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Australia all out for 478 at tea
north
Australia rode on a career-best 128 from Marcus North to reach 478 all out at tea on the second day of the second and final Test against India on Sunday.
North featured in a 149-run, sixth-wicket stand with fellow overnight batsman Tim Paine (59) to set the tone for Australia’s first innings.
Resuming on 285 for five, Australia cruised along with North and Paine denying the home side an early breakthrough.
North played sensibly and showed momentary aggression to slog-sweep Pragyan Ojha for the first six of the match.
In his more eventful knock, Paine struck two fours off a Shanthakumaran Sreesanth over, was caught behind off a no-ball and got a life when Suresh Raina dropped him off Ojha.
Ojha settled the score soon after when he had Paine stumped.
North went on to complete his fifth Test century before Harbhajan Singh ended his 240-ball stay.
The tourists moved from their overnight total with left-handed North, battling to save his Test place after averaging just seven runs in his last six Tests, returned to timely form.
Wicket-keeper Paine, who made 92 in the first Test in Mohali, continued to frustrate the Indian bowlers.
Paine was lucky to survive till lunch after he was caught behind off seamer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth when on 40.
As Paine was returning to the pavilion, umpire Ian Gould consulted with the television umpire and declared a no-ball as replays showed Sreesanth had overstepped the line.
Australia are seeking a series-levelling win after losing the dramatic Mohali Test by one wicket.
North and Paine hammered the Indian pace attack of Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth to keep the scoreboard moving briskly in the first hour.
When spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh came on after the drinks interval, North welcomed him with a boundary to mid-wicket that carried the Australian total past the 350 mark.
North, who fell for 0 and 10 in Mohali, has so far hit 10 boundaries and a six. Paine has eight fours.
Harbhajan was the most expensive Indian bowler with 2-109 from 32 overs. Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha returned with 1-87, while Sreesanth went for 78 runs in 20 unsuccessful overs.