Clark halt's India

Sachin Tendulkar's brisk half-century, the 48th of his career, helped India briefly recover after losing openers Wasim Jaffer and Rahul Dravid before lunch.

Earlier in the morning, India cleaned up Australia's tail with the dismissal of Clark (21), who was caught at deep square leg by Harbhajan Singh off the bowling of Zaheer Khan.

In response, India had moved onto four when Jaffer (four) edged Brett Lee into the grateful hands of wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist before Dravid took 41 balls to get off the mark before pushing Mitchell Johnson through the covers.

He was then dropped by fourth slip Phil Jaques, who spilled a diving catch after Dravid attempted to drive Mitchell Johnson.

Dravid survived another scare as Matthew Hayden took a catch at first slip but umpire Billy Bowden ended celebrations with a no-ball call against Johnson.

Australia finally got their man as Dravid's 66-ball 98-minute stand, which yielded just five runs, was ended as he was adjudged lbw off the bowling of Clark after playing forward to the Aussie seamer.

VVS Laxman, who reached lunch 21 not out after Dravid's dismissal brought an early end to the session, helped India reach 50 in just under 30 overs.

But shortly after he was caught at third slip by Australia captain Ricky Ponting off Lee as India slumped to 55 for three. Tendulkar (29) and Sourav Ganguly (eight) helped India limp to drinks 74 for three and shortly after brought up the 100 just inside 39 overs.

After Tendulkar brought up his 50 off 57 balls and shared a 50-run fourth wicket partnership with Ganguly, Tendulkar (62) was bowled by Clark to leave India 122 for four. Just two runs were added when Yuvraj Singh (nought) edged Clark to Gilchrist leaving Ganguly unbeaten on 21 at tea.