India humiliated by Australia in MCG Test

Melbourne, Dec 29 (IBNS) India were demolished by a lively Australian pace attack and were bowled out for 169 in their second innings as the home side claimed a 122-run win in the first Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Thursday.

Australia resuming at 8-179 and were dismissed for 240, setting India a target of 292 to win.

James Pattinson, who was adjudged Man of the Match, bagged 4-53 in India´s second innings after also scoring 18 not out and 37 not out. His fellow Victorian quick Peter Siddle also played a key role with figures of 3-63 and 3-42 in the match and contributing a vital knock of 41 in Australia´s first innings of 333, helping to set up a 51-run lead on the first dig. Ben Hilfenhaus claimed 2-39 after his career-best haul of 5-75 in India´s first innings.

Pattinson and Siddle rumbled through the Indian batting line-up today inside two sessions, making the Indian batsmen look old and vulnerable. Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 32 in India´s second innings.

India lost Virender Sehwag (7) shortly before lunch off the bowling of Hilfenhaus as Mike Hussey held a fine catch at 1-17. India reached 1-24 at lunch before losing 5-93 in the middle session.

India lost Gautam Gambhir (13) and Rahul Dravid (10) soon after lunch. Pattinson struck when he had V.V.S. Laxman (1) caught at square leg at 4-68 while Virat Kohli was lbw to Hilfenhaus for a first-ball duck in the next over.

Siddle bagged the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar (32) caught at gully by Hussey at 6-81. Ravichandran Ashwin (30) and Zaheer Khan (13) were both caught at short leg as Siddle and Pattinson each picked up a third wicket.

Pattinson bowled India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 23 and spinner Nathan Lyon claimed his only wicket of the match when Umesh Yadav was caught on the boundary for 21.

Australia´s attempt to squeeze runs out of their tail began badly on Thursday when veteran Hussey was out for 89, adding just 10 to his overnight score.

But the 10th-wicket pairing of Pattinson (37 not out) and Hilfenhaus (14) stood firm to add 43 runs in the second-highest partnership of the innings.

The second Test of the four-match series starts in Sydney on January 3.

A total of 189,347 people attended the game, setting a new record for a Test match against India after beating the 181,053 who attended Steve Waugh´s final game at the SCG in January 2004.