Cricket: Singh puts India in sight of victory

By KUNAL PRADHAM

MADRAS - The off-spinner Harbhajan Singh continued his hold over Australia to give India a fine chance of wrapping up the Test series.

Singh, who had taken 20 wickets in the tourists' previous three innings, claimed another five yesterday as Australia suffered on day four of the final Test.

Australia finished on 241 for 7, a lead of just 131, with Steve Waugh, unbeaten on 43, the only recognised batsman left.

Singh, who finished with figures of 5 for 82, took all three of the wickets to fall in the last session of the day, with the vital one being that of Mark Waugh.

A fantastic catch by Rahul Dravid at leg-slip ended his 52-run stand with brother Steve, who then lost Ricky Ponting (11) to the same combination.

Shane Warne was trapped lbw by Singh to the final ball of the day to compound Australia's agony.

The innings had started well for the tourists, having finally dismissed the hosts for 501 in the morning session.

Matthew Hayden and Michael Slater swiftly set about reducing India's 110-run first-innings lead, making 69 without loss in 16 overs before lunch.

But, not for the first time, Singh took over and now Waugh will need to produce one of the most important innings of his illustrious career and hope he does not run out of partners quickly if Australia are to avoid a second successive defeat.

Mark Waugh was full of praise for Singh. "I would rate him right up there. He is bowling with lot of confidence. He has good variation and a straight ball. He varies his pace well," he said.

Australia 391 and 241-7 India 501