India’s Sharma shackles Australia in final test

Sharma dismissed first-innings centurion Simon Katich (16) and Michael Clarke (22) to help reduce Australia to 111 for three in their second innings at lunch on the last day of the fourth and final test.

However, opener Matthew Hayden hit a chancy 46 to keep Australia’s hopes alive. The tourists maintained a healthy run rate of over four after being set an imposing target of 382 for a series-squaring victory.

Michael Hussey was not out on 14 at the break after the tourists resumed at 13 for no loss.

Skipper Ricky Ponting was run out for eight to a direct hit at the non-striker’s end by Amit Sharma from mid-off.

Australia, the world’s top-ranked team, have not lost a series since the 2005 Ashes tour of England.

India stuck to their successful first innings ploy of bowling accurately to a packed off-side field in the first hour to frustrate the visitors.

The move succeeded when Katich top-edged Sharma and was caught behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Ponting, who edged pacer Zaheer Khan dangerously to slip early, took off late after playing the left-armer to mid-off where Mishra brought off a remarkable pick and throw on the run.

Hayden and Clarke, who had to use a runner as he was unwell, kept the momentum going through a stand of 45.

Clarke hit a couple of streaky boundaries off Zaheer before Sharma dismissed him caught behind for the second time in the match pushing tentatively at the ball.

Hayden, dropped twice off Harbhajan Singh, was living dangerously and was let off by Dhoni on 30 when shaping to cut.

Five runs later, Rahul Dravid, having a poor day at slips, dropped the burly opener as he aimed to reverse sweep the bowler.