Skipper Michael Clarke and courageous ‘keeper Matthew Wade have shared a century partnership as Australia recovered to reach 4-187 in the second Test against India.
The tourists had been in big trouble at 4-63 before lunch on Saturday after David Warner (six), Ed Cowan (four), Phil Hughes (19) and Shane Watson (23) fell cheaply.
Cowan, Hughes and Watson all average below 37 in their careers and face severe scrutiny from India’s three-pronged spin attack with two-and-a-half Tests to come on turning pitches.
However Clarke (68 not out) and Wade (55 not out) went to lunch at 4-83 and added another 104 runs in the middle session without loss in a 124-run stand for the fifth wicket in 143 minutes.
Clarke has struck eight fours and one six from 132 deliveries and is 32 runs shy of his second century for the series and 10th in 23 matches as captain.
Wade, who has made two previous hundreds, is batting on despite a fractured cheekbone which he suffered in a training accident on Friday.
Paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed the first three wickets to fall on a pitch already showing signs of variable bounce and offspinner Ravi Ashwin picked up Hughes caught behind at 4-63.
Australia made two selection changes, recalling left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty and including debutant offspinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell at the expense of offspinner Nathan Lyon and left-arm quick Mitchell Starc.