Australia can still win Bangalore Test against India: Johnson

BANGALORE - Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson insists that his team can still win the second Test being played at Bangalore despite being dominated by Indian centurions Sachin Tendulkar and Murali Vijay on day three.

Team India marched to 435-5 at the end of the day’s play, only 43 runs shy of Australia’s first innings 478.

Johnson, who was the most successful bowler for the visitors with three wickets for 89, however remained optimistic that Australia can pull the match back.

“We’ll be pushing as hard as we can, and like I said in Mohali we’re looking to win Test matches,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Johnson, as saying.

“We saw there were a few that stayed low, and a couple that jumped off the wicket as well, and there was talk of this wicket about how it jumps up as well.”

“I’m confident we can go there and push really hard to knock them over, then obviously we’ve got to bat really well and then just really fight hard on that last day to win this Test match,” he added.

Carrying forward from Sunday’s score of 128/2, both Tendulkar (191 not out) and Vijay (139) looked in sublime form to take their third-wicket partnership to 308.

Johnson then claimed two wickets in an over to swing the momentum to Australia’s favour.

Vijay was caught by wicket keeper Tim Paine, while debutant Cheteshwar Pujara had a very short life as he was caught plumb in front of the wicket for a mere four runs.

Suresh Raina (32) then shared a 61-run partnership with Tendulkar before being dismissed by part-time spinner Michael Clarke.

At the end of third day’s play, Tendulkar was batting on 191 along with skipper M.S. Dhoni on 11.

Brief Scores:

Australia- 1st innings: 478 (Marcus North 128, Ricky Ponting 77, Paine 59, Shane Watson 57; Harbhajan Singh 4/148, Pragyan Ojha 3/120)

India- 1st innings: 435/5 (Tendulkar 191 not out, Dhoni 11 not out; Johnson 3/89, Clarke 1/ 27) (ANI)