Australia’s new-look pace attack again rattled through India’s batsmen, with James Pattinson dismissing Sachin Tendulkar among his four wickets as the visitors were dismissed for 191 on the opening day of the second cricket Test.
Pattinson claimed the prize wicket of Tendulkar (41) shortly after lunch, having ripped through the Indian top order in the morning session.
The 21-year-old Pattinson (4-43) struck in the first over to remove Gautam Gambhir (0) and then returned in his second spell to dismiss Virender Sehwag (30) and VVS Laxman (2).
Ben Hilfenhaus (3-51) and Peter Siddle (3-55) were also effective on a green SCG pitch as Australia aimed to extend their 1-0 series lead.
Only captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni defied the attack, stranded on 57 not out when he ran out of batting partners.
Tendulkar looked comfortable against the bowlers until his mis-timed cover drive deflected back on to his own stumps.
Unlucky
The SCG crowd gave Tendulkar a standing ovation as he left the field, in what is likely his last Test at a venue where he scored a double century in 2004 and a hundred in the acrimonious 2008 Test.
The Little Master has been one shy of his 100th century since March. Ahead of the match, he averaged an astonishing 221 at the SCG, which is hosting its 100th Test match this week.
Pattinson had Gambhir caught by skipper Michael Clarke at first slip on just the third ball to give Australia an ideal start.
During Pattinson’s second spell he found an edge off Sehwag which carried through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, before producing an outswinger which Laxman guided to Shaun Marsh at third slip.
Siddle took the other wicket in the first session, having Rahul Dravid (5) caught at short leg by Ed Cowan.
Hilfenhaus was unlucky not to take Sehwag earlier when he found the edge only to see Ricky Ponting drop the chance at second slip.
Die hard
India’s batting malaise continued after lunch with Virat Kohli (23) teasing an edge through to Haddin off Siddle before Pattinson removed Tendulkar.
Dhoni, though, proved to be a thorn in Australia’s side as he progressed to 57, with eight fours. He was well supported by Ashwin in a 54 run stand in the afternoon session, before the latter edged through to Clarke off Hilfenhaus.
Hilfenhaus got his second wicket with his next ball when Zaheer Khan fended a bouncer to Cowan at short leg.
After tea, Hilfenhaus snared Sharma (0) in similar fashion, before Siddle wrapped up the innings when he had Yadav caught behind for a duck — his 100th test wicket.
India’s collapse came after Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first on an SCG pitch which has given Australia’s seam bowlers plenty of assistance on day one.
Both teams went into the match with unchanged lineups from the first test, which Australia won by 122 runs in Melbourne last week. — Sapa-AP