Here we go again.

Australia and India set the scene for another classic series with an engrossing opening day of the first Test, where Matthew Hayden fell to Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble claimed three vital wickets and Simon Katich took to the No.3 batting position like a duck to the water that had been kept away from the Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch.

Australia was 5-316 at stumps, with vice-captain Adam Gilchrist on 35 and Test debutant Michael Clarke making a free-spirited 76 not out.

Drama erupted after tea when a full-throated appeal for a catch behind from Katich off the bowling of runaway speedster Irfan Pathan was knocked back by umpire Billy Bowden.

As the Indians made their displeasure known, not to mention a swarm of Indian fans baying for Australian blood, Bowden had second thoughts and decided to confer with his sidekick Steve Bucknor. After a lengthy discussion, the video umpire was called upon to adjudicate.

About two minutes after Katich's alleged snick, it was deemed the ball had not carried to wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel anyway. The booing went on and on, as did the shaking of heads among the Indian players.

Hayden fell short of his 2001 heroics when he swept Harbhajan to Yuvraj Singh at midwicket for 26, sparking singing, dancing, flag waving and horn bowling from Indian supporters who remembered too well the Australian opener pounding 500-plus runs from three Tests in their last clash on the sub-continent.

Katich has the lowest profile of any member of the Test side, so much so that he can walk the streets of Bangalore with his fiance Georgie Willis unnoticed and has been asked at the team hotel what he's doing in India - by members of an Australian supporters' group.

He demanded attention on Wednesday.

Bumped up the order from number six to fill injured captain Ricky Ponting's big shoes at number three, he arrived at the crease at 1-50 with India cock-a-hoop thanks to the dismissal of Hayden.

• Clarke admires Lehmann's batting offer
• India pulls off amazing win in Test
• Indian cricketers close in on Pakistan
• Dravid shocked at magnitude of loss
• Pitch turning into a nightmare
• Drama, runs - first Test warms up
• Fourth Test delicately poised in Chennai
• Aussie cricketers out to restore pride
• Australia rocks India on day two
• Series alive and kicking after fightback
• Clarke looks like getting Test call up
• Ponting likely to miss first Test
• McGrath steals Clarke's thunder
• Hodge called up, Clarke gets chance
• Clarke set for SCG Aussie debut
• Reinforcements do the job
• Australia beats India by 77 runs
• What Clarke remembers - Ashes loss pain
• Ponting confident against NZ
• Lehmann may stand down for Clarke
• Clarke prepares for golden run to end
• India series bigger than Ashes: Lee
• Aussies favoured in Calcutta
• Aussie cricketers come home
• Australia beats India by 18 runs
• India strangles Aussie run chase
• Hayden out to make up for lost time
• Ganguly backs away from No.1 call
• Aussies start well in Nagpur
• Tendulkar set to fire in Test: coach

Brought to you by AAP

© 2003 AAP

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