Australia hit back in final India Test

Debutant Jason Krejza and Shane Watson shared four key wickets to lead Australia's fightback in the fourth and final Test against India here on Sunday.

The hosts were 166-6 in their second innings at tea on the penultimate day for an overall lead of 252.

India lead the series 1-0 following their 320-run victory in the second Test in Mohali. The matches in Bangalore and New Delhi were drawn.

They were strongly placed at 116 without loss before losing six wickets for 50 runs in a dramatic afternoon collapse, with Watson and Krejza taking two apiece and fast bowler Brett Lee one.

Sachin Tendulkar was run out for 12 in the last over before the break.

Watson broke a 116-run stand for the opening wicket when he trapped debutant Murali Vijay (41) leg-before and then had out-of-form Rahul Dravid caught behind in his three overs.

Dravid finished the series with just 120 runs at an average of 17.14.

Lee, on a drip for dehydration on Saturday afternoon, bowled his heart out on an easy-paced pitch in his second spell and accounted for aggressive Virender Sehwag (92).

The Indian opener looked set to complete his 16th century in 64 Tests before edging a lifting delivery to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, who dived to his left to bring off a low catch. He hit one six and 10 fours.

Sehwag, who made 66 in the first innings, punished Krejza during his 107-ball knock, once stepping out to hoist the bowler over long-off for a six.

Krejza, who became only the sixth bowler to take eight wickets in a debut innings on Friday, came back strongly to bowl Venkatsai Laxman with a gem of a delivery that turned sharply from outside the off-stump to knock back the leg.

The spinner was on hat-trick after he removed retiring Sourav Ganguly for a first-ball duck, diving forward to hold a return catch.

The tourists conceded five penalty runs when Haddin threw his glove to stop the ball.

Australia have not lost a Test series since the 2005 Ashes in England.