Australia’s bowlers are hoping to exploit a wearing fifth-day pitch on Tuesday in the first cricket Test against India.
But as allrounder Moises Henriques admits, their backs are up against the wall.
Michael Clarke’s men have narrowly avoided an innings defeat and will resume on the final day on 9-232 with an overall lead of just 40 runs.
Henriques is unbeaten on 75 alongside his first-innings score of 68 in a tremendous performance on debut in Chennai.
No.11 Nathan Lyon is on eight and they have added 57 for the 10th wicket after Australia appeared headed for an innings defeat at 9-175.
India offspinner Ravi Ashwin has taken 5-90 after his seven-wicket haul in Australia’s first innings.
The spin trio of Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja (2-68) and Harbhajan Singh (2-55) have done their best to ensure the home side will be chasing a small total to go one-up in the four-match series.
“(India captain) MS Dhoni was able to put on 100 or 150 (140) with the guy batting at 10, so if we come out tomorrow you just never know, especially on a day-five wicket,” Henriques said on Monday night.
“Our backs are up against the wall.
“We know that especially on a wearing wicket, it’s only going to get tougher to start (for batsmen).
“You have to stay sharp and make sure you’re alert for that one (ball) that does act a little differently.
“Sometimes you will get one that you just can’t do anything about.”
India had resumed on 8-515 on Monday and were all out for 572, boosted by Dhoni’s 224, a record for an India captain.
Dhoni was one of five victims for Aussie quick James Pattinson (5-96) while offspinner Lyon conceded 3-215.
Australia’s top order batsmen Ed Cowan (32), Shane Watson (17) and David Warner (23) failed to capitalise on their starts while Phil Hughes (0) at No.4 and Clarke (31) were victims of a couple of sharp-turning deliveries.
Henriques said his experience on flat pitches at the SCG would help him in Chennai.
“As a bowler, you do have to charge in and hit back of a length and hope for some uneven bounce,” Henriques said.
The seam bowler said he wasn’t thinking about having taken ownership of the allrounder’s role in the Test side.
“I’m far from cementing my spot,” he said.
“There’s still a massive job to do tomorrow morning.”