After needing a whole day to reach 5-259, Australia needed just two sessions to more than double their score.

While that admittedly shows how badly India dropped their bundle on day two of the Boxing Day Test, it is also more kudos for the tail of the Australian batting order.

The tailenders rescued the home side time and again during last summer’s Ashes whitewash and they are proving a massive asset again.

India could well have come into this Test with the series squared at one-all.

The tourists scored 408 in the first innings of the second Test at the ‘Gabba and had Australia struggling at 6-247.

But as Australian captain Steve Smith scored another century, Mitchells Johnson and Starc posted invaluable half-tons.

Australia rallied to make 505 and went on to win by four wickets.

Similarly, India did well on Boxing Day.

In-form opener Dave Warner went for a second-over duck and India never let Australia take the initiative.

All that changed on day two.

Last summer’s hero Brad Haddin returned to form with 55 and joined with Smith to make 110 for the sixth wicket.

Johnson again chipped in with 28, but it was fellow paceman Ryan Harris who starred.

Harris posted his highest Test score of 74 with some outstanding shots.

“We call him Jacques Kallis,” injured Australian captain Michael Clarke joked on Channel Nine.

“He bats more in the nets than any other batsman.

“He thinks he’s a batsman, he thinks he should be up a lot higher in the order.”

Harris’ 106-run stand with Smith for the eighth wicket buried the tourists.

When Smith was finally dismissed for his highest Test score of 192, Australia were all out for 530.

Their tail didn’t wag. It walloped.