Clarke 251 not out . and Ponting – 134 pulverize India

Sydney, January 4^th.

 The Indian bowlers were sent on a leather hunt by the Austrian skipper Clarke and his predecessor Ponting on the second day of the Sydney Cricket Test.  The host celebrated the 100^th test at Sydney  scoring 366 runs and losing only the wicket of Ponting.  Australia have piled up a lead of 291 runs already, with 6 wickets remaining and 3 full days to go for the close of the second test in the four match test series.

Ponting and Clarke continued from where they left on Tuesday and finally put on 288 runs for the fourth wicket.  Ponting had scored his 40^th century in the bargain.  Ishant Sharma  got a break-through when Ponting was caught at gully by Tendulkar.  The fall of Ponting did not provide any relief to the Indian bowling as Mike Hussey continued to torment India.  Clarke completed his first double century and was looking good for more.  He put on 157 runs with Hussey already for the fifth wicket.  At the end of the day, Clarke was at 251 and Hussey was at 155.  Ponting had contributed 134 runs.India has a difficult task of containing the Aussies and playing to avoid a possible innings defeat.