Siddle strikes as India struggle on flat track

Australia pacemen crush India to win first Test

Adelaide: India lost three wickets, including that of Sachin Tendulkar, despite perfect batting conditions to struggle to 122 for five at lunch on the third day of the fourth test against Australia on Thursday.

Scorecard

Already 3-0 down in the series after humbling defeats in the first three tests, the tourists had hoped their world class batting line-up might finally fire on a wicket where Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting both snared double centuries.

Australia accumulated an imposing 604 for seven before declaring on Wednesday and anticipated a hard session in the field on another sweltering day at the Adelaide Oval.

Peter Siddle struck to remove Tendulkar and opener Gautam Gambhir, however, before spinner Nathan Lyon removed VVS Laxman to leave Virat Kohli, unbeaten on 21, and stand-in wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha (five not out) at the crease at the break.

Tendulkar's 24th attempt to secure his 100th international century attracted a bumper crowd to one of the world's most picturesque arenas on the Australia Day holiday but the 'Little Master' had made just 25 runs when Siddle struck.

The ever-willing Australian quick's full delivery drew Tendulkar forward and the ball flashed off the bat to allow Ponting to take a low catch at second slip.

Siddle, who has been a revelation in this series, struck again in his next over to remove Gambhir for 34 with a brutish bouncer that came off the batsman's bat and shoulder before looping into the air for a diving Mike Hussey to catch.

Laxman, once the nemesis of Australian bowling, lasted until just before lunch before he suffered yet another failure on the tour when Lyon induced him into edging the ball through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.