Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke hammered hundreds to put Australia in a commanding position against India on the first day of the fourth and final Test in Adelaide.
Captain Clarke (140 not out) and his predecessor Ricky Ponting (137 not out) came together with the score at 84 for three, shortly before lunch, and went on to share a record-breaking unbeaten 252-run stand for the fourth-wicket to guide Australia to 335 for three at the close of play in scorching conditions.
It was the duo's second double-hundred stand of the series after their 288-run union during the second Test in Sydney when Clarke notched a memorable triple century
It was the duo's second double-hundred stand of the series after their 288-run union during the second Test in Sydney when Clarke notched a memorable triple century
Ponting - who became the third man in history after Indian pair Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid to accumulate 13,000 Test runs - powered to his 41st Test century after coming in with his side in a spot of bother at 31 for two after 10 overs.
The crowd rose to its feet when Ponting worked Zaheer Khan behind square for a couple but the faithful were quickly subdued when the signal for leg-byes was realised, the ball clearly deflecting off the batsman's thigh pad.
The very next ball Ponting received a standing ovation and raised his arms triumphantly after he pushed Zaheer between point and gully for two to bring up his second hundred of the series, this dig far more fluent than his determined, gutsy knock at the SCG.
With the ton - which arrived off 164 balls and included 11 boundaries - Ponting drew level with South African Jacques Kallis in second place for all-time most Test centuries, behind only India's Sachin Tendulkar (51).
Amazingly, it was Ponting's fourth century in as many Tests against India at Adelaide - all coming in the first innings - and sixth overall at this ground.
Clarke has enjoyed a similar success rate, his magnificent ton his second in as many stints at the Adelaide crease against India.
Four overs after Ponting was saluted, Clarke caressed Umesh Yadav to the third-man boundary to register his 19th Test century.
The crowd rose to its feet when Ponting worked Zaheer Khan behind square for a couple but the faithful were quickly subdued when the signal for leg-byes was realised, the ball clearly deflecting off the batsman's thigh pad.
The very next ball Ponting received a standing ovation and raised his arms triumphantly after he pushed Zaheer between point and gully for two to bring up his second hundred of the series, this dig far more fluent than his determined, gutsy knock at the SCG.
With the ton - which arrived off 164 balls and included 11 boundaries - Ponting drew level with South African Jacques Kallis in second place for all-time most Test centuries, behind only India's Sachin Tendulkar (51).
Amazingly, it was Ponting's fourth century in as many Tests against India at Adelaide - all coming in the first innings - and sixth overall at this ground.
Clarke has enjoyed a similar success rate, his magnificent ton his second in as many stints at the Adelaide crease against India.
Four overs after Ponting was saluted, Clarke caressed Umesh Yadav to the third-man boundary to register his 19th Test century.
It was Clarke's fifth century in 12 Tests since taking over as skipper and fifth overall against India.
The 30-year-old's momentum-shifting century came off just 133 balls, with 14 fours and a six.
The 30-year-old's momentum-shifting century came off just 133 balls, with 14 fours and a six.
The six came off just the second ball after tea when Clarke charged India's acting skipper Virender Sehwag and thumped him over the straight boundary.
Ponting and the imperious Clarke were rarely troubled in perfect batting conditions under a hot, sunny sky against a listless Indian outfit.
The pitch, which was a belter and further flattened throughout the day, did not assist the tourists' cause, but they didn't help themselves either with a general lack of energy and intensity, inattentive fielding, defensive field placings and some pedestrian bowling.
Ishant Sharma (none for 50) bowled better than his figures suggested. He was unlucky at times and asked plenty of probing questions of the in-form pair, bowling some of his best spells of the summer.
The paceman almost achieved the belated breakthrough in the 86th over when, with the second new ball, he captured Clarke's outside edge which flew past VVS Laxman.
Ponting and the imperious Clarke were rarely troubled in perfect batting conditions under a hot, sunny sky against a listless Indian outfit.
The pitch, which was a belter and further flattened throughout the day, did not assist the tourists' cause, but they didn't help themselves either with a general lack of energy and intensity, inattentive fielding, defensive field placings and some pedestrian bowling.
Ishant Sharma (none for 50) bowled better than his figures suggested. He was unlucky at times and asked plenty of probing questions of the in-form pair, bowling some of his best spells of the summer.
The paceman almost achieved the belated breakthrough in the 86th over when, with the second new ball, he captured Clarke's outside edge which flew past VVS Laxman.
The next over Clarke tentatively edged Zaheer just short of a diving Wriddhiman Saha as his concentration wavered, albeit fleetingly.
The only other time the visitors really perked up was the final over before tea.
Sehwag introduced Virat Kohli for a one-off over to bowl some gentle medium-pacers in a hope to break the damaging partnership.
Drama unfolded on the penultimate ball of the middle session. Clarke turned Kohli to the on-side for a sharp single when Zaheer had a shy at the non-striker's end from square leg.
The ball ricocheted off the Aussie skipper's sliding bat and he further infuriated the Indians by running two more as a result of the deflection.
India appealed for Clarke to be given out obstructing the field, arguing he had deliberately deviated in an attempt to divert Zaheer's throw but after umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Aleem Dar conferred with third umpire Paul Reiffel, Clarke was allowed to bat on.
Earlier, Australia lost two wickets inside the first 10 overs before losing another one shortly before lunch to momentarily give India the upper hand after Clarke had won the toss and elected to bat in hot, dry conditions.
David Warner (eight) and Shaun Marsh (three) were sent packing early as Sehwag surprised by introducing off-spinner Ashwin in the fourth over of the innings.
Ed Cowan made 30 before falling to an excellent catch from Laxman at cover which created some murmurs in the home camp as Ashwin picked up two wickets before lunch, but Ponting and Clarke destroyed the wilting Indians and will look to continue the carnage on Day 2.
The only other time the visitors really perked up was the final over before tea.
Sehwag introduced Virat Kohli for a one-off over to bowl some gentle medium-pacers in a hope to break the damaging partnership.
Drama unfolded on the penultimate ball of the middle session. Clarke turned Kohli to the on-side for a sharp single when Zaheer had a shy at the non-striker's end from square leg.
The ball ricocheted off the Aussie skipper's sliding bat and he further infuriated the Indians by running two more as a result of the deflection.
India appealed for Clarke to be given out obstructing the field, arguing he had deliberately deviated in an attempt to divert Zaheer's throw but after umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Aleem Dar conferred with third umpire Paul Reiffel, Clarke was allowed to bat on.
Earlier, Australia lost two wickets inside the first 10 overs before losing another one shortly before lunch to momentarily give India the upper hand after Clarke had won the toss and elected to bat in hot, dry conditions.
David Warner (eight) and Shaun Marsh (three) were sent packing early as Sehwag surprised by introducing off-spinner Ashwin in the fourth over of the innings.
Ed Cowan made 30 before falling to an excellent catch from Laxman at cover which created some murmurs in the home camp as Ashwin picked up two wickets before lunch, but Ponting and Clarke destroyed the wilting Indians and will look to continue the carnage on Day 2.
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