Johnson's all-round show pegs back India

MOHALI, Chandigarh // Mitchell Johnson struck two blows late on the second day to slow down India's rapid reply after producing a useful cameo with the bat in Australia's first innings of 428 in the first Test on Saturday.

India finished the day at 110 for two, with Johnson removing Virender Sehwag (59) and Gautam Gambhir (25) just when the openers were looking dangerous with an 81-run partnership.

Johnson had earlier produced a brisk 47 to boost the slow run-rate along with Tim Paine (92), building on opener Shane Watson's knock of 126.

Johnson hit five fours and three sixes off 66 balls before he was caught behind off Zaheer Khan, who finished with a five-wicket haul.

The Indian openers took Johnson's lead, with Sehwag producing a world-record equaling half-century.

Sehwag struck 10 fours during his 54-ball knock, which made him only the third batsman after Sir Vivian Richards and Gambhir to smash fifties in 11 consecutive Test matches. Sehwag twice took two fours each off overs from Doug Bollinger. He also once smashed Ben Hilfenhaus for three fours through the off side in one over.

Sehwag was out when he got a leading edge and gave an easy catch to Michael Clarke at cover off Johnson, who capped a fine day a little after trapping Gambhir lbw with a delivery that held its line.

Rahul Dravid (21) and night-watchman Ishant Sharma (zero) were the not out batsmen at close.

Earlier, Paine batted with composure in Australia's innings, striking 12 fours in his 196-ball knock, to complete a maiden half-century in his third Test and did well to keep the strike in the company of lower-order batsmen.

Paine was dropped on zero and 86 by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, but gave a good account of himself against both pace and spin bowling.

It took a fine low catch from VVS Laxman at second slip to dismiss the Tasmanian and help Khan finish with 5-94, the left-arm seamer's 10th five-wicket haul in 73 Tests.

The 25-year-old wicketkeeper hit left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for two consecutive fours over mid-wicket and also hit Zaheer for a couple of boundaries during his gritty knock.

* Reuters

SCOREBOARD

Australia (1st innings, overnight 224-5):
Shane Watson c Gambhir b Singh 126
Simon Katich lbw b Khan 6
Ricky Ponting run out 71
Michael Clarke c Dravid b Singh 14
Mike Hussey lbw b Khan 17
Marcus North b Khan 0
Tim Paine c Laxman b Khan 92
Mitchell Johnson c Dhoni b Khan 47
Nathan Hauritz c Gambhir b Singh 9
Ben Hilfenhaus not out 20
Doug Bollinger c Sharma b Ojha 0
Extras: (b-4, lb-9, nb-13) 26
Total (all out; 151.4 overs) 428
Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-154, 3-172, 4-218, 5-222, 6-275, 7-357, 8-373, 9-427.
Bowling: Khan 30-7-94-5; Sharma 11.4-1-71- 0; Ojha 51.4-16-113-1; Singh 49-12-114-3; Sehwag 9.2-1-23-0.

India (1st innings):
Gautam Gambhir lbw Johnson 25
Virender Sehwag c Clarke b Johnson 59
Rahul Dravid not out 21
Ishant Sharma not out 0
Extras: (b-1, lb-4) 5
Total (2 wickets; 21 overs) 110
Fall of wickets: 1-81, 2-106.
Bowling: Hilfenhaus 9-0-39-0, Bollinger 4-0-22-0, Johnson 6-1-29-2, Hauritz 2-0-15-0.

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