Ganguly nears century as Australia toil

By N.Ananthanarayanan

MOHALI (Reuters) - Saurav Ganguly closed in on his 16th test hundred to guide India to a solid 401 for six at lunch on day two of the second test against Australia on Saturday.

Ganguly, playing in his farewell series, added 75 runs with stand-in captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (45 not out) to frustrate the Australian bowlers on an unresponsive pitch. The former skipper has batted for almost five hours, hitting seven fours after adding 142 runs for the fifth wicket with Sachin Tendulkar on Friday to rescue India from 163 for four. India, resuming on 311 for five, added 90 runs in the session as Australia struggled, particularly with pace spearhead Brett Lee looking off-colour.

He also cut the webbing between his ring and small fingers on his bowling hand which required two stitches. Ganguly, 54 not out overnight, and nightwatchman Ishant Sharma (9) added 21 runs before debutant paceman Peter Siddle forced the tail-ender to fend a catch to short-leg.

Dhoni, standing in for the injured Anil Kumble, played forceful shots against Siddle and Lee to nullify the second new ball.

Dhoni pulled Lee to square leg the first ball he faced before hooking Siddle over square leg for six, attacking both bowlers as they tried to tempt him with short-pitched deliveries.

Lee, who dismissed Rahul Dravid on the first day, conceded 30 runs in his six-over spell without taking a wicket.

The first test in Bangalore ended in a draw.