The domination of ball over bat during the Australia-India Test series continued at the Sydney Cricket Ground as both teams struggled to make runs on day one of the second Test.
At stumps on the opening day of the 100th Test at the historic venue, Australia were 116 for 3 in reply to India's 191, with 13 wickets falling in the day despite clear and sunny conditions.
Captain Michael Clarke on 47 not out and his predecessor Ricky Ponting (44 not out) stopped the rot, guiding the home team to stumps with an unbeaten 79-run stand which gave Australia momentum going into day two.
Australia's impressive trio of fast bowlers gave the hosts the early edge after India elected to bat first - James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus all getting among the wickets as the tourists were dismissed shortly after tea.
Pattinson continued his impressive start at Test level, claiming four top-order scalps to have 24 wickets so far in his four-Test career at the incredible average of 14.45.
Gautam Gambhir (0) was dismissed in the opening over, while the prize wickets of Virender Sehwag (30), VVS Laxman (2) and Sachin Tendulkar (41) - still chasing his 100th international hundred - followed as Pattinson finished with 4-43.
Siddle (3-55) wrapped up the innings when he lured Umesh Yadav (0) to edge through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, the scalp being the Victorian bowler's 100th in Test match cricket.
But just when Australia thought they were on top, it was the turn of India's Zaheer Khan (3-26) to cause some top-order damage with the ball.
The left-armer dismissed David Warner (8) and Shaun Marsh (0) early before trapping Ed Cowan (14) lbw to leave Australia 3-37.
But Clarke and Ponting wrestled the initiative back in Australia's favour going into day two.
The hosts lead the four-test series 1-nil.
