has gone for 27 off his first 15 balls. With several men on the boundary (including three on the leg side), the singles are now easy to come by for the Indian pair.

"Morning Mark, I'm going to the 1st Ashes Test next summer at Sofia Gardens. Will this be the 100th Test venue or will there be a new test ground between now and then?"
Rob, Santa Barbara, California, in the TMS inbox
[With Test series being arranged and cancelled more frequently than ever while cricket marches to the Twenty20 drum, it's anyone's guess - MM]

0520 - Ind 82-0 (16 overs)
A replay of that brutally-turning off-break from Krejza's previous over gets the thumbs-up from Harbhajan Singh in the India dressing-room. He and his fellow Indian bowlers may not even to get changed out of their tracksuits today. Meanwhile, Sehwag continues to push the singles against Watson.

"Let's hope we're settling in for another demoralising day for the Aussies! It's quite amusing, actually laughable, what the Aussie press (and captain) have to say about the 'negative' batting tactics of the Indians and how they like to be aggressive and aggro towards their opponents. From where I sit, the Indians are very exciting to watch (like the Aussies used to be) and abuse and causing aggro has long been (and continues to be) the hallmark of the Aussies. Great to see some competition back in world cricket. Only hope England can match this quality in India and against the Aussies next summer!"
Dave the Pom in Sydney in the TMS inbox

"Re: 0350: He may not be all that famous, but what about Dr. Vijay Mallya, managing director of [F1 team] Force India? He's not a sportsman, but you did say 'famous sporting Vijay', not 'famous sportsman Vijay'"
David Ashby in the TMS inbox
[I'll add him to the Vijay XI - MM]

0511 - Ind 74-0 (14 overs)
Watson has switched ends to give Johnson a rest. He gets a couple to beat the bat, but another quick single from Vijay brings the effervescent Sehwag back on strike, on 47. He tries to force the pace against Watson but gets a leg-bye, but Vijay then runs a two past point. Still the runs flow for India.

"Not a good time to be a pom in Sydney as normal with England getting stuffed in the Rugby League world cup, but always good to see the Aussies getting smashed early doors against India. I'm just worried that my trip to Mumbai to watch England in December is going to be an expensive waste of time"
Andrew Baker, Sydney, in the TMS inbox

0504 - Ind 70-0 (13 overs)
Watson's off after just two overs, and off-spinner Jason Krejza is into the fray, bowling to fellow debutant Vijay. (The Aussie commentators seem to pronounce his name KRAY-zha, by the way - almost rhyming with Frasier, as in the American comedy series). The Nagpur scoreboard sportingly offers Krejza a "good luck" message - but the Indian batsmen are less generous as after a single from Vijay, Sehwag brutally clubs Krejza back over his head for a four and then a six! Drinks break.

"[On the subject of sporting Vijays], what about the Black Pearl of Indian Football, I M Vijayan, holder of the record for fastest international goal scored under 12 seconds?"
Keralavarma Vijay Thampuran, Thripunithura, Cochin, India, in the TMS inbox

0459 - Ind 59-0 (12 overs)
Still Johnson, and Sehwag steers a two to the cover sweeper, who's no doubt been placed there for exactly that shot. The field is fast approaching that of a defensive field in the middle overs of an ODI... in the 12th over of a Test! Another inside edge from Sehwag trickles down to fine leg for a couple.

"I have come to Sydney from England to play some cricket and just generally have a good time - yet am currently stuck at work in an office with no windows and the air-conditioner on too cold... so much for living the Australian dream. Only TMS is keeping me going at work. On a completely irrelevant note, what a job Mark Robins is doing with Rotherham United. Up the Millers!"
Safa in the TMS inbox
[They've had a great start - if not for the points deduction, they'd be right up there - MM]

0454 - Ind 55-0 (11 overs)
Sehwag gets another edge, but with no pace in the pitch, it falls just short of Punter at a wideish second (= third/fourth) slip. When Watson tries to bang one in short. Sehwag guides it off his hip down to fine leg for four. A dabbed single to extra cover takes his score to 33, off 33 balls.

"Vijay Singh has just logged off and taken his custom elsewhere, that's for sure. Nice to see India starting at a higher run rate than England in the Stanford final"
Andy, Brisbane, in the TMS inbox

0449 - Ind 50-0 (10 overs)
Just the two slips in now for Johnson, as Vijay effortlessly guides him throught he covers and they run three. A single from Sehwag brings up the Indian fifty and has the fans waving their flags in appreciation.

"I really do hope Aussie performs well in this Test. First time I have ever said that, but I'm not looking forward to a fired-up Aussie side looking for form on their home grounds vs our Kiwi lads"
Scott Lowen, South Island, NZ, in the TMS inbox

0445 - Ind 46-0 (9 overs)
Our first change of bowling, and medium-pacer Shane Watson suddenly finds himself elevated to third seamer. Watson, who's been troubled by injuries throughout his career, always looks like he's walking slightly gingerly, as if he's concerned not to tear a hamstring or something. The Indian pair help themselves to three singles.

"Hey Mark, re: 0350 - aren't you forgetting about Vijay Singh?"
Dan, Australia (and many others), in the TMS inbox
[Quite possibly - I was really thinking of Indian Vijays, although I suppose Vijay Singh has never been in a Bond film! Perhaps they could revisit the golf scene from Goldfinger - MM]

0438 - Ind 43-0 (8 overs)
Vijay guides Johnson off his legs for two, then another quick single rotates the strike again. Sehwag's sixth boundary of his brief innings comes when he expertly flicks one through mid-wicket and along the ground for four. A single to his favoured third man area takes him to 42, and Vijay pinches the strike.

"Here's hoping India can win in three days so I can study for my exams rather than pressing F5 half a dozen times a minute. India batting first and Jason Krejza for Stuart Clark?! Maybe I will get some studying done..."
Blakey from Perth in the TMS inbox

0434 - Ind 34-0 (7 overs)
Sehwag hangs his bat out to guide Lee through the covers for a couple. The stadium (which holds 45,000) looks as clean as all brand-spanking new stadiums (stadia) do - pity that the crowd is pretty sparse at this stage. Maybe more will come along once they hear India are batting.

"I'm an Englishman stuck in Brisbane, missing Bristol City's meteoric rise, Pizza Express quattro formaggi, beer that comes in a decent sized glass (and tastes good), bacon wheat crunchies, snow, cider, live football at a normal time on the telly, wearing a coat and someone understanding that a flip flop is something you really do wear on your feet. Come on India... wipe that smug grin off Ponting's miserable face!"
Matt (formerly of Bristol) Brisbane, in the TMS inbox

0429 - Ind 32-0 (6 overs)
One other item of note - Vijay's not the only debutant out there, as this ground in Nagpur (the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium) is staging a Test for the first time - becoming the 99th Test venue in the world, and the 20th in India. Vijay rides his luck when Johnson induces an edge which flies between keeper Haddin and first slip Matthew Hayden, but falls just short of them both. First maiden over of the day.

0425 - Ind 32-0 (5 overs)
Vijay's immaculate technique and lack of nerves belie his status as a Test debutant, keeping it simple against Lee. Just a single off the final delivery.

"Massive toss of the coin that. Punter would've been desperately hoping to win that one given the situation. Ouch"
Jon, Melbourne, in the TMS inbox

0420 - Ind 31-0 (4 overs)
Another single down to third man from Sehwag, before Vijay confidently tips-and-runs a single to Michael Clarke at point. Aussie skipper Ricky "Punter" Ponting already has his arms folded with the air of a man who's got out of bed the wrong side and not had anything go his way since then. Sehwag effortlessly flicks another four through the covers - it's a fast outfield and India are off to a flier.

0416 - Ind 25-0 (3 overs)
Lee digs in a bouncer to Vijay, and strolls down the crease for some choice words to the debutant. But Vijay lets his bat do the talking as he steers one off his legs past gully for three. Sehwag bunts another single down to third man, who looks set to be one of the busiest fielders today. After a no-ball from Lee, Vijay has his first Test boundary with a lovely orthodox cover drive.

Could be a long day for the Aussies, this - but don't forget, wherever you are in the world, I want to hear from you with your take on the game - so get involved by e-mailing tms@bbc.co.uk, texting in on 81111 or joining the debate on 606 after 0900 GMT. First into the inbox of fate this morning is an Aussie called Brad - Haddin? Hodge? Hogg?

"Well, from an Australian perspective - having lost the toss and been forced to bat last - it all comes down to the bowling effort today. If India are not routed, the best Australia can hope for is a draw. The Baggy Greens won't be able to chase a handy total on days four and five on a turning wicket"
Brad in the TMS inbox

0410 - Ind 16-0 (2 overs)
With Stuart Clark's metronomic accuracy sacrificed for a second spinner, left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson shares the new ball with Lee. Having shown restraint to the first couple of deliveries, Sehwag is back on form to one that's short and wide, and carves it over the slips for a first-bounce four to third man. Sehwag then clubs the final ball through mid-wicket for his third boundary of the innings.

And apologies for not mentioning it earlier - but for many Indian fans, this Test also has landmark status because it's Sourav Ganguly's final Test, having recently announced his forthcoming retirement.

0405 - Ind 8-0 (1 over)
Uh-oh - Brett Lee's first ball is, how can I put it politely, a "loosener". That is to say, it's very wide and keeper Brad Haddin takes it in front of first slip. With Extras off the mark, Virender Sehwag serves notice of his intent with a slashed off-drive past gully for four. Sehwag chops the next ball, gets a fortunate inside edge past the stumps for a single to bring debutant Vijay on strike. He's off the mark with an attractive prod for two through the covers.

0355: Here are the full teams:

India: Murali Vijay, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, Mahendra Dhoni (capt, wk), Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma.

Australia: SM Katich, ML Hayden, RT Ponting (capt), MEK Hussey, MJ Clarke, SR Watson, B Lee, BJ Haddin (wk), MG Johnson, CL White, JJ Krejza.

Umpires are Pakistan's Aleem Dar and New Zealand's Billy Bowden, with Suresh Shastri on TV replays, Sudhir Asnani as fourth umpire and the token Englishman is match referee Chris "father of Stuart" Broad. That's apart from me and Oliver Brett, who's my match-report sidekick today.

0350: Here's some team news for your delectation. India make two changes, both enforced - with Anil Kumble retired, the fit-again Harbhajan Singh returns to share spin duties with rookie Amit Mishra. And with opener Gautam Gambhir serving a one-match suspension for elbowing Shane Watson in the last Test, Murali Vijay makes his Test debut. What can I tell you about him? He's 24, born in Chennai, plays for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy and has scored 1,505 first-class runs in just 19 games. He's also possibly the most famous sporting Vijay since Indian tennis legend (and guest star in "Octopussy" alongside Roger Moore as James Bond) Vijay Amritraj.

Australia, needing a win to square the series, also give a Test debut - to 25-year-old off-spinner Jason Krejza, who is chosen as a second spinner ahead of seamer Stuart Clark. Born in Sydney, he has Czech and Polish heritage and has played for Tasmania and New South Wales.

0340: Morning, everyone. It may be stupid o'clock here in Blighty, but over in Nagpur, attention is focused on the fourth and final Test between India and Australia. India lead the series 1-0, so just a draw is sufficient to earn them the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The news from the toss is that for the third consecutive Test, India have won the toss and will bat first - so it's time to fire up the Quattro and see how the series will finish.

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