In what came as some relief for the Indian bowlers, Australia lost four quick wickets in the post-lunch session on the second day of the fourth and final Test in Adelaide on Wednesday. Australia are however comfortably placed with a score of more than 540 runs. Bradd Haddin and Ryan Harris are on the crease. The four wickets that fell in the post-lunch session are that of Michael Clarke (210), Ricky Ponting (221), M Hussey (25) and Peter Siddle (2).

Earlier, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting set new records with a massive unbroken partnership against India.

Clarke posted his second double century of the series and Ponting neared his double century as Australia's first innings closed on 500 on another joyless day in the field for the beleaguered tourists.

At lunch, Australia were 469 for three with Clarke unbeaten on 210 and Ponting on 198 in an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 385.

Their stand broke their own fourth partnership record of 288 set in the second Sydney Test of the series.

It also eclipsed the highest partnership for all wickets at Adelaide Oval bettering the 341 by South Africans Eddie Barlow and Graeme Pollock in 1964.

Clarke scored an unbeaten 329 in the Sydney Test and so far in this series has amassed 589 runs at 196.33 with Ponting following up his 134 in Sydney to have 461 runs at 115.25.

The pair have batted for 387 minutes and Australia lost their last wicket at 12:22 pm local time on Tuesday's opening day to frustrate the Indians, who are facing a 4-0 series wipeout in the final Test after heavy losses in the opening three Tests.



Keywords: Indian bowlers, Australia , wickets , Bradd Haddin , Ryan Harris,Michael Clarke,Ricky Ponting ,M Hussey , Peter Siddle ,Sydney Test , South Africans Eddie Barlow , Graeme Pollock.