Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden became Australia's most prolific opening partnership despite their unusually low 17-run stand in the fourth Test against India at Wankhede Stadium.

The left-handed duo moved to 3,896 runs, clear of Michael Slater and Mark Taylor's 3,887. Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson are the next best Australians on 3.596, although West Indian greats Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge are in a league of their own on 6,482.

Langer and Hayden snuck to their Australian benchmark as their side kept their noses in front of India on a pitch where both sides opened the bowling with spinners.

Australia's Nathan Hauritz, who took 3-16 in India's first innings of 104 before sharing the new ball with Jason Gillespie in the second, said he had never seen a ball spin so far.

"The first ball I bowled turned a fair way and I was pretty excited," he said.

"You just know that if you put it in the right area, good things will happen and eventually it did. I've never seen a wicket turn this much ever, not even on television. I've just never seen a wicket like it."

Asked if he though he was the key bowler in India's second innings, the Test debutant replied: "Not really. The quicks did the job in the first innings and they've done the job all series. There will be a lot more opportunities in the second innings. If it comes down to me it will be a long afternoon because I'll be bowling a lot of overs."

Gillespie, who took 4-29, described the pitch as "a very interesting wicket," adding: "It's spinning a mile and bouncing a mile."

Gillespie said Glenn McGrath was "fine" despite suggestions his fellow paceman was feeling sick.

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