Consecutive win number 17 arrived after some tense moments on day two in Mumbai. At 99 for five, still 77 adrift of the home side, Australia stood at the crossroad's. But they came up with an answer to a tight situation. Attack!

Steve Waugh put India in and had them 55 for four, before Tendulkar showed some class, adding 65 with Laxman. McGrath and Warne combined to break India's spirit. Despite 26 not out from recalled keeper Nayan Mongia, 176 was well below par.

Early on the second day, three wickets from offspinner Harbhajan Singh contributed to the Australian's wobble at 99 for five. Their best form of defence turned out to be attack as Adam Gilchrist [left] blasted 122 from 112 balls. He started slowly, but tore into the spinners, and was supported by Matt Hayden's solid 119. Their partnership of 295 reclaimed any initiative India may have had.

Shane Warne added 39 to compound the damage, and extend the lead to 173. By the close India had already lost both the openers, and the writing was on the wall. Dravid (39) and Tendulkar gave some hope adding 93 on the third morning, before Tendulkar was undone by Mark Waugh's medium pace.

He pulled a long-hop via short-leg, Justin Langer's shoulder to a horizontal Ricky Ponting diving from mid-wicket, a moment that all but sealed the match. Waugh had not troubled the scorers with the bat, but took three valuable scalps with the ball as India's last eight wickets crumbled for 64 runs.

Australia looked a different class, as they showed resourceful confidence when faced with a tricky situation. India's fragile attack was further weakened with Javagal Srinath's injury that may well keep him out of the second Test. Would Anil Kumble have made any difference? Maybe they could have held the Australian charge, and made more of their brief advantage, but the better team won. The Aussies record may well stretch on into the summer.
Richard Kendall