India in control as Aussies’ winning streak under threat in third test

INDIA put themselves in a strong position to deny Australia a new Test wins record thanks to some valiant batting from VVS Laxman and a fine all-round showing from Irfan Pathan in the third Test at the WACA.

Laxman’s 79 helped the tourists scrape to 294 in their second innings and set Australia an unlikely victory target of 413 — a score which would constitute the second highest successful run chase in Test history.

Such a feat would be a fitting way for Australia to beat their own record of 16 consecutive Test wins, but that looks some way away after they ended day three on 65 for two, still 348 runs short of victory, thanks to two wickets from Pathan.