Clarke leads Aussie recovery against India

Michael Clarke led the fightback for Australia with a wonderfully-crafted century after Ravichandran Ashwin put India in charge on the first day of their Test series.

Clarke (103no), who was given a major let-off when on 41, sealed his hundred in the final over of the day, but he was aided by a fine innings of 68 from debutant Moises Henriques, with the pair putting on 151 for the sixth wicket.

That came after Ashwin had single-handedly reduced the tourists to 153 for five and the off-spinner then ended Henriques' stay to end the day with figures of six for 88, while Ravindra Jadeja also picked up a late scalp as Australia finished on 316 for seven.

India began the day by handing Harbhajan Singh his 100th Test appearance as well giving seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar his debut.

Australia, after winning the toss, got off to a rollicking start with David Warner and Ed Cowan scoring exactly 50 in the first 10 overs.

Warner was dropped in the ninth over, Ashwin's first, when he edged to Virender Sehwag at slip only to see a straightforward chance shelled.

Warner was handed another life when Mahendra Singh Dhoni failed to take a tough stumping chance off Ashwin - a failing he rectified when he whipped the bails off to remove Cowan for 29.

Cowan had hit Harbhajan for the first six of the day moments earlier but was unable to repeat the dose against Ashwin and paid with his wicket.

The second wicket was soon to arrive, Phil Hughes lasting 15 uncomfortable balls for six before edging Ashwin onto his stumps with an ungainly cut.

Shane Watson brought up the Australia hundred in the 28th over, with Warner moving to 50 soon after with a well-run two.

Both batsmen were to fall to Ashwin shortly after the lunch interval, however, with Watson dismissed for 28 after being trapped on the back foot.

Warner was then deceived by a quicker delivery and he also departed leg before wicket having made 59.

Ashwin had his fifth wicket when Wade played down the wrong line and was adjudged lbw to leave Australia reeling on 153 for five.

But all-rounder Henriques, making his first appearance in Tests, showed maturity beyond his experience to help Clarke keep the score ticking over.

Australia's captain struck back-to-back fours off Jadeja but the batsman was given a lifeline shortly before the tea interval when umpire Kumar Dharmasena failed to spot a bat-pad catch - again off the bowling of Ashwin.

Clarke made hay after the let-off by creaming Kumar through the covers for four in the next over while he lofted Ashwin over long-on for six to reach his half-century in style.

Henriques also quickly settled in the final session, hitting three fours in six balls, before bringing up his half-century with a quick single in the 78th over.

Clarke was rapidly closing in on his 23rd Test hundred, but his and Henriques' partnership was ended late on when the latter was trapped in front after missing a sweep at Ashwin.

Mitchell Starc was bowled by Jadeja in the next over, but Australia would finish on a positive note with Clarke hammering the same bowler over mid-off for his 11th four which brought up a well-deserved hundred.

Source: Fox Sport