Cricket: Aussies struggling to avoid defeat

Aussie skipper Michael Clarke. Photo / Getty Images

Australia's only top-class batsman Michael Clarke is nursing a back complaint as his side face an uphill task on Monday to avoid going 3-0 down in their four-Test series against India.

Skipper Clarke, who promoted himself from No.5 to No.3 for the third Test, has been unable to bat so far in Australia's second innings of 3-75 after hurting his back during the team's warm-up exercises on Sunday morning.

Australia need another 16 runs to make India bat again and even a face-saving draw would provide no comfort on Monday to the tourists who must win in Mohali and also in the fourth Test in Delhi to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Team physio Alex Kountouris says Clarke's fitness will be assessed on Monday morning.

However, pace bowler Peter Siddle - who claimed 5-71 in India's first innings of 499 - has no doubt the skipper will get off the rubdown table to lead his side into battle.

"He'll definitely bat. It was very sore throughout the day," Siddle said.

"Everyone knows he's had a bit of trouble with his back.

"He got some treatment after we came off the field and everything seems to be going along fine.

"Knowing Michael he'll do everything he can tonight with Alex and be ready to go tomorrow morning as soon as possible."

Clarke was off and on the field during India's second innings on Sunday and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin led the side in the absence of the skipper and vice-captain Shane Watson who has been suspended for one match over the homeworkgate affair.

David Warner (two), Ed Cowan (eight) and Steve Smith (five) all fell cheaply to medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar while Phil Hughes played a fine counter-attacking knock of 53 not out.

Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon is on four.

"We know that a draw doesn't help us at all. But we'll do everything we can to see where we can get," Siddle said.

"It will be hard for us to win. We know that.

"But we just have to see where we end up."

Earlier, India claimed a first-innings lead of 91 after tea with a total of 499.

Siddle showed his trademark grit on a flat Mohali pitch in 29.1 back-breaking overs.

Spinners Lyon (1-124) and Xavier Doherty (0-87) had little impact while occasional leggie Smith (1-63) served up plenty of half-trackers in his 10 overs.

Shikhar Dhawan (187) and Murali Vijay (153) hit centuries in a 289-run stand, having resumed on Sunday on 0-283.

Apart from the openers, Sachin Tendulkar (37) and Virat Kohli (67 not out) were the only batsmen to pass 20 as Australia's quicks Siddle and Mitchell Starc (2-74) held India to under 500 for the first time in the series in their first innings.