Live cricket sydney:

Sydney 4^th jan:

India on backfoot after Clarke's double century and ponting’s hundred:

 Clarke celebrates scoring his double century

Fantastic double century by Michael Clarke

and a fine hundred by Ricky Ponting as
Australia finished with a commanding total
of 482/4, leading by 291 runs at the close of
the day's play.

Ponting's desperation to get to the hundred
was clearly evident but the Aussie great had
to wait till the 4th over after lunch to get
there. 
          It was a moment to savour for Ponting
when he got to his 40th Test century but for
a split second it appeared as though he
would head back on 99. 
         Ishant was the bowler who bowled the
4th over after lunch and Ponting, who hit
the ball straight to Zaheer Khan at mid on,
took off for a non-existent single. Ponting
made a desperate dive to reach the crease
but even that would not have helped him
and he only had Zaheer to thank as he
missed a direct hit and Ponting reached the
three-figure mark.

         By stumps, Clarke was unbeaten on
251, having batted through the day, and it
was not out of the question that he could
become the first man to score a Test triple
century at the SCG. Michael Hussey had
chipped in with 55 not out and Australia's
lead had ballooned to 291, with six wickets
in hand
          Clarke's innings was mature and
mesmerising, but it was Ponting's hundred
that had really brought the crowd to life.
Ponting had been starved of a Test century
in his past 33 innings, and for the first time
since the early days of his career had faced
pressure to justify his place in the side. 
At no stage during his slump did he give up.
It was somehow appropriate for a man who
had fought so hard over the past few
months that he was dirty and dishevelled
when his hundred arrived..

Final score:

India 191 (All out)

Australia 482/4 (116.0 ov)

Australia lead by 291 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the 1st innings.

MJ Clarke*    :251

 MEK Hussey *:55