Daijiworld Media Network

Perth, Jan 14: The Indian batting line-up was spineless on the first day the third test match against Australia here at Perth. The top and middle order batting saw one more collapse and continued its poor show in this series.

When play resumed on the second day, the story was the same, with Australian opener David Warner showing solid resistance and attack, with the help of a dropped catch by Virat Kohli. He was on 154 not out when play stopped for lunch.

But in the final minutes before lunch, Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav managed to grab three wickets which gave some consolation to Indians. Ed Cowan was out for 74 (bowled by Umesh), Shawn Marsh for 11 and Ricky Ponting for 7.

It was India's session though they have conceded 107 runs. It would've been much better for them had Kohli latched on to Warner's catch. Zaheer bowled well without luck, but it was Umesh Yadav who deserves all the credit for his three wickets. He bowled superbly and produced wicket taking balls. Warner continues to blaze away and his wicket will be the one that India would be earning for after lunch. Plenty of cricket to look forward to in the post lunch session.

Earlier on day 1, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle continued to trouble Indian top order by sharing 7 wickets between them (Ben Hilfenhaus 4 and Peter Siddle 3). Harris and Starc who got the opportunity to play for the first time in this series bagged 1 and 2 wickets respectively. Australia and India have put four pace bowlers, ignoring spin attack.

For India, out of form Kohli managed to score 44, his best in the series, and VVS Laxman 31. All others failed to face Austalian pace attack.