PERTH, Australia (AP):

Australia made a shaky start yesterday in its attempt to complete the second-biggest run chase in Test history, with India poised to inflict a rare home defeat on the Australians in the third Test.

India were bowled out for a dogged 294 in its second innings, setting Australia a winning target of 413 over the final two days at the WACA Ground.

Left-arm swing bowler Irfan Pathan (2-22) dismissed openers Chris Rogers (15) and Phil Jacques (16) as Australia slid to 65-2 by stumps on day three.

Skipper Ricky Ponting (24 not out) and Michael Hussey (5 not out) will resume Saturday with Australia facing an enormous task to win a world record 17th successive Test.

Historical chase

Only once in Test history has a nation successfully chased such a large fourth innings total - the West Indies against Australia in Antigua in May 2003 when the home side chased 418 to win by three wickets.

The highest successful fourth-inning run chase in Australia was by Australia against Pakistan in Hobart in November 1999, when the home side achieved its target of 369 runs for the loss of six wickets.

The best ever by Australia was its 1948 team - dubbed 'The Invincibles' - against England in Leeds when it scored 404-3 for victory.

Just as India ended Australia's last 16-Test winning streak in 2001, it is poised to do so again here. That Indian victory in Calcutta led India to a series victory, but the best the tourists can hope for in this series is a tie, with Australia having won the first two of four Tests.

On a day when both team battled hard to seize the upper hand, V.V.S. Laxman hit a defiant 79 over almost four hours to wrest the initiative from Australia after India had slumped to 125-5 in the morning session.

Irfan Pathan scored a patient 46 to hold together India's innings after the morning session struggles before he fell in the second over after lunch, edging a Stuart Clark (4-61) delivery to Ponting at second slip.

Frustration

Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (38) then added 75 runs over 100 minutes to frustrate the Australians. Dhoni hit two fours and two sixes.

Andrew Symonds removed Dhoni and Anil Kumble in one over just before tea to raise the home side's hopes of quickly running through the tail and having an achievable run chase.

But Laxman again guided a tail ender through a gritty partnership, as he and R.P.Singh (30) shared a 51-run stand for the ninth wicket.

Laxman said batting under pressure brought the best out of him and praised the lower-order batsmen for their support.

''It's easily one of my best innings, especially when you get runs against the Australian quicks in Perth,'' said Laxman.

''The way we bowled this evening is very encouraging and it will definitely put their batsmen under pressure and have them thinking.

''There is some inconsistent bounce and (spinner) Anil (Kumble) will have a big role to play after the seamers,'' added Laxman.

Australia coach Tim Nielsen claimed the run chase was achievable and will draw inspiration from India's second innings.

''If you can create partnerships it puts the pressure back on the bowling team and that's what we're hoping to achieve,'' Nielsen said. ''We took a lot of confidence from how India batted.

''It's going to be a big effort for us to set a good platform, (and) Ricky and Michael will be very important in that regard.''