Veteran batting pair Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting prevented an Australian batting collapse with half-centuries each on day three of the Boxing Day Test against India in Melbourne.
Hussey put his first innings golden duck behind him to finish unbeaten on 79 as Australia closed on 179-8.
Under-fire ex-captain Ponting also contributed 60 and shared an 115 run fifth wicket stand with Hussey as the Aussies recovered from a nightmare start.
Opening bowler Umesh Yadav took three quick wickets before Ishant Sharma dismissed the hosts' skipper Michael Clarke to leave Australia 27-4.
The experienced duo steadied the ship for the Aussies but more late wickets left them with a lead of just 230 with only two second innings wickets remaining.
Play had earlier resumed with India at the crease but they suffered a collapse of their own.
Ben Hilfenhaus produced an excellent spell to take 5-75, including the scalps of Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni, as the tourists lost seven wickets for 68 runs.
Yadav was the spearhead as the visitors responded well but the efforts of Hussey and Ponting ensured Australia were still in contention heading into the penultimate day.
